Texecom Ricochet Wireless Mesh: How It Works and What's Been Refined
Texecom Ricochet is the wireless mesh technology behind Texecom's Ricochet range of wireless alarm devices: rather than every sensor needing its own direct link to the control panel, signals can hop through other devices to get there. In December 2023 Texecom announced a round of Ricochet refinements covering range, battery performance, factory testing, Premier Elite V6.05 firmware and jamming detection.
How Texecom Ricochet wireless mesh works
In a basic point-to-point wireless alarm, each detector has to reach the panel by itself, so the device furthest away sets the practical limit of the system. Ricochet takes a mesh approach instead. A signal from one wireless device can be relayed by other devices on its way back to the panel, and Texecom says this hopping can stretch the range further still on larger sites.
For whoever designs the system, that means more freedom over where detectors, contacts and sounders go, because a device does not always need a clear path of its own to the panel. Texecom quotes a clear-sight range of more than 1,000 metres for the PIR and contact devices on the Premier Elite 64-W. Treat that as a best-case, open-ground figure: walls, metalwork and other radio traffic all reduce real-world range, so a proper site survey still matters.
What Texecom has refined in Ricochet
Texecom presented the December 2023 changes as the first step in a planned programme of improvements to the technology. Here they are in plain English.
| Area | What Texecom changed | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Range | More than 1,000 m clear-sight range quoted for Premier Elite 64-W PIR and contact devices, extendable by hopping | More flexible device placement on bigger properties |
| Mounting on metal | Micro Deep Base for awkward surfaces such as metal | Helps where the mounting surface weakens the signal |
| Battery performance | Extended across the Impaq, Micro Contact, Micro Shock and Capture ranges | Fewer engineer visits to swap batteries |
| Factory testing | Extra conditioning stage added to pre-dispatch testing for Capture and Impaq SC-W | More confidence the devices cope with extreme conditions |
| Premier External TD-W | Upgraded components | Better robustness and battery performance |
| Panel firmware | Premier Elite moved to V6.05 | Easier-to-read indications for users, with no reduction in security |
| Jamming detection | Algorithm updated to handle more interference | Copes better with busy radio environments while staying compliant |
Mounting on metal and difficult surfaces
Metal and similar surfaces can weaken a wireless signal, a familiar headache on steel doors, frames and shutters. Texecom's answer is the Micro Deep Base, which it says has a proven positive effect on how its wireless devices perform in these spots, and its announcement states that one comes with every product. If you are planning a metal-heavy installation, check the box contents on the product page or ask us before relying on it.
Jamming detection and EN 50131-5-3
New wireless gadgets reach the market all the time, so an alarm has to tell everyday radio noise apart from a deliberate attempt to block it. Texecom updated its jamming detection algorithm to cope with that extra interference. To keep its systems fully compliant with EN 50131-5-3, it also does not let radio jamming detection be switched off, warning that doing so could leave a system unable to work when it is needed.
What the Ricochet refinements mean for installers
Texecom summed up the changes by saying "Installing and maintaining Texecom wireless devices has never been easier". In practice:
- Fewer battery call-outs: better battery performance on Impaq, Micro Contact, Micro Shock and Capture devices should cut the number of return visits for replacements. The announcement gives no new battery-life figures, so base service schedules on the product documentation.
- Tougher out of the box: the added conditioning stage in pre-dispatch testing is there to give confidence that Capture and Impaq SC-W devices will keep working in extreme conditions.
- Firmware awareness: check which firmware a Premier Elite panel is running before promising a customer the clearer V6.05 indications.
- No jamming shortcut: because jamming detection stays on, persistent interference has to be traced and dealt with at source rather than hidden.
- Test before fixing: our alarm installation checklist covers commissioning each wireless device in position and checking signal strength before making it permanent.
What it means for homeowners and businesses
For end users, the changes are mostly felt rather than seen. Clearer indications on V6.05 firmware make it easier to understand what the system is telling you. Better battery performance means fewer engineer visits, and the extra testing and jamming detection give more confidence that a wireless system will report properly when it counts.
Texecom Ricochet products at Zenith
Zenith stocks a wide range of Ricochet equipment. Good starting points include:
- Texecom Ricochet Premier Elite 64-W control panel, a hybrid panel with 32 on-board wireless zones, expandable to 64
- Texecom KIT-0064 Premier Elite 24-W Ricochet wireless kit
- Ricochet Impaq SC-W wireless shock and contact sensor
- Ricochet Premier Elite Micro Contact-W
- Ricochet Premier External TD-W wireless motion sensor
- Texecom Capture Q20-W wireless quad PIR
You can browse the rest of the range on our Texecom brand page. If you need to confirm the firmware version or build of a particular item before you order, contact our team.
Frequently asked questions
What is Texecom Ricochet?
Ricochet is Texecom's wireless mesh technology. Signals from one wireless device can hop through other devices on their way to the control panel, which helps extend range on larger sites.
How far can Texecom Ricochet devices communicate?
Texecom quotes a clear-sight range of more than 1,000 metres for the PIR and contact devices on the Premier Elite 64-W, and says hopping can extend it further. Walls, metal and interference cut real-world range, so always survey the site.
Can jamming detection be switched off on a Ricochet system?
No. Texecom keeps radio jamming detection permanently enabled to stay fully compliant with EN 50131-5-3, and warns that turning it off could stop the system working when it is needed.
What changed in Premier Elite firmware V6.05?
Texecom calls V6.05 a significant upgrade. Its main benefit for users is clearer system indications, and Texecom says security has not been reduced to achieve this. Ask your installer which firmware version your panel runs.
Source: this article draws on Texecom's December 2023 announcement Ricochet – Evolved & Refined. It is written independently by Zenith Security Co.
