e-Report

April 2008

In Search of the WSN Killer App

By David Ewing,
VP of Engineering,
Synapse

Remember the role that the spreadsheet played in the history of computing? Early PCs were an affordable tool used by the few technical wizards who understood their arcane operation. Then Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston created an interactive program that hid the complexity of computation to allow more people access to the power of the PC. They created VisiCalc, the Killer App for personal computers. PCs exploded in the market.

Like with PCs, the fundamental Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technology must be in place before an ‘application’ can emerge. Most of the pieces to this puzzle are in place today. For example, low power chipsets are available to meet the demanding challenges on battery life. The costs for parts that represent the fundamental building blocks have become very attractive for adventures in new product development. And organizations, such as the ZigBee Alliance, are successfully teaching the marketplace about the value and power of cooperative network systems, standard components and consistency in definitions.

So what is missing? Perhaps the better question is, what is the barrier that prevents WSN from realizing its explosive potential? We already grasp the power of harnessing sensors and the ability to interact with the physical world with intelligent, distributed communication nodes. We can envision thousands of applications across home, industry, manufacturing, buildings and highways that can benefit from this tremendous advance in technology.

The hurdle is complexity. The cost, time and skill set for WSN application development put the benefits of this exciting new technology out of reach for most companies, much less the average person. Today’s systems require embedded programming, the use of compilers, special debugging hardware and software tools, in other words, WSNs are “used by the few technical wizards who understand their arcane operation.”

In Search of the Killer App for Wireless Sensor Networks

There is another way. Like a spreadsheet, what if each node on a network was as easily accessible and programmable as a cell? Simply typing the intelligence into the node and instantly seeing its behavior (results) relative to the other nodes (cells). This is being done today. As with cell manipulation in a spreadsheet, we have setup a network of nodes and then modified their behavior dynamically. We add a GPS chip to a moveable node and have it begin to report location data. We add another node that captures and reports temperature, and another that tells us if a door has been opened. We tell the nodes that if the door is opened, and the temperature rises above a certain degree, the moveable node must leave the area. Then, using the same nodes, we type a different set of instructions to change the behavior and watch it begin to work. We add a new node to the network and give it instructions. The other nodes recognize the new member and begin to interact. No compiling, no special debugging tools, simply telling the system what we want it to do, like a spreadsheet.

But, unlike the cells in a spreadsheet, the nodes can react to changes in their environment. If a disturbance in their communication occurs, they can re-route messages or notify a higher intelligence of something that cannot be dynamically corrected. It’s that hidden, powerful, network system that supports this capability.

The Killer App is the one that will enable you to create your application by not having to pay attention to all of the complex operations that underlie WSN technology, nor requiring you to use complex coding and debugging systems. Making this technology accessible and usable to millions of creative and imaginative people from around the world will cause the next ‘inflection point’ in the history of computing. We are at that point now.

David Ewing is vice president of Engineering at Synapse. He is responsible for product strategy. He holds a BSEE from Auburn University. David can be contacted at:
david.ewing@synapse-wireless.com.

For more information visit www.synapse-wireless.com

Don’t Miss the 2008 Antenna Systems / SRW Conference

The 2008 Antenna Systems Conference, again co-located with the 2008 Short-Range Wireless Conference will feature 40 technical sessions from today’s leaders in wireless technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with technical experts and ultimately discover how new developments in wireless technology will impact their product performance.

Featured sessions include:

• The Power of Cooperative Wireless Communications
This talk will give a comprehensive overview of cooperative communications (CC), a new technique in which physically separated single-antenna radios coordinate with each other to form a “virtual antenna array” to achieve spatial diversity in multi-path fading channels. The diversity can provide gain to save energy or overcome network partitions, or provide spatial multiplexing, to increase throughput.  CC can benefit any wireless application where there are multiple users within communication range of each other, such that at least one of the users needs to communicate to a more distant point. Applications include wireless cellular, satellite, mesh, ad hoc and sensor networks.
Dr. Mary Ann Ingram, Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology

•Is 2008 the Year of ZigBee?
ZigBee has achieved the critical mass of technical capability, market acceptance, and application developer support required to begin strong accelerated market adoption. As a result, activity in the home control segment and the energy management segment is experiencing very strong growth, and these two segments represent a significant market opportunity for ZigBee-based applications. This session will explore the factors contributing to the current market growth of ZigBee and identify the components required for continued market expansion. Component, software, and module industry participants will be profiled and unique characteristics identified.
Dr. Kirsten West, Principal Analyst, West Technology Research

