The Jennic wireless modules based on the JN5139 family of wireless microcontrollers have received FCC and ETSI certifications of compliance for use in IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee applications. The company has also published a reference design that allows developers to create sensor networks using the JN5139 with a volume bill of materials (BOM) cost well under $5. In the US, certification means that a modular approvals certificate is available stating that an end product incorporating the module does not need to go through rf testing for FCC certification. In Europe, a test report is available stating that the modules comply with ETSI standard ETS 300 328. The report can be used as part of the technical construction file to demonstrate compliance with the radio sections of European EMC regulations. Also, all Jennic modules comply with RoHS regulations.

The JN5139 is a low-power, low-cost wireless microcontroller designed for battery-powered applications in wireless sensor networks based on IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee standards. The JN5139 modules include versions with a built-in ceramic antenna, SMA connector for evaluation purposes, and the space saving uFl connector for high-volume production. The modules integrate a 32-bit RISC processor with a fully compliant 2.4-GHz 802.15.4 transceiver, 192 kbytes of ROM, a selection of RAM sizes from 8 kbytes to 96 kbytes, plus analog and digital peripherals.

The BOM for the company’s reference design includes the JN5139 wireless microcontroller, a high-performance PCB antenna design, and all other ancillary components. Jennic says the design achieves a range in excess of 1 km. The design is available for free download at www.jennic.com/support.