The TZ1053 TELRAN ultra-low energy wireless radio offers the lowest power continuous use radio in the sub-1GHz ISM band, claims Toumaz. The sub-1GHz radio SoC is built on the company's proprietary AMx mixed signal technology and offers 1V operation using a single button cell battery. It consumes less than 3mW continuous use. The SoC comprises a transceiver, baseband, embedded microprocessor and control logic. An enhanced 8051 running the company's Nanopower Sensor Protocol allows developers to program and control the device either over a standard interface e.g. UART, or ‘over the air'. Target applications include two-way communication remote controls; wireless sensor networks based on sensor nodes and basestations; environment monitoring and room temperature control; and smart metering, using wireless sensor networks to connect multiple meters for the transmission of status data and firmware upgrades. The IC supports networking and communication modes, including Point to Point, star network (up to eight sensor nodes) and basestation-to-basestation communication. Data rates are up to 50kbit/s with a range greater than 100m line of sight using a high gain antenna, or 20m from a PCB or chip antenna in a body-worn environment. The SoC can directly connect to SPI and I²C sensors.
