ZigBee Energy Management and Sensor Centric Applications

INCISOR
TM
for the short
range connectivity
environment

Video enabled Issue 157 May 2011

WIRELESS SENSOR AND
CONTROL SPECIAL ISSUE
THIS ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS: BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
EMBER • ENOCEAN ALLIANCE • NORDIC SEMICONDUCTORS
ZIGBEE ALLIANCE • TEXAS INSTRUMENTS • IMS RESEARCH
TRAC • CAMBRIDGE CONSULTANTS

sponsored by
www.incisor.tv

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sensing something big
Anyone with even a remote connection to the short-range wireless industry will know that wireless sensors and controls
are the current preoccupation of legions of engineers, developers and marketeers. If we are to believe the hype, the
success that has been seen so far for technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, EnOcean, NFC, RFiD, etc, etc, is as
nothing compared to the opportunity presented by wireless sensors and controls. Consumers may have bought a lot of
Bluetooth headsets, and there are an awful lot of wireless chips in games consoles, cars, phones, but apparently, when
we move into the M2M market, the health and fitness markets, smart homes/smart grids, the numbers are set to rise
exponentially.
Every man and his dog is claiming that he has the perfect solution. Well, every technology alliance and every individual
wireless company is anyway. But which will prevail? To which fence should we nail our colours? And where should we
put our hard-earned money?
Incisor is uniquely positioned (a cliché as well worn as these trainers I’m wearing at the moment) to find out. We have
relationships with pretty much all of the players. It was about time, then, that we reviewed this market. We put the word
out that this special issue was to be published, and the response was, let’s say, enthusiastic.
I can’t promise that the submissions here are entirely hype-free, but our contributors understand that there is only so
much over-blown marketing bilge they can get away with then talking to readers that are as wireless market savvy as
Incisor’s. You will have to judge for yourself which story carries most credence, and Dean Gratton has made his own,
independent observations.
Finally, Incisor.TV attended the Bluetooth SIG’s All Hands Meeting. If you really, really want to know what is going on
inside the Bluetooth SIG, but couldn’t make it to Budapest, then watch the Incisor.TV movies in this issue.

Vince Holton
Publisher & editor-in-chief, Incisor / IncisorTV

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news

Android to seize 45% Burden concluded, “The overall
smartphone market growth for 2010 is not
extension to tower and rooftop-based LTE
macrocell deployments. In a traditional
of smartphone market really so surprising: what is more
significant is the 19% compound annual
macrocell configuration, LTE promises to
deliver 2-4X the capacity of current 3G
by 2016 growth rate (CAGR) contained in our networks, but with leading operators
forecasts through 2016.” witnessing mobile data growth of 7 - 30X
302 million smartphones shipped in 2010, over the last 3 years, LTE macrocells alone
according to ABI Research, chalking up a will provide only temporary relief from data
resounding 71% growth over 2009’s Small cell base station congestion. As a result, operators are
leveraging both small cell architectures and
shipment levels.
combines LTE and Wi-Fi unlicensed spectrum in order to augment
Android’s success since its launch is capacity in areas of high use
expected to continue: some 69 million As mobile operators worldwide plan and concentration.
smartphones running the Android operating deploy LTE networks to support the growth
system shipped last year, and ABI Research in mobile data demand, a new class of
expects that in 2016 Android will have
captured 45% of the market.
small cell base station, known as outdoor
metropolitan picocell, is gaining traction.
MusiCALL – clip-style
“Android, Bada and BlackBerry have a great According to industry research firm, In-Stat, stereo Bluetooth
opportunity to fill the vacuum being left by the outdoor metropolitan picocell market is
the disappearance of the Symbian OS forecast to top $5 Billion in 2014. In that solution from Bluetrek
within the next two years,” senior analyst same year, other forecasts suggest that
Michael Morgan told Incisor. more than two billion Wi-Fi chipsets will Bluetrek has released a slightly different
ship, reflecting Wi-Fi's continued popularity take on the Bluetooth wireless headset
Apple’s iOS, which held 15% of the market in smartphones and tablets, the devices solution, launching a product called
in 2010, should continue moderate but driving mobile data and video consumption. MusiCALL, which is a clip stereo headset
steady growth over the mid-term, backed Against this backdrop of increasing mobile with 3.5mm jack compatibility.
by new product introductions. ABI Research data demand, LTE small cell adoption and
forecasts 19% market share for iOS in Wi-Fi enabled device growth, BelAir You can clip the MusiCALL pendant to
2016. Networks has launched the BelAir100LP your shirt to give you wireless control of
LTE Picocell, a compact outdoor small cell your tracks (play, pause, next, previous,
RIM, which held 16% of the market in 2010, base station that combines LTE and volume +/-) whilst leaving your smart
is expected to lose just a little ground: 14% 802.11n Wi-Fi and can be installed and phone in your pocket or bag.
is the forecast for 2016. “RIM’s slight loss activated within 15 minutes.
of share doesn’t mean falling shipments,” A 3.5mm input jack allows you to connect
said Vice President Kevin Burden. “RIM has "In live network trials with Tier One your favourite earphones or headphones.
found its niche, but the consumer market operators, we've proven that combining Music will stop when a call comes in and
will grow faster than its portion of it.” licensed and unlicensed wireless restarts when you end the call.
technologies in a small cell base station is a
Of the newer entrants in the smartphone OS very effective way to handle growing mobile Bluetrek was showing the MusiCall at the
arena, Windows Phone 7 and Samsung’s data traffic," Bernard Herscovich, President Spring edition of the Hong Kong
Bada are both aimed at low- to mid-range and CEO, BelAir Networks told Incisor. "The Electronics and Global Sources Fairs that
handsets. “With 4 million units shipped in BelAir100LP features a modular platform to took place during April. The suggested
2010 (amounting to a 1.5% market share), accommodate operators' LTE preferences retail price (SRP) is USD69.99 or €59.90
Bada has taken off very well, very fast,” and leverages patented innovations that
Morgan added. “Bada may reach 10% address the installation challenges – Bluetrek is also launching a headset it
market share by 2016. Windows Phone 7, including backhaul, power and mounting – calls CARBON, and claims it is the
on the other hand, which shipped in two that have impeded widespread picocell world’s first Bluetooth headset made of
million handsets in Q4 2010, will have to adoption to date." carbon fibre. Apparently, the patented
find incredible success through its Nokia mechanism embedded in the carbon fibre
channel to take more than 7% of the market The BelAir100LP is designed to provide a tube allows extended talk time, yet
by 2016.” high capacity underlay or coverage reduces weight to less than 6grams.

