SAN JOSE, Calif., Apr 27, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Synapse
Wireless(R), Inc. and Silicon
Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB) today introduced a jointly
developed wireless mesh networking solution that combines the
award-winning Synapse SNAP(R) network operating system with
Silicon Labs' Si1000 wireless microcontroller (MCU). The combined
software/hardware solution - the Synapse RF Engine(R) module -
makes it easy to deploy scalable, ultra-low-power, small-footprint
wireless mesh networking for a wide range of applications including
smart metering, building automation, commercial lighting control,
personal medical devices, asset tracking systems and more.
The SNAP network operating system provides a high-performance wireless
mesh networking protocol that supports Internet-enabled, wireless
machine-to-machine communications, and offers an embedded Python
interpreter for easy application development. Providing the intelligence
behind the Synapse RF Engine, SNAP runs on Silicon Labs' Si1000 wireless
MCU, which combines an ultra-low-power processor core with a
high-performance sub-GHz RF transceiver delivering high-bandwidth and
extended-range wireless connectivity. The simple-to-use module
streamlines the process of creating and deploying wireless networks.
Synapse is demonstrating the RF Engine at the company's Booth #1926 at
the Embedded Systems Conference - Silicon Valley, April 26 -29.
SNAP allows wireless applications to be developed quickly and easily
using Python's English-like scripting language instead of complex
embedded programming. The developer simply adds the application to SNAP,
residing on the RF module, over-the-air. No embedded wireless
programming experience is required to develop applications and deploy
them to physical SNAP nodes. Instead of being burdened with the
underlying complexities of wireless mesh networking, the developer can
focus on getting the application to market quickly.
Both the Si1000 wireless MCU and SNAP deliver exceptional performance
for power- and cost-sensitive wireless applications within a small
hardware and software footprint. The intelligent SNAP network operating
system enables nodes to join the mesh network instantly. The software's
over-the-air programming and Python interpreter ensure easy, fast and
flexible application development.
The Synapse RF Engine provides a turnkey hardware/software solution that
developers can deploy immediately in their end products. It also offers
an easy-to-use development platform for system engineers who want to
migrate their wireless designs to high-volume applications using the
Si1000 MCU running SNAP as embedded firmware.
"The collaboration between Silicon Labs and Synapse has resulted in a
best-in-class, sub-GHz wireless networking solution that combines the
industry's lowest power wireless MCU with the sophisticated networking
and Internet connectivity capabilities of SNAP," said Wade Patterson,
Synapse Founder, President and CEO. "The jointly developed wireless
platform will streamline the development of cost-effective and
energy-efficient mesh networks."
Developers using the Si1000-based Synapse RF Engine will have access to
the full product and service offerings from Synapse. This includes
custom design services for solving tough, engineering challenges in OEM
product design; the Synapse Portal(R) wireless application development
environment for ease in network management and rapid application
development; and SNAP(R) Connect, for seamless integration to the Internet.
"The combination of the Si1000 wireless MCU and SNAP provides a
comprehensive mesh networking solution for ISM band applications in the
sub-GHz range," said Mark Thompson, vice president of embedded
mixed-signal products at Silicon Labs. "Using this combined
hardware/software solution, developers can get their wireless
applications up and running quickly and easily while benefiting from the
power-efficient, battery-saving capabilities of the Si1000 MCU and its
exceptional wireless range and performance."
Synapse SNAP Network Operating System
Synapse's SNAP network operating system is an Internet-enabled, IEEE
802.15.4-based, instant-on, multi-hop, mesh network, software solution
designed to cost-effectively run efficiently over a range of popular
microprocessors and microcontrollers. SNAP has a very small memory
footprint of only 45 kB, thereby leaving more space for user
applications. SNAP can support up to 16 million nodes in a single
network. Since these are peer-to-peer mesh networks, there is no single
point of failure: any node can talk directly to any other node that is
in range, and any node can talk indirectly to any other node via
intermediate nodes - SNAP networks are self-healing. Users can
interactively develop applications using a high-level English-like
language called Python. No embedded programming experience is required.
