The Airborne line of highly-integrated 802.11 wireless modules allow OEMs to Wi-Fi enable devices used in an array of machine-to-machine (M2M) applications. By providing all of the necessary RF technology, networking stacks, extended operating temperature range (-20°C to +85°C) and advanced security features in a compact, single-board package, Quatech provides OEMs with the simplest and most cost-effective solution for embedding Wi-Fi into their product designs.

Quatech’s AirborneAP™ Access Point technology enables M2M equipment to become the center of a self sufficient WiFi network, allowing easy access to equipment data or resources from WiFi-enabled devices, including laptops, tablets and handhelds powered by Android, iOS, or Windows. AirborneAP™ Access Point technology includes secure authentication using WPA2 (AES-CCMP) and a fully functional DHCP server to provide unique addresses for each authenticated client. The embedded AirborneAP™ modules and external ruggedized Access Points are designed to meet an extended operating temperature range (-20°C to +85°C).

The embedded Airborne Model APMG-Q551 module allows OEM customers to incorporate AirborneAP™Access Point technology into their 802.11 wireless design solutions. All Quatech Airborne™ 802.11 b/g Access Point products offer an integrated remote web browser based configuration and administration interface software (Airborne Management Center software) to provide a straightforward user friendly installation and setup of the devices.

AirborneAP™ Access Point

Quatech’s AirborneAP™ Access Point technology enables M2M equipment to become the center of a self sufficient WiFi network, allowing easy access to equipment data or resources from WiFi-enabled devices, including laptops, tablets and handhelds powered by Android, iOS, or Windows. AirborneAP™ Access Point technology includes secure authentication using WPA2 (AES-CCMP) and a fully functional DHCP server to provide unique addresses for each authenticated client. The Airborne™ Access Point supports up to 8 clients on a local wireless network.

Utilizing Quatech’s expertise in highly secure and reliable device networking firmware, AirborneAP™ Access Points have been designed specifically to address the functional and packaging demands of M2M solutions providers. As an example, an integrated AirborneAP™ Access Point can turn an isolated piece of equipment in a service truck into a wireless gateway; this creates a WiFi network around the vehicle that enables multiple handhelds and tablets to talk to each other. This local WiFI network can also enable access to other equipment with embedded WiFi capability in the truck, and even provide access to the internet using a cellular modem.

AirborneAP™ Access Point supports Ethernet and serial interfaces. The Ethernet interface can be placed in bridge mode to support connection to an existing network of devices, effectively extending access to the network for wireless devices. Alternatively, the Ethernet interface can be set to wireless router mode, enabling advanced networking to wide area network (WAN) and internet connections. Utilizing the serial interfaces wireless clients can access the serial devices using the wireless network.

AirborneAP™ Access Point can be switched from access point to client mode through the web or command line interfaces. In client mode, the device provides WPA2-Enterprise Class Extensible Authentication Protocols (EAP) with support for authentication Certificates. Advanced security including WEP, WPA (TKIP), WPA2 (AES – FIPS 197), WPA2 Enterprise, 802.11i and 802.1x (EAP) are standard over the entire product family. The units include support for EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, PEAP, EAP-FAST and LEAP with AES-CCMP supported in the hardware.

Enterprise Class Security

Quatech's multi-layered security approach addresses the requirements of Enterprise-class networks and corporate IT departments. These advanced security features include wireless security (802.11i/ WPA2 Enterprise); network security (EAP authentication and certificate support); built-in firewalls on the Ethernet and WLAN interfaces; secure communications (built-in SSH functionality and fully encrypted data tunnels for secure management and data transfer); and device security (multi-level encryption capability to protect sensitive device configuration data).

The Airborne line of wireless modules support the latest security standards and are fully compliant to the WPA2 Enterprise specification. A wide range of EAP supplicants and legacy security standards such as WPA, WEP and LEAP are also supported. The 802.11b/g modules support 802.11i, 802.1x, WPA2-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise with Certificates, WPAPSK, WPA-LEAP and WEP. EAP security protocols on the AirborneAP™ Access Point are supported in client mode only.

Big Performance in a Small, Ruggedized Package

The APMG-Q551 module delivers the industry's most rugged, highly-integrated, embedded Wi-Fi module solution. Airborne modules meet extended operating temperature and shock/vibration specifications of the most demanding M2M applications.

