Atria New York City Computers Blog
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Wireless IO Design and Development
August 8th, 2010 by admin
When making a wireless IO system engineers have to decide if they will make the system from scratch versus using a module already manufactured. Important factors to consider in the decision include the complexities involved with designing from scratch, including passing regulatory requirements like FCC or ESTI for Europe. High frequency RF design involves such challenges as impedance matching, filtering, and shielding and is crucial for quality designs. Apart from these design challenges, FCC approval can take many months or even years to pass, which can greatly reduce the time to market.
A wireless io module can bring many benefits to both engineers and companies over designing a system from scratch. Wireless modules make it much easier for engineers to integrate wireless into existing designs, allowing projects to be completed in months instead of years. Wireless modules will integrate all the low level components and firmware onto a single board to maintain data integrity, error handling, and complex board design. The general idea for using wireless modules is to reduce design frustration and allow companies to focus on other aspects of the new product. Some wireless modules are designed as drop-in network solutions that can easily replace wired installations. These modules can wirelessly transfer analog, digital, or even wireless serial signals. Many wireless i/o modules require no complex configuration or programming and may even be plug and play. These transceiver modules are usually called wireless cable replacement solutions and can be used like a standard wire. These wireless modules are usually already FCC and ESTI approved, and allow designers to bypass further testing for their wireless design. There are many more benefits that wireless modules can provide, but most importantly wireless modules open a door to new applications that could not be developed before.