Cable Technology Feature Article
October 19, 2009
CEL Shipping MeshConnect Extended Range Module
By Shamila Janakiraman, TMCnet Contributor
CEL reportedly announced that it has started shipping its new MeshConnect Extended Range Module for 802.15.4/ZigBee applications. The module leverages the extensive MeshConnect family of modules and IC’s.
Company officials said that these new modules enable long range applications besides those that maintain mesh connections even in harsh, noisy indoor RF environments. The new features available in the modules include extended data rates and a built-in voice CODEC processor.
The Extended Range Module is capable of maintaining strong connections even if the environment is congested with wireless interference like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The module enables new applications likeintelligent lighting control for LED lighting, in-hospital patient monitoring, baby monitors with two-way voice, and RF4CE. RF4CE is a new technology used in RF-based TV and set top box remote control.
RF links are maintained optimally by the module for enabling applications like large farm irrigation, wireless control for highway and street lighting andasset management with location tracking. It also enables applications for enterprise security systems with video and voice, and wireless sensors in large industrial environments such as oil refineries and manufacturing plants.
“The Extended Range Module’s robust link budget enables reliable networks even in harsh RF environments,” said Rich Howell, CEL director of business development in a news release.
The Extended Range Module has a range of two miles and its +123.5 Db data link ensures higher data rates which can be maintained for longer distances. It is high powered but also features a longer battery life owing to its extremely low sleep mode power consumption of less than 1 microAmp.
California Eastern Laboratories or CEL develops IEEE (News - Alert) 802.15.4/ZigBee Radio Modules and Transceiver ICs. CEL partners with NEC Electronics to sell, market and develop products made by their compound semiconductor device division.
Shamila Janakiraman is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Shamila’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Erin Harrison
