The new Silex SX-560 is designed to allow OEMs to easily connect any device with a serial port to an 802.11a/b/g wireless network. It provides all of the features of traditional embedded serial device servers, but with the low power consumption and superior roaming capabilities required for battery-operated mobile devices. The SX-550 includes a complete TCP/IP protocol stack with all necessary networking software, so you can easily add wireless capabilities to your device with little or no modifications required to the device's hardware or software.
Measuring just 34.3 x 49.5 x 9.65 mm (1.35 x 1.95 x .38 inches), the SX-560 is small enough to fit inside almost any type of device. Despite its low power consumption, the SX-550 contains a powerful 32-bit processor with 16MB RAM memory and 8MB flash memory that allows it to be used for virtually all types of embedded wireless networking client applications.
The SX-560 consumes about 168mA of current on average, with a sleep mode usage of just 53mA. This low power consumption is ideal for battery operated mobile devices, but is also desirable for any type of embedded application.
Multiple High-Speed I/O Ports
The SX-560 includes two serial ports that operate at speeds up to 921.6Kbps. In addition, it includes a USB 1.1 (12Mbps) port, an SPI port (up to 25MHz), and a dedicated console serial port for added flexibility in connectivity applications.
The SX-560 provides 9 general purpose I/Os that can be used for special system functions (for example, modem controls and status LEDs) or for user-defined functions. Each of the GPIOs can be set as an input or an output.
Enterprise Level Security
Unlike most serial device servers, the SX-560 includes extensive security features that make it suitable for use on enterprise networks. These features include WPA2 (802.11i), WPA, and WEP wireless security plus PSK or 802.1X authentication with TTLS, TLS, LEAP, PEAP, and EAP-FAST. For added security, the SX-560 also supports access control lists, protocol enable/disable, configuration passwords, and SNMP community name configuration. In addition, its 802.11a capabilities allow it to be used on the relatively uncrowded 5GHz ISM band to provide an additional level of security.
Superior Roaming Capabilities
Any serial device server can provide a good wireless connection with a single access point. But mobile devices often need to be able to rapidly switch been multiple access points as they move throughout a building or campus environment. This is a complex process that must be executed quickly without data loss or service interruptions. The SX-560 incorporates the proven Silex roaming capabilties that are being used on some of the world's largest 802.11 wireless networks.
The SX-560 uses the Linux operating system to allow users to add custom capabilities such as protocol conversion into the SX-560 using standard Linux programming tools.
Serial Port Emulator Software
To further simplify using the SX-560, Silex's Serial Port Emulator (SPE) software emulates a standard Windows COM port (for example, COM3). This allows any Windows application program that uses a COM port to work without modification with the SX-560.
Easy Management
The SX-560 is easy to configure and offers several options for management. In addition to a built-in web browser interface, Silex provides ExtendView, a Windows utility for bulk configuration and management. A console accessible via TELNET or the console port is available for more sophisticated diagnostics and configuration. The SX-560 is also compatible with the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for compatibility with most popular network management systems. In addition to supporting SNMP MIB's I & II, Silex has a proprietary MIB for providing complete customization and monitoring. The SX-560 firmware is stored in flash memory, which means it can be easily updated.
Powerful Control Capabilities
The SX-560 can be controlled over the network or via its serial port with a powerful console command set. This command set can be invoked in any of the following ways:
- TCP/IP sockets. The GPIO state can be read and set over the network by an application program running on a remote computer using the SX-560 E-GPIO capabilities.
- TELNET. The standard TELNET protocol can be used to send and receive console commands.
- Console port. The dedicated console port can be used as control port if the connected device has two available serial ports.
- Console mode switching. Either of the two serial ports can be switched from normal data mode to console mode by sending a user-defined character string.
- AT command set. The industry standard AT command set can be used to allow the connected device to initiate a network connection and to send and receive commands.
- RFC2217. The RFC2217 capabilities allow a remote computer to access the modem controls on the SX-550 serial ports.
Print Server Mode
If you're connecting a serial printer to the a wireless network, the SX-560 includes the industry's most extensive set of print server features, including lpr/lpd, Windows Standard TCP port, multiple virtual printers with programmable setup and reset strings, character substitution filters, HP JetAdmin compatibility, and much more.
Antenna Diversity
The SX-560 supports antenna diversity (two U.FL connectors) for maximum radio performance.
Applications
Typical end user applications include:
- Mobile battery powered devices
- Medical devices
- Portable label printers
- Weights and measures
- Security access and control
- Point of sale
- LED signs
- Industrial automation
- Building automation
- Any other M2M or SCADA application utilizing serial connectivity
- Serial printers
- Virtually any other products with a serial port
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