ACTE announce low power Bluetooth and WLAN module for Internet of Things applications

BASINGSTOKE, U.K. - Dec. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- With the ability to operate at distances in excess of 100 metres, Connect Blue OWL355 is ready to embed in Internet of Things (IoT), industrial, medical and other demanding applications where connectivity via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz & 5GHz WLAN is required.

In Bluetooth mode, OWL355 is a full qualified Bluetooth module with a wide range of certified antennas to work alongside it via an on-board U.FL connector. Bluetooth Classic class 1 specification is to V2.1 +EDR whilst OWL355 can simultaneously handle traffic in Bluetooth v4.0 Low Energy (Smart Ready) mode, both via a UART interface.

Wireless LAN support is via an SDIO or SPI interface and offers a full IEEE 802.11 a,b,g,n specification operating at 2.4 or 5GHz.

Together with an open source Linux Host Driver, OWL355 minimises the work needed to implement wireless technology in a device as it provides a full hardware platform. For instance, OWL355 meets a higher quality level regarding both IPC class and AQL standards. Also no trimming and tuning is needed during the customer end product manufacturing since the OWL355 has pre calibrated radio parameters and MAC address stored on board in EEPROM.

Measuring just 22x15x3mm and based on the latest generation of Connect Blue solderable edge package design, OWL355 ensures footprint compatibility with other surface mountable modules in the IoT Connect Blue range. Offering internal support for WLAN and Bluetooth co-existence, the low powered device supports a high level of security features including WEP64, WEP128, WPA, WPA2, TKIP and AES hardware accelerator.

Designed for use in both industrial and consumer applications, OWL355 is designed for long product life cycles offering backwards compatibility for future devices. OWL355 is capable of operating at -40 to +85˚C.

OWL355 is full type approved for use in Europe, United States and Canada and has been approved for use in medical electrical equipment up to IEC 60601-1-2.

David Taylor, PR Manager of ACTE comments “ OWL355 is aimed at smaller sensor products by providing a combined dual mode Bluetooth and dual frequency WLAN device with support for inter-technology co-existence in a tiny form factor. This addresses the communication uncertainty questions that many designers face when selecting wireless connectivity devices for Internet of Things ( IoT) applications.”

OWL355 is sampling now from ACTE with production commencing in January 2014.

Connect Blue® is a leading provider of robust Industrial and Medical wireless solutions, designed and tested for the most demanding applications and environments. Based on Classic Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth low energy technology, Wireless LAN (WLAN) andIEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee, Connect Blue provides ready-to-use products and modules as well as custom design solutions. Connect Blue has its head office in Sweden.

ACTE U.K is a specialist wireless electronic components distributor and a division of the €250M turnover Lagercrantz Group. Offering “best of breed” modular and sub systems covering GSM, GPRS, 3G, Bluetooth and WLAN technologies, ACTE have specialist staff with many years knowledge in the wireless sector and are backed up by the world class facilities of the Lagercrantz Group.

For more information about Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth low energy technologies, please visit http://www.connectblue.com/technologies/bluetooth-low-ene... (http://www.connectblue.com/technologies/bluetooth-low-ene...)or contact David Taylor at ACTE U.K on +44 1256 845888 or visit www.acte-uk.com