A platform from Arizona-based On Semiconductor enables smart building and industrial IoT Bluetooth Low Energy mesh applications. It supports node-to-node communications with smart sensing and cloud connectivity.
 
The Bluetooth LE mesh networking is based on OnSemi’s s low-power RSL10 system-in-package (SiP). Using the RSL10 mesh platform, engineers can implement low-power mesh networking, using Bluetooth LE technology, and move quickly towards full deployment.
 
Optimised for smart home, building automation, industrial IoT, remote environment monitoring, and asset tracking and monitoring applications, this multi-faceted product has the essential elements for developing and deploying a mesh network. It consists of two RSL10 mesh nodes and a Strata gateway for connectivity to the Strata Developer Studio.
 
Complementing the RSL10 SiP, an array of sensing and indicator devices have been incorporated into the node hardware, including an ambient light sensor (LV0104CS), temperature sensor (N34TS108), magnetic sensors, LED indicators and a triple-output NCP5623B LED driver for colour mixing purposes. Alongside this is a built-in battery charger for batteries with either Li-ion or Li-poly chemistries.
 
The mesh nodes can be configured to take on different roles and demonstrate particular functional aspects. The accompanying Strata gateway allows evaluation processes to be carried out using the Strata Developer Studio. This cloud-connected software enables provisioning of additional mesh and supports firmware-over-the-air updates.
 
Using the virtual workspaces for common mesh networking examples, including a smart office, developers can access sensor data and trigger settings. The energy-efficient RSL10 radio is supported by an Eclipse-based integrated development environment, a mobile application for provisioning, configuring and controlling a Bluetooth LE mesh network, and a mesh networking software package compliant with the Bluetooth SIG.
 
“The value of Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networking and the elimination of range limitations are now being recognised within a multitude of different contexts in the industrial, agricultural, enterprise and logistics sectors, as well as in relation to the emergence of smart cities,” said Wiren Perera who heads IoT at OnSemi. “However, operational constraints and ease of implementation still represent major challenges. Through this new platform we are helping to dramatically accelerate mesh networking development so that nodes can be more rapidly deployed which push the performance envelope in terms of range, resiliency and power budget.”
 
OnSemi supplies semiconductor-based products including energy efficient, power management, analogue, sensors, logic, timing, connectivity, discrete, SoC and custom devices. The company’s products help engineers solve design problems in automotive, communications, computing, consumer, industrial, medical, aerospace and military applications. The company has a network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices and design centres throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.