Ultra-miniature ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite

Ultra-small ZigBee Wireless Module TWE-001 Lite

TWE-Lite is a key component for realizing wireless devices in sensor network, HEMS, BEMS, FEMS, CEMS, M2M, IoT (Internet of Things) and other various applications whose market has been rapidly expanding worldwide. This product is intended for the use mainly in assembly manufacturers and system integrators. By embedding TWE-Lite as the functional part in a final product, high-performance wireless function can be easily and quickly added as a new value to the product.

TWE-Lite has adopted the short-wavelength 2.4 GHz band wireless, which can be used not only in Japan but also all over the world. Furthermore, compact and high-performance antenna can be used and the combination of the antenna and TWE-Lite allows unwiring of ultra-small devices. TWE-Lite allows unwiring of any device in various applications.

Not only the size but also the power consumption is small, and TWE-Lite is operable for several years with coin batteries. Also, any compromise is made for the wireless communication performance and the signal range reaches 1 km outdoors at line of sight. The operation temperature range is between – 40 C and 105 C. While the size is small, TWE-Lite is a strong wireless module. TWE-Lite satisfies the conditions required for wireless modules at a high level.

TWE-Lite has a built-in 32-bit RISC microcomputer and operates at high speed at 32 MHz. As UART, SPI, I2C, ADC and other various interfaces can be used, an external control microcomputer is not necessary, which promotes reduction in size, simplification, and cost saving for the products.

As the shape of TWE-Lite is of surface mount type which can be embedded on the parent board by using an automated machine, it is the best solution for large-scale mass production. As this product has already obtained certification according to the Radio Act of Japan, you can start using without license.

TWE-Lite, a wireless module made by the manufacturer dedicated to the highly-reliable electronic parts, has high performance, high function and high quality.

This is a lead-free, RoHS-compliant and environmentally friendly product. We can also make the documentation on various environmental regulations (JAMP-AIS, REACH etc.) available on request.

• > Features
• > TWE-Lite
• > TWE-Lite Structure
• > Connection Example of TWE-Lite
• > Implementation Example
• > Block Diagram of TWE-Lite
• > Network of TWE-Lite
• > Software Implementation Method of TWE-Lite
• > Wireless Specifications of TWE-Lite
• > Power Consumption (Current) of TWE-Lite
• > Signal Range of TWE-Lite
• > Reliability Test
• > Use of Product outside of Japan

Features

Ultra-small

ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TOCOS Wireless Engine TWE-Lite is lighter and smaller than one 1-yen coin and as small as 13.97 mm * 13.97 mm * 2.5 mm.

Super low power consumption

ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite operates at low current consumption (Tx Current: 15 mA, Rx Current: 17 mA, Deep Sleep: 0.13 µA) thanks to the world's best standards of power saving design. Powered by batteries, it achieves a long operating time. It can also run for a long time on low-capacity coin batteries and even on a small amount of power gained with energy harvesting technologies. Thanks to the low power consumption feature, the ultra-small ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Module TWE-Lite can now realize the applications that were difficult to achieve before because of the limitation in power consumption.

Instantaneous start-up

The quick start-up is also one of the features of the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite. With the short start-up and processing time, it will not consume any excessive electricity. This also allows communications with less delay time (low latency).

Long Signal Range

While maintaining low power consumption, the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite secures enough link budget (the budget for connecting communications) that enables long signal range of up to 1 km at line of sight with an antenna (2 dBi gain, non-directional). Using a directional antenna of higher gain can make the signal range even longer. The extended reach will open up the possibility for new applications. Furthermore, you do not have to give up having great reach any more, where you had to because of the limitation in power consumption. Even if you do not need great reach, large link budget will be effective for stable communications in the environment where there are obstacles, e.g. walls. If the extended signal range is inconvenient, you can attenuate the output in the interval of about -12 db with software control to reduce the signal range. (* The attenuation of the output will not make the power consumption smaller.)

Distance measurement

In addition to the distance measurement method using radio waves intensity (RSSI), the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite has incorporated the time of flight (ToF), the distance measurement function which produces almost constant error against the measured distance by round-trip time of radio waves. With the measurement using radio waves, the distance between 2 points of wireless modules can be obtained. By obtaining the distance information at multiple points, it can be used for two-dimensional and three-dimensional position detection. (The measurement error when using ToF is about ±10 m regardless of the distance.)

