Market availability of bi-directional Dolphin platform

The Dolphin platform enables sensors to communicate in two directions, resulting in a sensor network dialogue that facilitates entirely new possibilities in building automation and a variety of other processes. A room temperature regulator, for instance, is not only able to send the temperature set for a room to its central controller. In the reverse direction it can now also receive commands from this central point and indicate them. At the same time the radiator is controlled and the momentary room temperature adjusted to a new setting. In this way large hotels can control and reduce their energy consumption centrally, without having to set the temperature separately for each room.



The benefits of the new Dolphin modules go far beyond extra convenience and enhanced flexibility in hotel management. In many applications, including sensitive ones such as medicine or security, the receipt of a wireless signal now has to be acknowledged. If no acknowledging signal is returned, there may be defects in the system that can be immediately detected and corrected.



Creating what it takes



EnOcean's self-powered and service-free wireless technology sets standards when it comes to smart automation and control. Its wireless modules harvest the energy they need to transmit a control command from their surroundings – the movement of a button, for instance, a miniature solar cell or a difference in temperature. This eliminates complicated and costly cabling.



Initially, energy-autonomous sensors implemented in EnOcean wireless technology were only able to transmit. The bi-directional Dolphin platform, now available, is the logical follow-on development of this unidirectional transmission. Since the first prototypes were presented at Electronica 2008, EnOcean has cooperated closely with long-standing customers to optimise and complete the platform.



Broad integration base



OEM partners from diverse sectors can simply integrate the new modules in their product ranges. EnOcean technology enables speedy development and creation of new wireless solutions in building services, in industrial and numerous other applications. Standardised sensor profiles enable interoperability of the resulting products. Devices from different manufacturers can then communicate and cooperate with one another in one and the same system. The new platform remains backward-compatible with all earlier unidirectional, self-powered wireless switches, sensors and actuators in EnOcean technology.



Open-ended for the way ahead



A major component of Dolphin system architecture is the bi-directional STM 300, TCM 300 and TCM 320 wireless modules. These come in versions for a standard frequency of 868 MHz or 315 MHz, so they can work in applications worldwide.



STM 300 features an energy harvesting interface for the implementation of self-powered products. The minimal standby power consumption makes it especially suitable for energy-autonomous wireless solutions such as temperature sensors, sensors in building services and innovative actuators. STM 300 can be powered by a solar cell, available in two sizes.



The TCM 300 and TCM 320 transceiver modules are the ideal building block for continuously powered components such as flush-mounted actuators or gateways. The modules command out-of-the-box switching, dimming, repeating and gateway functionalities. If basic configurations are inadequate, the easy-to-handle EnOcean API development environment enables OEMs to create extra functionality for integration in their applications.



The nucleus of the new modules is the large-scale-integrated EO30001 Dolphin chip. This features an energy converter interface and a complete RF transceiver for the wireless communication developed by EnOcean with its extremely short data telegrams.



The fastest way into energy-autonomous applications



The EDK 300 developer kit gives the designer a fast and full overview of the Dolphin platform. Companies will be able to develop their own energy-autonomous applications for building services automation or other purposes speedily and effectively.