June has been exceptionally hectic with the CeBIT show in early June and an increase in customer orders since then keeping all staff very busy.

It was interesting to view the leads generated from CeBIT to see where the strongest interest lay.  There were many enquiries about the M2MOne services as well as strong interest in our 3G router portfolio.

We were also encouraged to see a growing interest in the short range RF products we distributor for Radiocrafts and connectBlue and several large projects are now getting underway. The connectBlue Apple products (OBS411/414) attracted a lot of interest and the heart monitor example proved a hit (though some customers now know they need to work on diet and exercise regimes).

If you would like further information on any item in this newsletter please contact us. Click here to request more information.

Darren Moroney - General Manager, M2M Connectivity

Product News

Sierra Wireless Quad-band 3G and LTE Modules

Sierra Wireless offers 4 different quad-band 3G modules on the MC platform. The MC8795v includes a serial UART as well as on-board GPS with HSPA data speeds. The MC8704/5 and MC8801 do not have the serial UART but do offer GPS support. The MC8704/5 offer HSPA+ data speeds (peak downlink up to 21 Mbps) while the MC8801 offers Dual Channel HSPA+ data speeds (peak downlink up to 42 Mbps).

For developers working on this MC platform there will also be a seamless transition to LTE modules on the same footprint. LTE modules will be available commercially later in 2011. For information on quad-band 3G and LTE modules please contact us here.

Quake Global Programmable Satellite Modems

The Quake Q4000/QPro TurnKey application provided by QUAKE turns the modem into a simple tracking or monitoring system over Iridium or Orbcomm (and GSM). The application requires only the configuration of message and transmission parameters in order to run which allows customers to use the Q4000 as an ‘out of the box’ solution. The message consists of the following data: Message Counter, Julian time, GPS co-ordinates, Altitude, Speed, Heading, DIO readings, Analog Input reading and CANBUS J1939 data. The app can be configured to send all or specific parts of the message.

For more information on the Q4000 modems click here.

Radiocrafts RF Module Options

We now support a broad range of Radiocrafts modules, IESM boards, and developer kits. A frequent question from developers is which variant to use. Some of the key questions to ask include:

- coverage (range from 300m – 3.5 km and beyond)
- data throughput speeds
- most suitable frequency (e.g. 433, 915, 2450 Mhz)
- Protocol (Zigbee, Wireless M-BUS, RC-232, KNX)

If you are looking to develop a low power RF product we are happy to talk through the options and help select the right variant.

We also supply the RCCB1000 CarrierBoard which offers a quick prototyping platform for all these modules, allowing a developer to embed the preferred module into a serial modem for quick testing before undertaking board design activities.

 To download the Product Guide click here to go to the location on our web site

connectBlue OBS414/411 iOS Modules

Which Apple compatible Bluetooth chip should you use to design products integrated with Apple to provide SPP communication towards iPhone/IOS devices?

If you are designing a new product with a connectBlue module then we recommend developing with the OBS411 module plus separate coprocessor connected via I2C.
 

If you have already designed in with connectBlue modules and now want to create an Apple product then the OBS414 with integrated co-processor is a great option, reducing your redesign efforts significantly. You still need to join Apple MFi program and source the co-processor but connectBlue assembles this into the complete OBS414 module.  

For more information on the OBS414 module please click here. 

OpenAT Training for Q, SL and FXT series

We ran an Introduction course in June in Melbourne for developers wanting to learn how to embed application software onto the Q and SL series modules and FXT modems. We are now planning to run a new course in Sydney in late Q3.

Sierra Wireless has just announced the launch of AirPrime Management Service, their branded device management service using the AirVantage platform, and we will cover this in the next course.

If you are interested in attending the next training course in Sydney and haven’t already registered an interest please register here.

Tech Tip

Low Power mode for Sierra Wireless MC879X

When you use the AirPrime MC879X Module with firmware K2.2.0.16, it’s very easy to put the module into sleep mode and wake it up.

First issue AT!ENTERCND="A710" to enter the correct password, then enable sleep mode by AT!SLEEP=1. Whatever you are using USB virtual serial port or physical UART, just de-assert or assert DTR to put the module into sleep or wake up the module.