Radiocrafts Press Release - September 28, 2009

Radiocrafts Launches World’s First OMS Compliant
Wireless M-Bus RF Module for Smart Meters

Oslo, Norway, 2009-09-28 -- Radiocrafts AS, a leading provider of compact RF modules, now expand their product line with a new firmware feature set (MBUS3) complying with the OMS (Open Metering System) specification. The new firmware runs on the industry leading Wireless M-Bus module (RC1180-MBUS) for use in Automatic Metering Reading (AMR) applications. This is the first all-embedded module solution compliant with the new OMS specification available in the market, and comes in addition to the well established NTA 8130 compliant feature set (MBUS2).

The OMS primary communication interface is based on the Wireless M-Bus standard (EN 13757-4:2005) and specifies the communication between a Multi Utility Communication (MUC) controller or gateway, and electricity, gas, water and heat meters. The specification is becoming widely accepted in Europe as a basis for new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) installations. Radiocrafts has participated in the development of the new specification together with leading meter manufacturers and other communication technology providers in Europe.

The new MBUS3 module can be configured for use as a master (in the MUC), a slave (in the meter or an actuator), or as a repeater. The module supports S1, S2, T1 and T2 modes, handles encryption (AES-128), and all time-critical communication between the MUC and the meter. The power saving features gives battery lifetimes in excess of 14 years.

A master module can support up to 64 slaves, all with unique encryption keys. The master has a unique auto-message generation feature and message mailboxes supporting individual communication with several slaves in parallel.

The repeater functionality makes up a complete and autonomous repeater that will store and retransmit slave messages in order to increase the coverage area of one master (MUC).
The new RC1180-MBUS3 is a surface-mounted high performance transceiver module measuring only 12.7 x 25.4 x 3.3 mm, and can easily be integrated into any meter. A UART interface is used for serial communication and configuration. An antenna is connected directly to the RF pin. The new module supports two-way communication, enabling not only meter reading but also valve control and data acknowledgement.

The RC1180-MBUS module is certified for operation under the European radio regulations for license-free use. When used with quarter-wave antennas a line-of-sight range of 800 meter can be achieved.
“By launching the first OMS compliant module in the market, we have again demonstrated our technological leadership in embedded wireless solutions for Smart Meters. The emerging AMI market and the new OMS specification have created a huge demand for this product. Short time-to-market is now vital for meter manufactures to position themselves in the rapidly growing Smart Metering market. The MBUS3 module is then the perfect solution, and we are already supplying large pilot customers”, says Peder Martin Evjen, Managing Director.

“Meter manufacturers, system integrators and AMI providers can now get a complete Wireless M-Bus solution compliant with the OMS specification in a small compact module form-factor that is easy to integrate into meters and gateways. The industry leading Wireless M-Bus stack makes it easy to add a fully compliant OMS solution to space limited and battery operated meters, and significantly reduce time-to-market, development and compliance testing cost”, says Tom Sjølie, Sales and Marketing Director.

The module and Demo Kits are available now.

# # #

For further information please contact:
Tom Sjølie, Sales and Marketing Director
Radiocrafts AS
Tel: +47 906 55 358
email: t.sjolie@radiocrafts.com

About Radiocrafts AS: (www.radiocrafts.com)
Radiocrafts is a leading RF module design and manufacturing company. Radiocrafts’ standard
RF modules provide compact, easy-to-use, low cost, low power and high performance RF
solutions for a large number of wireless applications using license-free ISM bands. Using
modules OEM manufacturers without RF design knowledge can easily add wireless technology
into their design, reducing time-to-market, cost of design, test and compliance approvals.
Radiocrafts also offers custom and application specific product development, supporting
customers from initial project ideas to volume product delivery.

*****************************************
Peder Martin Evjen, M.Sc.E.E.
Managing Director
Radiocrafts AS
Sandakerveien 64
NO-0484 OSLO
NORWAY
Switchboard: (+47) 4000 5195
Mob: (+47) 970 86 676
Fax: (+47) 22 71 29 15
email: p.m.evjen@radiocrafts.com
web: www.radiocrafts.com
*****************************************

Posted 9/29/2009

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Radiocrafts Press Release - September 28, 2009

Radiocrafts Launches World’s First OMS Compliant Wireless M-Bus RF Module for Smart Meters

Radiocrafts Launches World’s First OMS Compliant
Wireless M-Bus RF Module for Smart Meters