A compact new ZigBee module, dedicated to Smart Energy applications
(ZNM-SE), has been introduced by Radiocrafts. The module is based on a
ZigBee PRO compliant platform and offers a complete ZigBee PRO protocol
including support for the ZigBee Smart Energy profile.
The module supports the Certificate Based Key Exchange (CBKE), and the
entire Key-Establishment cluster is embedded in the module. This eases the
development effort for customers and also eases the processing burden on the
external processor.
The Smart Energy application, being a meter, a display or a load control
device, will be implemented in an external processor (MCU). The application
will communicate with the module through an API via UART or SPI serial
interface. The module can support any device specified in SE profile
specification 1.0 and is also targeting all devices in the upcoming SE 1.1
release. Certificates and initial encryption keys is also written to the
module via the serial interface.
The Smart Energy Module comes in two different hardware configurations,
RC2400 and RC2400HP. The RC2400 is ideal for low power, battery operated
products, while the RC2400HP has integrated 100mW PA and LNA adding
significant range, giving an impressive 119dB link budget.
The RC2400-ZNM-SE and RC2400HP-ZNM-SE modules are compact surface-mounted
high performance modules measuring only 12.7mm x 25.4mm x 2.5mm including
EMC shielding. The module is delivered on tape and reel for volume
production. Customization and customer specific setup is also offered and
this includes pre-programming of encryption certificates. The ZNM-SE modules
are pre-certified for operation under the European, FCC and ARIB radio
regulations for license-free use.
The ZigBee Smart Energy module is pin compatible with Radiocrafts industry
leading wireless M-Bus module (RC1180-MBUS) making the Radiocrafts wireless
metering portfolio the most complete in the market. The new modules are
based on Texas Instruments chip set and the industry leading Z-stack.
"The ZigBee Smart Energy module is another proof of our dedication to
wireless metering. We now have the most complete range of wireless modules
for metering, all with the same small footprint and high performance. This
enables us to offer a wide range of solutions to our customer, each tailored
to different markets," said Peder Martin Evjen, managing director,
Radiocrafts.
Emmanuel Sambuis, general manger, metering, Texas Instruments, said:
"Radiocrafts is a clear leader for radio modules dedicated to the metering
industry. Their Wireless M-Bus modules provide the most complete solution
supporting OMS and NTA8130/DSMR on the market. Their new ZigBee platform is
ideal for the Smart Energy profile. They have succeeded in combining high RF
performance with a compact form factor, achieving a complete RF solution
that is easy to use for metering."
The module, demo kits and PC development tools are available now, says the
company.
