mesh networking News - Page 3 of 7 - CNX Software

September 29, 2021October 6, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

Fujitsu introduces Wirepas Massive USB dongle for location tracking, IoT mesh networking

I was first introduced to Wirepas Massive mesh networking a few days ago when I covered Solidrun Solidsense N8 IoT Compact Wirepas Massive gateway comprised of an NXP i.MX 8M Nano processor running Linux and a module based on Nordic Semi nRF52832 wireless MCU handling Wirepas Massive through its 2.4 GHz radio. It turns out there’s an easy way to add the new mesh networking technology to existing gateways: USB dongles. Fujitsu has launched the FWM8BLZ09x Wirepas Massive USB dongle family, based on the more recent nRF52833 SoC, with Anchor, Tag, and Sink models. Fujitsu FWM8BLZ09x specifications: USB Dongle Types Anchor – FWM8BLZ09P Tag – FWM8BLZ09T Sink – FWM8BLZ09S Wireless MCU – Nordic Semi nRF52833-CJAA Cortex-M4 microcontroller @ 64 MHz with 8 KB RAM, 512 KB Flash, 2.4 GHz radio Connectivity Wirepas Massive mesh networking Transmit power – +8dBm max. Carrier frequency – 2,400MHz to 2,483.5MHz Modulation – GFSK Symbol rate […]

September 24, 2021April 26, 2022 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

SolidSense N8 IoT Compact gateway supports Wirepas Massive

SolidRun “SolidSense N8 IoT Compact” is a Linux Edge gateway based on NXP i.MX 8M Nano Solo processor that offers Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and optional 4G LTE Cat 4 & GPS connectivity, plus Wirepas Massive (previously Wirepas Mesh networking) via a module based on Nordic Semi nRF52832 wireless Cortex-M4 microcontroller. The gateway comes with 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, offers optional RS485 and CAN interfaces, and targets IoT applications such as smart metering, automation, asset tracking, safety & security, and smart buildings. SolidSense N8 IoT Compact gateway SolidSense N8 IoT Compact specifications: SoC – NXP i.MX8M Nano single core Arm Cortex A53 @ 1500MHz + Cortex M7 @ 650MHz System Memory – 1GB DDR3 Storage – 8GB eMMC flash, MIcroSD card slot Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port with optional PoE support 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 Optional 4G LTE Cat 4 (Global) + GPS with fallback […]

September 9, 2021September 15, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

LILYGO T-32C3 – A small ESP32-C3 WiFi & BLE IoT module with 4MB flash

We’re slowly starting to see more hardware-based on ESP32-C3 RISC-V processor, and LILYGO T-32C3 is a compact module based on the WiFi & Bluetooth LE processor that includes 4MB flash and a PCB antenna. I’d expect T-32C3 to be eventually found in the company’s smartwatches and development boards, and it joins other ESP32-C3 modules from AI Thinker. LILYGO T-32C3 module specifications: SoC – Espressif ESP32-C3 RISC-V processor @ 160 MHz with 400 KB SRAM, 384 KB ROM, 8KB RTC SRAM, 2.4 GHz WiFi 4, Bluetooth 5.0 LE & Mesh Storage – 4MB flash On-board PCB antenna I/Os – 22x castellated holes with GPIO, 3x ADC, SPI, UART, I2C, Boot, Reset, 5V, 3.3V, GND Dimensions – 23 x 11 x 3.5 mm (4-layer PCB) Note the USB interface is not listed in the specs, but USB DN and DP signals are located on GPIO18 and GPIO19 so USB should also be […]

August 1, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

SmartBug smart switch integrates neatly into in-wall sockets (Crowdfunding)

SmartBug is a smart switch based on ESP32 wireless SoC, equipped with several sensors to measure temperature, humidity, power usage, and listen to sounds. It is designed to fit neatly into most in-wall sockets found around the world. Each SmartBug relies on mesh networking to communicate with each other and extend the range, WiFi for Internet connection, and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) to control additional devices without the need for any additional hub. SmartBug’s key features: MCU – 32-bit dual-core microcontroller with WiFi, wireless mesh, Bluetooth LE Connectivity 2.4GHz WiFI 4 Wireless mesh to let SmartBug act as a signal repeater Bluetooth 4.0 and BLE to control home appliances Audio Digital microphone for voices commands, baby crying (only enable if the plugin is downloaded in the app). Buzzer On-Off Relay up to 2200W, both AC and DC. Sensors – Temperature & humidity sensor, built-in power meter (current, voltage, and power) […]