5 www.incisor.tv

INCISOR.TV VIDEO REPORT
Sponsored by

Didn’t make it to the Bluetoooth Special Interest Group’s 2011 All
Hands Meeting in Budapest? Never mind. The Incisor.TV crew
was in attendance, and we now bring you four video pieces
covering some of the main presentations made at the Bluetooth
SIG’s annual event for its member companies.
Click on the screens to view the four AHM movies.

KEYNOTE: MIKE FOLEY

The Bluetooth SIG’s executive director delivers
the All Hands Meeting keynote, and talks of
Disruptive Change within his organisation

MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our own Vince Holton moderates the Bluetooth
SIG Board of Directors panel session. This is the
opportunity to ask those awkward questions...

INTRODUCING THE BLUETOOTH
ECOSYSTEM TEAMS (BETs)

Suke Jawanda, the Bluetooth SIG’s chief
marketing officer, provides an overview of the
SIG’s recently created BETs teams, which will
manage Bluetooth’s successful implementation
in new markets

GUEST SPEAKER

Hampus Jakobsson, of That Astonishing Tribe
(TAT) says that the human/PC interface hasn’t
improved for decades. Could his presentation
‘The future of screens’ be heralding change?

6 wireless sensors and controls – special feature section

Incisor special feature:
All you need to know about
wireless sensors and controls

In this section, experts from Cambridge Consultants, TRaC,
the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, the EnOcean Alliance, the
ZigBee Alliance, Ember, Nordic Semiconductor, Texas Instruments
and IMS Research, plus our resident techxpert Dean Gratton, examine
the potential of a technology sector that is set to dramatically expand
the short-range wireless market.
M2M, sports and fitness, medical applications, payment and ticketing
systems – the applications seem limitless.
If it’s not clear which wireless technology will dominate, then read on.
If you’d like to comment on any element, then email Incisor at:
incisor@incisor.tv


How smart are we
being in our quest for
smart metering?
Richard Traherne,
Cambridge Consultants. By Richard Traherne
Head of Wireless and Commercial Director

There’s no question that energy is firmly on
the political agenda. The EU2020 energy
targets, developed to tackle climate
change, have now been approved by most
European countries. They aim to reduce
energy consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions by 20% in the period from 1990
to 2020, with the UK government in fact
targeting an overall reduction in
greenhouse gas of 80% by 2050.

This has arguably been the most significant
driver for the roll-out of an advanced form of
metering, known as ‘smart metering’, across
Europe. Smart meters will be a component
within an overall infrastructure that will enable
us to consume our finite energy resources in
a more intelligent manner. Already, initiatives
such as micro-generation, electric vehicles
and smart appliances are well underway to
play their part in this future panacea.

Against this backdrop, wireless technology is
poised to be an essential ingredient in the
solutions that enable this future generation of A potential UK smart infrastructure
energy infrastructure. With one of the largest
independent wireless development teams in metering cannot be considered alone; smart countries the meters are owned by the grid
the world, Cambridge Consultants has appliance and smart grid solutions must be operator, whereas in others they are owned by
developed a range of wireless solutions over created, for all geographical locations the energy suppliers. This has a big impact on
the years for the energy sector and is now required. In particular, issues related to funding sources for the overall system, its
very active in the area of smart metering, as it standardised interfaces (to create inter- architecture, as well as to the security and
is known today. However, in this article I’m operable devices and systems) and a growing access rights within a meter.
going to take a wider view than just the concern for greater security and personal
wireless technology. For the most part, data privacy have protracted the overall Conversely, equipment manufacturers want to
‘adequate’ wireless solutions exist, but the development cycle. reduce cost by increasing economies of scale
smart metering market is still developing very and standardising designs wherever possible.
slowly. In this edition of Incisor, I’m therefore At a geographical level, the ownership Presently, this is possible for the metrology
going to review some of the wider issues that structure of energy supply varies considerably within the meters, but not for the new ‘smart’
will need to be resolved to allow targets, such from one country to another, even within communication, security and payment
as the 2020 targets, to be met. ‘harmonised’ Europe. For example, France functions. Standardisation of these smart
and Italy have large monopoly electricity functions is an uphill battle and there is a
Overall, the programmes have become much suppliers, but these companies do not supply general acceptance that many of these
more complicated than originally envisaged. gas. By contrast, the UK has six major energy functions will inevitably continue to vary from
This has largely been due to the need to companies who supply electricity and gas, one country to another. In addition, people are
obtain consensus and buy-in from a wide coupled with a market that encourages still learning about the implications of adopting
range of parties, including governments,
companies and consumers. Of course, smart
consumers to switch supplier (currently about
100,000 switches per week). In some
smart metering, so the requirements will
continue to change as the market matures. ➔

