M2M Connectivity Pty Ltd, Sierra Wireless’s Australian and New Zealand distributor for embedded modules, today announced the introduction of EMConnect™, a robust set of firmware features  used in conjunction with Sierra Wireless’ 3G embedded modules, enabling original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to reduce their development time, platform costs and dependence on host processors.

Developed for OEMs in industrial and enterprise markets, the suite of EMConnect features are integrated into the module firmware, enabling the use of a Sierra Wireless embedded module as a stand-alone radio interface. EMConnect features are scheduled for release in November 2008 and will be integrated into the latest 3G modules developed by Sierra Wireless: the MC8790V and MC8792V. Sierra Wireless MC5727V modules with EMConnect firmware features are expected be available early in 2009.

“Sierra Wireless understands equipment manufacturers’ needs to simplify and streamline their product development to meet cost efficiency and market schedule requirements,” said Trent Punnett, senior vice president, Marketing and Corporate Development for Sierra Wireless. “The enhancements we are delivering through the new EMConnect firmware features make Sierra Wireless modules uniquely suited for OEM customers targeting the utilities and machine-to-machine markets. We remain dedicated to providing our OEM customers with innovations like this to improve their ability get their wireless solutions to market easier and faster.”

Sierra Wireless has been helping OEMs integrate wireless technology into their products for more than ten years, and has proven experience in building reliable products and features to support a wide variety of wireless devices and applications. With the new EMConnect firmware features, Sierra Wireless 3G embedded modules can serve as stand-alone connections for machine-to-machine applications such as advanced meter reading (AMR), advanced meter infrastructure (AMI), remote monitoring and control, and remote updating for applications like digital signs. This eliminates the need for a separate host processor in the device itself and allows OEMs to reduce their development time and cost. Specific EMConnect features include an expanded UART interface, TCP/IP and UDP packet assembler/disassembler, connection monitoring with auto-re-connect, modem setting persistency and GPIO support.

For more information contact M2M Connectivity at:
www.m2mconnectivity.com.au
info@m2mconnectivity.com.au
Ph: +61-3-96963011