COVER STORY FEATURE
(e.g. 868, 915, 928MHz) and a second communication channel in the 2.4GHz frequency band. This dual band module provides additional hardware supported redundancy for safety critical applications.
PROTOCOL STACK At the same time, the new protocol stack provides the necessary redundancy. The system uses existing PHYs - in this case a PHY from Atmel - so that the existing hardware can be used which has a positive effect on costs. The IP500 software, developed by Corenetix, is controlled through AT commands using an UART interface. With its integrated IPv6 support, Vesta opens the way for the intelligent web-based control. In terms of security and safety, Vesta aims to meet the requirements of EN, VdS, etc..
suitable compromise to be found. The structure of asynchronous mesh networks enable particularly low energy consumption (low-power), while the base operating frequency of 868MHz allows a long range and penetration in closed spaces. An IP500 network contains different types
of nodes. The so-called fully functional devices (FFD) are permanently powered rather than battery-operated, whereas reduced functional devices (RFD) are battery-operated and often remain in a deep sleep mode but wake up quickly to interrupts or other such events. The batteries in a reduced functional device must last up to ten years. Devices such as smoke detectors also contain a particularly energy efficient real-time clock which runs in parallel and uses special interrupts to wake up the processor into different modes.
ON THE ROAD TO BECOMING A GLOBAL STANDARD
The IP500 standard itself is still a very Central European standard and relatively unknown outside of this region, but alliance activities are currently being undertaken to increase international awareness of the standard. To this end, the alliance has an official representative in Silicon Valley. As a founder of and driving force behind the ZigBee standard, he has a lot of experience to offer. Official alliance representatives in India and Japan are also working to increase brand awareness. Alliance founder and chairman Helmut Adamski’s marketing activities include speaking to companies like Google (including Nest) to investigate, for example, the possibility of connecting with KNX or if IP500 can be used as an underlying protocol. EBV Elektronik is official product partner of
the IP500 Alliance, and actively promotes the standard globally within its EBVchips program. Only OEMs may be members of the alliance, while suppliers or manufacturers may be
/ ELECTRONICS ELECTRONICS | SEPTEMBER 2015 11
awarded IP500 Alliance "partner" status. The "RF + Wireless" vertical segment of EBV has been in contact with the alliance for a long time. This segment closely observes the market and is always on the look-out for emerging standards etc. With increasing demand for IP500 systems EBV has decided to invest in and support the standard.
VESTA: THE WORLD'S FIRST CERTIFIED MODULE
As part of its EBVchip program, EBV Elektronik has launched the world's first IP500 single band 868MHz module under the name of Vesta. The Vesta IP500 module was developed by Corenetics (software stack and hardware), and the corresponding FCC certifications and CE proofs of compliance have already been achieved. Modules can be ordered from EBV Elektronik with a lead time of four weeks (
www.ebv.com/vesta). In addition, EBV Elektronik will announce a
dual-band module shortly. This module will feature a base frequency in the 900MHz band
Figure 3 & 4 : Module application
MODULE AND DEVELOPMENT KIT AVAILABLE Besides the modules themselves, a complete development kit is also available which allows developers to create small networks with up to three different nodes. EBV delivers the development kit as a complete package i.e. with four boards and four antennas as well as batteries and a USB flash drive with the complete hardware documentation. One of these four boards is already configured as an edge router for communication with the host computer via USB. Developers can control the boards via a graphical user interface. Bidirectional control is also possible. Using the wireless interface, the first field tests can be carried out to verify, for example, the range as well as a diversity of other features. The kit includes a description of the board’s interfaces (I2C, SPI, and UART). This enables developers to test their sensors in practical situations at an earlier stage.
EBV Elektronik
www.ebv.com/vesta. 016 28 77 85 56
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