32-bit high performance CPU and large capacity memory

The 32-bit RISC CPU built in the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite, which operates at the maximum 32 MHz, can easily deal with any complicated data processing and control of peripheral devices. What is used here is an OpenRISC based high-performance CPU core tuned to the utmost limit, with the current consumption amount per clock as low as 8-bit CPU. By making the most of 32-bit processing, it can process in a shorter time, contributing to more power saving. The operation clock can be switched between 4 MHz, 8 MHz, 16 MHz, and 32 MHz, so that you can choose the most suitable consumption current. The software for operating a wireless module is implemented with C language using API, so a software developer does not have to think about CPU register and architecture.

Software Development Environment (SDK)

The software development environment for the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite is made available for free. There is no limitation in duration of use or available functions. The development environment contains a gcc tool chain, Eclipse Integrated Development Environment, protocol stack library, and various sample programs. With the use of the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Module Evaluation and Development Kit, you can download it in a wireless module and start development activities right away.

Temperature characteristics

The ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite has the temperature characteristics that meet an industrial purpose and can be used in -40 C to 105 C. It will maintain stable communications quality both in cold and hot environments.

Power supply voltage

The operating voltage for the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite is about 2.0V to 3.6V, so the product can be also driven by batteries.

Antenna

The ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite can use a matchstick antenna as the low-cost and high-performance external antenna.

High quality

The ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite, which we, with more than 50 years of experiences as an electronic component professional manufacturer, are proud to offer, has been designed in consideration of resistance to heat impact, vibration, and static electricity, and manufactured under a strict quality inspection in our factory. If any defect or failure should happen, you can rely on our strengthened response and failure analysis system, which gives you a sense of security in choosing our product for mass production. (Certified with ISO9001:2000 and ISO14001:2004.)

Total support

We have made ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Module Evaluation and Development Kit, which is helpful in evaluation and development of the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite, software development environment (SDK) available, and technical support that you can totally count on.

TWE-Lite

The ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TOCOS Wireless Engine TWE-Lite measures 13.97 mm * 13.97 mm * 3.5 mm, very small in size.

Compared with 1-yen coin, it is fully covered by one 1-yen coin and lighter than one 1-yen coin in weight.

For pin assignment, please see Pin Layout.

TWE-Lite Structure

ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite has integrated a wireless segment compliant with IEEE802.15.4, 32-bit microcomputer part, memory, and a peripheral circuit.

Antenna

The ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite is supplied with a low-cost and high-performance matchstick antenna certified with Technical Regulations. Please contact us for customizing of the antenna and for other antennae.

External interface

The ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite has a stamp-shaped connecting terminal of 1.27mm-pitch,which serves as the external interface, on the four corners of the module. This connecting terminal has the structure for surface mount connection for a parent board.

Connection Example of TWE-Lite

ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite is a general-purpose microcomputer module with wireless functions. The CPU is 32-bit RISC and operates at 32 MHz. There are various I/Os equipped that you may find in a general type of microcomputers.

Here is a connection example for the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite. As shown in the illustration, various peripheral devices can be directly connected and controlled. By doing so, peripheral devices can be minimized.

Connect the power supply and sensors to the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite and put it in a case, then the wireless sensor is completed.

It is possible to conduct all the processing with the microcomputer built in the module so that you can save on additional cost for external microcomputers and memory, or as another option, you can use an external microcomputer and connect it with UART and SPI.

For more details on connecting a peripheral device to the wireless module, please see the reference circuit examples (for TWE-001 Regular).

Implementation Example

Here is an implementation example where features of the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite, or super low power consumption and 2.4 GHz allowing compact and high performance antenna are utilized.

Ultra-miniature active RFID tag

Here is an implementation example of an active RFID tag that uses the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite.

Connect the batteries and antenna to the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite, then it is completed. Also, various sensors can be equipped as needed.

In this example, CR2032 coin type batteries with a diameter of 2 cm are used for operation. You can reduce the size not only of the wireless module but also of the batteries and antenna.


