USB ZigBee compliant radio transceiver

Telegesis designers have succeeded in reducing all critical dimensions of the assembly allowing a new slimmer, smaller module to be produced making it ideal for applications where physical size is important or where the ETRX2USB must reside in close proximity to other USB peripherals.

The height of the new USB stick has been reduced by over 30% and overall volume is reduced by over 40%. Additionally, a new redesigned light pipe in the casing allows a clear visual indication of ZigBee network activity via an on board LED.

The ETRX2USB module is a full speed USB2.0 device; powered by the USB bus, the module supports low power modes and can be configured as a ZigBee coordinator, router, or end device. The new stick is also available as a ‘PA’ version with additional power amplification offering a boosted output power.

To reduce time to market and simplify design the ETRX2USB module utilises the Telegesis ‘AT’ style command line interface which allows a designer to quickly integrate ZigBee meshing radio technology into a design without the need for complex programming or RF design experience.

The USB stick acts effectively as a USB2.0 to serial bridge and by using a virtual COM port the ‘AT’ command set can be easily accessed by host application software.

As a starting point for designers, Telegesis supplies its 'Telegesis Terminal' software with the ETRX2 USB stick. This application is specifically designed to let designers quickly gain an understanding of how the Telegesis AT command set is used to manage a network of Telegesis ZigBee ETRX devices and helps in connecting to Telegesis wireless ZigBee modules by sending commands and viewing responses received from remote ETRX ZigBee devices

Designers aiming to develop custom firmware are also well supported by the addition of an in-circuit Programming/Debugging header accessible under a small rubber seal on the side of the USB stick.

For high volume applications Telegesis can also supply the ETRX2USB as an OEM product. Options include USB sticks without a case, without the Telegesis AT command set for custom firmware applications and the plastic casing can also be supplied in a wide variety of colours with printed Logo’s.

Commenting on the new ETRX2USB stick Telegesis MD Nicholas Gomersall said “Our efforts to engineer a competitively priced, compact USB stick which now appeals to a wide variety of customers from single users to large volume, price sensitive OEM applications where we can offer custom colours and clients own logos have succeeded”.