Cyan Technology's configurable low power microcontroller, the eCOG1, has been chosen to be at the heart of the communications controller module in a new powerful wireless communications system developed by PIC now being trialled by the BBC and other partners in the 'SWORD project.'
PIC is at an advanced stage in the development of its 'state-of-the-art' wireless system, known as a Universal Wireless Node, which can seamlessly interface a broad range and large number of sensors - analog, digital or visual - and data devices to a variety of wireless modems. Optional wireless interfaces include GSM, GPRS, WiFi and satellite communications with data rates ranging from 9,6 Kbps to 52 Mbps. This makes the system suitable for a wide range of still image, video and data transmission applications right up to broadcast quality.
The eCOG1 handles the management of the various communications interfaces. A comprehensive suite of software modules has been developed for the system designed to provide a choice of speed and type of point-to-point communications or full Internet access via PC, laptop, PDA or mobile phone.
According to PIC's Andrew Maidment, in addition to the hardware features of the eCOG1, the Cyan development environment was important to the success of the project. "We needed to be able to develop a variety of modules to support all our different interface options," he says. "The CyanIDE software tools enabled us to easily reconfigure the peripherals in the controller, and to develop the appropriate software very speedily."
Early customers for the PIC system include household names such as the BBC which uses PIC's technology for transmitting pictures (such as that from Blackpool Tower in the UK) directly to their website for public viewing. The system is also being used for traffic monitoring and status reporting from billboard sites.
The system being developed is currently known as SWORD and is funded by the British National Space Corporation (BNSC) - an offshoot of the Dti. The project group developing the project includes specialist UK organisations, SciSys and SICL. Several businesses are keeping closely in touch with the Project Group to ensure ready uptake of the technology in the marketplace with project partners now actively involved in system trials.
For more information contact MB Silicon Systems, +27 (0)11 728 4757, [email protected]
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