Renesas Electronics Europe and AND TR jointly announce the availability of ZigBeeTM Smart Energy 1.1 module-based design kits

In the Advanced design kit, the specialist TestZED module is designed to interoperate with the bundled PC TestZED software and can function as either a ZigBee Co-ordinator or Router, depending on how it is initialised. However, the real hidden 'gem' in this kit is the TestZED PC software itself. This not only gives users greater visibility of network communications, but enables direct testing of the ZigBee Profile and their developed application through the reading/writing to the individual attributes of the profile's clusters. As a result, scenarios can be quickly set up and tested. As is standard with all AND products, the ConnectZED Evaluation Kits come fully backed up with direct technical email and telephone support. When users start to develop their ZigBee based design they can rest assured that there is not just technical support at a simple call or email away, but complete embedded expertise and design services available too.

The Renesas M16C/6B single chip silicon offers an extremely high level of integration including a high-performance 16-bit CPU with an IEEE802.15.4 compliant 2.4GHz transceiver, up to 256kB of on-chip Flash coupled with 20kB RAM and 8kB of data flash, in addition to many useful peripherals such as a 4 channel DMA, multiple timers (including watchdog), 3 channels of serial I/O, 8 channel 10bit ADC and much more.

Andy Harding, Senior Manager of Smart Energy Segment Marketing at Renesas Electronics Europe, comments: “The AND TR modules and design kits are not only designed specifically for the markets at which they are targeted, but are also backed up by a strong design services company able to provide dedicated support and guidance for end customers trying to get to grips with the challenges of communications and networking. Whilst the European Union and individual governments target ambitious roll outs of Smart Metering across the EU, AND TR has the expertise to turn this goal into reality and is already actively supporting a number of our customers in technology trials.”

Steven Kear, Programmes Director at AND TR, adds: “AND TR is delighted to be working with Renesas in this market. They are already a market leader and remain focused on supplying semiconductor based solutions specifically targeted for use in the Smart Grid and Building/Home Automation markets. Renesas puts a lot of emphasis on quality and supply which makes them a privilege to work with. Our relationship goes back many years and this gives customers the confidence they require to work with suppliers of components for major infrastructure projects like the Smart Grid.”