Challenge
Create a remote controlled, wireless, keyless lock for use with wood furniture, desks and cabinet applications. The battery powered transmitter must have a 10 digit keypad and be small and unobtrusive. The battery powered receiver/locking mechanism must be small enough to fit into any drawer or small cabinet.
Solution
Microchip PIC SOC (transmitter) and receiver chip (receiver), PCB level antennas, off-the-shelf batteries, Microchip communication protocol, PIC assembly code and Microchip MPLab were used to create this low power, robust and secure solution.
Summary
Tecnova was asked to develop an FCC approved, small form factor, battery powered, wireless locking device for home-office wood desks and cabinetry. /electronic_lock.jpg)
Working with our customer to finalize the functional requirements, we determined that the Microchip family of low power 300MHz RF devices was an excellent fit.
The system consists of a locking mechanism placed inside a drawer or cabinet, and a transmitter device with a 10 digit keypad to allow the user to specify their own custom unlock sequence. Both units are battery powered, and designed to last two years or 6000 lock/unlock cycles.
Tecnova designed the electronic circuitry, printed circuit boards, the firmware system architecture, and provided extensive mechanical support for the various components in the system. The integrated efforts of electronic hardware engineering, embedded firmware engineering, mechanical engineering support and system engineering resulted in the successful development of the RF communications scheme. Extensive input was provided by Tecnova Electronics to ensure the resulting product was optimized for manufacturing.
Another example of Tecnova's extensive expertise in battery powered devices is the HALT (Highly Accelerated Life Testing) application, which was developed to ensure the battery life was capable of meeting the customer's stated requirements. Tecnova also used its deep wireless experience to coordinate and support all aspects of FCC testing for the final product.
