C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

Syscor and its team members have extensive experience with communications technologies including optical, electrical, and RF. Our focus extends from the PHY/MAC layers through the Network/Session layers, with adaptations of standards-based protocols or proprietary communication stacks, depending on the requirements of the end-product. Some of the communication systems we have developed include:

  • wireless intermesh system with gateways to GPRS, satellite, and the WWW. This is an advanced low-power inter-device routing system which offloads communication overhead from OEMs while enabling distributed monitoring and control of remote assets. Uses ISM (900/868 MHz, 2.4 GHz), IEEE 802.15.4, Ethernet, GPRS, GPS, Iridium and terrestrial communications.
  • one-wire half-duplex UART communication to interface between a laptop with USB and a remote device for in-field firmware reprogramming, reconfiguration and troubleshooting. This solution used fine-pitched cell phone components due to size constraints.
  • custom communication stack, device drivers, and remote-control application for RF (ISM-based) navigational aid. Implemented on TI MSP430, using Maxstream 9-Xtend, custom illuminated keypad, and Li-ion battery with dual-mode (AC/DC) charging. Full graphical system simulation was used extensively to reduce time-to-market and solidify design. The custom protocol created uses a powerful group-addressing scheme to simplify device-control segregation.
  • remote-controlled edge-lit etched-glass art display. This innovative product is being used extensively as a marketing tool and promotional aid by several large corporations, as well as custom artwork for small businesses and individuals.
  • network element which enables switched IP datagrams over a fiber-optic infrastructure. Implemented using a Xilinx Virtex FPGA and Mach-Z x86 CPU interfacing to Ethernet and OC-3c SONET.
  • embedded Linux-based firewall on a PCI-card that only draws power from the PCI bus. The card contains a complete PC with two Ethernet ports and a modem (for remote access during DoS attacks and to page the administrator). The first embedded solution that uses Linux running on a Transmeta CPU.