TIA forms standards group for embedded wireless devices

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TIA forms standards group for embedded wireless devices

By CAROLINE GABRIEL

Published: 19 November, 2009

READ MORE: Standards | Devices

One of the key themes of this year has been the extension of mobile IP networks to a host of devices that go well beyond the handset, including consumer products like ebook readers with embedded 3G, right down to industrial or even body monitors, smart grids and a myriad other 'smart' gadgets. Carriers like AT&T have set up dedicated initiatives to get these onto their networks to support new revenue models, but there is a real risk of complete chaos, and non-viable cost structures, if most of these devices cannot communicate.

Hence the creation of the mobile world's latest standards effort, the SDC (Smart Device Communications) engineering committee, under the auspices of the TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association). The group will focus on standards to enable, monitor and ensure interoperable interfaces to the network for all classes of gadget.

The committee, officially known as TR-50, aims to produce a standard protocol for communicating with smart devices used in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, home automation, transport, entertainment, semiconductors, communications and energy distribution (smart grid).

"While other protocols may accommodate accessing subsets of information and events, no other organization addresses common requirements and interoperability of essential intelligent/smart devices across industries," said Charles Kenmore, chairman of the TIA's standards and technical committee, in a statement.

TR-50 will work to incorporate the best of many specifications that have been created in various sectors over the past 15 years to create a flexible, adaptive protocol that will include future proofing and be easily tailored for different markets and usage scenarios.

Companies declaring their involvement at this initial stage include Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Intel, ILS, LG, Motorola, Nokia Siemens, Qualcomm, Telcordia, Tyco, Verari Systems and Ygomi. Samsung and the Chinese giants are absent at this time.