CiFi Wireless Communications

At MLE we try to utilise and adapt existing technologies to create a solution which is functional and easy to use. Our partners at Cypress Semiconductors recently produced a short range wireless module which can be controlled by almost all PSoC devices; this module has been aptly named CyFi Low-Power RF (CYRF7936). The CyFi-PSOC system allows a reliable and dynamic communications system at a frequency of 2.4GHz whilst providing a low power solution, the module also provides a reading of Receive Signal Strength Indication (RSSI). As the transmitter moves closer to the receiver, the power being used by the transmitter will decrease thus increasing the amount of time between battery replacements. The use of the CyFi system enables a total of 250 nodes to communicate within a wireless network whilst actively avoiding other wireless 2.4GHz frequencies. Combining this with the advanced error correction, CRC16, based around every piece of data sent produces a system that is versatile enough for most short range communication devices.

It is therefore feasible to add this system into a product without having to produce the control system for the wireless module, as we have had to do previously. Due to the diversity of the PSoC device we can therefore setup an advanced wireless system which is able to interface to any embedded solution, whether the request is a dynamic wireless sensor system or a two device RF remote control system.

At a surface level the integration of this system was fairly simple; the FirstTouch kit which Cypress produces is enough to get your head around how this device works. This, in turn, allowed the development of more advanced functionality as our understanding of the radio control/sensing systems work. We are now beginning to reproduce some of our earlier wired communication solutions with this wireless module to create an even more flexible device.

by Jon

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CiFi Wireless Communications