• Replacing Infrared Technology in Consumer Electronics
Today’s Infrared (IR) remote controls are no longer able to keep up with the demands of today’s sophisticated consumer electronics market. A confusing landscape of emerging and projected RF technologies are vying to become the “new” IR replacement.  Most are plagued by problems of cost and complexity, and have proven unreliable or even useless in typical residential environments, due to unavoidable interference from common household electronics. This presentation will discuss why replacement technology for IR – more than 500 million remote controls each year – will undoubtedly be based on wireless radio frequencies (RF).
Bernd Grohmann, Sr. Director of Product Management, Zensys

• A Cognitive Antenna for Cellular and Sensor Network Applications
Self-Structuring Antenna (SSA) is a cognitive antenna, which dynamically alters its aperture to maximize Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) in varying RF environments. SSA is a patented technology and is the product of a decade of collaborative R&D effort between Delphi Corporation and Michigan State University. Aperture is made up of sub-resonant antenna elements connected via RF relays, which are turned on or off to form and maintain the optimum aperture for the perceived RF environment. A feedback from the device provides a measure of signal quality for the optimizing algorithm, which in turn decides on the switch states.

Genetic Algorithm (GA) has been adopted for its effectiveness in binary optimization problems. The talk will highlight recent activities in terms of prototypes developed for cellular and ZigBee applications. The talk will also outline how this technology could provide relief in meeting high data rate and MIMO requirements in today’s handset designs.

At the conference, the theory and operational principles of the SSA along with the prototypes will be presented. The presentation will also lay out in a systematic fashion the competitive differentiators of the SSA technology, the market (civilian and military) and the business case.
Dr. Tayfun Ozdemir, Chief Technical Officer, Monarch Antenna, Inc.

Still Accepting SRW Presentations!
Get Detailed Program Information - http://www.antennasonline.com/ast08_program.php
Register by May 30 & Save $500 - http://www.antennasonline.com/ast08_reg.php

Contact Jeremy Martin with questions! jeremym@infowebcom.com

Entire Line of MeshNetics’ ZigBee Modules is Now ZigBee PRO

MeshNetics, a provider of ZigBee modules and embedded software for OEMs and system integrators, recently announced the successful completion of the ZigBee PRO certification of their line of ZigBit RF modules. The ZigBee PRO compliance of MeshNetics ZigBeeNet stack software, verified by National Technical Systems (NTS), a ZigBee qualified testing lab, ensures that the latest ZigBee PRO feature set is available in combination with the best-in-class hardware performance.

The new ZigBeeNet embedded software stack provides a software development platform for reliable, scalable and secure wireless applications running on MeshNetics ZigBit modules. ZigBeeNet is designed to support a broad ecosystem of user-designed applications addressing diverse requirements and enabling a full spectrum of software customization. Primary application areas include smart energy, home automation, commercial building automation, automated meter reading, asset tracking and industrial automation.

Incorporating three years’ worth of wireless system design experience, field work and actual user feedback, the ZigBeeNet stack offers full ZigBee PRO functionality without sacrificing developer’s convenience and ease-of-use. ZigBeeNet’s target audience is system designers, embedded programmers and hardware engineers evaluating, prototyping, and deploying wireless solutions and products built around the ZigBit hardware platform.

The key features of the ZigBeeNet include:

• Full ZigBee PRO and ZigBee compliance
  
• Easy-to-use C API and serial AT commands available
  
• Ultimate data reliability with true mesh routing
  
• Large network support (hundreds of devices)
  
• Optimized for ultra low power consumption (5-15 years battery life)
  
• Extensive security API including AES 128 support
  
• Over-the-air software update capability
  
• Flexible and easy-to-use developer tools
  

Introducing the Near Field Communication Resource Guide: SECURE YOUR AD SPACE TODAY

Webcom Communications, in cooperation with the NFC Forum, is proud to announce the winter 2008 publication of the Near Field Communication Resource Guide. It will be a magazine-style solutions guide, focusing solely on products, applications and standards issues surrounding this emerging short-range wireless technology. The objective is to introduce potential customers to the benefits of NFC technology, and to guide them to leading suppliers of NFC products, services and technology. 

