Extend wired infrastructure wirelessly and connect large-scale remote sensor networks to the Internet with the plug-and-play 6LoWPAN solution.

TI Korea ( www.ti.com/ww/kr ) October 12, 2011 – TI, a leader in high-density wireless connectivity solutions, has launched a gateway to connect remote, low-cost wireless sensors to the Internet and a new sub-1 GHz 6LoWPAN solution to provide wireless extension to wired IPv6 infrastructure.
Because TI's 6LoWPAN solution operates in the sub-1GHz band, it provides extended wireless range at lower power compared to existing 2.4GHz-based 6LoWPAN products. The 6LoWPAN solution supports large-scale mesh networks and is optimized for applications such as smart grids, security, home/building automation, streetlights, and other wireless sensor networks. The new product family includes the CC1180 network processor, CC430 System-on-Chip (SoC) microcontroller, 6LoWPAN software stack, and CC-6LOWPAN-DK-868 development kit. (For more information, please refer to www.ti.com/6lowpan-pr)

TI's 6LoWPAN devices, a plug-and-play solution, require no extensive RF experience and can be configured using standard IP socket programming, allowing for the rapid addition of wireless and Internet connectivity to a network. Additionally, because they support many hops, they enable the development of large-scale wireless mesh networks using only a single gateway. For example, a single gateway based on TI's 6LoWPAN sub-1GHz solution can be used to wirelessly connect and manage streetlights on public roads. The 6LoWPAN system enables city planners to monitor light bulb replacement or power outage situations and provide appropriate lighting to drivers according to changes in weather conditions.
In addition, the self-healing function of TI solutions supports efficient monitoring of the network by allowing other nodes to find an alternative path to the network and maintain connectivity if one node is damaged.

"Adding wireless capabilities to applications such as network security systems, smart meters, and streetlights can require significant costs and extensive RF knowledge," said Mark Grazier, Product Marketing Manager for TI's Low Power RF Business Unit. "TI's plug-and-play 6LoWPAN sub-1GHz solution enables developers to overcome these potential challenges and add wireless capabilities through standard IP socket programming. This allows for the rapid deployment of 6LoWPAN networks that provide reliable low-power wireless internet connectivity for the management and monitoring of various services and systems."

Adam Gould, CEO of Sensinode, stated, “TI’s new solution enables the easy addition of 6LoWPAN capabilities to existing or new products with minimal development. We are very proud to have collaborated with TI’s team to integrate Sensinode’s mature and proven 6LoWPAN NanoStack 2.0 Lite into TI’s market-leading sub-1GHz RF ICs.” “In addition, we now provide a compact software solution that offers flexibility and ease of use in customer-development environments or environments where our NanoService Platform™ is adopted for M2M and embedded web applications,” he said.

Features and Advantages of TI's 6LoWPAN
Features and advantages
Scalable platform for cost-effective low-power 6LoWPAN solutions • CC1180 wireless network processor
• Handling all timing-sensitive and processing-intensive 6LoWPAN protocol tasks
• Use only the minimum resources to allow the host microcontroller to freely process the application.
• Pre-load the Sensinode (TI's third party) Nanoboot bootloader
• CC430 SoC Microcontroller Family
• Supports 6LoWPAN software library stacks and application code capable of running on the same silicon for the industry's smallest footprint solution. Based on TI's market-leading sub-1GHz RF CC1101 technology supporting distances of over 800m, and includes a development kit.
• Support for large-scale mesh networks
• Long-distance support between nodes
Compact software solution with small code size
• Provides ease of use with no extensive development requirements
• Use Socket API for low-cost solutions with low memory and microcontroller requirements
• Rapid development possible without comprehensive RF knowledge with plug-and-play solutions
• Developers familiar with standard IP socket programming can build 6LoWPAN networks. An excellent self-healing and self-maintenance mesh routing solution.
•&nbsIf a failure occurs at a node, neighboring nodes find a path to the network to maintain a connection; a system supporting hundreds of hops.
• Supports the development of wireless mesh networks that provide large-scale networks with just a single gateway. Operates at 315MHz, 433MHz, 868MHz, and 915MHz.
• Optimized for the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) frequency band

Tool, delivery time, package, and price
The CC1180 solution is currently available for purchase through TI and its authorized distributors and is provided in a ROHS-compliant 6mm x 6mm QFN-36 package. The CC430 solution is also currently available for purchase through TI and its authorized distributors and is provided in ROHS-compliant 7mm x 7mm QFN-48 (LCD driver not included) and 9mm x 9mm QFN-64 (LCD driver integrated) packages.

The CC-6LOWPAN-DK-868 development kit is scheduled to be sold on TI's e-store for $899 starting in mid-October. The kit supports the 868 MHz frequency band and can be quickly reconfigured for operation in the 915 MHz ISM band using software. Additional evaluation module kits supporting other frequencies can also be purchased separately.

More information on TI's low-power RF and wireless connectivity solutions
• TI's 1GHz or lower 6LoWPAN: www.ti.com/6lowpan-pr
• TI's Wireless Connectivity Solutions: www.ti.com/wirelessconnectivity
• TI E2E™ LPRF and Wireless Connectivity Community: www.ti.com/wiconforum
• TI's Embedded RF Solutions: www.ti.com/embeddedRF
• TI E2E™ MSP430™ Community: