IIoT Wireless Sensor Network Consumes Under 3µA per Node

Linear Technology's SmartMesh IP™ wireless sensor network (WSN) product line has expanded to address the growing needs of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications. New capabilities include the SmartMesh® VManager™ networking software, which seamlessly increases the mesh network capacity to thousands of nodes. The new Blink mode, an ultralow power roaming node capability, reduces average current consumption of wireless sensor nodes to less than 3µA.

SmartMesh IP, based on 6LoWPAN, delivers wire-like reliability and ultralow power to wireless mesh networks, allowing secure deployment of battery-operated IIoT sensors in harsh environments with more than 10 years of battery life.

“SmartMesh IP is comprised of wireless hardware and software purpose built for the stringent requirements of industrial IoT applications,” said Joy Weiss, President of the Dust Networks® product group at Linear Technology. “We have tailored our WSN product so that customers can address the widest range of indoor, outdoor, local and cloud-based IoT applications while maintaining our hallmarks of wire-like reliability, industrial security and ultralow power.”

SmartMesh IP now offers an even wider range of features, including: Scalable Network and Security Management: SmartMesh networks self-form and self-heal and continuously self-optimize while providing NIST-certified security. Network Manager options include the cost-effective on-chip EManager for networks of less than 100 nodes, and the new VManager. VManager software reliably supports over one thousand nodes in a single secure network and runs on an X86-based Virtual Machine that can be located anywhere with an IP connection, including the Cloud.

Ultralow Power Roaming Nodes: The new Blink mode addresses applications where nodes may need to move in and out of the mesh and send data several times per day. Thousands of SmartMesh IP Blink nodes can reliably and securely send data into a mesh-mode SmartMesh network while consuming an average of less than 3µA of power.

SmartMesh IP products are wireless chips and pre-certified PCB modules, complete with ready-to-deploy wireless mesh networking software based on the 6LoWPAN and IEEE 802.15.4e standards. SmartMesh is built for the stringent reliability and security required for industrial IoT. It includes complete networking software to speed time-to-market, and is engineered for years of trouble-free operation.