Synapse currently has more than 900 registered SNAP users.
Silicon Labs Si1000 Wireless MCU
The Si1000 wireless MCU, a member of the Si10xx family, combines a 25
MHz 8051 core, EZRadioPRO(R)
sub-GHz RF transceiver, 64 kB of flash and a 10-bit ADC - all in a
compact 5 mm x 7 mm package. As the industry's only sub-GHz 8-bit
wireless MCUs, the Si10xx family offers market-leading RF performance
with the highest output power and sensitivity and lowest power wake-up
transition. The Si10xx family's integrated power and low-noise
amplifiers enable an RF link budget of greater than 140 dB without
active external elements, resulting in extended range, higher bandwidth
and lower power consumption. The industry's most power-efficient
wireless MCU solution, the Si10xx family provides the lowest current in
common modes of operation. The wireless MCUs offer the lowest
active-mode current consumption (160 microamps per MHz). In sleep mode,
they consume only 315 nanoamps using the internal low frequency RTC. In
deep-sleep mode, they can operate on as little as 25 nA with full RAM
retention.
Pricing and Availability
The Si1000 MCU-based Synapse RF Engine module is available today from
Synapse and MSRP priced at $29 (USD) for 1-unit quantities (volume
discounts available). The Synapse SNAP evaluation download for the
Si1000 MCU is also available today from Synapse. For more information
and to order the module or download SNAP, visit www.synapse-wireless.com.
For additional information about Silicon Labs' Si1000 wireless MCU and
to purchase samples and development tools, please visit www.silabs.com/pr/wirelessmcu.
About Synapse Wireless, Inc.
Synapse Wireless, Inc., located in Huntsville, Alabama, is driving
innovation in the machine-to-machine (M2M) communication market. This
market is projected to grow to $14 billion by 2013. Synapse provides
intelligent, wireless control and monitoring based on the SNAP(R) network
operating system. Synapse's Portal(TM) and SNAP(R) Connect provide a complete
software development environment for easy application development and
fast time to revenue. Synapse RF Engine(R) modules have achieved ZigBee(R)
Compliant Platform (ZCP) certification. Synapse Design Services provides
comprehensive design and implementation support for OEMs and partners.
For more information, visit: Synapse-Wireless.com
About Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Silicon Laboratories is an industry leader in the innovation of
high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs. Developed by a
world-class engineering team with unsurpassed expertise in mixed-signal
design, Silicon Labs' diverse portfolio of highly-integrated,
easy-to-use products offers customers significant advantages in
performance, size and power consumption. These patented solutions serve
a broad set of markets and applications including consumer,
communications, computing, industrial and automotive.
Headquartered in Austin, TX, Silicon Labs is a global enterprise with
operations, sales and design activities worldwide. The company is
committed to contributing to our customers' success by recruiting the
highest quality talent to create industry-changing innovations. For more
information about Silicon Labs, please visit www.silabs.com.
Cautionary Language
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
Silicon Laboratories' current expectations. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could
impact Silicon Laboratories' financial results and cause actual results
to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements,
please refer to Silicon Laboratories' filings with the SEC. Silicon
Laboratories disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Silicon Laboratories, Silicon Labs, the "S" symbol, the Silicon
Laboratories logo, and the Silicon Labs logo are trademarks of Silicon
Laboratories Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks
of their respective holders.
Synapse and the Synapse logo are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Synapse Wireless, Inc. All other product or service names are the
property of their respective owners. All Synapse products are patent
pending. © Synapse Wireless Inc. 2010.
SOURCE: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Synapse Media Contacts:
Bryan Floyd, 256-852-7888 x106
Vice President, Synapse Wireless
bryan.floyd@synapse-wireless.com
or
Cain Communications
Susan Cain, 503-538-2747
scain@caincom.com
or
Silicon Labs Media Contact:
Dale Weisman, 512-532-5871
Global Public Relations Manager, Silicon Labs
dale.weisman@silabs.com
Copyright Business Wire 2010