RF Monolithics introduced the ZPM3570 2.4GHz Zigbee Pro module at this week’s Embedded Systems Conference 2011 in Silicon Valley.
Its small size, 1Mbyte data logging flash memory and Zigbee smart energy and home automation profiles make the module suitable for enabling smart homes that can control appliances, lighting, environment, energy management and security.
“As a long time member of the Zigbee Alliance who has seen the standard grow and mature, RFM is excited to bring to market the latest in our line of Zigbee modules,” said Tim Cutler, director of M2M business.
“The combination of its tiny size, on-board 1Mbyte flash for data logging and easy-to-integrate API make the ZPM3570 the ideal choice for designers looking to add smart energy Zigbee functionality to their products.”
Implementing products that provide vendor-interoperable smart energy and home automation is achieved through an intuitive API that simplifies connectivity of the module to an application processor. OEMs wishing to implement their own application in addition to the Zigbee stack can take advantage of the on-board Arm 32bit M3 Cortex processor. This can eliminate the additional cost and complexity of a separate application co-processor.
“For many devices that need Zigbee Pro functionality, size is critical and real estate is at a premium,” said Cutler. “The ZPM3570 really delivers on this account. In addition to the small footprint, the surface mount design of the ZPM3570 eliminates the need for costly connectors.”
Though the ZPM3570 is less than four square centimetres in area, it provides a complete Zigbee Pro system including on-module chip antenna.
The module incorporates Ember’s EM357 Zigbee RFIC and is coupled with a power amplifier, plus low noise amplifier that increases the RF transmit power and receive sensitivity. It provides a 250kbit/s RF data rate with +20dBm (100mW) RF power coupled with a receive sensitivity of -103dBm to improve range and performance all in an FCC, IC and Etsi certified module.
The ZPM3570DK development kit will be available from RFM distributors in mid-June. ZPM3570 samples are available to qualified customers.
