Integrator: Replace serial cable with a wireless modem

-- Control Engineering, 2/6/2008

Orem, UT – Replacing long-range serial connections with wireless technologies have become easier for system integrators with new self-contained battery powered RF Field Modems from Ad Hoc Electronics. Ad Hoc is a system integrator and distributor of wireless data products. Configurations use Digi wireless networks.

Field Modem – XT is embedded with the 900 MHz Xtend, and the Field Modem, while Field Modem – XB is embedded with the 2.4 GHz XBee. The new modems connect to RS-232 devices, such as PDAs and remote sensors. Ad Hoc originally created the product for military applications and made a version available to the public, company said in a Jan. 26 announcement.

The modems provide system integrators with ability to add battery-powered nodes to existing wireless networks for the following point-to-point, peer-to-peer, mesh network and multipoint applications:
-Wireless sensor networks;
-Data acquisition;
-Remote monitoring;
-Environmental Controls;
-Private networks, and
-Handheld terminals.

“Ad Hoc’s new RF Field Modems offer serial cable replacement and provide the benefits of a portable wireless network,” said Jan Finlinson, director of Ad Hoc Electronics, “these benefits will come in handy for those that need mobility while still having access to information through a wireless network.”

The RF Field Modems provide the best combination of battery life and transmit power by supporting up to 1.0 W of transmit power output when externally connected, and 500 mW when powered by battery, the company says. With two AA batteries, the modems will stay powered for days or weeks depending on use.

With a RS-232 / 485 interface the Field Modems connect to devices using an RJ45 connector. The Field Modem – XT reaches a line-of-sight range up to 30 miles and the Field Modem – XB reaches up to 1 mile.

Ad Hoc offers more information about RF Field Modems.

Learn more about ZigBee:
Wireless networking: More Zigbee capabilities

— Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief 
Control Engineering System Integration eNewsletter
Register here and scroll down to select your choice of eNewsletters free.