STMicroelectronics has unveiled what it described as a high-performance, ultra-low-power wireless transceiver for smart meters and other wireless sensor node applications such as alarm and security systems, home and building automation, and industrial monitoring and control. The SPIRIT1 transceiver combines excellent receiver sensitivity and current consumption, delivering 50 percent power reduction against similar products, stated the company.

ST's SPIRIT1 transceiver handles the communication between smart meters in households and businesses and the neighborhood data concentrator, which relays the information to the utility provider control center. By enabling short-range transmissions in frequency ranges below 1GHz, SPIRIT1 ensures proper wireless signal propagation through concrete walls and building structures.

SPIRIT1 boasts an outstanding receiver sensitivity of -120dBm. This allows the designer to lower the output power of the transmitter and thus further decrease the overall current consumption, while maintaining a highly robust communication channel. The transceiver supports advanced technologies such as frequency hopping, auto-acknowledgment and antenna diversity to secure error-free data transmission even in harsh-environmental or challenging-logistical conditions.

Additional embedded features include 128bit data encryption, error correction and detection, FIFO memory blocks, as well as highly flexible and programmable data packet management, which contribute to reducing the computation load of the host MCU and the overall system cost.

ST's SPIRIT1 sub-GHz RF transceivers are currently available for sampling to lead customers. The resale price will be $1.8 for 1,000 pieces.