*The antenna included in the picture is not for general sale.

Energy harvesting RFID tag

In the example as shown below, only a small film solar battery with the diameter of 26 mm is used for operation. Communications can be made once a second under the room light.

*The antenna included in the picture is not for general sale.

Block diagram of TWE-Lite

This is the block diagram for the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite.

TOCOS ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module features a wide variety of functions, unlike a single-function wireless modem. TWE-Lite is a highly functional 32-bit microcomputer module that integrates the ZigBee/IEEE802.15.4 wireless function.

A peripheral circuit and memory extension etc. can be structured in the same way as an ordinary microcomputer. The application software is stored in the rewritable flash ROM.

Network of TWE-Lite

The ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite can be assigned a role of coordinator (parent machine), router (repeater), or end device (child machine) on the network with common hardware just by changing the software to download in the built-in flash memory.

Software Implementation Method of TWE-Lite

For the method of using Software Development Environment (SDK), please see ToCoNet SDK.

Wireless Specifications of TWE-Lite-40 C to 105

Here are wireless specifications for the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite.

Wireless standard	IEEE802.15.4
Frequency band	2.4 GHz
Number of channels	16 channels
Modulation method	O-PQSK, DSSS
Communications speed	250 kbps (IEEE802.15.4)
ransmission output	+2.5 dBm (25 C, 3V, Typ, SWG connector)
Receiving sensitivity	-95 dBm (25 C, 3V, Typ, SWG connector)
Encryption	AES-128 bit, AES-256 bit (software)
Certificate for radio waves	ARIB-STD-T66 Factory Design Certificate (Technical Regulations Conformity Certification)

Power Consumption (Current) of TWE-Lite

One of the features of the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite is super low power consumption.

To realize low power consumption as a ZigBee/IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module, it is imperative to suppress consumption current at each processing, but it is equally important to shorten the start-up and processing time. If it takes time to process, it will eventually consume large electricity even with small consumption current at a unit time.

The ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite has achieved super low power consumption, instantaneous start-up, and high-speed processing.

Example of power consumption (current consumption) when used as an active RF tag

The next one shows a usage example of the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite as an RF tag. In this example, a sensor is not used and the ID data of 4 byte are periodically sent with the built-in timer. There is no acknowledgement (ACK) from the transmission destination. The average consumption current to send 1 packet is 11.6 mA with a processing time of 2.5 msec.

The graph provided below is a lifetime of a battery when a coin type battery (CR2032) is used. The capacity of a battery is calculated with 220 mAh. According to the calculation, it will last longer with the RAM set to ON, if it sends data in the interval of 5 seconds or less.

As proven in the data, TWE-Lite is a ZigBee/IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module that operates at super low power consumption.

Signal Range of TWE-Lite

Another feature of the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite is the signaling performance.

This is the measurement results to find out the maximum signal range for the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite.

With propagation of radio waves influenced by various conditions, the signal range will also vary. Therefore, the measurement in a straight-line distance at line of sight in the environment with very little noise is often cited as a performance indicator of a communications module. From the measurement, the actual performance value of link budget (the budget for connecting communications) can be obtained.


While maintaining low power consumption, the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite achieves excellent reach of up to 1 km at line of sight with an external (2 dBi gain, non-directional). In this way, the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite has secured substantial link budget while compliant with the Radio Act of Japan.

The measurement can also be used to check whether a product is actually according to the design specifications or not.

Use of Product outside of Japan

Although the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite uses 2.4 GHz band that can be used abroad, using of the product outside of Japan requires certification according to the radio law of the country. For the countries where the product can be used, please contact us.

To export the ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Lite outside of Japan, it is necessary to determine whether the product is applicable or not according to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act and relevant acts (e.g. Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law). If you need a compliance certificate, please contact us.

Materials

• Datasheet (PDF 811 KB): Japanese version
• TWE-Lite Brochure (PDF): Japanese version

Related Products

• ZigBee/IEEE802.15.4 Evaluation and Development Kit
• Sensor Network Evaluation Kit
• ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Regular (standard type)
• ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 Wireless Module TWE-Strong (high output type)