Nuts & Volts - March 2007

■ HARDWARE ■ SOFTWARE ■ GADGETS ■ TOOLS

The board configuration editor and programmer allow you to quickly change the board configuration to meet your application.

The sequence editor and programmer are for quickly creating control sequences based upon your programmed configuration.

2. 4 GHz WIRELESS

MODULE

For more information, contact: The Silicon Horizon Web: www.TheSilicon Horizon.com

SonMicro Electronics announces the release of its first 2. 4 GHz wireless module named SMW240. SMW240 — based on Cypress PRoC IC that is integrated with radio and MCU — is a compact size ( 3 x 2. 3 cm), with four layer PCB design for optimum performance, including PCB antenna and all necessary

passive components to complete

a fully functional 2. 4 GHz

wireless module in ISM band. SMW240 is designed for short range ( 50 meters) RF communication applications with up to

62. 5 kbits/sec data rate. It works with 3 VDC to 3. 6 VDC and is optimized for low power applications. SMW240 has a UART interface to communicate with the external peripheral. To ease the product design, add flexibility, and support existing serial devices, it supports two modes of operation that can be selected according to user needs: Built-in Protocol Mode and Wireless RS232.

In Protocol Mode, wireless modules can be addressed, given network IDs. Each module can send to and receive from another addressed module within the same network ID. By properly designing the external micro-controller, it becomes possible to create networks and routers with this mode.

In the Wireless RS232 Mode, the module simply converts any incoming UART and Wireless data to each other. There are no special commands and a control mechanism is not required. Thus any incoming serial data stream (max. 76 bytes packages) can be converted to wireless. This mode may be used to connect existing serial devices or products wirelessly potentially without doing any design change or can be used with systems where code space for control mechanism/protocol is not enough or the control mechanism/ protocol is performed from outside the device or system (e.g., PC software).

The SMW240 wireless module can be integrated to a wide coverage of applications very easily and quickly with almost no time spent on the development. SMW1024 Low Cost Development Kits are available now for $212 USD. SMW240 modules are available for $14.90 USD (1K qty). Higher volume pricing and University discounts are available.