Ethertronics’EtherModule 1.0 plug-and-play solution for M2M apps

USA: Ethertronics, a leading technology company enabling innovative antenna and RF system solutions to deliver the best connected experience, has the unveiled EtherModule 1.0.

Ideal for M2M and other wireless devices, EtherModule 1.0 is a turnkey, plug-and-play, active antenna system module combining Ethertronics’ advanced antenna architecture and EtherChip 1.0 tunable capacitor on a printed circuit board, for easy integration by wireless product designers. An industry first, EtherModule 1.0 is the latest innovation coming from the collaboration of Ethertronics’ three divisions: antennas, systems and chips.

EtherModule 1.0 has a typical dynamic range of 20dB to deliver maximum performance across a wide range of frequencies and use cases. Given the combination of closed loop functionality with a proprietary algorithm integrated in conjunction with a microprocessor, the module is capable of dynamically sensing and optimizing the antenna system, without external control signals from the device.

This approach provides tuning capability; seamlessly adjusting the characteristics of the antenna to its dynamic requirements – including frequency shift, hand, head and environmental effects, or more bandwidth. The result is a true turnkey plug-and-play antenna system that can be integrated into M2M devices, minimizing the need for additional engineering design and getting products to market faster.

EtherModule 1.0 also leverages the company’s recently launched EtherChip 1.0 tunable capacitor utilizing Air InteRFace Digital Conditioning technology. The first in a series of building blocks for RF front-end module chips to provide more “smarts” to antenna and RF systems, the EtherChip 1.0 silicon chip enables characteristics of the antenna and RF performance to be adapted to the environment experienced by the antenna.

“There are a number of universal pain points for wireless product designers – from being able to deliver high performance in ever-shrinking form factors, to needing to quickly deliver new products to market, while remaining competitive and relevant. EtherModule 1.0 integrates Ethertronics’ innovative active antenna, RF systems and chip technology into a turnkey plug-and-play module to provide maximum performance and reliability to M2M wireless devices,” said Laurent Desclos, president and CEO at Ethertronics.

“By combining expertise from our three divisions – antennas, systems and chips –we are able to provide designers with a way to differentiate their products and stand-out in a competitive market.”

Measuring 35x15x10 mm, EtherModule 1.0 is able to cover one frequency or a wide range of frequencies depending on the needs – from 100 MHz to 3 GHz – including 2G, 3G and 4G cellular as well as Bluetooth, ISM, WiFi and ZigBee. Its compact size and ability to cover a wide range of frequencies make it ideal for a variety of applications, including M2M, tablets and other wireless devices.

Ethertronics has already proven this technology in several M2M applications including medical. For example, a set of four advanced closed loop functions were combined in one medical device; providing accurate medication dispensing and inventories to help hospitals reduce inventory costs and improve patient care and staff efficiency.
EtherModule 1.0 is a smaller scale version;  leveraging Ethertronics’ expertise in active antenna systems to enable integration in any M2M device.

Ethertronics’ EtherModule 1.0 removes a level of complexity for wireless product designers since they simply need to integrate the plug-and-play module into their wireless device, connect the RF and supply DC power.