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SIMCom single-chip module supports multi-channel wireless communication

21st November 2009

ES Admin

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ACAL Technology announces a new single-chip module which combines short-range RF with an embedded SIM for GSM or GPRS communication. Designed for low-cost machine-to-machine (M2M) applications, such as smart metering, wireless sensing, telemetry or access control and security, SIMCom’s SIM 802 module can connect to an unlimited number of slave nodes and features programmable transmit power to maximise battery life.

Integrated into a compact 33mm x 33mm x 5.15mm package, the combination of short-range RF and GSM/GPRS significantly reduces the board space, component count and engineering effort required to implement multi-channel mesh networks.

The integrated SIM can be factory pre-set to an airtime provider to give an additional layer of security by eliminating the risk of the SIM being removed and used with a different airtime provider.

Receiver sensitivity of -115dBM at 1200bps, combined with programmable transmit power and air data rates of 1200bps to 115200bps, allows the SIM 802 to simplify multi-channel communication in the 433Mhz to 928MHz ISM frequency bands. Short-range RF connection is supported over distances of up to 1 kilometre at a maximum of 20mW output power with support for peer-to-peer or broadcast transmissions. 16-bit RFID is available as an option.

The quad-band SIM 802 operates at 850Mhz, 900MHz, 1800MHz or 1900MHz and is compliant to GSM phase 2/2+. It also meets the specifications for GPRS multi-slot class 10/8 and mobile station class B. It includes interfaces for analogue audio, an LCD display, keypad, RTC back-up, battery charging and GPIO as well as serial and debug interfaces for GSM/GPRS and SRD RF.

Kevin Price, M2M specialist at ACAL Technology, comments, “The SIM 802 is a significant development in M2M networking. By integrating RF with GSM or GPRS, this module can collate information from an unlimited number of nodes and securely transmit the data back to a central location over a cell-phone network. ACAL have been working with a number of customers who are using this module to improve the reliability and security of their M2M networks, particularly in built-up areas where alternative wireless protocols could be prone to poor signal integrity.”

ACAL Technology has been providing specialist technical support for customer M2M applications for five years. Their support includes hardware and software development as well as airtime negotiations and in-house manufacturing and test facilities.