Synapse and Silicon Labs intros complete solution for wireless mesh networking

Embedded Systems Conference Silicon Valley 2010, SAN JOSE, USA: Synapse Wireless, Inc. and Silicon Laboratories Inc. have introduced a jointly developed wireless mesh networking solution that combines the award-winning Synapse SNAP network operating system with Silicon Labs’ Si1000 wireless microcontroller (MCU).

The combined software/hardware solution – the Synapse RF Engine® 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.

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 wireless application development environment for ease in network management and rapid application development; and SNAP 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.”