DECT standard applied to wireless sensor data

EDN Europe, 13 Sep 2011

Dialog Semiconductor has announced SmartPulse, a family of system-in-package devices that are interoperable with the DECT ULE (ultra low energy) wireless standard: the SmartPulse product line results from Dialog’s first wireless technology launch since it acquired SiTel Semiconductor in February 2011. End products integrating SmartPulse wireless sensors self-configure to connect with a home’s DECT ULE enabled hub device or IP gateway. End users will also be able to manage SmartPulse systems remotely via a smartphone, laptop or tablet PC.
Dialog’s SmartPulse devices comprise the SC14WSMDATA (data) and SC14WSMDECT (data and audio) wireless sensor nodes, which run for up to 10 years on a single AAA battery pack, and the SC14CVMDECT base station device that can be integrated into standalone hub products or internet gateways - allowing the remote management of SmartPulse enabled systems over an internet connection.
The DECT ULE standard is backwards compatible; SmartPulse sensor nodes can communicate with existing legacy DECT-enabled hubs and internet gateways from multiple manufacturers, with a simple software update.

All SmartPulse devices transmit 232-bit packet data in the 1870-1930MHz licensed DECT band. With a link budget of 123dB, systems that integrate SmartPulse sensors can reliably stream data throughout even large family homes and gardens. Dialog says that effective range can be much greater than that achieved with a single link of many 2.4-GHz-based standards.
The SC14WSMDATA and SC14WSMDECT sensor nodes integrate the baseband, radio transceiver, antenna and power amplifier into a single system-in-package IC. In sleep mode the programmable devices use less than 3µA. Home automation applications include wireless smoke detectors, door lock sensors, appliance energy monitoring, window security monitors and lighting control systems. The SC14WSMDECT sensor further integrates an audio function, enabling the creation of battery powered voice devices such as personal security and healthcare pendant communication devices.
The SC14CVMDECT base station device supports both voice and data, connecting with up to six voice and 256 data sensor nodes, and supports the DECT ULE, DECT 6.0 and CAT-iq standards. You program the system-in-package IC using its AT command set, with no requirement for wireless network planning.
The Dialog SmartPulse devices meet certification standards for all global markets – FCC, EU and J-DECT. All three devices occupy 25 x 29mm, 123-pin packages.