8 whitespace radio – special feature section

In response to this regional variation and the Germany and the UK also have strong
need to provide future flexibility, many
manufacturers are attempting to design their
national security groups defining the
requirements for data security and privacy in
Cambridge
equipment in a modular (logical or physical) smart metering equipment and systems. Consultants Blogs
manner based on clear interface definitions
(APIs, communication protocols, RF Against this backdrop of competing Why are we blogging? We believe that
standards, data objects, hardware modules, technologies and solutions, Cambridge the technology market is much better
profiles etc), which some seek to standardise. Consultants has applied its experience of when it is highly connected, and social
For example, the main options for data developing energy, communication and media is a fantastic tool that instantly
objects in Europe are DLMS and ZSE (ZigBee security solutions over its 50 year history, to connects people who face similar
Smart Energy), whereas in the USA ANSI C12 author a family of interface specifications to challenges, irrespective of whether they
and ZSE are being considered. The energy assist companies to develop smart metering are budding entrepreneurs running their
suppliers are generally powerful in these systems. These UMI (Universal Metering first high growth start up company or a
standardisation decisions, when they are the Interface) specifications allows meter captain of industry in charge of a global
entity purchasing metering equipment that manufacturers and energy suppliers to bluechip company. So, if you’d like to add
they wish to be inter-operable. progress roll-out of smart meters, whilst to the debates, please feel free to
retaining the flexibility to adopt new metering comment on any of our blogs. It would be
In addition, the preferred wireless communication technologies at a later date. great to hear from you.
communication solution for each geography UMI protects their investment by
is still in flux. To take the UK as an example; standardising the connection of smart Patrick Pordage
much of the planning in the UK is being led metering communications and control Marketing Communications Director
by DECC (the Dept of Energy and Climate modules inside the meter. The UMI Cambridge Consultants.
Change). Presently, the UK plans for all gas specifications cover a module interface
and electricity meters to contain 2-way (based on SPI), an opto Interface used by Corporate Blog
communications to the Metering HAN. In installation and service engineers, based on Our corporate blog covers new product
addition it plans to install a Communications EN62056-21 (FLAG port) and security development, open innovation,
Hub and IHD (In Home Display) in every interfaces with symmetric security based on accelerating start up companies and other
home. It is envisaged that the IHD will engage AES-128 and asymmetric security based on topics that involve using innovation to
the consumer to be more energy-aware, ECC-256. UMI has already been adopted by achieve market leadership, along with
leading to reduction in consumption (akin to several key players, including Elster Gas in technology stories that we hope you will
the fuel efficiency gauge in a car). The Europe. The specifications will be transferred find interesting/
Communications Hub will contain links to a to the UMI Alliance when it is formed, but are
national WAN, the Metering HAN and already available without charge now. Consumer Products Blog
hopefully to a Consumer HAN as well. The Topics include connected devices,
consumer HAN will provide smart metering beverage dispensing, eco innovation, new
information (e.g time-of-use pricing) to smart product introduction (NPI), open
appliances. The consumer could therefore tell innovation, novel control interfaces and
a washing machine when to finish and let it other topics related to our development of
choose a low-carbon or low-price time to run. innovative consumer electronics,
The Metering HAN will probably be wireless, domestic appliances and fast moving
The UMI logo consumer goods.
with ZigBee and Wireless M-Bus being two (see http://www.cambridgeconsultants.com/
contenders. There is less support presently to news_pr252.html)
standardise the Consumer HAN, although Wireless Medical Blog
WiFi is gaining some support as a potential Examining mobilehealth and telehealth
solution. The WAN is a long distance link from technology ad market challenges, this
all 26 million UK homes to a new organisation blog provides insight from implantable
called the DCC (Data Comms Company). This and hospital communications to
will in turn pass messages on to the relevant consumer health applications.
energy supplier. The WAN technology has
not been selected yet and a variety of Mobile Wireless Technology Blog
wireless and wired technologies are being Smartphones, netbooks and tablet PCs
considered. are making mobile connectivity an
essential part of everyday life for many
In other regions the outlook is even vaguer at people. This blog examines the issues
the present time. In France and Italy the faced by technology professionals,
electricity and gas companies do not plan to network operators and industry analysts
have shared networks for electricity and gas, working to keep people connected on the
so there will almost certainly be separate So, the next few years will certainly be move.
WAN connections to each home for gas and interesting times in the smart metering
electricity. This will be particularly challenging market. If the published timescales are to be Short Range Radar Blog
for gas meters, which are battery-powered. met, then a lot of further agreement is needed Devoted to the topics surrounding short
These countries don’t plan to create HANs in a very short time, if good economic and range radar systems in the 0 to 10km
within the home. There will be no IHD and no technical solutions are to prevail. Let’s hope range. Examples of systems covered
connections to smart appliances. So the that we all don’t lose sight of the basic end- include in-wall, through wall, short range
equipment may be very different indeed. goal, of preserving our planet, in our fight to border surveillance and in-fill radar for
preserve or further our own positions! both ATC and military applications.
This variation leads to changes in the way
that security is maintained within the system. www.cambridgeconsultants.com
Security solutions must address personal
data privacy, which is subject to legislation
such as the European Human Rights Act for UMI and the UMI logo are trademarks of Follow us on Twitter:
example within Europe. The Netherlands, Cambridge Consultants Limited. @CambConsultants


Wireless sensors and
networks – the
compliance web
Joe Lomako, TRaC
unravelled!
By Joe Lomako,
Business Development Manager, TRaC

Wireless technology has become an
integral part of everyday life. It is almost
impossible to go through a single day
without using any wireless device in
some aspect of your daily routine. It is
everywhere; in all manner of products
and with varying degrees of complexity
and security.

This is particularly the case in the wireless
sensor and control industry, which really
does cover an enormous range. If you sit
and think for a moment and ask; what is
the wireless sensor and control industry?
What products belong to this family?
Where are they placed and what do they
do? Most consumers are aware of the
“traditional” wireless products, such as
mobile telephones or wireless broadband
routers or car key fobs, but they are
completely unaware of the less obvious
devices out there?

Well, they could be anything or anywhere,
for example; A thermostat in a house or a
commercial workplace, a drug delivery and are so anonymous in their existence in mesh network which assists in the
monitor in a hospital or even in a leak that the user is completely unaware of the construction of larger (geography) networks.
detector/alarm in a heavy industrial site engineering effort which has been There are also proprietary technologies
such as an oil platform. These are just a expended in bringing it to market. The (protocols) which can be used instead of
few simple examples of some of the wireless technologies which have been those mentioned but at the end of the day
applications that demonstrate the wide used are somewhat diverse and the they all still use the phenomena that is
area in which these technologies are being chosen technology depends on the radio – an electromagnetic wave.
employed. I’m sure the readers of this application requirement and sometimes
publication can either think of more through the personal choice of the Compliance Requirements: It has
obscure situations where wireless designer, but of course mainly the former! already been mentioned that these devices
technology is employed and are probably Clearly, however, an application that needs are used all over the world; opening up a
even involved in the design and a high data rate in the tens of MHz would whole new chapter in the development of
production. Getting a product of this type probably use something like Wi-Fi, and a these products. Almost everything which is
to market can also be quite involved so requirement for a lower power, lower data put onto the world market has to comply
let’s look at that in a bit more detail. rate and duty cycle could use Bluetooth with some certification or regulatory
wireless technology, ZigBee or ANT+. standard(s). Which standards apply is very
Ubiquitous Radio - These products are
being used in the four corners of the world
ZigBee does of course have the added
advantage of being able to establish a true
much dependent on the final application of
the product. This sounds like common ➔


