Cirronet, DPAC partner to enable 802.11b wireless data links

Cirronet Inc. and DPAC Technologies recently formed a nonexclusive partnership to integrate DPAC's Airborne industrial 802.11b wireless modules into new Cirronet products slated for U.S. distribution later this year.

By Control Engineering Staff August 5, 2004

Cirronet Inc . and DPAC Technologies recently formed a nonexclusive partnership to integrate DPAC’s Airborne industrial 802.11b wireless modules into new Cirronet products slated for U.S. distribution later this year. Cirronet will also distribute and support the entire Airborne product line in the U.S. and Canada.

Airborne is a line of integrated 802.11b wireless modules, which include a radio, a baseband processor, an application processor, and software for a “drop-in” Web-enabled Wi-Fi solution. Since there’s no need to develop the software, or to develop the RF and communications expertise in-house, OEMs can reduce product development costs and time to market. Airborne modules provide LAN and Internet connectivity, and connect through serial interfaces to a variety of applications. DPAC also provides standalone serial-to-Ethernet modems and standalone 802.11b Ethernet bridges based on the Airborne module.

“DPAC has demonstrated its leadership in wireless, serial, and Ethernet to 802.11b communications with high-quality products that perform to expectations. Cirronet will add significant value through unique packaging, antenna technology, integration and applications support,” says Tim Cutler, Cirronet’s marketing VP. “We see a strong market need for a variety of unique industrialized implementations of a standards-based low-cost technology product like DPAC’s Airborne.”

In addition, DPAC gains additional distribution for its Airborne modules and standalone products in Cirronet’s line of industrial wireless products, which include transceiver modules, Ethernet bridges, network access points, and standalone serial modems for OEMs and industrial designers.

“Cirronet products are highly regarded for their long-range communications capabilities in harsh industrial environments. We view Cirronet as an ideal partner for developing new applications and channels for our technology. Cirronet is known for high quality products and unsurpassed support. We look forward to working with Cirronet in augmenting its products with low-cost, reliable 802.11b capabilities,” said Mike Zachan, DPAC’s Airborne products VP.

—James Montague, news editor, Control Engineering, jmontague@reedbusiness.com