Wavecom announced today the first ATEX approved GSM/GPRS wireless microprocessor. The CPU is intended to enable wireless machine-to-machine communication. ATEX (Atmosphere Explosive) is a European Directive for products that will be used in environments where there is a risk of explosion from gas or volatile chemicals.

The processor is intended to be used in gas meters and metering gateways. The device can work with ZigBee, RF, PLC, and GSM/GPRS communication protocols. The processor is certified for use in ATEX equipment category 1 and 3 in zones 0,1, and 2.

Claude Yonnet, CEO of Technolog, a market leader in the provision of smart metering solutions, added: "We are continually looking for new ways to improve our product designs. The availability of the GSM engine with ATEX component approval presents a number of potential benefits. In particular, the design process and ATEX certification of our gas AMR products should become more efficient."

Via Wavecom