DEV Community: RFstar_IoT

Wi-SUN: The Future of Secure and Scalable IoT Wireless Networks

RFstar_IoT — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 06:20:46 +0000

Introduction

The digital revolution has brought the Internet of Things (IoT) into the fabric of our daily lives. Wi-SUN technology, celebrated for its robust performance and versatile applications, has become a favored option for large-scale IoT implementations. This article explores the Wi-SUN technology market, its main benefits, use cases and applications, and RF-star’s implementation of Wi-SUN.

Wi-SUN Technology Market

Recent Wi-SUN Technology Market Research Report by Business Research Insight and Market Research Future indicate that the global Wi-SUN technology market, valued at USD 319.27 million in 2022, is predicted to reach USD 14.568 billion at a whopping 13.45% CAGR between 2024-2032. This surge is fueled by ongoing proliferation of smart meters, sensors, and IoT devices, as well as the accelerated digital transformation spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, North America stands out as a region with significant adoption of Wi-SUN technology.

Figure1：Wi-SUN Technology Market Size, 2023-2032 (USD Billion)

Wi-SUN Overview

What is Wi-SUN?
Wi-SUN, or Wireless Smart Ubiquitous Network, is a wireless communication network based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. It delivers a high-performance, low-power, long-range, robust anti-interference, high data throughput, and highly secure wireless communication solution.
As a mesh network, it facilitates long-distance communication and high-data transmission between IoT devices through frequency-hopping and self-configuration technology. The network also features self-healing capability.
Wi-SUN: HAN vs. FAN
Wi-SUN supports two primary operational profiles: Home Area Network (HAN) and the Field Area Network (FAN):
HAN: Home Area Network HAN currently has several types, including Router B and enhanced HAN (supporting relay transmission). Router B refers to the Home Energy Management System (HEMS) controller, connecting smart appliances and smart meters. It enables real-time monitoring of smart appliance energy consumption and communication with FAN for smart city applications, enhancing the smart home environment.
FAN: Field Area Network Wi-SUN FAN is a mesh network where each device can establish multiple connections with nearby devices, scaling up to thousands of nodes. Each node provides typical long-distance hops. If an end-device fails to connect with another, it will automatically re-configure to an alternate path for other end-devices to the router node. This makes it ideal for large-scale infrastructure such as smart grids and streetlights. The Wi-SUN topology is illustrated below:

Figure 2 Wi-SUN network topology

Benefits of Wi-SUN Network

Low Latency and High Data Throughput: Wi-SUN’s mesh topology, ensures a low-latency communication experience and supports high data throughput, catering to the demands of large-scale IoT deployments.
Low Power Consumption: Wi-SUN devices typically use battery power, significantly reducing energy consumption and extending device life.
Ease of Deployment and Scalability: Its straightforward network structure and support for self-forming networks make Wi-SUN an ideal choice for large-scale applications, with the flexibility to expand as the IoT ecosystem evolves.
High Security: Wi-SUN offers multiple layers of security mechanisms, such as advanced authentication, to ensure the safety of data transmission.
Interoperability: Based on the open standard IEEE 802.15.4, Wi-SUN supports data interoperability between end devices, enhancing overall network efficiency and application coverage.
Cost-Effectiveness: By integrating self-forming and adaptive frequency hopping technologies, Wi-SUN reduces overall costs, particularly suitable for in a wide range of IoT applications.
Wide Area Coverage: Using radio waves in the Sub-1GHz band (860MHz band, 920MHz band, and other bands below 1GHz), Wi-SUN offers longer reach and less radiofrequency interference with other electronic devices and obstacles. It is ideal for connecting utilities such as smart cities, smart homes, and energy management systems.

