Nordic-powered Modbus module delivers hassle-free wireless mesh networking for building and industrial control applications

Swedish technology company LumenRadio has released a globally certified wireless module designed to simplify Modbus remote terminal unit (RTU) installations by eliminating the need for traditional control cables. Available in two versions (the ‘W-Modbus OEM Module’ supporting one Modbus client, and the ‘W-Modbus PRO OEM Module' supporting up to 16 Modbus clients), the module can be integrated by OEMs into end devices providing hassle-free wireless Modbus connectivity to customers across the HVAC, building, and industrial automation sectors.

Integrating Nordic Semiconductor’s multiprotocol nRF52840 SoC, the module replaces physical control cables with a wireless mesh network built on LumenRadio’s ‘MiraOS’ embedded operating system and ‘MiraMesh’ technologies. MiraMesh is a proprietary self-healing and self-organizing mesh network protocol on top of which W-Modbus and custom-developed firmware is implemented. MiraOS and MiraMesh are supervised by the nRF52840 SoC’s powerful 64 MHz, Arm® Cortex® M4 processor that is designed to support the Floating Point (FP) and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) computations typical of high-end wireless applications.

The combination of MiraMesh, W-Modbus, and the nRF52840 SoC’s processor allows for seamless integration, superior reliability, and minimal interference in diverse industrial environments,” says Corc Mityesoglu, Sales Director at LumenRadio. “And removing the need for cabling reduces installation time, complexity and costs, making the setup and maintenance processes far more efficient".

The module can be integrated into any Modbus RTU device via a UART interface and configured either as a gateway or as a node, with the ability to connect up to 100 nodes within a network. The system maintains full compatibility with existing Modbus RTU devices, allowing users to integrate W-Modbus into their current setups without needing to replace or upgrade equipment. In addition to the Nordic SoC, the module integrates a power amplifier enabling it to transmit at 100mW / 23 dBm output power, ensuring robust connectivity in industrial environments. 

The Nordic SoC’s multiprotocol capability enables the module to run both the LumenRadio mesh protocol and Bluetooth® LE concurrently. Bluetooth LE provides smartphone connectivity so the user can monitor and troubleshoot the device via a smartphone app. 

“For over 10 years, we have relied on Nordic SoCs to power our solutions and our long-standing partnership has enabled us to innovate and deliver cutting-edge products to our customers with confidence,” says Mityesoglu. “The nRF52840 SoC delivers extremely low power consumption and an outstanding price-to-performance ratio. We consider it the go-to chipset for IoT applications.” 

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