Dust Networks SoCs Incorporate ARM Cortex-M3 Processor

The leading wireless sensor networks (WSN) vendor Dust Networks’s impending IEEE 802.15.4 product line will incorporate the robust, low-power ARM Cortex M3 processor.

Its new system-on-chips (SoCs) portfolio will form the base for a range of emerging WSN products based on standards, such as Zigbee PRO, 6LOWPAN (IP), and  IEC 62591 (WirelessHART), which are products having low power, energy saving and high performance features.

These SoCs offer a very high level of system integration and include an in-built temperature sensor, 10-bit ADC, on-chip power amplifier, and DC-DC converter.
The SoCs can be configured up to 72kB of RAM and 512kB of flash memory, offering the maximum computational horsepower possible for any existing 802.15.4 chip, as well as the lowest consumption of power. Their current consumption is below 1uA in the doze mode, with complete RAM retention and processor state. .

These SoCs will feature a 32-bit based ARM Cortex-M3 processor having powerful interfaces that facilitate a strong computing platform with power conservation features; an IEEE 802.15.4 radio with low power consumption; increased range capabilities with a maximum of output of 8 dBm power on-chip PA; and an external power amplifier that is optional.

The radio features receive current of 3 mA while the transmit current is just 3 mA at 0 dBm. This radio is capable of expanding the scope of power sources that can harvest energy by enabling a battery life 5-10 times more than competing technologies.

The product is IEEE 802.15.4E-ready and incorporates the latest standards for channel hopping and time synchronizing, and at the same time, offers legacy support for the 802.15.4-2006 standard.

Dust Networks’ Chief Technologist Dr. Kris Pister informed that the choice of the ARM processor for the SoC did not require trading off its performance for power. He revealed that the energy consumption associated with each operation of the new SoCs will be lower than one-tenth of that of comparable SoCs

ARM Processor Division’s VP Marketing Eric Schorn added that the Cortex-M3 CPU is useful for energy harvesting or battery operated designs, which need better performance. He elaborated that the feature-rich Dust SoC is an ideal example for a device that depicts a green approach-based SoC design for applications where each nanoamp matters.

Mareca Hatler, research director at ON World, added that with the launch of very low power SmartMesh IP (6LoWPAN) system versions and ZigBee products, Dust will expand the growing range of smart world applications in smart buildings, homes, and cities.