New FAN module for Empowering the infrastructure of smart cities

ROHM has produced a new Wi-SUN FAN module for infrastructure applications to connect up to 1,000 nodes in a mesh network.

The latest Wi-SUN international wireless communication standard removes the communication costs connected with conventional LPWA wireless standards. At the same time, Wi-SUN assures excellent reliability through multi-hop networks, automatically switching destinations after signal verification. As such, this communication technology is anticipated to see broad use in large-scale mesh networks for smart cities and smart grids.

In recent times, wireless technologies such as LPWA are frequently adopted in social infrastructure applications to configure large-scale area outdoor networks. However, conventional LPWA protocols, such as Sigfox, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, are vulnerable to fluctuations in the surrounding environment, making them sensitive to problems, including decreased communication speeds and communication failures.

To meet these challenges, the company developed the BP35C5, an in-house ultra-small (15mm x 19mm size) Wi-SUN FAN module. This solution can connect with up to 1,000 devices, such as traffic signals and streetlights, facilitating the configuration of a remote wireless management system embracing an entire city. The device also incorporates the required security functions for carrying out secure communication with no need for complicated control. Certifications acquired under the FCC and ARIB provide for immediate use both in the US and Japan. Other countries and regions will be supported shortly.