sense, but sometimes selecting the correct present considerable extra expense as Each of the directives mentioned generally
standard for the final application may be well as delays in the release to market for recognise “harmonised standards” where
open to debate or simple error. It may a product. testing to the applicable product standard
need the services of an expert to provide allows the manufacturer or person
assistance on what should or should not Case Study: Consider a more marketing the product to assume a
be applied. For example, a not uncommon comprehensive example such as the leak “presumption of conformity”. These
misconception is that testing to the suite sensor on the oil platform. Scenario: The standards provide the minimum test
of radio test standards is all that is sensors are placed at regular intervals requirements to comply with the
required to cover the compliance along a pipeline carrying flammable liquid. appropriate directives; however, many
requirements of a wireless enabled The leak sensor device has a dual mode manufacturers decide to test up to the
product. This may be true in some in that it can detect leaks and then send minimum levels and beyond thereby
instances, but as we have seen, products an alarm signal via a ZigBee mesh demonstrating further hardiness of their
are so diverse in their complexity a network. product. If the manufacturer wishes to
detailed compliance assessment should be place their products further afield than, say
applied to ensure full coverage. There may So what approvals would be required the EU, there may be further requirements
be, and usually is, some commonality here? Firstly, the RTTE Directive would of the individual countries of choice which
between the compliance requirements of have to be satisfied. This covers Radio, must be satisfied. This again demonstrates
similar products. EMC and Safety. But, what else? Well this the need for a structured compliance plan.
unit is in a potentially explosive
Take for instance a wireless temperature atmosphere and therefore would also fall Complex Process: In summary,
controller (for use in the EU); the usual under the ATEX Directive (94/9/EC). This achieving compliance may appear to be a
standards for radio apply irrespective of is a mandatory requirement and over 65% complex process, but it can be made
the host product. This would be EN 300 of products require a 3rd party much simpler providing enough planning is
328 for a ZigBee or Bluetooth enabled assessment. In addition to this there may made to incorporate an accurate
device, but the standard may differ for also be environmental requirements such compliance program into the design
other wireless technologies. But when the as vibration, dust, heat, cold tests phase. It is also important, to ensure that
other compliance requirements are because of the environment in which it is the design and compliance program is
applied, such as safety, these may vary to be placed. Although many of these are suitable for the product and its final
dependent on the intended operating not mandatory requirements, designing a environment. However if in doubt an expert
environment. If the temperature controller product with these environments in mind hand is not too far away!
is to be used in an industrial environment and demonstrating its hardiness through
and domestic environment, dependent on these tests will positively enhance its
its functionality it may require safety position as a quality and durable device.
testing to two totally different standards.
There is quite often a cross referencing of A somewhat similar approach is observed
standards which usually helps in the with say a medical device which hosts a
minimising and simplifying the process, but wireless communication module. Again
again that is where the assistance of the the RTTE directive must be satisfied, as
professional compliance expert can ensure well as the Medical Device Directive, but
that the most cost effective process is here also, if the device is in a potentially
traversed, because errors at the early explosive environment again the ATEX
stage of the development process can directive may also apply.


Bluetooth:
The second wave
By: Mike Foley,
Mike Foley, Bluetooth Special Bluetooth SIG Executive Director
Interest Group

Each year, the Bluetooth SIG
membership and staff come together to
examine where we’ve been in the past
year and take those lessons learned to
move our charter, the creation and
promotion of Bluetooth, the best
wireless technology, forward. This year
marked our tenth All Hands Meeting
(AHM), and my what a difference a
decade makes. At our first gathering of
minds in Los Angeles in 2002, Bluetooth
chipsets were selling at $13 a pop (they
sell for less than $1 today), analysts
were predicting “millions of chipsets” to
sell by 2005 (we sold almost 2B in 2010
alone), and just over 2000 companies
had signed up for membership in the
SIG – that number stands at more than
14,000 strong at latest count.

The first wave of Bluetooth technology was
a success by any measure. The technology
experienced explosive growth, moving time to build on that success. The first of five Bluetooth Ecosystem Teams, known
from 0 to almost 2B units shipped in less wave helped transform the mobile phone as BETs. BETs are now working to support
than eight years. “Bluetooth” is now a industry and created multi-million dollar the mobile phone, PC/CE, health &
globally recognized brand and accessory industries as a result. Now, with wellness, sports & fitness, automotive, and
synonymous with hands-free audio and Bluetooth v4.0, we’re at the beginning of a smart home industries. Each BET is made
headsets. There are several key success massive second wave of Bluetooth up of representatives from the leaders in
factors attributable for this success – it technology that is just as transformational. those industries and it’s those leaders who
was the right technology at the right time; We’re poised to positively impact the lives will help us drive the market direction for
legislation, like hands-free laws, acted as a of hundreds of millions of people the world Bluetooth technology in that segment.
driving cultural force; many companies put over through billions of Bluetooth
in much hard work, and we were connected devices. We’re adding two new board members to
successful in creating strong commercial the Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors –
alignment with industry heavyweights in To seed the second wave, you will see change that has not happened before in the
the mobile phone, PC/CE, and automotive change from the Bluetooth SIG – change in history of the organization. If you’d like to
sectors. how we operate that will create change in be considered for one of the open seats,
the marketplace. The SIG is turning the find the criteria and submission process
While we’ve come an incredibly long way ship to once again be a market-focused here: www.bluetooth.org.
at a record shattering pace, we stand at a organization. We are paving the way for
place today that seems eerily familiar to entry into new markets, like healthcare and We’re going to market with an updated
those who initially got this technology off smart energy and the smart home, where value proposition that reflects the true
the ground. We’ve reached major wireless, let alone Bluetooth technology, brand promise of Bluetooth wireless
milestones in shipments, price, and has not yet fully penetrated and there is technology: Simple. Secure. Everywhere.
company support; we’ve beefed up staff much opportunity for Bluetooth sensors Let’s break that down:
and created a world-class testing and and control devices.
qualification program; we’ve witnessed the Simple. The promise of Bluetooth
proliferation of this technology into over a
thousand different device classes – and it’s
To make that entry smooth, we’ve created
a new marketing team structure consisting
technology, and the experience of most
users today, is that it just works. ➔


