The Meshlium Xtreme multi-protocol router from Libelium supports five wireless standards (WiFi, ZigBee, GPRS, Bluetooth and GPS) as well as wired Ethernet, giving designers and users a choice of methods for connecting wireless sensor networks to the Internet. It also supports sensor data storage in its internal database or on external Internet servers.

 

The Meshlium WiFi  radio and antennas are able to operate at both 2.4 GHz for 802.11b/g and 5 GHz for 802.11a, enabling dynamic WiFi frequency switching without physical modification of the router. Meshlium clients can use the WiFi AP radio to access internally stored sensor data and as an access point for the Internet. The Bluetooth module includes a  Discover and Store application that allows the Meshlium unit to scan the MAC addresses of users and store them in a database in order to track their routes. For mobile applications, a GPS module supports real time localisation.

 

The router runs a Debian-based Linux OS, and a system package is available. This allows developers to install any desired library (Python, Java, PHP, etc.) or service (Apache, FTP, e-mail. etc.) necessary to extend the Meshlium Xtreme router to meet the needs of their applications. The router's modular architecture allows different combinations of radio modules to be used, depending on the application. Users can choose from ten different configurations, enabling them to order the product that best matches their radio requirements.

 

The Meshlium Xtreme router is packaged in an IP67 waterproof aluminium enclosure, making it suitable for all forms of outdoor deployment, including harsh environments. Special mounts are available for fitting the router on streetlights and in vehicles, and a vehicle power adapter is available. A solar panel kit is also available for powering the router for deployment in outdoor situations without access to mains power.

 

Image: Libelium