Wi-SUN Applications

Wi-SUN technology is finding its place in various global applications:
Smart Cities
Wi-SUN's long-distance transmission, scalability, bidirectional communication, and low power consumption have led to its deployment in many cities for smart meters and streetlights. For example, a Smart Cities Living Lab in Hyderabad, India, utilizes Wi-SUN mesh network technology to manage city assets efficiently.
Smart Streetlights
Wi-SUN technology supports large-scale outdoor IoT networks, including AMI metering and distribution automation, offering smart streetlight solutions for cities. In London, Wi-SUN mesh networks power streetlights, reducing maintenance costs and energy consumption while enhancing flexibility for aesthetic lighting and public safety.
Smart Meters
In smart cities, Wi-SUN technology enables real-time monitoring and management of electricity usage, optimizing energy distribution and reducing consumption.
Solar Power Plants
Wi-SUN networks allow for real-time monitoring of solar panel operations through intelligent monitoring systems, ensuring maximum power generation efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
Smart Low Voltage Cabinets
In smart grids, Wi-SUN technology is used to deploy smart low-voltage cabinets, dynamically adjusting power supply and optimizing power distribution to enhance grid reliability and flexibility.
Industrial Facilities
Wi-SUN technology is also applied in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, providing non-proprietary solutions that make deployment more scalable, flexible, and secure.

RF-star Implementing Wi-SUN

As a global manufacturer of wireless modules, RF-star can supply a range of Wi-SUN modules based on TI CC1312 and CC1352 series chips.
Key Wi-SUN Modules

RF-SM-1277B1: Based on the CC1312R MCU, this low-power wireless module is designed for Sub-1GHz band from 779 MHz to 930 MHz.
RF-TI1352P2: Integrating a power amplifier, this module achieves a maximum transmit power of +20 dBm in the Sub-1 GHz band, offering a longer transmission distance and stronger penetration capability. Additionally, RF-TI1352P2 can operate in the 2.4 GHz band.
As shown below, the parameters of the Wi-SUN modules are listed:

Figure 3 RF-star’s Wi-SUN Modules
Upcoming Releases
In August, RF-star is set to launch a new Wi-SUN module based on the TI CC1354P10 SoC. This module is expected to be a multiprotocol and dual-band 800 MHz - 928 MHz and 2.4 GHz wireless module with 1024 kB Flash and 288 kB RAM. Notably, the RF-TI1354P1 module can operate as a border router, extending up to 300 nodes. This will provide robust support for large-scale, distributed IoT complex applications. Stay tuned!

Conclusion

Wi-SUN's unique mesh network architecture, combined with its low latency, high data throughput, low power consumption, ease of deployment and scalability, high security, interoperability, and long-range transmission capabilities, makes it an ideal solution for wide-area large-scale IoT applications. As the market for Wi-SUN continues to expand, its applications in smart cities, smart energy, and industrial IoT are growing, showcasing its potential to enhance connectivity efficiency, reduce costs, and improve user experience. With manufacturers like RF-star (www.rfstariot.com) leading the development of high-performance Wi-SUN modules, the future of large-scale distributed IoT deployments looks promising.

High-Power Bluetooth LE Modules and Their Applications

RFstar_IoT — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 05:53:04 +0000

In today's rapidly evolving wireless communication landscape, Bluetooth technology shines with its low power consumption and ease of use in short-range wireless communication. As new applications such as smart home and Industry 4.0 emerge, these smart devices urgently cover long-range distance and get stable connectivity through BLE radios. BLE devices with a high transmit output power came into being to meet the needs of wireless communication over a wider range.

What is the Maximum Transmit Power of BLE?

Various regulatory agencies limit the transmit power of BLE radio devices. In all standards, the maximum transmit power for 2.4 GHz band devices is around 100 mW (20 dBm).

Common BLE Applications with High Transmit Power

The max. transmit power of BLE radios available today usually ranges between 0 dBm to around 20 dBm, expanding transmission distances from 10 meters to hundreds of meters. The BLE radio devices with high TX power draw a lot of attraction and are favored by the following applications:

Smart Home: Seamless connectivity between rooms across large houses or villas for smart lighting, security systems, and temperature control, etc. By high-power Bluetooth radios, users can control and monitor these smart devices at a longer distance, improving living convenience and safety.
Industrial Automation: In vast factories, where wireless communication between devices is crucial, high-power Bluetooth radios provide stable connections, and support large-scale monitoring and data transmission, thereby significantly boosting production efficiency.
Medical Device: Remote medical monitoring equipment in hospitals or care facilities, benefits from effective long-range data transmission. For example, BLE blood pressure monitor and heart rate monitor, greatly increase efficiency of patient monitoring and care experience.
Logistics Tracking: High-power Bluetooth devices also play important roles in logistics tracking and asset management. Efficient remote tracking and management of goods and assets in warehouses and transport vehicles can improve logistics efficiency and accuracy.
Smart Agriculture: Environmental monitoring and automation in large fields or greenhouses, achieve precision farming.

