To simplify and accelerate deployments of IEEE 802.15.4 based wireless sensor and control networks (WSCNs), system software developer Tendril and semiconductor supplier Atmel Corp. will combine strengths to create a wireless networking platform with IP networks for PC/PDA-based applications and enterprise computing systems. Consequently, the partners will integrate and bundle Atmel’s AVR Z-Link 802.15.4/ZigBee hardware solution with Tendril’s network operations platform software for WSCN. As a result, the company has readied a software development kit called Service Broker v1.0. It is offered for $4995 and includes all sensor and control applications that interact with all Atmel peripherals on end devices. It allows users to add proprietary I/Os and code to customize applications. Recently, Tendril inked similar deals with Texas Instruments’ Chipcon and Ember Corp.

According to Tendril, its distributed platform allows users to fully leverage the power of WSCN implementations that integrate different types of low-power sensors/actuators with traditionally networked computing systems. The Tendril network operations platform provides an integrated server-side “broker” and device-side “agent,” along with associated network bridging software, for monitoring, managing, and integrating WSCNs. This approach allows OEMs to integrate wireless networking capabilities into their products in less than a week and provides system integrators with the ability to quickly add well-monitored WSCNs to deployments in the field, stated Tendril COO Tim Enwall.

Through this relationship, Tendril and Atmel will also collaborate on a variety of co-marketing activities, support each other’s field sales operations, and jointly provide support for the bundled solution.

“Atmel and Tendril share a commitment to providing easy-to-deploy and easy-to-use wireless networking solutions that utilize the 802.15.4 protocol, which is why this partnership is a natural extension of our long-standing collaboration, said Adrian Tuck, newly appointed CEO of Tendril. “The impact that this bundled solution will make on deployment timelines is profound: OEMs that utilize the Tendril system software can integrate low-power wireless networking capabilities into their products in less than a week, rather than the months or years of labor typically necessary when using alternative approaches. In addition, OEMs get pre-built network monitoring and network management capability not included in the foundational network layer technology. By slashing months of development time from these projects and improving network monitoring and management, companies can significantly reduce costs, speed time-to-market and increase the profitability of their wireless networking initiatives.”

Atmel’s solution includes its ultra low-power, high-sensitivity 2.4 GHz AT86RF230 802.15.4 radio, a choice of ultra-low-power AVR microcontrollers with flash densities of 64-, 128- or 256 Kbits, and a small footprint, fully compliant media access control (MAC) software optimized for the AVR architecture.

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