Solar energy harvesting kit from TI enables permanently-powered wireless sensor networks

Solar energy harvesting kit from TI enables permanently-powered wireless
sensor networks

eZ430-RF2500-SEH kit combines Cymbet's EnerChip(TM) thin-film battery solution
with TI's ultra-low power MSP430 MCU and RF technology

DALLAS, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- As wireless network systems designers look to
alternative energy sources, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN)
announced a solar energy harvesting (SEH) development kit that converts
ambient light into power for industrial, transportation, agricultural and
commercial applications. The credit card-sized eZ430-RF2500-SEH kit combines
Cymbet Corporation's EnerChip(TM) thin-film battery technology with TI's
MSP430 microcontrollers (MCU), CC2500 radio frequency (RF) transceivers and
the eZ430-RF2500 development tool. Developers can now build self powered
solar-based wireless sensor networks, eliminating system batteries, which cost
time and money to periodically replace, especially in remote locations. The
$149 eZ430-RF2500-SEH kit is sampling now and is available via the TI e-store
or authorized distributors (www.ti.com/ez430-RF2500-SEHpr).

In remote or hard-to access environments, wireless sensors are becoming
increasingly integrated and miniaturized. Until now, designers typically
powered wireless devices via storage components such as coin cell or AA
batteries. However, these storage technologies do not supply the right mix of
charging, storage, discharge and physical size characteristics to provide
permanent power for wireless devices. Now, the combination of Cymbet's
EnerChip batteries with TI's MSP430 MCU and CC2500 RF technology allows energy
harvesters to achieve more efficient storage, processing and transmission in
both bright and low light environments.

eZ430-RF2500-SEH key features and benefits

-- A high efficiency solar panel connected through the EnerChip energy
harvesting module delivers enough power to run the wireless
application
even under low ambient light.
-- Based on Cymbet's EnerChip solid-state lithium thin-film battery
technology, which increases conversion efficiencies when storing and
starting power in energy harvesting modules.
-- Cymbet EnerChips are environmentally friendly, rechargeable and so
efficient they can send up to 400 transmissions from a single charge
when no ambient light is available.
-- TI's USB-based eZ430-RF2500 tool provides hardware and software to
program an MSP430 MCU and low power wireless transceiver on a postage
stamp-sized target board.
-- MSP430 MCU's ultra-low power, fast wake-up time and system-on-chip
(SoC) peripheral integration saves board space while enabling
maintenance-free, self-powered sensors.
-- CC2500 RF transceivers operate in the 2.4-GHz range, making them
ideally
suited for reliable, low-cost digital wireless applications.

Find out more about TI's eZ430-RF2500-SEH demonstration kit by visiting the
links below:
-- eZ430-RF2500-SEH: www.ti.com/ez430-RF2500-SEH
-- MSP430 tools page: www.ti.com/msp430tools
-- eZ430-RF2500 development tool: www.ti.com/ez430
-- Tools videos:
https://community.ti.com/media/g/microcontrollers/default.aspx
-- TI's microcontrollers: www.ti.com/mcu
-- TI's low power RF: www.ti.com/lprf
-- TI energy blog: http://TInergy.ti.com
-- TI E2E Community and support: https://community.ti.com/forums/35.aspx

About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) helps customers solve problems and develop new
electronics that make the world smarter, healthier, safer, greener and more
fun. A global semiconductor company, TI innovates through manufacturing,
design and sales operations in more than 25 countries. For more information,
go to www.ti.com.

About Cymbet
Cymbet Corporation - a green technology company--is a leader in thin-film,
solid-state storage devices and energy harvesting technology. The company is
the first to market a surface mount packaged energy storage solution that
designers can use to realize new embedded systems capabilities. Cymbet's
EnerChip(TM) thin-film devices enable innovative energy storage applications
for integrated circuits and new products for process control, medical,
wireless, sensors, RFID, communications, consumer, portable electronics and
energy harvesting. Visit Cymbet online at www.cymbet.com.

Trademarks
EnerChip is a trademark of Cymbet Corporation. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated

Patty Arellano of Texas Instruments, +1-214-567-7828, parellano@ti.com; or
Paula Hudson of GolinHarris, +1-972-341-2744, phudson@golinharris.com, for
Texas Instruments (Please do not publish these phone numbers or e-mail
addresses.)