Sensys Networks Wireless Sensors Help Manage Traffic for 10+ Years Without Maintenance

(Product News, 2 Apr 2009)

Leveraging ultra-low power microcontroller (MCU) and RF technologies from Texas Instruments Inc., Sensys Networks’ Wireless Vehicle Detection System has emerged as a leading traffic management solution because it operates accurately and reliably in harsh conditions for more than 10 years. The Sensys system combines magnetic sensors with advanced packet radio technology, providing a cost-effective, dependable solution for a wide range of traffic management applications.

The Sensys wireless sensors are based on TI's MSP430F14x and MSP430F16x MCUs that run at ultra-low power levels to ensure maximum life of the system, drastically reducing maintenance effort and cost. The data from the sensors is transmitted real-time to a nearby location via TI's CC2430 RF transceiver, and is then transmitted to a local traffic controller or off-site traffic management system.

Key features and benefits of using TI's MSP430 MCUs and RF transceiver:
• MSP430 MCUs ultra-low power consumption (<1µs clock startup and <50nA pin leakage) enables 10+ year battery life
• Intelligent digital and analog peripherals integrated into MSP430 MCUs provide high performance, even during RF transmissions, and consume no power when not in operation
• 16-bit RISC CPU architecture of the MSP430 MCU enables more effective processing, smaller size and high code density to maximize performance while minimizing memory and power requirement
• CC2430 RF transceivers are the world's first IEEE 802.15.4 SoC solution and operate in the 2.4GHz range, making them ideally suited for reliable, low power digital wireless application
• TI's scalable MCU portfolio consists of hundreds of devices that meet varying price, performance and ultra-low power requirements