Telit Wireless Solutions, a provider of wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) technology, announced it is launching the Telit HE863.

The HE863 is a low-cost HSPA M2M module in a ball grid array (BGA) form factor with embedded GPS receiver. The company is launching the new module aimed at data transmission devices with a long lifetime.

Long-term life is critical as operator’s 2G network need high throughput after switch-off.

Examples of data transmission devices needing long lifetime include smart metering, healthcare, surveillance and tracking applications.

Many manufacturers are already using 3G data transmission to future-proof their products against non-availability of 2G network and address the demands of users of smart metering devices such as electricity and water meters that have been in use for some time, company officials said.

BGA module packages are ideal for medium and high-volume applications. BGA modules can be processed cost effectively, so the solution is comparatively cheaper. The material costs are reduced as board-to-board connectors are not required.

There are technical benefits too. BGA modules are fitted by means of a grid of solder balls on the underside of the package. BGA technology is easy to process and permits a high number of inputs and outputs on a small footprint.

BGA modules consume less power, according to company officials. All models in the HE series, which will be launched in stages between now and mid-2011, have very low power consumption. The modules can be used in a temperature range of -30°C to +85°C.

The HE863 ensures wider acceptability. It supports quad-band GSM, GPRS/EDGE multi-slot class 33, 3GPP stack Release 6 and dual-band HSPA with 5.76 Mbps (uplink) and 7.2 Mbps (downlink). Telit supplies the module with an optional embedded GPS/A-GPS receiver.

Recently, Telit Wireless (News - Alert) Solutions announced it signed an agreement with Motorola (News - Alert) Solutions to buy Motorola Solutions' M2M modules line of products, and Motorola Solutions' associated employees will join Telit.