One of the challenges in transparent RF communications is the need for a versatile and reliable solution, converting RS-232 or RS-485 to a wireless medium, which caters for medium-distance wireless communications within the confines of, for example, an office park, as well as catering for long-distance communications requirements.
These two requirements very often entail a very different set of constraints in terms of hardware and associated cost. But what if there was one solution which had the versatility to address both sets of needs? Let’s explore that option.
One of the strengths of Wlink industrial routers is their access point, in terms of cost, is not considered high. The products are small and robust, and regardless of which series one considers, there are a lot of features which are common across all the products. One key feature is the ability to set the devices up as either a serial client or a serial server, and to have the client report in to the server in a transparent mode. This mode can be used in two ways:
1. When connected to a high power Wi-Fi access point via the LAN port, two routers can be set up to communicate with one another over reasonably wide distances, without incurring any data costs.
2. The same setup as the above can be considered, without the external Wi-Fi access points, to communicate via the HSPA / LTE network, across the globe.
Practically speaking, one would use the smallest, entry level router for this; as an example, nothing more than the WL-R100H4 is needed. This device has a serial port which can be connected to the serial port of the client’s equipment, and communications to the second router can be set up in a transparent fashion, such that the output of the second router’s serial port matches the input of router 1. If the end equipment has an RS-485 port, an RS-485 to RS-232 converter can simply be placed between the router’s serial port and the end device’s RS-485 port.
This may sound over-simplified… because it is ‘serialously’ (excuse the pun) that simple.
RF fixed chip attenuators 29 January 2020, RF Design
, Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The TT5 Series from Smiths Interconnect are Q-band chip attenuators that operate from DC to 18 GHz. The broadband attenuators are available in attenuation values from 0 to 20 dB in 0,5 dB increments and ...
Read more...RF variable attenuator 29 January 2020, RF Design
, Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The 4209-30-63-1 from API Technologies - Weinschel is a solid-state programmable attenuator that operates from 0,1 to 30 GHz. It has an attenuation range from 0 to 63 dB with a step size of 0,5 dB and ...
Read more...Thingstream extends LoRaWAN support 29 January 2020, Altron Arrow
, Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
It is now possible to add LoRaWAN gateways and LoRaWAN devices to Thingstream, giving developers quick, easy on-boarding, and the full power of Thingstream’s MQTT broker, and Data Flow Manager. This new ...
Read more...Wi-Fi 6 front-end module 29 January 2020, Hi-Q Electronics
, Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Skyworks has introduced the SKY85772-11, a new addition to its family of front-end modules (FEMs) that are designed for growing retail, carrier and enterprise Wi-Fi 6 applications. The 5 GHz FEM offers ...
Read more...RF power amplifier for 18 - 26 GHz 29 January 2020, RFiber Solutions
, Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The MAAP-118260 is a packaged linear power amplifier that operates over the frequency range 17,7 – 26,5 GHz. The device, manufactured by MACOM, provides 28,5 dB of gain and 37,0 dBm output third order ...
Read more...Wideband GaN power amplifier 29 January 2020, RF Design
, Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Qorvo introduced what it claims is the world’s highest-performance wideband power amplifier (PA). Designed for electronic warfare, radar and test instrumentation applications, the TGA2962 boasts 10 W ...
Read more...GaN is breaking barriers for RF power amplifiers 29 January 2020, Altron Arrow
, Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The increasing demand for higher data rates in telecommunications and higher resolution in industrial systems is pushing the frequency of operation higher for the electronics that support them. Many of ...
Read more...V2X: The future of vehicle communications 29 January 2020, Avnet South Africa
, Editor's Choice, Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
A recent report by Juniper Research forecasts that more than 62 million vehicles will be capable of vehicle-to-vehicle communication by 2023; up from just over 1,1 million in 2019.
Read more...PCIe 2.0 packet switches 29 January 2020, Altron Arrow
, Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Diodes Incorporated announced the PI7C9X2G304EVQ and PI7C9X2G404EVQ PCIe 2.0 packet switches, offering 3-ports/4-lanes and 4-ports/4-lanes, respectively. The packet switches are automotive-compliant for ...
Read more...High-performance IoT SoCs with dual processors 29 January 2020, RF Design
, Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT, Editor's Choice
Nordic Semiconductor’s new nRF5340 high-end multiprotocol system-on-chip (SoC) is the first member of its next generation of nRF5 Series SoCs.
The nRF5340 builds on Nordic’s proven and globally adopted ...
printer friendly version