July 27, 2021January 16, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments

$2 MXCHIP EMC3080 WiFi and Bluetooth LE IoT module integrates Cortex-M33 MCU

MXCHIP EMC3080 Cortex-M33 WiFi & Bluetooth-IoT module

While nowadays most people from the maker community are working with ESP8266 or ESP32 modules or boards for IoT projects requiring Bluetooth LE and/or WiFi connectivity, we’ve also covered some low-cost alternatives such as Bouffalo Labs BL602 or Realtek RTL8710. MXCHIP EMC3080 module offers yet an alternative with 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth LE 4.2/5.0. Where it differentiates against other solutions is that it features a more secure Cortex-M33 core clocked at 100 MHz, as found in UNISOC V5663 and Ameba RTL8722DM wireless SoCs, but still getting a fairly low price tag of $2.35 on Seeed Studio, which drops to $2.10 per pieces for orders of 10 or more units. MXCHIP EMC3080 module specifications: MCU – MX1300CF Cortex-M33 processor at up to 100 MHz with 256KB SRAM, 2MB XIP flash, 384 or 512 bytes OTP memory Connectivity WiFi 802.11 b/g/n 1T1R WiFi @ 2.4GHz Single Frequency HT20 support […]

July 9, 2021July 21, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Nokia E63 phone converted into LoRa messenger for secure, off-the-grid communication

While LoRa radios are mostly designed to transmit data from sensors and to actuators, there have been attempts to leverage LoRa for messaging in the past with, for instance, the Meshtastic Mesh Networking Project to help hikers exchanged their GPS coordinates or other short messages, the Raspberry Pi Pico powered PICOmputer with QWERTY keyboard, display, and a LoRa module, and Pine64 is also working on developing LoRa hardware for messaging. Trevor Attema decided to repurpose his Nokia E63 Blackberry-like phone with a custom STM32H7 board with a LoRa radio while keeping the enclosure, display, backlighting, keyboard, and speaker which he calls the Off The Grid Messenger, or OTG Messenger for shorts. The custom board also adds Microchip ATECC608 crypto authentication chip for encrypted messages, and the LoRa Messenger would allow a theoretical transmission range of 16 kilometers in line of sight which would allow a small group of people to […]

May 4, 2021May 4, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Ebyte E104-BT11 Bluetooth Mesh module features Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 MCU

Ebyte E104-BT11 is a Bluetooth Mesh module offered in four variants with support for gateways (G) and node (N) versions, as well as PCB or IPEX antenna versions. Interestingly it is based on Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 Cortex-M33 microcontroller also found in ITEAD Zigbee 3.0 USB dongle, so it’s not impossible that it could be repurposed for Zigbee or Thread with firmware from Silabs. Ebyte E104-BT11 module specifications: Wireless MCU – Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller @ up to 80 MHz with DSP and FPU, up to 1024 kB flash, up to 96 kB RAM, 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 for Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, or Thread Wireless connectivity Bluetooth Mesh/BLE support with default firmware, up to 10,922 devices supported Max Tx power – 20 dBm Rx sensitivity- -88 to -97 dBm (-97 dBm typ.) Max data rate – 1Mbps Antenna – PCB antenna up to 200-meter range, or IPX antenna up […]

April 6, 2021April 7, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

Xiaomi Mi AX9000 WiFi 6 Enhanced router supports up to 1000 clients

Xiaomi launched the Mi AX6000 WiFI 6 Enhanced router, not to be confused with WiFI 6E, at the beginning of the year. The router offers up to 4804Mbps link at 5 GHz, and up to 574Mbps with a 6+1 antenna configuration, as well as one 2.5GbE port, and several Gigabit Ethernet ports. But for people requiring even more bandwidth, Xiaomi Mi AX9000 WiFi 6 Enhanced router offers even more wireless throughput using three frequency bands with four antennas each, and up to 1148 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, up to 4804Mbps at 5.2GHz, and up to 2402Mbps at 5.8GHz, which the company refers to as the 5G_Game band. Xiaomi Mi AX9000 WiFI 6 Enhanced Edition router specifications: SoC – Qualcomm IPQ8072 quad-core Cortex-A53 processor @ 2.2 GHz with dual-core 1.7GHz NPU (network acceleration engine / processing unit) System Memory – 1GB RAM Connectivity Wired 1x 2.5GbE LAN/WAN port 1x Gigabit Ethernet […]