The simplicity it brings to everyday life is Bluetooth is liberating data – data that devices worldwide. As more devices are
that of convenience, of freedom, of ease. has been stuck in “dumb” devices and Bluetooth enabled, more value is accreted
Simple is core to our brand promise. not used to its fullest capability. to the Bluetooth network and the individual
Bluetooth technology enables devices that comprise it. The ever-growing
Secure. In many ways, the keys to our applications – both on the “hub” device Bluetooth network is what separates this
lives reside within the mobile devices we and in the cloud – to turn data into technology from competing technologies
carry with us every day. Wireless does not information. That’s a very powerful and accretes great value into member
equal insecure. Bluetooth technology is a promise. And it’s happening. products and convenience and value to
secure fortress for the digital information end-users.
we carry and share daily. It’s this promise, this reality, of
“everywhere” that creates the Bluetooth Today, the scale of our technology and the
Everywhere. You know Bluetooth is a network effect. Simply put, the value of Bluetooth network effect is very large. We
global standard. You know it’s in our members’ product increases when are on a trajectory for it to be massive.
thousands of device types, and billions of it’s powered by Bluetooth technology That second wave, combined with the first,
products. You may think that has and thus is available to interoperate and will create a Bluetooth ocean of
“everywhere” covered, but think again. By connect into the vast Bluetooth opportunity – five billion devices in the
efficiently connecting devices everywhere, ecosystem compromised of billions of year 2015. It’s coming.

Snippets
ST-Ericsson reports first quarter 2011 financial results

ST Ericsson reported net sales $444 million and an adjusted operating loss $149 million for Q1 of 2011. On the upside, the company
told Incisor that its new high-speed modem sales nearly doubled sequentially

"Revenue in the first quarter reflected normal seasonal trends but declined more than anticipated on a sequential basis due to a
steeper drop in sales of our legacy products, which is not yet offset by sales of new products. Primarily due to these lower sales, our
adjusted operating loss increased sequentially, said Gilles Delfassy, ST-Ericsson president and CEO.

Zomm appoints CFO

Zomm, the creators of a Bluetooth-based wireless Leash for mobile phones, has appointed start-up executive Nathan Gooden as its
chief financial officer (CFO). Gooden is responsible for driving ZOMM’s financial strategy as the company continues its international
growth. Having started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served as a lead auditor and member of the Offshore
Investment Management Assurance Practice, Gooden apparently identified key financial drivers in clients’ businesses to improve
productivity and overall profitability.

NFC Forum White Paper on Smart Posters

The NFC Forum, the industry association that advances the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, has published a
White Paper about developing and deploying NFC Smart Posters, subtitled "How to use NFC tags and readers to create interactive
experiences that benefit both consumers and businesses." The paper is available for download at no charge from http://www.nfc-
forum.org/resources/white_papers

Fortress Added to DoD Approved Products List

Fortress Technologies’ ES520 Deployable Mesh Point and ES210 Tactical Portable Mesh Point have been added to the Department of
Defense (DoD) Unified Capabilities Approved Products List (UC-APL), establishing it as an approved technology for use across the
DoD. Fortress claims that the ES520 was the first fully rugged, tactical wireless solution suitable for outdoor use included on the
Army's Information Assurance (IA) APL in 2009.

Revised ZigBee Smart Energy V2.0 tech docs available

The current revisions of the ZigBee Smart Energy version 2.0 Technical Requirements Document (TRD) and Public Application Profile are
available for public comment by the Smart Grid community at large. Public comments received last year for both documents, and
Alliance responses, are also available for review. The Alliance is now accepting public comment on these revised documents for 30 days.


EnOcean Alliance:
buildings controlled
over the Internet
The Internet protocol (IP) has become a
worldwide standard, with not only PCs
or laptops but many other different
devices communicating over the
Internet. Currently there is much
discussion of the idea of assigning
every socket and every lamp its own IP
address and then connecting them
over the Internet. What many do not
know is that today already all electric
appliances can be addressed over an
IP network — enabled by batteryless
wireless technology and matching
access points.

EnOcean's wireless solutions harvest the
power they need from their surroundings
— from motion, light or temperature
differences — and in this way enable
entirely energy-autonomous and
maintenance-free automation
applications. Teamed with the TCP/IP
protocol the user has possibilities
comparable to those of established
building automation systems plus cost-
savings in installation, huge simplification
of the cabling, and flexible configuration
of space.

For this reason the operators of a
retirement home in Germany decided to
install the batteryless wireless solution. In
a first step, the wireless system is being
installed in the new building of the
retirement community. Then the existing,
adjoining building is to be converted.
All public areas will be subsequently
fitted with combined presence sensors. opens the doors to the residents own windows and doors are open, how warm
These and LED’s will ensure that lighting apartment and all public areas. Entering it is in individual apartments.
is always optimal in corridors, recreation the apartment, the resident only has to Unobtrusively, residents can be assured
rooms, cafeteria and the like. At the insert the card in the holder next to the maximum comfort, convenience and
same time these presence detectors will door and electric appliances are security. Any serious deviation from
save energy because lights automatically immediately powered. Removing the card normal daily routine becomes visible.
turn off in rooms when they are will turn off lights and critical loads such
unoccupied. as a cooking plate. The wireless Automation of the retirement home
technology plus visualization software implements software from BSC, with its
In future the apartments will no longer enable staff to supervise the status of all IP-oriented architecture. It allows an
have mechanical keys. Every resident will
get an individual plastic card, which
appliances, as well as windows and
doors, so they know at all times which
unlimited number of sensors to be linked
and is easily expanded. Installed on all ➔


INCISOR TV
Video presentations
When it comes to assessing what is really
going on in the market, there is no substitute
for seeing products in action and hearing
100% accurate information from the people at
the sharp end. Incisor TV provides that insight.

