Toumaz has signed a global distribution agreement with Mouser Electronics for its its low energy wireless radio system-on-chip device, Telran.
Toumaz hopes the chip, which was introduced earlier this year, will broaden the market for its low power radio technology.
The target markets are wireless sensor networks, smart meters and remote controls.
The Oxford-based fabless chip company has used its proprietary sub-1GHz low-power radio technology, developed for healthcare monitors, to create a general-purpose radio transceiver that runs off 1V using a single button cell battery and consumes less than 3mW continuous use power.
The firm claimed this is the lowest power spec for a radio transceiver of this type.
“We are showing that this type of very low-power radio is not just an academic concept but a commercial product,” said Paul Paddan, head of Toumaz’s low-power radio business unit.
It will compete with low-power radio protocols such as ZigBee and Bluetooth. Nordic Semiconductor’s new Bluetooth low-energy chip, the µBlue nRF8001, draws peak currents of only 12.5mA.
The TZ1053 Telran has an 8051 processor running a proprietary sensor protocol. It supports data rates of 50kbit/s with a range of 100m line of sight using a high gain antenna, or 20m from a PCB or chip antenna in a body-worn environment. It also includes encryption and anti-hamming functions.
The distributor will development kits and production RF modules as well as the devices themselves.
Target applications are in wireless sensor networks, remote controls, green energy solutions, smart meters and environmental monitoring.
“This partnership is a key achievement, enabling easy access to Toumaz's technology for customers," said Professor Chris Toumazou, Toumaz CEO.
"Toumaz's ambition to push the limits of ultra-low energy technologies makes them exactly the type of partner we look for," said Russell Rasor, Mouser’s v-p of Advanced Technology.