AeroComm eases networking

AeroComm touts that its true peer-to-peer technology, embedded into its new AC4790 transceivers, eases networking for a wide variety of industrial control applications.

The AC4790s remove the server from an RF communication system, facilitating fully expandable mesh networking. By utilizing a dynamic addressing scheme, the product's protocol supports independent communication between any two in-range transceivers in an RF network. Each transceiver "node" knows exactly which other nodes are within talking distance, as well as the signal strength of each one. The OEM is able to design routing sequences that optimize the network without bogging down system performance.

"Both flexibility and reliability are vital to a vast array of network architectures," said AeroComm CEO Mike Varady in a statement. "In AC4790's intelligent addressing mechanism, we embed software 'hooks' so an OEM can have complete control of the routing schemes. This maximizes the efficiency of the network, while allowing the OEM to alter the architecture as necessary."

Multiple node groups may also communicate simultaneously, supporting system scalability. Traffic is forwarded seamlessly from node to node, across a virtually endless range. An optional API command processor controls packet delivery and acknowledgment (on a packet-by-packet basis) and reports to the host device, greatly reducing OEM software development. Additionally, AC4790s feature industry-leading 25ms sync times and SenseAdjust—a software-controlled RF desensitizer that wards off interference.

As with all of the company's 900MHz transceivers, the AC4790 family utilizes FHSS technology, employs data-encryption standards and supports transmit-power levels of up to 1W, providing for extremely long range between nodes.

The AC4790 developer tools are available for $199. Quantity pricing for 1,000 units starts at $39 for 200mW devices.