Aside from covering the latest advancements in NFC technology and applications, the Near Field Communication Resource Guide will also feature a product /solutions guide that will provide your organization with exposure to thousands of OEMs and end-users interested in incorporating short-range wireless solutions into their products and operations.

The annual Near Field Communication Resource Guide will have a print run of 25,000. Of that 25,000, the NFC Forum will receive 2,500 copies for promotional purposes. Another 2,500 copies will be distributed at key industry events throughout the year by Webcom. The remainder of copies will be direct mailed to technical and management professionals such as design engineers, system engineers, program managers and product managers involved in electronic products, wireless communications, network management, RFID and payment systems.

Additionally, the Near Field Communication Resource Guide will have an electronic distribution of 50,000. 

For more information about participating in the first annual Near Field Communication Resource Guide, contact Jeremy Martin (jeremym@infowebcom.com) or visit www.nfcresourceguide.com.

Ultra-Thin HDTVs from Hitachi to Employ Tzero Ultra Wideband Technology for Wireless Video

Tzero Technologies’ ultra wideband (UWB) technology was recently selected by Hitachi Ltd. to enable wireless HD video for the company’s ultra thin (UT) HDTV series. Tzero's advanced entertainment networking technology will eliminate cables and simplify the connections between the new Hitachi displays and other home audio/video components. The new display series, which debuted at CES 2008, is now available at leading Japanese retail outlets.

With Tzero technology, Hitachi UT HDTVs will be able to receive high-definition video wirelessly from any HDMITM equipped audio/video component. The wireless connection can deliver transmission speeds of up to 480 megabits per second (Mbps) to support even the most stringent demands of high-definition video and IPTV. Additionally, Tzero's platform is based on standards from the WiMedia Alliance and is guaranteed to coexist and interact with other WiMedia-compliant devices.

For more information visit www.tzerotech.com   

Nearly One Billion Bluetooth-Enabled Devices to Ship in Asia in 2013

While Bluetooth has been in the market for almost a decade, it has not proliferated widely in Asia.  In terms of consumer awareness, this region still lags behind others. However, the picture is changing, especially when it comes to cellular handsets, and a new study from ABI Research indicates that Bluetooth-enabled equipment shipments in Asia will reach 982 million units in 2013, representing a compound annual growth rate of 39% over 2006 shipments.

“One of biggest barriers for consumers is cost,” says senior analyst Andy Bae. “Consumers in Asia believe that the Bluetooth headset is comparatively expensive; they also seem to underestimate its voice quality.”

Bluetooth has achieved its greatest penetration to date in mobile handsets, as mobile operators have demanded continuous support from manufacturers. In South Korea, the penetration rate in mobile phones reached 51% in 2007.

Bae adds, “Streaming music services over mobile networks, such as Japan’s Chaku Uta, will be key drivers of Bluetooth inclusion in cellular handsets.”  

The positive uptake in the cellular sector also produces a ripple effect for other devices. With increasing consumer awareness, notebook manufacturers now consider Bluetooth to be an ideal medium for exchanging files and data with peripherals and devices such as printers and digital cameras.

Bluetooth will still face challenges from competing short-range wireless technologies. In Asia, there are home-grown technologies to deliver music, voice, and video within a small radius. These include Binary CDMA, Wireless USB, and GiGa-Fi, which are all discussed in the ABI Research study, in order to compare their market positions and technical features with Bluetooth.

“Those technologies may have superior transmission capabilities,” notes Bae. “But there is no other technology as well suited as Bluetooth for the transmission of audio services — nor does any other technology maintain the same price points or the same well-established market position.”

The new report, “Bluetooth: Opportunities in Asia” offers a comprehensive assessment of the current and future market environment for Bluetooth-enabled devices in Asia. It examines personal area network (PAN) environment applications, discusses competing technologies developed in Asia, profiles major market players, and provides forecasts through 2013.

For more information visit www.abiresearch.com

Ethertronics Powers Next Wave of GPS and Bluetooth Devices with New Miniaturized Ceramic Antennas

Ethertronics Inc., a provider of standard and customized embedded antenna solutions for wideband and multi-band wireless devices, has introduced two new miniaturized ceramic antennas: an innovative GPS/Bluetooth version and a GPS antenna, which provides high levels of efficiency while minimizing ground clearance and component “keep out” areas. Designed to address the challenges associated with incorporating multiple RF-functions into mobile devices, both antennas include Ethertronics’ patented Isolated Magnetic Dipole (IMD) technology.

