RF&WirelessBlog

Automotive FM receivers for background scanning and data services

NXP has launched its TEF7006 and TEF7007 FM car radio receivers for background scanning and data services.  These receivers are able to decode data from Radio Data Systems (RDS), Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) and Traffic Message Channel (TMC) services. Built on NXP’s low-IF tuner, car DSP and digitally processed RDS demodulation and decoding technologies, the new FM receivers enable a rich infotainment experience via radio broadcast data, delivering automotive-qualified performance in a compact, low-cost design.

New reference design brings low power RF to TV remotes

Nordic Semiconductor’s nRFready 2.4GHz RF Smart Remote reference design is complete hardware and software reference design for advanced browsing control of the latest Internet-enabled and Web 2.0-enabled TVs and set-top boxes (STBs).
The reference design includes native support for a multi-gesture TouchPad, QWERTY keyboard, and motion control that all combine to deliver a rich, intuitive, and engaging end-user experience for advanced control and browsing of all types of modern digital content and services including audio, video, gaming, web browsing, social media, and online shopping.

Toumaz’ telemetry product now in biometric monitoring of troops and first responders

Toumaz’ Telran products are set to be integrated with Milgenco’s state of the art telemetry and DC power generation systems for defence customers in the UK, North America and Asia. Milgenco, a UK-based defence company, has integrated the Toumaz Telran ultra low power radio chip into its TARC 9000 telemetry devices, providing a wireless solution for monitoring the heart-rate, body temperature and other biometric aspects of troops in and around military vehicles.

RF transceiver offers very low power for ISM, IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee

Atmel has launched a new RF transceiver for consumer devices in the 2.4GHz ISM band, which according to the company offers 50% lower power than the competition. The new Atmel transceiver offers a voltage range of 1.8V to 3.6V, receiver current consumption of 11.8mA and transceiver current consumption of 13.8mA. It also offers -100dBm in sensitivity and an output power of 3dBm for extended battery life in various applications.

Carlson and Neul join forces to produce a white space radio for WISPs

Carlson and Neul are going to jointly develop a new white space radio networking system that they say will bring affordable broadband to millions of under-served customers around the world. Carlson and Neul will work closely with WISPs (wireless internet service providers), who with the new radios will get access to more than 100MHz of high quality white space radio spectrum in the UHF band.

IMEC Technology Forum: Impulse-radio UWB radio succesfully developed

At the IMEC Technology Forum earlier this week, Kathleen Philips presented the results of a project to create an impulse radio that uses the ultra wide band spectrum. Philips foresees this technology, which uses minimal power, will be used in wireless headphones of the future. The IMEC- and Holst Centre-developed impulse radio operates in the 6-10GHz band, extends a smartphone’s battery life by 3x compared to a comparable Bluetooth solution and does not suffer from fading or interference.

New mesh network protocol is self-configuring

Radiocrafts and TinyMesh have developed a new mesh network protocol operating in all sub-1GHz and 2.4GHz license free ISM bands. TinyMesh networks are self-forming and self-healing without external interaction. Due to the mesh network redundancy, TinyMesh offers excellent range and reliability, with no limitations in number of gateways or addressable nodes.

WirelessUSB radio-on-a-chip allows a year of battery life for peripherals

Cypress Semiconductor’s latest 2.4-GHz WirelessUSB Radio-on-a-Chip, the WirelessUSB NL, boasts low power consumption for wireless keyboards, mice, remote controls and other human interface devices. The device features very low active and standby current (less than 1 uA), enabling battery life to be more than a year for normal mouse usage.

Sub-1 GHz RF family filters out other RF sources

TI has introduced the sub-1 GHz RF performance line family of RF transceivers and transmitters, which it says provides an impressive ability to filter out other RF sources. According to TI, the new family can be much closer in proximity to other RF systems and potential connection “interferers” than competitive offerings, allowing streamlined coexistence between various connected devices in one environment. The sub-1 GHz RF performance line family comprises the CC1120 and CC1121 transceivers and CC1175 transmitter.

Cambridge Consultants develops industry's smallest 2G and 3G femtocell base station

Cambridge Consultants has developed a platform for the industry’s smallest commercially available 2G and 3G femtocell. Called Sidewinder, the small-cell platform is software configurable for GSM/GPRS/EDGE, WCDMA/HSPA+ and other SDR applications, providing new levels of adaptability for cellular base stations. It offers a low cost of entry for companies wishing to exploit these standards and sets a new benchmark in flexible, cost effective designs.