- The latest development from ON Semiconductor assists engineers for implementing mesh networks using BLE technology
- An accompanying software allows provisioning of additional mesh and supports firmware-over-the-air updates
ON Semiconductor has introduced a new Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networking solution that is based on its ultra-low-power RSL10 System-in-Package (RSL10 SIP). The RSL10 Mesh Platform allows engineers to rapidly implement ultra-low-power mesh networking using Bluetooth Low Energy technology. Suitable for smart home, building automation, IIoT, remote environment monitoring, and asset tracking and monitoring applications, the RSL10 Mesh Platform has all the essential elements for developing and deploying a mesh network. It consists of two RSL10 Mesh Nodes and a Strata Gateway for connectivity to the Strata Developer Studio.
The Strata Gateway allows evaluation processes to be carried out using the Strata Developer Studio. This cloud-connected software enables provisioning of additional mesh and supports firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates. Using the virtual workspaces for common mesh networking examples, including a smart office, developers can access sensor data and trigger settings. The energy-efficient RSL10 radio is supported by an Eclipse-based Integrated Development Environment, a mobile application for provisioning, configuring and controlling a Bluetooth Low Energy Mesh network, and a Mesh Networking software package compliant with the Bluetooth SIG.
Sensors and built-in battery charger
An array of sensing and indicator devices are incorporated into the node hardware to complement the RSL10 SIP. These include an ambient light sensor (LV0104CS), temperature sensor (N34TS108), magnetic sensors, LED indicators and a triple-output NCP5623B LED driver. Besides these, there is a built-in battery charger suitable for Li-Ion or Li-Poly batteries.
“The value of Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networking and the elimination of range limitations are now being recognized within a multitude of different contexts in the industrial, agricultural, enterprise and logistics sectors, as well as in relation to the emergence of smart cities,” stated Wiren Perera who heads IoT at ON Semiconductor. “Through this new platform, we are helping to dramatically accelerate mesh networking development, so that nodes can be more rapidly deployed which push the performance envelope in terms of range, resiliency and power budget.”