Click on the links below to watch recent
Incisor TV presentations

IncisorTV at CES 2011 – Bluetooth Best of CES
IncisorTV at CES 2011 – Day 2
IncisorTV at CES 2011 – Day 1
Rococo discusses LocalSocial
Bluetooth High Speed Technology
Frontline – Interoperability testing
Bluetooth SIG BETS programme
Frontline – BPA500 protocol analyser
Aftermarket Bluetooth versus Factory fit
Who needs stress? Says Jabra
EnOcean Alliance –
energy harvesting technology
Aftermarket Bluetooth versus factory fit
Bluetooth 2010 All Hands Meeting
Anoto - 10 years of digital pen and paper
BiteBack Sweden
CES 2010 Daily Show report – Day 1
floors of the building are EnOcean access all chores to be handled with a single CES 2010 Daily Show report – Day 1
points with a LAN interface. These have device.
their own processor and memory for 3,000 CES 2010 Daily Show report – Day 1
EnOcean telegrams. In this way no sensor EnOcean technology and IP create perfect BiteBack Asia
signal is lost, even if the network or the solutions. EnOcean enabled devices
BiteBack USA
building computer briefly fails. An encoded possess a unique ID address, so they can
IP link enables the networks of the two be integrated seamlessly in an IP network BitBack UK
buildings to connect to one another. That through an access point. That does away IncisorTV commercial for CSR/SiRF merger
enables the nighttime staff in one building with any elaborate, extra web server
to take over supervision of the monitor in solution for each sensor and actuator. The DECT Forum and CAT-iq in 2009
the other building, when those are busy user is rewarded with more flexibility, Bluetooth SIG – Best of CES 2009
with an occupant. Another major comfort and convenience, accompanied
WiMedia Alliance – UWB in 2009
component is iPads for the staff, tied by by low installation costs and reduced
WLAN to the overall system. That enables power needs. Incisor showreel
WiMedia special - UWB - a high
performance solution / part 1
WiMedia special - UWB - a high
performance solution / part 2
The EnOcean Alliance is a consortium of companies have created over 700 WiMedia special - WiMedia and Bluetooth
leading companies from the building different products for applications ranging
sector promoting the energy harvesting from room thermostats through to WiMedia special - Updating the
wireless technology for green buildings. wireless window contacts up to smart grid WiMedia roadmap
Confirming this technology’s rapid solutions. All products are entirely WiMedia - The future for UWB
adoption rate, there are more than interoperable. This means that solutions
Bluetooth low energy wireless technology
100,000 worldwide equipped with the from different manufacturers can work
batteryless technology. Quickly becoming together in the same automation system. IncisorTV commercial for CSR –
the industry standard for sustainable Products incorporating the self-powered BlueCore7
buildings, energy harvesting wireless technology are easily to integrate into IncisorTV commercial for CSR RoadTunes
technology enables Alliance members to common building automation systems -
develop products used to improve the such as LON, KNX, BACnet or TCP/IP. IncisorTV commercial for CSR
energy efficiency and flexibility in BlueCore Player
buildings. More than 170 member www.enocean-alliance.org A guide to Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR
10 years of Bluetooth / Best Bluetooth
of CES 2008
CES 2008 – Profile of Parrot
Introducing Incisor
2007 Wireless Symposium


ZigBee Alliance:
Control Your World
By Benno Ritter, ZigBee Alliance,
VP Marketing and Business Development

Since 2002, the ZigBee® Alliance, a non- building automation, and industrial plant Controlling Your Energy Use
profit Standards Development management. The cornerstone of
Organization, has grown to a thriving, ZigBee’s success has been its open Before we begin talking about products, it’s
global ecosystem of approximately 400 standards approach that has spurred important to understand the capabilities
members. These include some of the innovative low-power wireless solutions and benefits. ZigBee Smart Energy™ is a
world’s industry-leading consumer designed to provide customers the tools global, low-energy consuming, low-cost
electronics manufacturers, technology and technology to better manage their wireless standard for interconnecting
and energy solution vendors, environment through the use of Wireless devices in home area networks (HANs) and
telecommunication service providers, Sensor Networks (WSNs). delivering advanced metering
utilities, energy service providers, infrastructures - essential components of
semiconductor companies and As standards evolve and products are the many Smart Grid efforts underway
manufacturers looking to develop launched, the Alliance continues building worldwide. Today, the majority of
innovative products based on ZigBee’s its momentum by applying its core WSN communication between consumers and
global wireless standards. Today, standards to new market applications. utilities is limited to monthly bills or
organizations use ZigBee to deliver One of the key areas gaining momentum is outages. ZigBee Smart Energy enables
solutions for a variety of areas, including the growing adoption of ZigBee Smart real-time wireless communication between
healthcare, consumer electronics, Energy™ and number of ZigBee Smart utilities or energy service providers, the
energy management and efficiency,
telecom services, home and commercial
Energy™ certified products in Smart Grid
deployments around the world.
Smart Grid and household devices such as
In-Home-Displays, thermostats, water ➔


