Digi debuts interchangeable Wi-Fi, wired embedded modules

Minnetonka,MN—To produce one product that can support wired and wireless networking, Digi International has launched its Digi Connect Wi-ME and Digi Connect Wi-EM, which it reports are the industry's first fully customizable, secure, 32-bit, 802.11b, wireless, embedded modules.

By Control Engineering Staff March 29, 2004

Minnetonka,MN— To produce one product that can support wired and wireless networking, Digi International has launched its Digi Connect Wi-ME and Digi Connect Wi-EM, which it reports are the industry’s first fully customizable and secure 32-bit 802.11b wireless embedded modules. Based on 32-bit Net+ARM processor technology, the modules add wireless con-nectivity solutions to Digi Connect products.

These wireless modules are pin-compatible and interchangeable with Digi Connect wired embedded modules, and give users instant wireless functionality. The modules can be used in a variety of products, including access control systems, point-of-sale systems, RFID readers, medical devices and industrial automation systems.

‘The wireless modules enable manufacturers to add Wi-Fi functionality to their products simply by exchanging the Digi Connect wired module with a Digi Connect wireless module,’ says Joel Young, Digi’s engineering VP. ‘This eliminates the need for separate development efforts and speeds time to market for device manufacturers.’

Wi-ME and Wi-EM embedded modules will ship with FCC module approval eliminating the need to perform time consuming and costly product certifications. The modules also include security features, such as WEP/WPA-compliant software encryption and authentication, which address today’s stringent security requirements for wireless network environments. These embedded modules also offer device server plug-and-play firmware functionality, as well as custom application development based on the NET+Works development platform.

In addition, Wi-ME is a pin-compatible replacement for the Digi Connect ME in an enclosed RJ-45-based module, while Wi-EM is a pin-compatible replacement for the Digi Connect EM in an embedded board.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com