Wireless Modules Move Forward But Retain Backward Compatibility

OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND: Short-range radio technologists Low Power Radio Solutions (LPRS) have added new features to the easyRadio Advanced (eRA) low-power wireless modules. Amongst the new design elements is a facility that allows users to change the bandwidth of the radio from 150 kHz to as low as 12.5 kHz, providing narrowband performance at what LPRS claims is a wideband budget. In addition, an internal-temperature measurement of the wireless modules ensures less than 1.5-kHz frequency drift referenced to an ambient of +20C for a range of -40 to +85C. According to the firm, the addition of these features will not jeopardize backward compatibility.

The modules contain a crystal-controlled synthesizer for frequency accuracy of better than 1 kHz over the full temperature range. They also boast a high-sensitivity receiver (-117 dB at 12.5-kHz bandwidth) and transmission power to 10 mW at 434 MHz. The modules provide user-programmable frequency to 132 channels and RS-232 data rates to 115,200 b/s. For data transmission, they rely on the easyRadio protocol with 16-b encryption and anti-crosstalk software (DCS). A new raw-data mode allows customers to use their own coding system on any frequency they choose.

Other new design features of LPRS' eRA include digital received signal strength indication (RSSI) and accurate internal-level measurement of signal strength. As a result, the host system does not have to handle analog-to-digital measurement. A command for either the current received-signal-strength-indicator (RSSI) level or the signal strength of the last received data packet is used. Temporary channel selection is another new command. The user can scan other channels if required without storing the settings in the internal EEPROM, thereby maximizing its life.