ZigBee modules ease wireless networking

RF Solutions has introduced a family of ZigBee modules that allow a wireless personal area network (WPAN) to be established quickly and easily. The compact IEEE802.15.4 compliant modules operate at 2.4GHz and have a raw datarate of 250Kbit/s. The modules have been designed to provide a path for extremely rapid migration from Microchip's PICDEM Z ZigBee development environment to market-ready products.

Applications for the modules, which can be configured in a network with up to 254 end devices, include cable replacement, home/building automation, industrial control and networking, and wireless sensor networks.

The new range comprises the PICZee and PICZee Lite that incorporate a PIC microcontroller, transceiver and ZigBee stack, and are suitable for use as router and co-ordinator nodes.

The PICZee Lite has two fewer I/O lines and provides a lower cost option to the PICZee in applications where reduced functionality is required.

Also available is the eZBee transceiver that provides an application ready end point node and allows engineers to add ZigBee wireless capability to their products without the need for RF or antenna design expertise.

The new modules have extremely low power consumption of just 20mA (Rx) and 18mA (Tx).

Supply requirements of 2.1V to 3.6V make them ideal for connection to lithium-ion (Li) rechargeable cells.

All of the new ZigBee modules have an integral antenna plus options for an external antenna and screening can.

A choice of package formats helps ease integration into customer designs with PICZee and PICZee Lite available as either surface mount or DIL through-hole versions.

The eZBee can be supplied as either a surface mount module or with PCB headers.

The operating temperature range for ZigBee products from RF Solutions is -40 to +85C.