Wireless controller for IoT sensor systems

The LPRS eRIC transceiver power saving modes provide control of the duty cycle of the receiver so that the ‘ON’ time can be set to 12.5, 6.25, 3.1, 1.56, 0.78, 0.39 & 0.2% with corresponding levels of power saving from its “always on” current of 16mA. The transmitter may then be independently set to the same duty cycle as the receiver or longer as required for transfer of data. Up to 250B data-packets are supported throughout all operating modes and up to 500Kb/s over air data rates are available.

The LPRS eRIC module is now available with operating frequencies for World Markets and provides secure over-air transmission with the availability of an AES 128-bit data encryption option. Many other advanced features are available as standard including; received signal strength indicator (RSSI), carrier detect and group ID.

The advanced design of this transceiver uses system-on-chip technology removing the need for an external processor. The on-board processor memory is partitioned giving half to the easyRadio configurable settings and communication software and leaving the rest available for design engineers to add their own application code. Code can be written using industry standard tools and a quick to learn API (application programming interface). This partitioned memory design will often eliminate the need for any additional microcontroller, saving cost, space and power.

eRIC is an exceptional value RF transceiver intended for embedded high-volume applications in the “Smart” or “IoT” arena including; building and lighting control, security, home monitoring and medical products, vehicle and contents monitoring, renewable energy control and remote sensor systems. eRIC has been designed to simplify end product manufacture and is packaged for SMD assembly and measures just 20x15x5mm.

eRIC continues to use the popular and simple to use easyRadio programming protocols, operates in the ISM frequency bands (Europe 433 and 868MHz, USA 915MHz), meets ETSI and FCC requirements, has pin interface compatibility with existing easyRadio Advance (eRA) products, has a simple to use and customer configurable and programmable I/O interface and has a built-in temperature sensor.

Barry Gillibrand, Managing Director of LPRS, comments, “Many industrial monitoring systems and possible IoT applications will employ sensors in remote and difficult to access locations. Ensuring maximum operating life of battery powered devices is a key criterion for design engineers and eRIC provides a flexible solution with maximum convenience. Our many years of experience of supplying easyRadio wireless modules has provided us with real-world experience of our customer’s requirements and eRIC provides a complete solution for high-volume wireless control and communication markets. Continuing to use our very successful easyRadio interface ensures our existing customers a smooth transition and gives new customers the ability to configure operating frequency, bandwidth, output power, and data-rate enabling a developer to avoid local interference from nearby devices."