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Wireless Sensors: Go Proprietary or Use a Wireless Remote
August 10th, 2010 by admin
When engineers go for making a wireless sensor system companies must determine whether to manufacture a proprietary radio, or use an off the shelf solution. It’s vital that designers are aware of both the risks and challenges associated with proprietary wireless designs, as well as the restrictions by the government. Since high frequencies behave differently in the Ghz range, impedance matching is very important and will be difficult even for experienced engineers. Other than the technical challenges, designers must approve the product through the FCC which can take many months or even years.
A wireless remote module can offer engineers and companies many other advantages versus attempting to create a private wireless solution. Wireless modules save both time and money for companies, and allow wireless integration without the usual frustrations.
Wireless modules usually incorporate all the complex software or firmware to maintain data integrity, such as checksums and error handling, as well as high frequency board design. The principle behind wireless modules is to aid engineers with wireless integration, removing the heartache of wireless design, and speeding up time to market. 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. High quality wireless transceivers don’t need any programming or configuration and work straight out of the box. These wireless modules are called wireless cable replacements and can be treated as a regular wire. Modules such as these are usually certified by the FCC and allow companies to bypass further wireless testing from the government. All of these advantages reduce frustration, cost, and time in developing new wireless products.