While these applications prioritize transmission power and range, higher transmit power also leads to increased power consumption. Therefore, when selecting Bluetooth Low Energy modules for different applications, it's essential to consider factors such as transmission power, communication range, antenna, and power consumption.

High-Power Bluetooth LE Modules
Most of BLE modules have a maximum TX power of 4 dBm or 8 dBm, but a few exceed this. As an example, RF-star’s CC2652P, CC2652P7 series modules can output +20 dBm, while EFR32BG24/MG24 modules can output +19.5 dBm.

TI CC2652P-Based Modules
RF-BM-2652P2 and RF-BM-2652P2I wireless modules are based on the Texas Instruments (TI) CC2652P SoCs with a built-in PA and maximum transmit power of +20 dBm. In addition, the modules also integrate a low-noise amplifier (LNA) to effectively improve the Bluetooth receiving sensitivity.

Importantly, the modules also support multiple protocols like Bluetooth 5.2 Low Energy, Thread, Zigbee®, IEEE802.15.4g, 6LoWPAN, and TI 15.4-Stack (2.4 GHz), running simultaneously through the dynamic multi-protocol manager (DMM). Thanks to these features, the wireless modules have been widely used in smart homes, gateways, and long-distance sensors.

Another good news is that RF-star has released a Bluetooth UART transparent transmission version for the modules. Rich AT commands allow customers to quickly shorten the product development lifetime, like:

22 adjustment levels of transmission power: -20 dBm ~ +20 dBm
Supporting one-master and multi-slave connections, up to 8 devices can be connected at the same time
Customizing extended broadcast packets up to 251 bytes
Supporting a maximum stable UART forwarding rate of 35 KB/s
Observer mode with filterable parameters
Supporting Bluetooth pairing and bonding
Automatic reconnection TI CC2652P7-Based Modules Advanced CC2652P7-based BLE modules (RF-BM-2652P4 and RF-BM-2652P4I) also offer +20 dBm transmit output power.

Aside from supporting the above-mentioned ZigBee and other 2.4 GHz wireless technology, they can run Matter protocol. More tellingly, the large memory of 152 kB RAM and 704 kB Flash of these CC2652P7 modules allows them to be embedded in more complex applications.
Silicon Labs EFR32BG24/MG24 Modules
RF-BM-BG24B1 and RF-BM-BG24B2 modules support BLE5.4, Bluetooth mesh, and proprietary protocols, while RF-BM-MG24B1 and RF-BM-MG24B2 modules also support Matter, Zigbee, OpenThread, and more.

The EFR32MG24 wireless modules with 1536 kB Flash and 256 kB RAM provide enough space for future application growth.

This series of BLE modules are all designed as PCB onboard antennas with a maximum TX power of +19.5 dBm. They are often used in smart home devices such as gateways/hubs, sensors, switches, door locks, smart plugs, LED lighting, lamps, and medical devices like blood glucose meters and pulse oximeters.

For detailed parameters, please refer to this table.

To sum up, these BLE modules not only feature high transmit power, but also advanced wireless technologies and flexible output options including PCB antenna, external IPEX connector and half-hole RF out interface. They are powerful wireless communication solutions for smart homes, industrial automation, and more.

For more information on high-power BLE modules, visit www.rfstariot.com.

What's the Difference of BLE Connection Roles: Central vs. Peripheral?

RFstar_IoT — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 03:39:49 +0000

The article introduces the common roles in BLE connection, the differences between Central and Peripheral roles, and how to choose well-suited BLE modules for your projects.

