FreeWave Technologies, the largest independent provider of high performance spread spectrum and licensed radio products and services, has announced the release of the FGRIO-S30 Modbus Industrial 900MHz radio and a firmware upgrade to its FGRIO-S. The FGRIO-S30 provides long range, remote control and monitoring of tanks, lifting stations, pumps, flow meters, fluid levels, water sources, temperatures and pressures typical of the water/wastewater and oil and gas industries. The FGRIO Series was featured in FreeWave's booth at the DistribuTECH 2008 Conference & Exhibition in Tampa January 22-24, 2008.

Eliminating the need for signal wire connections at the master and thereby greatly reducing costs, the FGRIO-S30 delivers data from remote analog (at 4-20mA or 1-5v) and digital sensors, or third-party equipment, over a wireless link to a remote terminal unit (RTU) or programmable logic controller (PLC). There are two modes of the FGRIO-S30 ? Modbus and wire replacement. The FGRIO-S30 in Modbus mode extends the functionality of FreeWave's existing FRGIO-S, through the following enhancements:

-Full 1 watt transmitter power extends the range of the radio to more than 40 miles.
-Increased operating voltage to 6-30 VDC to provide broader compatibility with RTUs and PLCs (FGRIO-S is 6-20 VDC).
-Ability to operate as a slave/repeater further extending network range and coverage.
-Addition of 2 analog outputs (AOs) with 0-22mA range enabling wireless proportional control of devices.
-2 digital inputs (DIs) with high speed (1000Hz) counters, providing broader support for devices such as turbine meters.
-Ability to program digital outputs (DOs) to self-shutoff after a programmed interval to safeguard intermittent-rated loads and reduce network traffic.* -All analog inputs (AIs) reported as both 32-bit floating points and 16-bit integers, thereby reducing computation required at the RTU.* -Read-back of DO currents allowing detection of load circuit faults.*pending

The FGRIO-S30 is compatible with FreeWave's existing FGRIO-M, providing wire replacement, enhanced voltage and extended communication range for non-Modbus applications. When used in conjunction with the FGRIO-M, wire replacement mode, the FGRIO-S30 provides the following added functionality:

-Addition of 2 new AIs on the FGRIO-S30 and ability to reconstruct up to 4 AIs on a single FGRIO-S30 at the FGRIO-M (Master).* -Configurable digital Lowpass filters on the 2 new AIs for noise reduction.* -Ability to program DOs to self-shutoff after a programmed interval.* -Full 1 Watt transmitter power and enhanced receive sensitivity for extended range (>40 miles).

* Functionality also incorporated into the FGRIO-S as a firmware upgrade.

"The development of the FGRIO-S30, specifically its broader range (6-30v) and integrated analog output, was primarily driven by the needs of customers within the water and wastewater industries," said Colin Lippincott, vice president sales and marketing for FreeWave. "The need for remote sensing and control without the need to run wires within this market and others is critical as municipalities and companies seek to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs."

The FGRIO-S30 is compatible with the entire FreeWave FGR series of radios, enabling customers to expand their networks while leveraging their existing investment. The FGRIO-S30 is currently available for shipment. UL approval is pending. For more information, visit FreeWave's website at www.freewave.com.

Fri Jan 25 14:40:00 CST 2008