DALLAS /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- RF Monolithics Inc. (RFM), a leader in machine-to-machine (M2M) wireless technology, introduced two additions to the company's RFM2M brand of M2M Wireless Sensor Network Platform (WSN) building block products, the battery-powered SN2430R420 sensor modem and LG2430E gateway. Multiple SN2430R420s and an LG2430E create a sensor data collection platform for application developers and system integrators looking to deliver a complete WSN or M2M solution.
Said Tim Cutler, RFM's Director of Business Development for M2M business, "Application developers have detailed knowledge of the markets they serve but struggle to find a cost-effective means to collect the sensor data that drive their applications. With over 20 years of wireless deployments, RFM has the practical experience that enables us to deliver wireless sensor network platform products that non-RF personnel can easily deploy. Our products collect the data and send it to the Internet, the Cloud, or servers where applications access the data. We support a variety of Internet and cloud protocols but let our customers decide who should host the data and where."
Like most of RFM's RFM2M Wireless Sensor Networking Platform products, the SN2430R420 is designed as a "peel-and-stick" product. M2M peel-and-stick products are typically characterized as not needing mains-power and/or data cables in their operation, and are designed to possess data collection or sensor monitoring capabilities integrated with wireless data transmission. Therefore, no electrician or IT specialist is needed to run power or IT cables.
Cutler added, "With the increase of systems integrators and applications developers entering the M2M space, demand for peel-and-stick products such as the RFM2M WSN platform has also increased. RFM has an aggressive product roadmap to address this demand because the value of peel-and-stick products to our target customers is significant. Peel-and-stick products lower the costs of M2M application deployments or system integrations, shorten time to market, and simplify M2M connectivity."
Likewise, the SN240R420 is an ideal peel-and-stick wireless sensor network product because it does not require mains-power or data cables, and integrates sensor monitoring with best-in-class 802.15.4 radio technology. Specifically, the SN2430R420 provides a 2-, 3-, or 4-wire RTD input, coupled with a general-purpose 4–20 mA input and a switch closure input. Using 100 mW 802.15.4 radio technology, the SN2430R420 sends sensor data over ranges up to 500 meters to the LG2430E gateway, which provides connection to servers or the Internet over Ethernet networks. Operating on either lithium thionyl chloride or AA Alkaline batteries, the SN2430R420 can provide years of battery life.
The LG2430E supports a variety of protocols to connect to databases or legacy applications. Included in the list are Amazon's SimpleDB, Pachube, HTTP Posts, and Modbus/TCP. The gateway has the ability to store sensor data in the event network or Internet connectivity is lost. Development of an LG2430 gateway with cellular connectivity is nearing completion.
Using a modular design approach, both the SN2430R420 and LG2430E can be easily customized for specific applications as well as easily configured for different RF technologies, such as Wi-Fi, ZigBee, WirelessHART, and FHSS. The SN2430R240 is easily modified to accept current transformers, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, strain sensors, and many other sensor types. As long as the same RF technology is used, SN2430s with different sensor inputs can be combined in a single network.
The LG2430E gateway can also be used with OEM products, incorporating RFM's LPR2430 family of 802.15.4 modules.
The SN2430R420 sensor modem, LG2430E gateway, the previously announced SN802GRC Wi-Fi Sensor Modem, and RFM's line of FCC/IC/ETSI-certified modules are being showcased at the Sensors Expo (Booth #429) June 7–8, 2011, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL.
About RFM
RF Monolithics Inc., headquartered in Dallas, TX, is a provider of solutions-driven, technology-enabled wireless connectivity for a broad range of wireless applications, from individual standardized and custom components to modules for comprehensive industrial wireless sensor networks and M2M technology.