'PhyNet OEM Edition' Allows Integration of Low-power Mesh Networking Directly into Sensing/Control Devices

A new family of products from Arch Rock Corporation will let OEMs and system integrators embed Arch Rock's PhyNet wireless sensor network (WSN) technology into their offerings, creating high-volume, low-footprint sensing and control solutions based on IP (Internet Protocol) standards. These IP-enabled solutions can be seamlessly folded into end-user enterprise IT infrastructures, where each WSN - and even individual sensing devices - can be accessed and controlled through a familiar web services environment.

With PhyNet OEM Edition, solution providers can wirelessly connect a broad array of devices that were previously either "offline" or connected via wires, expensive and power-hungry cellular technology, or proprietary wireless mechanisms. These devices now can become part of large, resilient and secure router-based wireless mesh networks, communicating via standard IP protocols over IEEE 802.15.4 low-power wireless radio.

PhyNet OEM Edition extends to solution providers the advantages of Arch Rock's PhyNet WSN platform, first introduced as an end-user product in March. A new hardware/software module, ready to embed into third-party sensing and control devices, turns those devices into low-power wireless nodes that form resilient and responsive multi-hop mesh networks. These networks join the other components of the PhyNet architecture, the PhyNet Server and PhyNet Router, to form a complete WSN solution that can scale to virtually limitless numbers of geographically dispersed meshes, all centrally manageable within an enterprise network.

The embeddable PhyNet OEM module runs Arch Rock's comprehensive WSN software suite, which includes an implementation of the IETF 6LoWPAN standard for IPv6 communication over low-power radio, high-performance mesh routing protocols, full TCP/UDP services and ICMP/DHCP management. A comprehensive set of embedded web services lets OEMs use REST and SOAP interfaces to write applications that retrieve and manipulate data from the WSN and control its functions. The IP-enabled sensors appear in the user's web browser, mobile device or enterprise planning application, where their data can be viewed and they can be managed using standard IP tools.

By addressing common integrator requirements such as small footprint, deployment flexibility, long field-life on limited power, and the ability to custom-tailor the sensing environment, PhyNet OEM Edition significantly expands the range of devices that can be "PhyNet-enabled." Target customers include developers of remote monitoring and control solutions for the utility, municipal, environmental and safety compliance, and energy management markets.

OEM's Choice: Add 6LoWPAN Networking to Existing Devices and/or Write Custom Applications Directly in Arch Rock Execution Environment

PhyNet OEM Edition is available in two versions:

- The PhyNet NP (Network Processor) Engine is targeted primarily at existing sensor environments where the devices possess computing intelligence but no wireless networking capability. Consisting of a hardware module running the Arch Rock software suite, the PhyNet NP Engine acts like a network interface card (NIC) and provides access to its functionality via a serial connection. The initial version of the module includes a TI MSP430 microcontroller, a TI CC2420 2.4-GHz IEEE 802.15.4 radio, and an Atmel AT45DB 512KB flash memory chip.

- The PhyNet IE (Integrated Execution) Engine is intended primarily for design into new sensor solutions, where integrators want to work in a single, shared hardware/software environment and create custom embedded applications that run directly on the Arch Rock engine. The PhyNet IE Engine consists of the same hardware module and networking software suite as the NP Engine, but also includes memory space for custom application development, as well as an application programming interface (API) rather than a serial connection.

- Arch Rock is also offering PhyNet OEM Development Kits for solution prototyping and testing of both the NP Engine and IE Engine products. The kits include a PhyNet Server, a PhyNet Router, six development boards and software development tools. Users can set up a six-node working WSN mesh connected by the router to server-based management functions.