Solem Electronique Selects GainSpan Low-Power Wi-Fi for Wireless Garden Automation Systems

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- GainSpan^® Corporation, a leader in ultra-low power Wi-Fi connectivity for the Internet of Things, today announced that French firm Solem Electronique, one of the world's leading providers of garden automation systems, has selected GainSpan low-power Wi-Fi technology for its new Wi-Fi Irrigation Controller and Wi-Fi Outdoor Lighting System. Solem is using GainSpan's highly integrated GS1011 Wi-Fi system-on-a-chip (SoC) to power its new controllers that enable users to directly access and control their watering and outdoor lighting needs from a smartphone or tablet.

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Solem's Wi-Fi Irrigation Controller and Wi-Fi Outdoor Lighting Controller combine convenience, ease of use and control from any iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. With either controller, simply connect it to your Wi-Fi router or directly to your tablet or smartphone and its intuitive interface allows you to easily control your irrigation, lighting or other outdoor devices.   

The Wi-Fi Irrigation Controller features 2, 4 or 6 station configurations and is designed for residential or light commercial installations, including private gardens, public areas and sports fields. Each of the controller's 3 irrigation programs feature 8 start times per day and per program and may be set to use the water-budget feature that allows modulation of water from 0 to 200 percent. The rain sensor also adds the ability for automatic rain shutdowns of irrigation.

The Wi-Fi Outdoor Lighting Controller is designed for automatic management of outdoor lighting and fountains, but can also be used for indoor applications. With this programmable controller the user can set the lights/devices by timeslots from one minute to 24 hours with one minute steps, and can link individual lights to motion sensors and light sensors as required for added flexibility. Users can control lights and outdoor devices on a schedule or in shuffle mode as well as individually or in groups.

"For over 20 years, Solem's goal has been to push the envelope in terms of the consumer experience with garden automation systems. Still used around the world today, our first products were watering system programmers with a variety of innovative features (hybrid systems, fully electronic, autonomous, etc.). Our new Wi-Fi controllers continue this tradition of innovation.  They add a new dimension that makes it much more convenient for customers to access and control their irrigation and lighting," said Bernard Bres, chairman and CEO, Solem. "By using GainSpan's SoC, we not only developed unique new products, but were able to leverage the extensive networking stack to develop our own code on the chip and design products that did not require any external microcontroller." 

"Solem is an extremely innovative company and our collaboration with them has yielded very exciting results," said Bernard Aboussouan, vice president of marketing at GainSpan.  "While the demand for Wi-Fi enabled home automation products is booming, this is the first time our chip has been used for irrigation control. Both new controllers leverage the set of capabilities unique to this chip:  AP/ Station mode, HTTP for connectivity to a smartphone and the capacity to host small applications. 

The new controllers are available through Solem distributors.  Downloadable applications for iOS or Android smartphones or tablets are available at the Apple or Google stores.   

About Solem
SOLEM S.A. designs and develops programmable electronic terminals for consumer applications. It provides tele-assistance transmitters, fixed readers, mobile readers, and irrigation programmers. The company also offers solutions for other markets, such as on-site work-time management and clocking, remotely managed home services, data traceability, and tele-assistance for elderly and dependent people at home. It provides fixed and mobile solutions for companies, municipalities, and associations in France and internationally. The company was founded in 1984 and is based in Clapiers, France.

About GainSpan
GainSpan, a spinoff of Intel Corporation, is an innovator and leader in semiconductor solutions for wireless connectivity for the rapidly emerging Internet of Things. GainSpan solutions let customers easily create connected products for the Connected Home, Smart Energy, healthcare, control/monitoring in industrial, commercial and residential markets and high-speed audio, video and security applications.  www.gainspan.com.

Media Contact:
Carol Felton
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SOURCE GainSpan Corporation