Wireless UART data transceiver module combines low cost with frequency agility
At below $9 in volume, the Hummingbird platform claims to be the lowest cost complete wideband transceiver with microcontroller module on the market today. The HumDT™ is built on this platform and is designed for reliable wireless digital data transfer. It includes a frequency agile protocol and supports versions at 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz with a common footprint and pin out.
The frequency agile protocol repeats the packet on up to 4 channels, gaining some of the noise immunity of frequency hopping without the synchronization, timing delays and other overhead associated with FHSS solutions. The number of channels is configurable as well as which channels are used. The module automatically handles all of the over-the-air transactions, so no overhead is required by the user.
Like its namesake, the Hummingbird modules are tiny. At 11.5 mm by 14.0 mm, the HumDT™ uses advanced system on chip (SoC) technology to minimize the footprint and the number of components. It is designed for large-scale volume production, leading to a price that is nearly half that of similar modules, and making it cost competitive with discrete designs.
The HumDT™ transceiver has built-in networking with encryption. Each module can act as one of three components in the wireless network, either the Access Point that controls a network, a Range Extender to repeat messages and expand the range of the network, or an End Device. Each Access Point can be joined to up to 50 Range Extenders and End Devices. The Access Point also supports routing so that End Devices can talk to each other through the Access Point. All routing and network maintenance functions are automatically handled by the transceiver.
The AES encryption algorithm is used to encrypt the data and provide a secure wireless channel. The module has a serial UART interface for configuration and data transfer. Everything is controlled by a few serial commands. 8 GPIO lines can be digital inputs or outputs or analog inputs. These are monitored and controlled through the UART and are suitable for simple on/off operations or for connection to sensors.
The HumDT™ 900 MHz version outputs up to 10 dBm, resulting in a line-of-sight range of up to 1,600 m (1.0 mile), depending on the antenna implementation. The 2.4 GHz version outputs up to 1 dBm, resulting in a line-of-sight range of 100 m (300 feet).
To aid rapid development, the HumDT™ Series transceiver is available as part of a newly conceived type of master development system. This comprehensive development kit is designed to assist in the rapid evaluation and integration of the HumDT™ Series data transceiver modules. The all-inclusive system features several pre-assembled evaluation boards, which include everything needed to quickly test the operation of the transceiver modules.
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