AirborneM2M technology is designed to enable integrators, VARs, and OEMs to reduce the risk of obsolescence as companies expand their security policies and increasingly migrate their Wi-Fi infrastructure to the 5 GHz band. B&B's AirborneM2M products feature a ruggedized housing capable of withstanding the demands of industrial environments and a wide temperature rating (from -40 to 85°C) to withstand the challenging characteristics of M2M environments.
This Wi-Fi connectivity technology is used for robust and strategic applications requiring Ethernet connectivity and wireless mobility, such as transport vehicles (forklifts in warehouse shipping/receiving facilities), mobile printers (car rental companies), medical applications (hospital patient management systems, nursing stations), and more.
Airborne M2M Wi-Fi technology is available in several formats:
• A comprehensive range of industrial Wi-Fi access points (APXNs) and Wi-Fi clients (ABDNs), including Ethernet bridges, Ethernet routers, and serial servers, capable of seamlessly connecting virtually any type of equipment, RS-232, 422, 485, 10/100M Ethernet, and even I/O, to the Wi-Fi network. Power options include 5-36 V DC and Power over Ethernet (PoE) 802.3af.
• Embeddable access point (APMN) and client (WLNN) modules, which are backward compatible with previous-generation B&B modules, allow OEMs to easily and cost-effectively integrate Wi-Fi connectivity into their own M2M equipment without investing in Wi-Fi engineering and certification efforts. Using B&B's WLNN series modules with their flexible I/O enables rapid time-to-market with Ethernet connectivity, based on UART or GPIO via Wi-Fi. B&B also offers a design and development kit to provide customers with a starting point.
Compatibility with the 5 GHz band offers system designers and installers greater flexibility and reliability, as enterprises adopt 5 GHz to avoid the congested 2.4 GHz band, which hosts competing wireless transmissions.
Security protocols, including robust encryption and authentication, are also critical for strategic wireless M2M applications. Airborne M2M products are designed to handle advanced, processor-intensive encryption techniques defined for enterprise-level security that are not available in entry-level Wi-Fi products. Features include network security (EAP), wireless security (802.11i and WPA2-PSK), access security (authentication and firewall), communication security (SSH), and device security (encryption).
Airborne Management Center (AMC), B&B Electronics' device discovery, control, and management application, included with all AirborneM2M devices, helps customers manage large networks.
