Notes from Korea by Pat Burns | Dash7 Blog

by Pat Burns
"I had the pleasure of being the one of the keynote speakers at last week’s RFID/USN conference in Seoul where I was able to share thoughts on DASH7 with probably the greatest concentration of RFID and sensor networking leadership in one room that I have seen in a while. Put simply, Korea as a nation “gets” the IoT and the cooperation across industries and technologies, including government support, is a role model for other nations. Most important takeaway for me: the convergence of “RFID”, “USN” or “WSN” as it is more commonly referred to in N America and the EU, and cellular. I saw many examples of all of these technologies rapidly combining in novel ways that suggest the “old” labels for these technologies are probably not going to apply for long. Most importantly, from a DASH7 perspective, is the bridge between “active” RFID and WSN — different standards bodies, different ecosystems, and slightly different applications, but it is becoming extremely clear that both the active RFID camps and the WSN camps are going to have to collaborate more closely in the interests of interoperability for customers. We are already doing this within DASH7, but I suspect we will do even more of it in the future.

If you have not attended this event in the past, I would strongly recommend marking this event on your calendar for December 2011 if you are interested in staying close to the global IoT leadership taking place in Korea."

Source: Notes from Korea | Dash7 Blog

Sprint, Digi Introduce First Commercial 4G Routers

Digi International and Sprint have partnered to provide the first commercial-grade integrated 4G routers for connectivity to remote sites, devices and device/sensor networks via 4G networks.
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The Digi Connect WAN 4G has flexible device interfaces including RS-232 serial, USB and Ethernet for device connectivity. The ConnectPort X4 4G features ZigBee to WiMAX, so it can connect to ZigBee-enabled wireless devices or sensors on a network. For harsh environments, there is a version that comes with a NEMA X4/IP66 enclosure

Read More: here

SGIP readies 3 new standards, plans to build database for them | SmartGridToday

"The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP) and some standards development organizations (SDOs) finished joint initial work on three standards, and SGIP will now build a database that NIST, FERC, utilities and vendors can use to ensure smart devices and meters work together securely, the group's governing board said yesterday.  But one challenge still facing the year-old SGIP is to ensure smart meters connecting to HANs through early versions of the ZigBee communications protocol are not marginalized by that standard's subsequent progress."


Read More: SGIP readies 3 new standards, plans to build database for them | SmartGridToday

GE creates home energy unit in smart-grid play

"General Electric has created a Home Energy Management business in a bid to apply digital technologies to energy efficiency in consumers' homes and the electric grid, the company said today.
The business unit, part of GE Appliances & Lighting, combines "smart" appliances and an Internet-based home energy management system called Nucleus, which is set for release next year.
By making a single business unit for home energy, GE is trying to focus its efforts on consumer interest in smart-grid technologies geared at using energy more efficiently, the company said."

GE's Nucleus software displays real-time and historical energy use. (Image courtesy: GE | CNET)

Read more: GE creates home energy unit in smart-grid play | CNET News

Smart Metering Leader Itron Joins IPSO Alliance

Goal to drive adoption of full end-to-end IP solutions for utility metering

Colorado Springs, CO – Dec. 1, 2010 – The IPSO Alliance, the organization defining the “Internet of Things,” today announced that Itron has become a Promoter member of the IPSO Alliance. By working with IPSO, Itron aims to drive and support full end-to-end IP solutions for the smart metering and smart grid markets. Itron’s products and solutions provide critical knowledge empowering customers to make informed decisions about the distribution and use of energy and water.

“As a leading global supplier of end-to-end solutions, Itron is pleased to be part of IPSO and we look forward to working with like-minded organizations to promote the use of IP for networking solutions,” said Patrick Mortel, Smart Metering Director, Itron International. “IP is a secure solution based on open standards which allows for interoperability, a key part of Itron’s philosophy. A secure, interoperable solution is vital to ensure the successful implementation of the Smart Grid,” he added.

“Having Itron join IPSO further solidifies IP as the technology best suited to provide a consistent and reliable way to deliver Smart Energy technology and solutions into homes and businesses,” said IPSO’s Chairman, Geoff Mulligan. “We look forward to working with Itron on their efforts to deliver globally a more secure and intelligent energy infrastructure.”

As a promoter member Itron may participate in meetings and committees, use the Alliance’s technical guidelines and case studies; demonstrate their products at meetings, trade shows and other Alliance events. They also will be able to qualify their products and services in the interoperability program.

About Itron
At Itron, we’re dedicated to delivering end-to-end smart grid and smart distribution solutions to electric, gas and water utilities around the globe. Our company is the world’s leading provider of smart metering, data collection and utility software systems, with nearly 8,000 utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Our offerings include electricity, gas, water and heat meters; network communication technology; collection systems and related software applications; and professional services. To realize your smarter energy and water future, start here: www.itron.com.

Source: IPSO Alliance