Dev boards simplify low power wireless network prototyping, says NeoCortec
NeoMESH is claimed to be the world most versatile, low-power, self-forming wireless mesh network. Now, designers can begin prototyping and developing using the network through a series of prototyping and development board released by NeoCortec.
Designed to operate either as a stand-alone development board, or in feather wing mode for compatibility with Adafruit Feather boards, the FWNCxxxx breakout boards cover the 2.4GHz, 868MHz and 915MHz frequency bands.
Thomas Steen Halkier, CEO at NeoCortec, says the breakout boards eliminate the need for engineers to create any PCB design themselves and enable them instead “to initiate proof of concept testing of the NeoMESH network protocol stack in a real application very quickly and at minimal cost”.
The breakout board is compatible with the Adafruit Feather eco system, and is designed to integrate with the Adafruit Feather microcontrollers. NeoCortec has integrated its gateway software with the Adafruit Feather ESP-32 Wi-Fi device which allows designers to produce a low-cost gateway design which can bridge between the low power mesh network and an IP-based network or a preferred cloud solution, adds Halkier.
FWNCxxxx breakout boards from NeoCortec use the compact, low-power NC1000 and NC2400 network modules for applications based on IoT and cloud-based sensor networks, including smart home and smart workplace, metering, security, agriculture, transportation, industry 4.0, medical and food distribution. All NeoCortec modules have a small footprint (11 x 18 x 2.6mm), so the target product does not need to change to support a full range of frequency bands, says NeoCortec. Average power consumption is as low as 20mA.
The boards provide access to GPIO to simplify customisation and an U. FL antenna is the only additional component that needs to be added before testing can begin, confirms the company. Sensors and other peripherals can be soldered directly to the board if required.
NeoCortec was founded in 2007 to develop mesh technologies and solutions for wireless sensor networks, enabling large-scale routing networks to operate in real time while simultaneously reducing power consumption. The company claims to supply the world’s smallest, low-power, bi-directional wireless mesh network modules, as well as Mini PCI Express (PCIe) interface modules and breakout boards. The NeoCortec protocol stack is offered for both 2.4GHz and sub-1GHz frequency bands, delivered in a series of pre-approved modules.
NeoCortec is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Its patented technology is used worldwide in a broad range of applications based on IoT and cloud-based sensor networks.
