Inpixon Swarm Chirp

Compact, Low-Power, Chirp Radio and Sensor Module

The Inpixon Swarm Chirp (formerly swarm bee LE) is a 2.4 GHz Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) module suitable for a multitude of IoT implementations. Its small form factor, low power consumption and long-range transceiver makes it ideal for wearable IoT devices and discreet product designs and can be used for personnel, equipment, and asset tracking products where indoor and outdoor location sensing is critical.

This miniaturized radio transceiver features embedded accelerometer and temperature sensors and has a configurable transmission power output to further stabilize communication reliability and connection robustness. Far exceeding typical radio and sensor module application ranges, the Inpixon Swarm Chirp is capable of a radio range up to 1,000 meters.

Get a Quote Technical Specifications

Key Benefits

Small Form Factor

Its small footprint makes it suitable for wearables, asset tags or cap-lamps.

3 in 1

Enable concurrent tracking, ranging and data communication in a single RTLS solution.

Fast Time-To-Market

Low external component requirements cut integration time.

Inpixon Swarm Chirp Highlights

Versatile

Enable a wide range of location intelligence use cases including asset tracking, forklift tracking, worker safety, proximity alerts, visitor management, vehicle collision avoidance and more. The Inpixon Swarm Chirp can be built into wearable IoT devices ranging from wristbands and visitor badges to belt clips and mining helmets. Alternatively, they can be integrated into tags that are affixed to assets such as heavy mining equipment, forklifts, pallets, medical equipment, or theft-prone items.

Tag-Ready Design

With built in on-board microcontroller unit (MCU), 2.4 GHz RF Chirp transceiver, 3D accelerometer and temperature sensors, and universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), the Inpixon Swarm Chirp module drastically cuts the time-to-market. Just add a battery, antenna and housing, and it is market ready. It also comes with a complete API command set eliminating firmware implementation needs.

Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA)

Configurable wirelessly, the Inpixon Swarm Chirp module can be managed via serial interface and over-the-air (OTA). Requiring minimal maintenance efforts, features can quickly and securely be added via FOTA simplifying the update process and eliminating the need for manual downloads. This enables customers to realize lower infrastructure and maintenance costs, while also achieving superior robustness and communication reliability.

Communication

Range and distance measurements are derived via the Inpixon Swarm Chirp’s module to module direct ranging feature, without the need for additional infrastructure. The module also enables autonomous time-of-flight (ToF) ranging, anchor-based time difference of arrival (TDoA) tracking and concurrent wireless communication of sensor data based on the Chirp Spread Spectrum RF standard.

Power Output

With configurable transmission power output of -12 to +20 dBm, the Inpixon Swarm Chirp is capable of radio ranges up to 1,000 meters. The modules high output power makes it possible to deliver stable, robust and reliable communication.

Battery Life

With four different energy saving modes, the Inpixon Swarm Chirp module easily adapts to different requirements to extend battery life.

Evaluation Dev Board

Looking to explore how our Inpixon Swarm Chirp module can help you build custom RTLS hardware for flexible, long-range locationing performance? The Inpixon Swarm Chirp Dev Board gives you the tools to kickstart your evaluation of prospective development projects. This classic breakout board allows users to easily experience all the functionalities of our Swarm Chirp module via full configurability, GPIO ports, LEDs, antennas and jumpers, as well our ready-to-use Swarm API. It helps users to envision and develop ideas for their custom hardware projects and get familiar with our chirp (CSS)-based module.

Certified

The Inpixon Swarm Chirp is FCC, CE and ISED certified. It is also compliant with WEEE, RoHS and REACH standards.

“Selectronic uses the Inpixon Swarm Chirp V3 location and ranging module for collision warning systems with reliable results. It is a small and powerful module with excellent ranges and response times. Our customers are very satisfied.”

Jens Richter, CEO, Selectronic

Technical Specifications

Frequency Range

ISM band 2.4 GHz (2.4 – 2.4835 GHz)

Modulation

Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS)

Transmission Modes

80 MHz, 1 Mbps or 250 Kbps (80/1 or 80/4 mode)

TOA Capture Resolution

< 1 ns

Typical Air Time Per Ranging Cycle

1.8 ms

RF Output Power

configurable – 12 to +20 dBm

Receive Sensitivity

-89 dBm typ. @80/1 mode
-95 dBm typ. @80/4 mode

RF Interface

50 Ω RF port (for external antenna)

Host Interface (UART)

115 kbps ~ 1 Mbps

Power Supply

3.3V – 5.5 V

Max. Supply Voltage Ripple

20 mVpp

Active Power Consumption¹

230 mA during transmission, 55 mA during receive in 80/1 mode

Power Consumption in Sleep Mode¹

6.5 mA (transceiver disabled, all peripherals on)

Power Consumption in Snooze Mode¹

3 µA (transceiver disabled, all peripherals off, wake-up by timer)

Power Consumption in Nap Mode²

20 ~ 500 µA (transceiver disabled, all peripherals off, wake-up by interrupt)

Power Consumption in Deep-Sleep Mode¹

< 3 µA (device completely disabled)

Operating Temperature Range

-30 ∼ +85 °C

Dimensions

22 x 23 x 4.4 mm

Weight

4 g

Certifications

FCC, CE, ISED
Compliance with WEEE, RoHS, REACH standards

¹ Power consumption in all modes is measured at 20°C, 3.3 V
² Power consumption in nap mode depends on interrupt sources (GPIO pins or MEMS or both)

The circuit board for the Inpixon Swarm Chirp RTLS sensor module. Dimensions 22 x 23 x 4.4 mm