Inside the SMD

The AIRcable SMD unit integrates three cutting-edge technologies to create the most powerful and flexible Bluetooth module in the industry — an enhanced BASIC interpreter, a wirelessly accessible file system for data-logging and program code, and the industry-standard Bluetooth® 2.1 with EDR radio.

Based on our patented AIRmote™ technology, this versatile SMD module acquires sensor data, runs computations, and communicates using Bluetooth technology. Clustering these units together creates a low-power, highly flexible mesh communications networks that can interact with other nodes and with other Bluetooth compatible devices such as PCs, cell phones, laptops, and handhelds.

Bluetooth 2.1+EDR Radio with SPP, FTP, & OBEX

The use of Bluetooth as the base technology ensures that these devices interoperate with all other devices which are Bluetooth compatible, such as laptops, PDAs, cell phones, Bluetooth instruments (barcode readers, RFID, etc.), and other AIRcable devices. The AIRcable SMD is capable of sending and receiving messages (OBEX) independent of other Bluetooth connections (i.e. steaming data over SPP), and BASIC computations. AIRcable SMD devices can even configure and program other AIRcable SMD devices allowing a wireless boot of a mesh network while it is already deployed.

Because the AIRcable SMD uses the OBEX (OBject EXchange) communications protocol, it can transfer files, messages such as vCard contact information, vCalendar schedule entries, vNote for Palm/PC, and even applications to any other Bluetooth device such a cell phone, PalmPilot, PC, or notebook, or to another AIRcable unit.

AIRcable SMDs are able to manage up to four simultaneous connections, including: file upload/download, send/receive messages from other devices, and send/receive streaming data.

Ports include:

• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR Standard (802.11 tolerant)
• 2 wireless data streaming ports using Serial Port Profile (SPP) - one master, one slave at the same time
• OBEX/FTP and OBEX/PIM clients available through BASIC programming
• OBEX/FTP and OBEX/PIM server
• one physical UART port
• one I2C master port
• SPI master port
• 2 analog input ports (8bit) with wireless streaming capability (120 readings per second)
• 2 analog output port
• 11 general digial input/output lines, 2 LED drivers
• stereo speaker and stereo microphone ports
• digital audio ports, PCM/SP_DIF

Wireless BASIC Programming

AIRcable's SMD can be programmed wirelessly for any application written in BASIC —with no code compiler required. The I2C interface allows access to sensors or those hooked up to the unit’s built-in serial port—through your application program.

The AIRcable Industrial's embedded BASIC interpreter includes functions that you can incorporate into your customized programs:

• Bluetooth connectivity (make connections, send files, etc.)
• File system access
• Input/output (from all 3 high-speed ports)
• Streaming data
• Sensor access
• String operations
• etc.

File System

The on-board file system allows you to run BASIC programs and store information gathered by its data-logging function. For example, data streaming in from a sensor connected to the serial port can processed and stored. And, you can access to the file system from a PC or your cell phone wirelessly. Down- and upload files via FTP. Best of all, the unit doesn't have to be connected to another device for data transfer. The AIRcable SMD performs operations in both connection and autonomous mode. For detailed information on the file system, check out the AIRcable Programming Manual.

Sensor Interface

The AIRcable can directly communicate directly with 5 types of sensors:

• digital binary sensors
• sensors with analog interface
• I2C (2-wire) intelligent sensors
• SPI sensor
• synchronous serial up to 3MBit/s

Functions already built-in can use a real time clock (DS1372), a temperature sensor (TC54), high precision analog-to-digital converter (ADS1112), and LCD controller (PCF8562) and others.

Other sensors can be accessed through generic I2C and SPI functions. Adding an I2C and SPI slave port to the AIRcable SMD can be realized using the SC16IS740 family interfaces.