September 21, 2010 - RF Monolithics (RFM) introduced DNT90, a $29 900 MHz frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) module suitable for wide variety of cost-sensitive applications including wireless sensor networking, telemetry and control applications. The DNT90 uses frequency hopping technology with a unique TDMA / CSMA hybrid multiple access scheme that delivers low latency to yet a virtually unlimited number of nodes in a single network. Point-to-point and multi-point networks are supported as well as peer-to-peer and store-and-forward repeating.
Available in pinned and surface-mount versions, the DNT90 footprint and pin out is the same as RFM’s 2.4GHz LPR2430ER allowing OEMs to create both 900MHz and 2.4GHz products on a single hardware platform. The DNT90’s store-and-forward repeating feature can extend the already substantial range of the 900 MHz module without the need for dedicated routing nodes. Plus, at a full 150mW of RF power, the DNT90 provides more than twice the power of competing modules to deliver exceptional range.
The DNT90 supports wireless applications needing to send over-the-air analog and digital data and / or serial data. The module offers 3 analog inputs and 6 GPIOs to not only report signal status but also to initiate actions without the need for additional intelligence. With a standard UART serial port supporting standard baud rates in addition to the analog and digital I/O, the DNT90 is well-suited for any sensor application. Its ability to auto-report sensor data and to sleep in-between reports makes the DNT90 suitable for battery operation. Its 128-bit AES encryption provides protection of highly sensitive application data.
RFM offers a developer kit - the DNT90DK - to help design engineers fast track their designs. This developer kit will be available by the end of October 2010 from RFM distributors Avnet, Digi-Key, Mouser Electronics, and Nu Horizons with a suggested retail price of $199.