LPRS, Europe’s leading manufacturer of short-range wireless devices, now offers Internet of Things (IoT) and other wireless control or communication system builders with a system-on-chip fully integrated wireless controller with on-board memory for end-user application programming and control functions.
The low-cost feature-rich LPRS eRIC (easyRadio Integrated Controller) wireless module has been designed to provide system builders with a simple to integrate complete wireless communication solution combined with a wide range of user options. eRIC modules are supplied preconfigured to operate as standalone modules but can be modified by any developer to take full advantage of the internal processor’s features.
The internal flash memory at the core of the eRIC wireless module has made this possible and LPRS have partitioned it to enable full utilisation of the embedded microcontroller with free access to high end compilers.
eRIC contains 32K of flash memory and 4K of RAM, and is partitioned into 2 halves each of 16K / 2K respectively. The first partition is preprogramed (although fully upgradeable) with Radio and CPU low level functions which handle most areas relating to RF, CPU control and re-flashing application memory. Functions include, background Transmit, Receive, power saving and CPU speed management and more.
This partition is referred to as eROS – easyRadio Operating System. However rather than being a ‘system thread’ eROS responds to interrupts enabled by the application developers code.
The second partition (User Application Flash Memory) is accessed using template project files for use on the TI CCS compilers. The project templates, load all chip, optimisation, and linker files to interface with the eROS subsystem, and also contains headers for controlling other chip features unrelated to Radio functions, which removes the need to understand the individual registers and peripherals of the microcontroller. The TI CCS IDE, contains features like Code Complete, which greatly simplifies the discovery of features to use.
Sharing the microcontroller this way allows developers to use the high quality FREE TI 16K code limited compiler making powerful development a cost effective solution with eRIC modules. All easyRadio application code is made available to recompile and modify by software developers, to make use of as many peripheral features as needed and LPRS supply free tools for installing custom code, which will soon include debugging features.
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. eRIC can operate at very low power for remote, battery powered sensor systems, with current consumption as low as 32µA possible. Many other advanced features are available as standard including; received signal strength indicator (RSSI), carrier detect and group ID.
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, “Making the on-board memory on our market leading eRIC wireless modules available to end users simplifies system design and reduces component and manufacturing costs. 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 add their own operating code, configure operating frequency, bandwidth, output power, and data-rate enabling installers to avoid local interference from nearby devices”
In addition to designing and manufacturing the highly successful eRIC and easyRadio Advanced (eRA) wireless modules in the UK, the full LPRS product range now includes; Raspberry Pi and Arduino Shield wireless platforms, antennas, wireless key fobs, a wide range of sensor products and the IQRF range of wireless mesh networking components for telemetry, industrial control and building automation.
For more information call +44(0)1993 709418, email sales@lprs.co.uk or visit LPRS
