Bridge Module adds wireless connectivity to serial devices.
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Press Release Summary:
Airborne(TM) Serial Bridge Module provides RS-232 interface and specific command set for OEMs looking to add wireless 802.11 connectivity to products with built-in serial interfaces. Interface supports baud rates from 300-921.4 Kbps and is capable of both full or half duplex mode and hardware and software flow control. Built-in web server provides configuration of serial interface, baud rates, network, and wireless communications parameters using web browser.
Original Press Release:
DPAC Technologies Expands Wireless Product Line with Airborne(TM) Serial Bridge Module
o Airborne(TM) Serial Bridge Module simplifies design effort needed to add wireless connectivity to serial devices
o Airborne(TM) Serial Bridge Module is the first in a family of modules designed to provide drop-in connectivity for specific OEM applications
o Serial Bridge Reference Design Kit further speeds development by providing complete turnkey design and documentation
Garden Grove, CA - July 7, 2004 - DPAC Technologies (NASDAQ:DPAC), the market leader in embedded wireless networking solutions, announced today the first in a family of products designed to simplify the process of adding wireless connectivity to existing product designs. The new Airborne(TM) Serial Bridge Module provides an industry standard RS-232 interface and a specific command set for OEMs looking to add wireless 802.11 connectivity to products with built-in serial interfaces.
"Our Airborne Wireless Node Module is a powerful, general purpose wireless connectivity platform that can be adapted to a wide range of applications," said Mike Zachan, vice president for DPAC Technologies. "With the introduction of our Serial Bridge Module we are taking the first step in offering module solutions that have been tailored to meet specific OEM requirements. Our Serial Bridge Module significantly reduces the time and effort needed to add 802.11 connectivity to a wide range of serial products, further we plan to expand our Airborne product line with additional, application specific module solutions in the near future."
The Airborne Serial Bridge Module is a multi-protocol serial-to-802.11b bridge, implemented on DPAC's small form factor, based upon its Airborne Wireless node module. The Serial Bridge Module supports multiple, industry-standard serial interface protocols, including RS232, RS422 and RS485 and is fully IEEE 802.11b compliant. The module's serial interface supports baud rates from 300 to 921.4 Kbps, is capable of both full or half duplex mode and hardware and software flow control. The Serial Bridge Module includes a built-in web server that provides full configuration of the serial interface, baud rates, network and wireless communications parameters using a standard web browser. In addition to the web server, the Serial Bridge Module's on-board communication processor includes a full TCP/IP protocol stack, eliminating the need to implement network software in the host system.
The Serial Bridge Module is packaged in a compact, 29.6(W) x 40.6(L) x 11.6(H) mm package that connects to the host system via high density, performance connector. The module supports single antenna and dual, diversity antenna operation. As with all Airborne modules, the Serial Bridge Module meets industrial temperature specifications, making it well suited to industrial and other rugged applications.
"There are a substantial number of electronics products used in medical, industrial, logistics and other applications that connect via the industry standard, RS232 interface," Zachan said. "Our Airborne Serial Bridge Module is designed to integrate easily into these systems, simplifying the process needed to add 802.11 wireless connectivity to their product lines. By making their products wireless, the OEMs can eliminate cabling costs as well as making their product easier to use and more flexible."
To further simplify the OEM design process, DPAC is offering a Reference Design Kit for the Airborne Serial Bridge Module. The Reference Design Kit provides the OEM with all of the hardware, software and documentation needed to quickly implement a serial-to-wireless interface with their product. In addition to a serial bridge evaluation board, which the OEM can use for evaluation and application development, the kit includes schematics, BOM and Gerber data. DPAC also provides a Windows-based, virtual communications port (VCOMM) driver for quick conversation of existing serial port application software.
"With our Reference Design Kit an OEM can quickly develop and implement a serial-to-wireless solution for their product line. It is designed to allow both internal embedded or external plug-in adapter develop, providing all the necessary components the OEM needs," Zachan said.
The Airborne Serial Bridge Module is available now and is priced at $80 in 10K OEM quantities. The Airborne Serial Bridge Reference Design Kit is also available now and is priced at $2,500.
About DPAC Technologies
Located in Garden Grove, California, DPAC Technologies provides embedded wireless networking and connectivity products for machine-to-machine communication applications. DPAC's wireless products are used by major OEMs in the transportation, instrumentation and industrial control, homeland security, medical diagnostics and logistics markets to provide remote data collection and control. The Company's web site address is www.dpactech.com.
