Jennic Starter Kit de-skills low power wireless connectivity for just $219

The Starter Kit provides the flexibility to develop wireless capability by using Jennic JN5139 microcontrollers and modules as wireless processors or co-processors. In the wireless co-processor configuration, the kit demonstrates nodes adding wireless connectivity to a PC or embedded processor via a serial port and Jennic’s AT-Jenie serial communications API. In the single-chip configuration, the kit demonstrates the protocol and application both running on the JN5139 32-bit wireless microcontroller. The Jenie ‘C’-based API provides communication between the application and the wireless connectivity protocol.

The kit comprises 3 nodes, pre-programmed with a range of example applications to demonstrate the capabilities of wireless sensor networks. A simple introduction explains the common wireless network topologies that are supported by the JenNet wireless network stack. The kit clearly demonstrates point-to-point connections, and a simple network utilising a coordinator, router and endpoint, as well as the self-healing properties of the JenNet stack. Wireless co-processor operation is demonstrated using a PC connection to the nodes and communication via AT-Jenie serial commands. RF performance, range and packet error rate monitoring are also included, allowing users to evaluate the radio performance of the JN5139 modules and 2.4GHz IEEE802.15.4 standard.

Each node includes a standard Jennic module, which integrates a JN5139 wireless microcontroller and an antenna. Operating in the licence-free ISM band at 2.4GHz, the modules have worldwide RF approval and provide a seamless route from concept-proving, and easy application development using the evaluation kits, through to prototyping and volume production using either the ICs or modules.

The JenNet stack provides a powerful higher-layer networking solution based on the IEEE802.15.4 standard, which is becoming the worldwide de-facto standard for low power wireless connectivity. It implements networks ranging from simple point-to-point systems, to large tree or linear networks of devices. The Jenie and AT-Jenie programmer interfaces simplify access to the commands for building and running the network, de-skilling the task of designing the network and allowing the developer to concentrate on designing their application.

Developers also have free access to Jennic’s full and unlimited software developer kit (SDK) which uses the Code::Blocks IDE with a GNU based compiler and linker. This provides a complete development environment and eliminates the need to purchase additional development tools. The AT-Jenie serial interface and Jenie C programmer’s API are accessed through the SDK to simplify design of the application software.

The evaluation kit and networking stacks, backed up by Jennic’s extensive documentation and comprehensive support, are available immediately through distributors and representatives worldwide.