Cypress debuts long-range radio system on a chip

San Jose, CA— Cypress Semiconductor Corp. recently introduced its WirelessUSB LR device (CYWUSB6935), which is a low-cost, 2.4 GHz radio system-on-a-chip that delivers up to 50 meters or more of wireless connectivity for commercial and industrial applications. The company says its new chip extends its WirelessUSB products into longer-range commercial and industrial multipoint-to-point applications, including building and home automation, industrial control, utility metering, transportation, paging systems and presentation equipment. WirelessUSB provides an alternative to complex, costly wireless networking solutions, such as Zigbee and Bluetooth, which allows broader market adoption of wireless systems.

‘Cypress’s WirelessUSB LR chip provides a fast path to wireless connectivity in many wired applications,’ says Norm Taffe, managing director of the Wireless business unit in Cypress’s Personal Communications division. ‘In industrial automation, for example, WirelessUSB LR radically changes the cost structure for installation and maintenance, while providing tremendous flexibility for system configuration.’

Scott Smyser, senior analyst for frequency control, RF and wireless, at iSuppli Corp., adds that, ‘Many industrial and commercial wireless applications use low-frequency solutions that provide limited channel availability and bandwidth, and only regional coverage. WirelessUSB LR provides a 2.4-GHz solution to overcome these issues, economically connecting wireless devices at long ranges.’

WirelessUSB LR devices use direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) technology to avoid signal interference from other technologies in the 2.4-GHz band, such as 802.11b, Bluetooth, and wireless emissions from cel phones and microwave ovens. The chip also features -95 dBm receive sensitivity, ensuring a strong omnidirectional signal at 50 meters and beyond. It also has an integrated radio transceiver and digital baseband, which are single-chip solutions that allow designers to decrease development time, component count and system cost.

WirelessUSB LR also provides low standby power consumption. The chips have a standby current of approximately 0.25-microamps and up to 0 dBm output power, which enables years of battery life for a typical sensor/actuator. WirelessUSB LR devices also feature a data transmission rate of up to 62.5 kbps with an average latency of less than 10 milliseconds.

Cypress’s WirelessUSB LR solution is offered in three configurations: a 48-pin QFN-packaged device; a temperature-tested version; and a 28-pin SOIC package. Both industrial devices will be available in production by mid-2004.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news editor
jmontague@reedbusiness.com

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