The two primary BLE roles are the Central and Peripheral roles.

Central / Master vs. Peripheral / Slave

The Central is a device with powerful and rich resources. The BLE central device initiates an outgoing connection request to an advertising peripheral device, and processes data provided by the peripheral. In a way, it can be regarded as the active role, also referred to as a “master”. A typical example of a central device is a smartphone, which can connect to several peripherals simultaneously, collecting, and processing data from each.

On the other hand, the Peripheral is a typically low-power, resource-constrained device that provides data. It accepts an incoming connection request after advertising its presence to other devices in the vicinity. Generally, the Peripheral is meant to stay put until someone decides to connect with it. Hence, it is also called a “slave”. A peripheral is usually a small device like a smartwatch, a temperature sensor, a heart rate monitor, etc.

The BLE specification does not limit the number of slaves a master may connect to, but there is always a practical limitation, especially on different models of modules. For instance, RF-star’s BLE modules based on TI CC2642R, CC2340, Silicon Labs EFR32BG22 and Nordic nRF52840 nRF52832 SoCs play a master and multi-slave roles. Support at most 8 simultaneous and stable connection devices, that is 7 slaves and 1 master. Furthermore, the EFR32BG22 and CC2340-based Bluetooth Low Energy modules can connect simultaneously to multiple masters and slave devices.
After knowing the definition of connection roles in BLE communication, let’s move to their distinction.

Differences Between Central and Peripheral

While BLE Peripherals and Centrals both contribute to BLE communication, they have unique features, capabilities, and requirements. Here is a table for you to clearly distinguish each other.

As the above shows, a Peripheral in BLE is a low-power device, mainly providing data. It wakes up only to advertise or transmit data while spending most of the time in a low-power sleep mode. A Central, in contrast, is power-hungry, continuously scanning for peripherals and managing multiple connections. Some Central devices, like smartphones, can maintain several connections simultaneously, making them suitable for data aggregation and processing, whereas peripherals are commonly found in battery-powered devices like sensors, wearables, and beacons.

Knowing these differences, is it clear how to choose between a master and slave role for your BLE device? Don’t worry! Some useful suggestions for a better choice are listed.

Tips for Choosing Master and Slave BLE Modules

Energy Efficiency Priority: Determine if energy conservation is a top priority for your device. If so, opting for a BLE module acting as a slave may be advantageous, because it primarily operates in a low-power mode.
Data Role: Assess whether your device primarily generates data for consumption by other devices or needs to collect and process data from peripherals. Devices that generate data are better embedded by slave BLE modules, while those that collect data are more apt as masters.
Multi-Device Connectivity: Consider whether your device needs to connect with multiple other devices simultaneously. If so, functioning as a master device would be more effective in managing multiple connections concurrently.
Resource Allocation: Evaluate the processing power and resources available on your device. If resources are limited, choosing a slave module may be more feasible as a master BLE module typically requires more processing power and resources to manage multiple connections.
Tailored Application Needs: Analyze the specific requirements of your application to determine the most suitable role for your device. For example, a health tracker (peripheral) needs to transmit data to a smartphone (central), while a smart home hub (central) must gather data from various home automation sensors (peripherals).
Consider Scalability: Think about potential future requirements and the scalability of your device. If your device will need to connect to more peripherals or handle increased data processing in the future, a BLE module operating as a master role might offer greater flexibility.
Ease of Integration: Consider how seamlessly your device needs to integrate into existing BLE ecosystems. Depending on the ecosystem and compatibility requirements, choosing the appropriate role can facilitate smoother integration and interoperability with other devices.
User Interaction Patterns: Estimate the typical user interaction patterns with your device. If users are more likely to interact directly with your device (e.g., through a smartphone app), it may be better suited as a master. Conversely, if the device operates autonomously with minimal user interaction, a slave role might be better.

Fortunately, as diverse demands grow and BLE technology advances, more and more master-slave Bluetooth modules have emerged on the market. With their dual-role capability, these modules can reduce overall application costs and enhance usability, making project optimization easier.
For more information about BLE master-slave devices, click here to read more.