Sierra Wireless, a provider of hardware, software, and connected services for mobile lifestyles and machine-to-machine communications, has stated that they have released their new AirPrime Q series intelligent embedded modules.

Footprint compatible with all other AirPrime Q Series wireless modules, the newly released AirPrime Q2668 is an industrial grade wireless module that will let Sierra Wireless (News - Alert) customers rapidly extend their machine-to-machine applications to the Chinese market.  

The AirPrime Q2668 is a dual-mode TD-SCDMA HSDPA/EDGE module that enables data transmission speeds of up to 2.8 Mbps on the downlink and 384 Kbps on the uplink. The AirPrime Q2668 operates on the 1880-1920/2010-2025MHz TD-SCDMA bands and the 900/1800 GSM/GPRS/EDGE bands, and supports both USB 2.0 and serial port interfaces, commonly used for industrial applications. The module is controlled through an AT command interface.   

Developed to support China Mobile's (News - Alert) TD-SCDMA network, Sierra Wireless' AirPrime Q2668 modules includes the WMMP 3.0 protocol that allows manufacturers to rapidly develop and deploy machine-to-machine applications without having to perform extensive development and testing, that results in much faster time to market. 

The WMMP 3.0 communication standard enables the connection of devices to the China Mobile machine-to-machine Platform, and also allows users to manage and monitor machine-to-machine terminals in real-time, to communicate through GPRS/SMS/USSD/MMS effectively, and to enjoy the benefit of a standardized and integrated application environment.   

Vice President of Asia Pacific Sales for Sierra Wireless, Jin Pak has stated that the machine-to-machine market is growing rapidly and they believe China has balanced itself to be at the forefront of this growth. 

Sierra Wireless has been awarded as the Module Development Partner status for TD-SCDMA by China Mobile which is claimed to be the world's largest mobile network operator by subscribers, following their selection as GSM/GPRS module partners last year. As a result of this collaboration, development effort and expedited time to market has been reduced for Sierra Wireless customers that manufacture wireless devices for the China Mobile network.

The company has stated that the AirPrime Q2668 Intelligent Embedded Module is commercially available now and is the ideal choice for video surveillance, transportation, energy, industrial and infrastructure, security, and sales and payment applications.