Wifi Revolution

Sierra Wireless recently introduced two new broadband products in its AirPrime SL Series of wireless embedded modules: the AirPrime SL809x for HSPA+ networks and the AirPrime SL501x for EV-DO Rev A networks.

Both these new modules bring additional choices of network technologies to the SL Series, which currently includes the SL808x HSDPA module as well as the SL6087 EDGE module, winner of the GSM Association’s “Best 2G module” award.

Having been launched in March 2010, the AirPrime SL Series has been well received by the market. Customers have appreciated its compact and cost effective 25x30mm standard JEDEC package, as well as its efficient and reliable LGA (Land Grid Array) mounting technology which provides optimized thickness, robustness and excellent heat dissipation.

The Key to the SL Series’ commercial success is also the availability of a wide range of network technologies (EDGE, HSDPA and now HSPA+ and EVDO) within a single form factor, said the company.

In a release, Didier Dutronc, senior vice president and general manager, M2M Embedded Solutions for Sierra Wireless (News - Alert) said, “The AirPrime SL Series offers a unique combination of small size and industrial-grade features for a very wide range of network technologies. This product series has been exceptionally well received by our customers since it launched in March last year, and we are pleased to be able to offer an even wider choice of network technologies in the same popular form factor.”

The SL809x is currently one of the smallest HSPA+ modules in the industry which offers multi-band HSPA+ technology (up to 14.4 Mbps for download and 5.7 Mbps for uplinks) and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE within a 25x30mm form factor. It also features an extended temperature range, as well as voice, antenna diversity, and GPS.

The AirPrime SL809x now comes in two variants (SL8090 and SL8092), which cover two different sets of frequency bands for global coverage. The AirPrime SL501x is a dual-band EV-DO Rev A module, form factor compatible with both 2G and 3G GSM products in the AirPrime SL Series. This means that device manufacturers can use a single hardware design in different geographical markets.   

Both the AirPrime SL809x and the AirPrime SL501x will be commercially available in the second quarter of 2011.

Sierra Wireless offers mobile computing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications products and solutions that connect people, devices, and applications over cellular networks.

Want to learn more about M2M technologies? Then be sure to check out the M2M Evolution conference, collocated with TMC’s (News - Alert) ITEXPO East, taking place Feb 2-4, 2011, in Miami. The M2M Evolution Conference is for those industry professionals interested in capitalizing on a rapidly growing segment of the telecom industry. The M2M Evolution Conference embraces the any-to-any strategy of the Internet today. Co-sponsored by TMC Partner Crossfire Media, it showcases the solutions, and examines the data strategies and technological requirements that enterprises and carriers need to capitalize on a market segment that is estimated to grow to $300 Billion in the year ahead. To register, click here.