$37 wireless module simplifies 900-MHz networks
By Warren Webb -- EDN, August 7, 2003
A new, low-cost version of Maxstream’s popular 900-MHz wireless-OEM module has applications in point-of-sale, environmental-monitoring, home-automation, and asset-management systems. The 9Xcite module has a power output of 1 mW and is pin-for-pin- and software-compatible with MaxStream's 100-mW, 900-MHz 9XStream transceiver (Picture). This new transceiver features a –108-dBm receiver sensitivity, providing extended transmission range. The 9Xcite’s range is 300 feet in indoors or in urban environments and 1000 feet in line of sight with dipole antennas.
Targeting low-power applications, the 9XCite module accepts 2.85V to 5.5V dc, and operational current is less than 50 mA. The module’s standby current is as low as 20 μA. The transceiver data throughput is user-selectable at 9600 or 38,400 bps. Users may select frequency-hopping or single-channel modes to improve local performance. The module supports RS-232 for peer-to-peer, point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multidrop networking topologies. The 9XCite modules are available for $37 (1000). An OEM-module-development kit is also available for $199.
MaxStream Inc, 1-801-765-9885, www.maxstream.net.
