Electrical Sensors / Detectors / Transducers
Wireless Module facilitates sensor networking.
Share:
Press Release Summary:
Eliminating cables and batteries, solar-powered Model STM100 communicates via RF protocols and supports temperature, gas, humidity, illumination, location, and presence sensors. Unit is comprised of solar cell energy source, energy reservoir, analog and digital sensor connections, microprocessor, and radio transmitter. Designed to operate indoors, module requires 200 lux to generate energy and stores enough energy to operate continuously for 5 days in complete darkness.
Original Press Release:
EnOcean's New Energy-harvesting Wireless Module Facilitates Sensor Networking Without Cables or Batteries
Munich, Germany and Boston, MA USA, June 2, 2005 - EnOcean, global innovator of energy-harvesting wireless technologies, introduces the STM100, a tiny solar-powered wireless sensor module. STM100 overcomes the challenges to efficient wireless sensing: power-hungry radios and battery deficiencies such as limited life, maintenance and disposal.
STM100 achieves fundamental breakthroughs in the creation, storage and management of power. Within its custom two-stage solar cell, one stage provides quick startup energy while the other charges an onboard energy reservoir. Designed to operate indoors, the device requires only 200 lux to generate energy (typical lighting values in a building range from 200 lux in hallways, 500 lux on desktops and up to 1200 lux in display cases).
The unit is comprised of a) a solar cell energy source, b) an energy reservoir, c) analog and digital sensor connections, d) a microprocessor for sensor control, and e) a radio transmitter-all packed into a minuscule 0.8 x 1.6 x 0.4 inch footprint (2 x 4 x 1 cm). Despite its small size, STM100 stores sufficient energy to operate continuously for up to five days in complete darkness.
Equally important, each module assures reliable wireless communication via sophisticated RF protocols: multiple broadcasts, fast data rate, error detection and unique addressing. By combining solar power and robust RF, EnOcean has completely eliminated the need for batteries in sensor applications-and thus done away with regular system maintenance.
"EnOcean's patented technology lets STM100 generate a surprisingly long-range radio signal with extremely minute amounts of harvested energy," said Armin Anders, EnOcean's VP of Product Marketing. "With just 50 µWs, a standard EnOcean transmitter will comfortably send a signal 300 meters outdoors, 30 meters indoors through walls. The secret is in the signal duration; the entire process is initiated, undertaken and completed in approximately 1/1000 of a second."
STM100's platform supports a wide variety of sensors - temperature, gas, humidity, illumination, location, presence, etc. - to enable mobile, maintenance-free monitoring and control of buildings, factories, logistics and automobiles. The product is particularly helpful to sensor manufacturers of lighting, security and HVAC equipment in two ways:
o By offering 3 analog and 4 digital inputs and sophisticated
measurement routines, EnOcean greatly simplifies sensor integration. OEMs can quickly create a completely self-powered, functioning, communicating device for remote installation (such as a thermostat).
o EnOcean-enabled systems save planning and installation time and significantly reduce costs. OEMs can pass these benefits on to their customers while granting them full control to deploy and relocate devices where they best suit the application.
Christian Genter, CEO of Omnio AG a manufacturer of building automation systems concludes, "EnOcean-based systems allow us to deliver unmatched sensor networking flexibility via battery-free, maintenance-free wireless switches, temperature sensors and window contacts. The system provides unmatched simplicity through an ingenious 'learn-in' programming feature that doesn't require time-consuming PC programming or personnel training."
To simplify the OEMs development of their wireless network, EnOcean provides a family of receivers and transceiver/repeaters compatible with all our switch and sensor modules.
The proprietary radio technology is approved for use in Europe (ETSI), US (FCC) and Canada (IC). STM100s including solar cell, energy reservoir and radio are available in OEM quantities for less than $25.
About EnOcean
Headquartered in Oberhaching, near Munich, EnOcean GmbH was founded in 2001 as a spin-off from Siemens AG. Investors include 3i, BayTech Venture Capital, SAM Private Equity, Siemens Venture Capital, and Wellington Partners. The company's groundbreaking technology enables wireless sensors and switches that operate without batteries or external power sources. These self-powered modules convert process energy from light, push-buttons, vibration, or temperature gradients into useable electrical energy. The company's advanced power management architecture enables the operation of sensors and radios off miniscule amounts of available energy. End products "enabled by EnOcean - no batteries, no wires" are employed in a diverse range of market segments, e.g. building automation, industrial manufacturing, security and automotive technology. Over 50,000 EnOcean sensors and switches are deployed. Visit www.enocean.com for more.
