Anaren Inc. announced that it has launched a family of Anaren Integrated Radio (AIR) modules designed for the broad electronics market. Working closely with Texas Instruments as a member of the TI Developer Network, Anaren developed the five-module AIR family to provide a more elegant, FCC Certified, 'plug and play' RF solution to electronic engineers challenged with adding wireless capability to new or existing devices. Available in two standard sizes (9 x 12 x 2.5 mm and 9 x 16 x 2.5 mm), each module's footprint is smaller than a postage stamp.

"Our research indicated that an electronics engineer looking to bring basic radio capability to any microprocessor-based device required extensive RF knowledge, which many E-OEMs simply do not focus on," said Mark Bowyer, the Anaren Wireless Group Business Development Manager responsible for the AIR family. "Compounding matters, traditional RF modules come with embedded microprocessors and often times unnecessary pre-programmed software that doesn't fit many of our customers' applications. Anaren's forte in RF enabled us to re-think and demystify all of that to the customer's benefit."

Bowyer also emphasized that the AIR modules solution from Anaren can even help an E-OEM eliminate the major time and resource demands necessary to securing an FCC certification: AIR modules come pre-certified, which can save the customer money and help minimize time-to-market.

"Anaren's new, simple RF module solution will enable electronics manufacturers, regardless of their RF design experience, to easily add low-power wireless capability and minimize time-to-market for their new and existing devices," said Iboun Sylla, low-power RF Business Development Manager at Texas Instruments.

Applications for AIR modules range from industrial control, building automation and low-power sensor networks to lighting and equipment and appliances intended for inclusion in smart-grid scenarios (e.g., automated meter reading).