Low-Cost Wireless Components Simplify Data Acquisition

Jan. 20, 2003

The Xecom RF XE 900 Smart Transceiver coupled with the XE 924 base-access point cost-effectively links up to eight microcontroller-based embedded systems to a central data-collection point using a modem connection to the telephone line. The system operates in the industrial, scientific, medical band (902 to 928 MHz) for distances up to 150 feet indoors. The XE 900 consists of a wireless transmitter/receiver and a wireless microcontroller with user-customizable flash memory and proprietary Xecom software. Built-in intelligence accepts commands from the application host to control communications. The software packetizes data, provides error correction, and ensures collision avoidance. The XE 924 has a microcontroller, wireless transmitter/receiver, and Xecom's tiny XE 2420 SMT modem. Both the XE 900 and XE 924 operate from 5 V. Each measures 2.75 by 1.38 by 0.55 in. In OEM quantities, the XE 900 costs $39 and the XE 924 costs $59.

Xecom Inc.
www.xecom.com; (408) 945-6640

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About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.