EnOcean has announced its third generation
suite of energy-harvesting wireless modules, based upon the Dolphin ASIC, a
platform supporting self-powered two-way wireless communications. The modules
also feature very low power sleep modes, and the ability to self-power
actuators such as water valves and air vents.
Dolphin employs the EnOcean Alliance wireless standard for wireless sensor networks. Because wireless building automation devices spend much of their time asleep, Dolphin-based modules have been designed to consume only 200nA when in sleep mode, meaning that they consume only around 10% of the power required by conventional low power radio modules. The platform allows OEMs to create energy-autonomous controls able to draw power from multiple ambient sources, such as solar, linear motion and thermal energies.
“The Dolphin
platform provides OEMs built-in functions that speed entry into the building
automation market, such as self-powered two-way communications and extremely
low power sleep modes,” said Jim O’Callaghan, president of EnOcean North
America. “The integrated ASIC also reduces the cost of each module since it
uses fewer parts and requires less assembly than its predecessors.”
EnOcean ‘application
modules’ are delivered with extensive built-in firmware functionalities such as
basic switching, dimming, measuring etc., and can be deployed an application
without additional programming. EnOcean has developed efficient methods of synchronizing
sensors, supporting RF acknowledgments as well as integrated sensing/control
functions. Application-specific functions that reduce product development times
are embedded in each module, but integrators can now also develop their own
firmware using EnOcean’s new Dolphin Studio – support software for custom
firmware development, RF packet monitoring and C-based code sampling.
The new
Dolphin platform conforms to the open, interoperable EnOcean Alliance protocol
and enables OEMs to rapidly develop solutions to suit today’s “green” economy
by transforming structures into energy-efficient, responsive and sustainable
buildings. For example, Dolphin-based controls simplify the installation of BAS
(Building Automation System) and also provide a flexible and effective way to
collect and disseminate utility information such as Demand Response events and
meter consumption. When provided by the utility company, EnOcean-based
batteryless controls can seamlessly disseminate DR signals throughout a
building while continuously managing energy consumption. Self-powered two-way
communications also enable integrators to build thermostats that regulate room
temperatures in relation to occupancy and window sensor data.
The Dolphin
system architecture is backward compatible with earlier EnOcean products and
installations.