As one of the industry’s smallest ceramic antennas, Ethertronics’ miniature GPS antenna measures 8 by 3 by 1.3 mm with a volume of less than half that of competing vendors. Additionally, the high-selectivity of the antenna’s RF response eliminates the need for additional filters for removing UMTS- or AWS-band signal interference.

Measuring 12 by 3 by 1.3 mm, the dual-band, dual-feed GPS/Bluetooth combination antenna provides quality performance in a small package. By utilizing the high RF-isolation properties of its IMD technology, Ethertronics combined two secondary antennas into a single small package, while maintaining each separate antenna’s high-performance characteristics – and in a package with a 35-percent size reduction from an earlier model.
Like Ethertronics’ other Savvi Line ceramic antennas, these new antennas are designed for high-performance in efficiency, isolation and selectivity. Given their small size and innate ability to resist de-tuning, a single ceramic antenna can be successfully placed into PCBs of various sizes or in many different locations on the PCB without impairing reception, enabling flexibility in customer’s antenna placement decisions while still meeting time-to-market constraints.

“Given market pressures to pack many features into devices, manufacturers are faced with a challenge of making it all work without degrading performance,” said Jeff Shamblin, vice president of research and development for Ethertronics.  “As a result, antenna capabilities and placement becomes more important. Since handset manufacturers and mobile operators cannot compromise performance for design aesthetics, antennas such as our new GPS and GPS/Bluetooth versions are needed for better coverage, clearer reception and longer range efficiency.”

For more information visit www.ethertronics.com  

Don’t miss Ethertronics’ Presentation at the Upcoming 2008 Antenna Systems / Short-Range Wireless Conference - http://www.antennasonline.com/ast08_program.php

Wisair to Bring Wireless USB Functionality to Mobile Devices With New Embedded Solution

Wisair, a provider of single-chip based Ultra Wideband (UWB) and Wireless USB solutions, has furthered its efforts to bring embedded Wireless USB technology to portable and handheld electronic devices with its new SDIO Wireless USB solution. Based on the Wisair WSR601 low-power single chip, the design enables vendors to embed Wireless USB into portable devices, such as digital still cameras, camcorders and smart phones, using the Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO) interface.
 
"Wisair is committed to making the use of Wireless USB the ultimate experience for consumers. As part of this effort, we are enabling module vendors to implement small form-factor, low-power modules based on our single chip. These modules will be utilized by OEMs to integrate Wireless USB into mobile devices," said David Yaish, CEO of Wisair.

The Wisair WSR601 single chip has received regulatory approvals in Japan, the US, and Europe and was recently certified by the USB-IF.

The design package includes a comprehensive platform for the development of embedded Wireless USB device solutions, based on the SDIO interface. Using the development platform, hardware and software, developers can implement an embedded small form factor module that is controlled by the device side application CPU via the SDIO bus.

For more information visit www.wisair.com  

Smart nanoLOC RF Module Ready for RTLS Stand-Alone Solutions

Measuring 35 mm by 14 mm by 3 mm, with an integrated chip antenna and a serial UART interface, the smart nanoLOC AVR RF module from Nanotron is now certified for Europe and Japan . The nanoLOC AVR RF module is the first CSS radio module with precise indoor and outdoor ranging capabilities. It is a well suited choice for straightforward product integration. By adding a power supply and housing to the module, system integrators or end-customers can build their products without the challenges of 2.4 GHz RF design and certification. Furthermore, the module is equipped with a 64 KB FLASH and 4 KB RAM fast 8-bit Microcontroller.

The design of the module was driven by explicit customer specifications for a small, energy efficient, intelligent tag that can be used for ranging and localization in combination with robust communication, either as a stand-alone system or as part of a sophisticated RTLS. The module bridges the gap between the nanoLOC CSS radio chip and an OEM board. Providing design flexibility without the need for low level RF expertise, the module is a first step towards a successful portable, mobile integration.

“Nanotron's smart nanoLOC AVR RF module makes life easier for applications where positioning is an issue. From tracking valuable assets, for example, in logistics and the medical market, to safety monitoring applications in mines and harsh industrial environments, a broad spectrum of applications benefit from decentralized and inexpensive RTLS systems based on Nanotron's unique nanoLOC CSS transceiver” said Dr. Frank Schlichting, director Application Engineering at Nanotron. CSS technology has been approved worldwide and is proposed for ISO 24730-5 and EPC-Global.