heaters, and appliances. It gives Removing the direct “line of sight”
consumers the information to improve requirements gives consumers freedom to
their energy efficiency, save money and control devices from greater distances.
help the environment. Using ZigBee As an energy efficient standard,
Smart Energy, utilities and energy service consumers will enjoy remotes that last up
providers can offer valuable customer- to 300% longer than remotes using
centric programs such as demand infrared (IR) technology.
response, remote connect/disconnect,
“pay-as-you-use” and net metering. One of the newest Alliance initiatives this
year is to develop a standard that delivers
In January 2011, ZigBee Smart Energy the ultimate 3D viewing experience,
reached the 100th ZigBee Certified ZigBee 3D Sync. This standard creates a
product milestone. Various products more flexible and efficient connection
manufactured by 49 different companies between 3D HDTVs and active 3D
are available in every product category to glasses. ZigBee 3D Sync will also replace
implement a robust HAN, from energy IR technology used in today’s 3D
service portals to meters, In-Home- products, by providing a standard robust
Displays, programmable communicating radio frequency solution. Consumers will
thermostats and more. In order to make it enjoy greater freedom of movement while
easy for utilities and governments to wearing 3D glasses without disrupting 3D
deploy interoperable, secure, consumer- HDTV viewing.
friendly smart grid solutions, all ZigBee
Smart Energy products are required to
Smarter Health Controls
pass the ZigBee Certified product
program. ZigBee Health Care offers new ways to
help people maintain their independence
Currently, ZigBee Smart Energy is in and live healthier, happier lives. With
active deployment around the planet. ZigBee Health Care, the disabled and the
In the U.S., 11 utilities are installing more elderly are able to stay at home rather
than 40 million meters, with Texas and than in a hospital or assisted care facility.
California leading the pack with millions The result is a higher quality of life while
of meters installed. The State of Victoria lowering healthcare costs. Additionally,
in Australia has deployed meters and has it enables secure monitoring and
also begun installing water meters that management of noncritical, low-acuity
take advantage of ZigBee’s extraordinary healthcare services targeted at chronic
battery life. In the UK, British Gas has disease management.
announced it will use ZigBee Smart
Energy in its multi-million electric and gas ZigBee Health Care is a part of the
meter base. Continua Health Alliance’s 2010 guidelines
as the preferred low-power LAN standard
While much activity has been centered for health care products. Now any variety
around smart metering and devices in the of IEEE 11073 medical devices using
home that connect to the meter, work is ZigBee Health Care, including
starting on the plan to build the required glucometers, pulse oximeters,
infrastructure needed to support millions electrocardiographs, weight scales,
of Electric Vehicles (EVs). EVs represent thermometers, blood pressure monitors
special and very large loads and without and respirometers can connect to a
careful management of EV charging, our network and report health information.
current distribution system will collapse. ZigBee's extremely power efficient design
Recently the Society of Automotive is well suited to this class of device since
Engineers and the ZigBee Alliance it allows them to work for long periods of
announced a collaboration to use ZigBee time without needing battery replacement
Smart Energy to define how EVs and the or recharging.
grid interact.
More Choices for Control
Control for Your Consumer
Overall, ZigBee standards give product
Electronics
manufacturers a straightforward, ready-to-
For more flexibility and control, the implement solution to help their
Alliance has expanded the number of customers gain greater control of, and
standards designed for ZigBee RF4CE. even improve daily activities. A growing
This wireless platform provides a more number of ZigBee Certified products of all
advanced, energy-efficient solution for classes is a testament to the strength of
use in remote controls and accessories the ZigBee WSN standards in the
like keyboards and active 3D glasses. marketplace. And since the use of ZigBee
Remotes using the ZigBee Remote in the Internet of Things is limited only by
Control standard deliver two-way one’s imagination, the Alliance will
communications, so you know when the continue to offer more innovative
device has actually completed standards designed to help you control
commands. Another great feature is that your world.
it allows consumers to “just hit play,”
without aiming their remote at a player.


ZigBee propagation
testing for smart
metering networks
By David Egan, Product Marketing Director
and Simon McCarthy, Field Application Engineer
at Ember Corporation

The UK Government requires energy be argued that UK housing stock uses Ember’s SoC is particularly suitable for this
suppliers to take all reasonable steps to different building materials. Yet numerous type of testing for two reasons;
deploy smart meters at customer ZigBee products are already in use in
residences by 2019, with the mass Europe, mainly in home automation or • It can support transmission power of
rollout to start in 2014. ZigBee Smart lighting markets, and major European +8dBm and receive sensitivity of -
Energy is a potential solution to be used manufacturers have satisfied themselves of 102dBm, a dynamic link budget of
in smart metering home area networks the propagation performance of ZigBee. 110dBm and transmitting close to the
(HAN), which will include electric However, no-one has published their test legal limit of +10dBm without the
meters, gas meters and in-home data to inform the market in general. expense and power consumption of an
displays. As well as the maturity and external PA or LNA; and
popularity of the ZigBee Smart Energy With the increased interest in smart • The EM357 is a popular chip used in
application profile, ZigBee’s essential metering in the UK tempered by the lack of many ZigBee Smart Energy HAN
strength is its self-healing mesh available published material, Ember has devices in the US and the UK, so it is
networking capability, ensuring robust worked with a number of organizations to directly relevant to the market.
communications. test ZigBee propagation. Ember has
provided its ZigBee technology for these The following are two examples, as well as
However, many of these early HANs will tests, including the EM357 ZigBee system- the results, where Ember has supported
not contain enough mains-powered on-chip (SoC), as well as technical this type of testing: the University of
devices to create a mesh with alternate information and advice on RF and ZigBee Sheffield and EDF Energy.
paths. And in many cases an in-home matters.
display or gas meter will need to be able to
communicate directly with an electric
meter or communications hub. Additional
routers would ensure robust
communications, but they would add to
support and hardware costs. This
highlights a need to examine the point-to-
point propagation properties of ZigBee,
which operates in unlicenced radio bands
in the 2.4GHz spectrum. Some who have
had poor experiences with propagation of
other 2.4GHz solutions may fear that
ZigBee will be similarly challenged in real
homes, resulting in communication failures
and negatively impacting the consumer
experience.

Widespread use of ZigBee Smart Energy in
US smart metering programme is of little
comfort, because US regulations allow Trial 1 - Windows Closed, Ground Floor, (First Floor), [Second Floor]
devices to transmit at much higher power

➔
levels (100mW/+20dBm) than in the UK Figure 1: Plan of one of the tests carried out by University of Sheffield
and Europe (10mW/+10dBm). It could also (source: University of Sheffield interim report draft, March 2011)


