RF Engine, Zigbee and SNAP Portal Network - Synapse

Synapse introduced a new wireless module with a range of up to three miles. The Synapse’s RF Engine is a compact plug-in RF transceiver module that can be used in ZigBee wireless networks. The Synapse RF Engine is available in several options. The module configuration can be selected, with or without amplification, internal or external antenna, and running SNAP (Synapse Network Appliance Protocol ) or  ZigBee wireless network. Synapse RF Engines can be implemented easily without networking or application layer programming knowledge needed.

Synapse RF Engine

Key features of Synapse RF Engine

• Can run both SNAP and ZigBee Stacks
• Up to three mile range
• Embedded antenna or external SMA antenna versions
• 18 dbM power amplifier
• 10 dBm receive amplifier
• 125 dBm link budget
• Serial AT interface
• Extremely low power

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Along the introduction of its RF Engine, Synapse also announced its Portal network software for configuring and controlling of SNAP and ZigBee  wireless networks. The Portal  network administration software allows the user to configure and change complex behavior of End Devices without complex programming using simple scripts to define behavior.

Synapse Portal Network Software

The new Synapse Portal Network is able to support up to 65,000 devices. It also provides an application programming interface for third-party software interfacing. Using synapse Portal connected to internet, user will be able to control, monitor and configure their devices from anywhere.

Key Features Synapse Portal Network:

• Supports up to 65,000 End Device modules
• Simple right-click interface for configuring End Devices
• Intuitive graphical display of network
• Simple scripting for configuring end device behavior
• USB or serial port interface to Coordinator module
• Allows configuration of End Devices with simple scripts that download into the End Device automatically
• Allows LAN or internet access to the SNAP network

Portal Lite is included in Synapse’s Network Evaluation Kit and Portal Silver is scheduled to be available on May 2007. Portal Gold and Portal Platinum, which include API,  full ZigBee support and Internet support is scheduled to be available in Q3 or Q4 this year.

About SNAP network stack:

SNAP networks are self-forming; it is not necessary to devote time and resources toward developing an applications layer. As soon as a Synapse End Device has been incorporated into the network, the PC-based Synapse Portal  software administrator can be used to configure the behavior of the End Device. As an example, this configuration allows the user to tell an End Device to do the following:

If the reading from the sensor on Synapse End Device A falls outside the xxx to yyy range of values, turn off the relay on Synapse End Device B.

Communication with the SNAP-based Synapse RF Engine is through simple serial AT commands. This means that a user can easily interface to the RF Engine by simple techniques. With the Synapse RF Engine handling the wireless control network, the user can focus on their application.

ZigBee Stack and SNAP Stack

About Synapse Wireless Solutions:

Wireless control and monitoring networks are undergoing exponential growth in industries as diverse as Building Automation, Industrial Control, Inter-modal Shipping, Manufacturing, and Transportation. Companies using Synapse SNAP-based wireless control and monitoring networks can reduce their time-to-implement, time-to-market, and time-to-profit. The combination of SNAP's small memory-footprint coupled with its high-performance, low-power, and ease-of-use features make it the obvious choice for the vast majority of intelligent wireless network applications.

Pricing:

• Synapse RF Engine module prices start at $24.00 (Qty. 1).
• Synapse Portal Lite: Included with Synapse Evaluation Kit only
• Synapse Portal Silver: $249 (available May 18th, 2007)

Source: Synapse’s RF Engine and SNAP Portal Network