For more information visit www.nanotron.com  

SCM Microsystems Presents New Dongle for Multiple NFC Applications

SCM Microsystems, Inc., a provider of solutions that open the Digital World, has introduced its new SCL3710 NFC reader, which enables a variety of contactless applications using mobile electronic devices.

The SCL3710 is SCM's response to the growing demand for solutions supporting Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, new short-range wireless connectivity technology enabling contactless payment and information exchange using mobile phones and other handheld electronic devices. NFC technology enables consumers to purchase goods and services, download information, music and digital pictures or update address books with their mobile phones or PDAs.

"Near Field Communication is rapidly gaining acceptance among technologists and users alike as a secure and convenient contactless interface," said Felix Marx, chief executive officer of SCM Microsystems. "But to become firmly established in the market, there must be a sufficient number of compelling applications and solutions using NFC technology. Our new dongle enables such applications and fills a need in the market for reliable, secure contactless connectivity devices."

The SCL3710 provides the link between NFC-enabled mobile devices such as mobile phones or PDAs and computer or web applications, while ensuring security for payment, banking and other financial applications. Information and data that have been stored on the mobile devices, such as vouchers, coupons, tickets and product details, can now conveniently be accessed and transferred to a PC or a notebook. In addition, the reader can be used for mobile smart-ticketing, data exchange and virtual connections, as well as ticketing and secure payment for public transportation, entertainment and other transactions.

The reader also can be used to enable contactless transactions for merchants. When inserted into a PC or notebook that is connected to a system such as a Point of Sale (PoS) terminal, vending machine, access terminal or parking meter payment device, the SCL3710 dongle communicates contactlessly with consumers' NFC-enabled devices to support contactless transactions.

The high-performance SCL3710 uses Near Field Communication technology to enable wireless short-range communication between electronic devices. The USB device is based on the 13.56 MHz radio frequency (RFID) technology and supports ISO 14443 Type A cards, Sony developed FeliCa tags, and NXP Semiconductors' NFC tags. The reader enables numerous new NFC applications and therefore supports the large-scale spread of this technology.

For more information visit www.scmmicro.com    

Low-Power RF System-on-Chip for ZigBee Applications

The CC2431 from Texas Instruments is the first SoC with a hardware location engine targeting low-power ZigBee wireless sensor networking applications, such as asset tracking, patient monitoring, inventory control, security and commissioning networks. The device features a powerful RSSI-based location engine, which reduces network traffic compared to centralized location systems, and is supported by Z-Stack protocol stack from TI.

The CC2431 is based on the industry’s first available SoC solution for low-power RF applications, the CC2430. Both devices combine the quality performance of the industry-leading CC2420 RF transceiver core with an enhanced 8051 microcontroller, up to 128 kB flash memory, 8 kB of RAM and many additional features, all in a small 7 mm by 7 mm package.

For more information visit www.ti.com

Don’t Miss the 2008 Antenna Systems / SRW Conference

The 2008 Antenna Systems Conference, again co-located with the 2008 Short-Range Wireless Conference will feature 40 technical sessions from today’s leaders in wireless technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with technical experts and ultimately discover how new developments in wireless technology will impact their product performance.

Half Day Workshop: Intellectual Property Issues for New Product Development

May 14, 2008 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) - Beverages and Course Materials Provided

The workshop will start with an overview of the various types of intellectual property, including patents, trademark, copyrights, trade secrets, non-competes and publishing. It will feature a detailed discussion of patents, including type of patents, what is patentable, patent laws and rules, the patenting process and patent strategy. Also covered will be the integration of the patenting process with the new product development process and discussion of critical patent strategy issues. It will conclude with a practical training session for writing technical disclosures for patenting purposes.

For more details about what attendees can expect to learn from this workshop visit http://www.magneticsmagazine.com/mag_conf08_workshops.htm#akc.

• Register before March 14, 2008 - $395 • Register after March 14, 2008 - $495

Register Now!

Visit http://www.magneticsmagazine.com/mag_conf08_workshop_reg.php/.

May 2008
4-7 - UTC Telecom, Orlando, Fla.

5-7 - Military Antenna Conference, Washington, D.C.

6-8 - EDS Show, Las Vegas, Nevada

12-15 - Antennas: Principles, Design & Measurement, Annapolis, MD.

21-23 - In-Building Wireless, Las Vegas, NV.

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