Project description
Addressing unmet market needs for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity
A disruptive technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) promises socio-economic and environmental gains, with a range of connectivity applications from smart homes and buildings to industrial plants. Along with the required Wi-Fi range, IoT devices must meet certain standards but present technology falls short of market needs. The SMARTRange 2.4 GHz wireless transceiver addresses this gap, by implementing the only practically available option to increase the range for radio devices: improving the radio’s receiver sensitivity. Drawing on patent-protected radio architecture, the transceiver doubles the Wi-Fi range without external power amplifiers, thus bringing down equipment cost. Other achieved effects include whole-house coverage, reduced power consumption, security and reliability. The next phase of the project will focus on commercialisation and market penetration.
Objective
Part of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the Internet of Things (IoT) represents a global growth opportunity. In particular, the IoT offers tremendous socio-economic and environmental benefits through the improved automation and energy efficiency of Smart Homes, Buildings and Industrial Plants.
Most IoT applications demand that devices provide the range of WiFi. In addition, devices must be standards-based, highly secure, globally interoperable, reliable, ultra-low power and cost effective.
However, existing IoT technology is failing to meet these market needs. Current 2.4GHz radios have limited range and sub-GHz radios do not give security or global interoperability.
There are two ways to increase the range of radio devices: 1) increase transmit power or 2) improve the radio’s receiver sensitivity (Rx sensitivity). However, legislation in Europe limits transmit power to 10dBm, meaning the only practical way to increase range is to improve Rx sensitivity.
Cascoda has developed a disruptive 2.4GHz wireless transceiver based on a unique patent-protected radio architecture, which significantly improves Rx sensitivity, effectively doubling the range without using any external power amplifiers. This delivers the range of WiFi to provide whole-house coverage, reduces power consumption by a factor of 6 enabling years of operation from batteries, provides high security, reliability and reduces equipment costs by a factor 5 as no power amplifiers are needed.
Extensive R&D and market feasibility studies including a Eureka Eurostars and a H2020 Phase 1 project, have taken us this far. This Phase 2 project will allow us to optimise, refine and certify our products under industry standards and demonstrate our systems under real-world conditions. This project enables us to enter the low-power wireless market worth at least €3 billion. By 2025, we will cumulatively generate €48 million in revenues and €27 million in operating profits and help create up to 184 skilled jobs.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternetinternet of things
- social sciencessociologyindustrial relationsautomation
- social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical transitionsrevolutions
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcontrol systemshome automation
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2Coordinator
SO15 2EA Southampton
United Kingdom
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.