RF-Solved

RF-Solved™ is an ISM Band networking solution that offers a unique level of flexibility, enabling the system designer to escape the constraints and limitations of standards based alternatives. This flexibility results from a combination of easy to use tools and rapidly customisable software built on top of ready to use solutions and a modular API platform.

The underlying protocol Cy-Net™ is an extended implementation of the MicrelNet™ cluster tree topology solution and can be adapted to support self-healing, self-forming networks, RF repeater based systems with complex tree or star network topologies in addition to simple point to point communications. These capabilities are often wrongly assumed to be unique to mesh network structures. The combination of these features, together with the ability of the Micrel RadioWire® transceivers at ISM band frequencies to deliver greater range and penetration,("indoor - outdoor propagation") offer an attractive alternative to 2.4GHz for many applications. This is especially so for bespoke industrial applications where standards based interoperability with other vendors’ equipment is not necessary.

Applications include intelligent remote sensors, automated, smart and intelligent utility meter reading, ("AMR" and "AMI") and security systems.

A standard implementation is described in the above diagram. Remote nodes provide data to the master node(s) which have some form of connectivity, eg. Ethernet, USB and / or GPRS into the main system. RF-Solved includes reference designs for these nodes which have been implemented by manufacturing partners in the form of production ready modules. Cy-Net's key advantage however, lies in how it can be used to adapt this arrangement to support the individual needs of real applications.

Two reference designs, supported by production ready modules are available. Hunter is targeted at remote data gathering applications and Emissary at those requiring USB or Ethernet connectivity.

Features:

• 915/868/434 MHz options
  
  
• Customizable MicrelNet stack with support for:

• Frequency hopping, static star/multi-level cluster networks
• Port communication between applications
• Power management, with active listening
• Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) with Listen Before Talk (LBT)
• Reliable and unreliable data paradigms
• Autoconfiguration of nodes and routing
• Self forming network capability * (with name based addressing)
• Network self healing *
  * available Q2 2008