IMST's iM871A Wireless Module Based on Silicon Labs' Si10xx Wireless
MCUs Streamlines the Development of Wireless M-Bus Smart Metering
Applications
NUREMBERG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Silicon
Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in high-performance,
analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, and IMST
GmbH, a leading supplier of wireless communications technology,
today introduced a turnkey wireless M-Bus solution designed for the
smart energy market. The comprehensive hardware/software solution
combines IMST's industry-leading expertise in the wireless M-Bus market
with Silicon Labs' Si10xx
wireless microcontroller (MCU) technology to simplify the deployment
of ultra-low-power, high-performance, pre-certified wireless M-Bus
modules for smart meters.
IMST's iM871A wireless M-Bus module offers a cost-effective RF solution
for smart metering applications connecting water, heat, electricity and
gas meters with data concentrators in the 868 MHz frequency band. Using
Silicon Labs' high-performance Si1002 wireless MCU, the iM871A module
can achieve a link budget up to 120 dB when operating in R2 mode,
resulting in exceptional RF range and communications performance. This
link budget is especially critical in addressing wireless communication
requirements in challenging environments inside residential and
commercial buildings.
The iM871A module has an exceptionally small footprint (17 mm x 19 mm),
comes equipped with a serial interface as well as analog and digital
inputs and outputs to accommodate interfaces with a customer's system,
and is fully compliant with the EN 13757-4 standard. With a standby
current of less than 1 microamp, the iM871A is well-suited for
applications requiring long battery life such as water and gas meters.
The iM871A module solution is compatible with a wide range of wireless
M-Bus devices in the field. The module supports all major unidirectional
and bidirectional wireless M-Bus modes (S1, S2, T1, T2 and R2) in
addition to all tolerance specifications, enabling the highest possible
flexibility in metering environments.
"The collaboration between Silicon Labs and IMST has resulted in a
best-in-class, sub-GHz wireless M-Bus solution that combines the
industry's lowest power wireless MCU with the proven performance of
IMST's wireless M-Bus software," said Dr. Peter Waldow, CEO of IMST.
"The jointly developed wireless module will streamline the development
of cost-effective and energy-efficient wireless M-Bus solutions required
in today's smart meter market."
As a member of Silicon Labs' Wireless Partner Program, IMST has the
expertise to provide comprehensive design services and support. IMST's
in-house test lab also can cover certification measurements required by
manufacturers of end products.
"The combination of Silicon Labs' Si10xx wireless MCUs and IMST's
wireless M-Bus module provides an ideal sub-GHz wireless communications
solution for today's smart energy applications," said Mark Thompson,
vice president of Embedded Mixed-Signal products at Silicon Labs. "Using
this tightly integrated hardware/software solution, embedded developers
can get their wireless M-Bus applications up and running quickly while
benefiting from the power-efficient, battery-saving capabilities of our
Si10xx MCUs and their exceptional wireless range and performance."
About the Silicon Labs Si1000 Wireless MCU
The Si10xx wireless MCU family combines a 25 MHz 8051 core, EZRadioPRO®
sub-GHz RF transceiver, 64 kB of flash and a 10-bit ADC — all in a
compact 5 mm x 7 mm package. The Si10xx family's integrated power and
low-noise amplifiers enable an extended RF range, high bandwidth and
ultra-low power consumption. The industry's most power-efficient
wireless MCU solution, the Si10xx family provides the lowest active-mode
current consumption (160 microamps per MHz). In sleep mode, the wireless
MCUs consume only 315 nanoamps using the internal low frequency RTC. In
deep-sleep mode, they can operate on as little as 25 nA with full RAM
retention.
Pricing and Availability
The Si10xx MCU-based iM871A wireless M-Bus module is being demonstrated
today at Embedded World 2011 in Nuremburg, Germany, Mar. 1-3 at Stand
12-136 and Stand 12-277. Priced at $14 USD in 10,000-unit quantities,
the iM871A module is planned to be broadly available in Q2 2011.
For more information about the iM871A wireless M-Bus module or to order
samples, visit www.wireless-solutions.de.
For more information about Silicon Labs' Si10xx wireless MCU family or
to purchase samples and development tools, visit www.silabs.com/pr/wirelessmcu.
About IMST GmbH
IMST GmbH is a leading competence center and professional development
house for antennas, high-frequency circuits, wireless modules and
communication systems, providing individualized support during every
phase of product development, from initial consulting to series
production. In the accredited Test Center, IMST provides R&TTE
compliance and CTIA conformal testing and optimization. IMST is
certified according to ISO 9001:2008. For more information, please visit www.imst.com
or www.wireless-solutions.de.
Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Silicon Laboratories is an industry leader in the innovation of
high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs. Developed by a
world-class engineering team with unsurpassed expertise in mixed-signal
design, Silicon Labs' diverse portfolio of patented semiconductor
solutions offers customers significant advantages in performance, size
and power consumption. For more information about Silicon Labs, please
visit www.silabs.com.
Cautionary Language
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
Silicon Laboratories' current expectations. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could
impact Silicon Laboratories' financial results and cause actual results
to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements,
please refer to Silicon Laboratories' filings with the SEC. Silicon
Laboratories disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Note to editors: QuickSense, Silicon Laboratories, Silicon Labs, the "S"
symbol, the Silicon Laboratories logo and the Silicon Labs logo are
trademarks of Silicon Laboratories Inc. All other product names noted
herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.
Follow Silicon Labs on Twitter at http://twitter.com/silabs.
Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Dale Weisman, +1-512-532-5871
dale.weisman@silabs.com
or
IMST
GmbH
Dirk Sollbach, +49-2842-981-242
sollbach@imst.de
Source: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
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