New radio standard with longer-range wireless connection

The steute business field »Wireless« is continuing to expand the number of possible industrial applications for its innovative »energy harvesting« radio technology. steute is introducing a new radio standard which, has the advantage of a longer-range wireless connection. This makes it possible to operate wireless switchgear at ranges of up to 700m outdoors, without an energy supply. The radio protocol uses the 868 MHz waveband, or 915 MHz in the North American version. The 915 MHz version is certified in accordance with FCC and IC; CSA/UL certification is in preparation.

Users have the choice between two variants. The self-sufficient devices contain a radio circuit board which transmits confirmation of a previously received signal when a radio signal is transmitted. This facilitates – albeit delayed – bidirectional communication. The second variant is contained in our battery-based wireless devices. It confirms an »acknowledge« signal immediately upon receipt, can transmit a repeat signal if required and is also able to »ask« the receiver unit whether or not a signal has arrived. This guarantees the transmission certainty required, even in sensitive applications.

steute has presented the first switching devices equipped with the new radio module at the SPS/ IPC/ DRIVES fair. They are position switches from our 95 series, available with two different ranges. With a stub antenna in »shark fin« design, long-range (LR) applications up to 500 m are possible. Alternatively, an ultra-long-range (ULR) antenna is also available, permitting ranges of up to 800m outdoors. The different variants (self-sufficient/battery-based and LR/ULR) can be combined at will. This means an expansion to the modular range of steute radio switchgear. And users can be sure that other types of wireless switchgear will also be available with the new radio standard in the future.

A few months ago an electrodynamic energy generator with a considerably longer lifespan (over a million switching cycles) and a far higher switching frequency (up to 1,800 switching cycles per hour) than previously available components was also marketed.

Product photos: RF 95 LR SW868 and RF 95 RS SW ULR SW868 equipped with the new radio module

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