University of Sheffield tests The figure (on page 16) from University of apartment block. Again, the EM357 was used
Sheffield shows results from one of the in this site survey, which has subsequently
The University of Sheffield’s apartment blocks tested. been published by EDF Energy into the
Communications Group within the SMDG HAN Workgroup working within the
Department of Electronic and Electrical The results are very informative, showing the Smart Metering Implementation Programme
Engineering has expertise in radio reference device (fixed node) in one corner in the UK. The paper can be found here:
propagation modeling, active and passive of the building on the ground floor, and RSSI https://sites.google.com/site/ smdghanwg/
frequency selective surfaces (FSS), readings from various positions on ground home/real-world-experiences/EDF2010
antenna systems and wireless systems floor, first floor and second floor. ZigBeePropagationTesting.pdf?attredirects
design. This group has conducted ZigBee =0&d=1
propagation tests using the EM357 SoC The receive signal strength (RSSI) values
and is close to publishing an interim shed light on how the signal weakens as it Figure 3 shows a similar pattern to the
report, which will detail controlled, goes through internal walls as well as free University of Sheffield tests. In this case the
scientific tests carried out in a number of space. It also indicates the importance of tests being carried out from a fixed node
reference building types, including terraced good choice of radio and good PCB design. inside a meter cabinet in the centre of one
house with basement and apartment For example, a test using radios capable of apartment block floor to different points in
blocks. transmitting at +5dBm with -95dBm receive each of six apartments on that same floor.
sensitivity would represent a 10dB
The tests incorporate typical positions of difference in dynamic link budget and would Summary
meters and in-home displays. They include have significantly worsened these results.
With growing interest in using ZigBee for
a fixed device, usually positioned where a The forthcoming report will contain many
smart metering HANs in the UK and elsewhere
meter would be located such as a more tests like this and should be of great
in Europe, testing propagation properties of
basement or at the front door. A second interest to the market.
these devices at 2.4GHz is important to
device, which is located at different
advise technology selection, architectural
positions around the building, sends The LQI values are also very interesting.
design and deployment plans. Independently
messages to the fixed device. The signals Values of 255 indicate a good quality link,
conducted tests are becoming available to
were measured, recording both RSSI whilst lesser values indicate the presence of
advise this process, and these can only serve
(Received Signal Strength Indicator, in chip errors in the received packets. An LQI
to encourage greater understanding of ZigBee
dBm) and LQI (Link Quality Indicator, a 0- of 0 can still result in a successfully received
propagation in the smart metering community.
255 value). packet, but it is an indication that it would
take very little to change in the environment
It could be suggested that ZigBee at 2.4GHz
to change that to a lost signal.
is a satisfactory solution for smart metering
HANs in the UK based on testing done so far
Point Distance RSSI RSSI RSSI LQI EDF Energy site survey
using best in class ZigBee radios and good
(mm) (min) (avg) (max)
Ember assisted EDF Energy in testing RF implementations.
(GROUND FLOOR) ZigBee propagation as part of a site survey
L3 4225 -64 -64 -64 255 for a smart metering installation in an www.ember.com
L1 4576 -72 -70.5 -70 255
L2 5661 -80 -78.8 -77 255
L4 7890 -67 -67 -67 255
L5 8147 -88 -87.3 -87 255
L7 10525 -86 -85.5 -85 255
L6 10666 -96 -95.2 -94 80
L8 10984 -96 -94.3 -93 114
L9 12171 -90 -88.5 -88 255
L10 13598 -92 -91.3 -91 252
L11 13670 -96 -94.7 -94 151
L12 16430 -96 -95.5 -95 57

Point Distance RSSI RSSI RSSI LQI
(mm) (min) (avg) (max)
(FIRST FLOOR)
L0 3230 -72 -71.2 -71 255
L3 5318 -85 -84.3 -84 255
L1 5601 -85 -84.5 -84 255
L2 6518 -96 -95.7 -95 65
L4 8526 -88 -88 -88 255
L5 8764 -93 -92.2 -92 236
L6 11144 -95 -94.2 -93 165
L8 11449 -97 -96.5 -96 18
L7 11009 --- --- --- ---
(SECOND FLOOR)
L0 6460 -97 -94.8 -94 136
L3 7719 -96 -95.7 -95 40
L1 7917 -94 -93.5 -93 209
L2 8589 -96 -96 -96 0
L4 10197 -96 -95.8 -95 2

Table 1: Table showing test results related
to figure 1 (Source: University of Sheffield interim Figure 3: EDF Energy propagation tests (Source: SMDG HAN Work Group
report draft, March 2011). https://sites.google.com/site/smdghanwg/home/real-world-experiences/EDF2010ZigBee PropagationTesting.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1)


Incisor interview:
Nordic
Thomas Søderholm,
Nordic Semiconductor
Semiconductor
Thomas Søderholm, Business Development Manager
at Nordic Semiconductor, discusses wireless sensor
trends in 2011 with Vince Holton of Incisor

VH: How do you predict worldwide market health monitoring of patients in their Bluetooth low energy may well be a
demand for wireless sensors will develop homes (rather than them taking up an popular alternative, but the technology is
in 2011? expensive hospital bed). only currently available in low volume. In
comparison, Nordic’s proprietary
TS: Nordic Semiconductor’s key market is Although Infrared (IR) remote controls will nRF24LE1/Gazell RF technology, for
ultra-low power (ULP) wireless connectivity be around for some time yet, the way example, is ideally suited to RF remote
in the 2.4GHz ISM band. We make silicon modern consumers access digital media control. It is a proven technology already
radio solutions that can operate from coin will only be realized through the advanced used on millions of “wireless desktops”,
cell batteries and consequently provide a functionality enabled by an RF link. RF employing inexpensive, robust,
wireless connection for the most compact technology provides a faster response, bi- interference immune 2.4GHz
electronic devices, including sensors. directional connection (IR is only one-way), transceivers.
non-line of sight control and extended
There are thousands of potential range compared to IR. And only RF has A recent commercial report concluded
applications for such a wireless link so, sufficient bandwidth over a bi-directional the use of “body worn electronics
despite the recent tough times, we believe link to support advanced user interfaces wireless sensors” could save the health
2011 will continue to show good growth in while consuming modest battery power care industry US$25 billion by 2012. ULP
our market segment. There are three key and meeting mass-market cost 2.4GHz wireless sensors with long
reasons for this confidence: first, the ULP constraints. battery life - monitoring vital signs such
wireless connectivity segment is in its as blood pressure, pulse and blood
infancy so there is large growth potential ZigBee-based RF4CE (Remote Control for glucose - can link to existing cellular or
even if the world economy remains weak Consumer Electronics) has been touted as Internet infrastructure allowing patients to
for the whole of 2011; second, existing a good technology for RF remote control shorten or avoid expensive hospital stays
wireless products that were originally but seems to be failing to live up to its while still being in frequent electronic
designed using older 27/49MHz early promise. In the medium term, contact with their health care providers.
technology are migrating to technically
superior 2.4GHz technology (Nordic has
particularly seen high volume sales into the
PC peripherals market due to this
migration); and third, Nordic is launching
some exciting new products this year, in
addition to its µBlue™ nRF8001 Bluetooth
low energy solution. Bluetooth low energy
extends the Bluetooth wireless technology
ecosystem by adding ULP wireless
connectivity.

VH: Which applications or markets will
bring the biggest business opportunities
for your company in 2011?

TS: Nordic sees two strategic areas for its
ULP wireless connectivity technology in
2011: RF for remote control and remote
Sony Ericsson’s Xperia neo will soon benefit
from ANT+ ULP wireless connectivity ➔

ZigBee Energy Management and Sensor Centric Applications

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