Utilizing a 32bit ARM9 processor and the high-performance Atheros AR6002 802.11 radio, the new Airborne modules deliver increased transmit power and receive sensitivity, contributing to superior range performance.

Flexible and Easy to Integrate

The APMG-Q551 modules are footprint and pin-compatible with their predecessors, dating back to the original introduction of the Airborne product family. Quatech's commitment to maintaining hardware and software compatibility assures OEMs of a simple, future-proof migration path even as wireless technology evolves.

The new Airborne SpeedLink roaming feature provides enhanced connection reliability, enabling OEM devices to roam freely within a wireless network without loss of data or connection.

Low Power and Maximum Efficiency

Airborne PowerSave firmware enables OEMs to maximize efficiency and reduce power consumption by as much as 70%. PowerSave capability is especially critical for battery-powered mobile devices.

Flexible for a Broad Range of Applications

Airborne's unique PortFlex capability enables users to configure communication ports in any combination through a simple setup wizard. Airborne PortFlex supports UART, Ethernet and 802.11 interfaces, and provides the ability to independently configure each port.

Data and control can be accessed to and from any of the available ports on the device. For example, the serial data can be accessed from the wireless or Ethernet port while the device is managed from the same port without changing the device configuration.

Airborne Management Center

The Quatech Airborne Management Center (AMC) brings Enterprise class device discovery, management and control to the world of M2M wireless devices. This advanced device management application enables single-click maintenance. AMC is an application that supports individual and group management of all aspects of the devices—firmware updating, configuration management, access management (passwords), virtual COM port installation and more.

Virtual COM (VCOM) port drivers can be installed with one click, enabling the use of legacy software to communicate with networked devices seamlessly through standard COM port addresses in the system’s device manager. Quatech’s VCOM driver takes care of routing communication ports to the networked serial devices.

Quatech’s AMC software is included with all external Airborne Industrial and Enterprise Class 802.11 serial device servers, Ethernet bridges and embedded modules. The external Industrial and Enterprise class product families provide the industry’s most advanced security features. The multi-layered security approach addresses the requirements of Enterprise-class networks and corporate IT departments. These advanced security features include wireless security (802.11i / WPA2 Enterprise); network security (EAP authentication and certificate support); built-in firewalls on the Ethernet and WLAN interfaces; secure communications (built-in SSH functionality and fully encrypted data tunnels for secure management and data transfer); and device security (multi-level encryption capability to protect sensitive device configuration data).

Learn more about AMC.

Features:

• Infrastructure Access Point/Wireless Router/Client
• Supports up to 8 clients
• Airborne PortFlex capability enables any combination of comm ports (UART, SPI, GPIO, Ethernet and 802.11 interfaces)
• PowerSave firmware reduces power consumption and extends battery life in mobile devices
• Airborne SpeedLink roaming provides enhanced connection reliability
• 802.11b/g WiFi Radio with 32bit ARM9 CPU
• Enterprise Class wireless security (WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WEP, EAP) with Certificates, EAP in client mode only
• Extended operating temperature range (-20°C to +85°C) and environmental specifications, including shock and vibration tolerance
• Available UART, SPI, 10/100 Ethernet, and RS232/422/485 interfaces.
• Configurable wireless and wired interfaces
• Removes need for RF, networking and communications expertise
• Quick time to market and reduced integration costs
• FCC Part 15 Class B Sub C Modular Approval minimizes regulatory testing requirements
• Upgradable Airborne Device Server Firmware
• 5 year limited warranty

Compatible Clients

DIRECT FROM QUATECH

In the manufacturing and industrial fields, communicating with mobile machines is critical to maintaining workflow efficiency. The Airborne AP™ Access Point enables reliable data transfer, monitoring and machine configuration, and communciation over a plant’s wireless 802.11 network.

AirborneAP;™ Access Point can be integrated and deployed into a wide range of applications across various industries including:

• Vehicle telematics & diagnostics
• Material handling & logistics
• Industrial Automation Test & measurement
• Security & access control

Equipment with an embedded AirborneAP™ Access Point module can be monitored and controlled by a handheld device, laptop or a desktop PC over the wireless network.