STANDARDS & PROTOCOL GROUPS
CABA's Standards Committee has accepted a new challenge for 2001 and beyond: "to facilitate and encourage industry-wide interoperability of protocols and standards". The first activity will be to work with the following list of Standards and Protocol Groups to develop standardized protocol summary documents. The CABA Standards Committee and many CABA members agree that these profiles will become a valuable tool for everyone in the industry to become familiar with the different protocols and standards, and to help achieve interoperability and grow the industry. There will be frequent changes to these profiles as the standards and protocols evolve. Check back often for the latest updates.
· 1394 Trade Association (1394ta)
· 802.11a (5GHz Wireless Local Area Networks)
· BACnet Manufacturers Association
· Bluetooth
· CEBus Industry Council (CIC)
· DSL Forum
· Extend The Internet Alliance (ETI Alliance)
· Home Audio Video Interoperability (HAVi)
· Home Electronic System (HES)
· Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA)
· HomePlug
· HomeRF Working Group
· IEC/ISO JTC1 SC25Working Group 1
· Jini





· LonMark Interoperability Association
· Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGi)
· R7-Consumer Electronic Association (CEA)
· Salutation Consortium
· Universal Plug and Play Forum
· Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) Forum
· Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA)
Update:
1394 Trade Association Leaders Expect Rapid Growth in 2001; Multimedia Standard Expands into Home Networking with Powerful New Versatile Home Network Demo Sponsored by CEA
Consumer electronics and computer product users can expect continued strong adoption of the 1394/FireWire/i/Link multimedia standard this year. More and more PCs will have the 1394 multiemdia interface, and the new, faster, 1394b version is being adopted in an increasing number of new product designs.
On Jan. 8th, 1394 TA Chair James Snider and Vice Chair Max Bassler led a CES discussion forum at the largest CES ever, predicting extension of the standard across all industry sectors. They also pledged to continue a comprehensive program of interoperability and compatibility efforts worldwide. "1394 is now at the inflection point," said Snider of Texas Instruments, Inc. "We are now estimating, conservatively, that there will be more than 25 million 1394-equipped PCs shipped in the year 2001. We also expect to hear more about 1394's leading role in home networking, in automotive electronics and telematics, and of the advancement of the standard to 800 megabits per second speeds."
Bassler described the inaugural demonstrations of audio and video over the 1394 bus in a new Lincoln Navigator, which was outfitted for display at the 1394 Trade Association's booth at CES. "1394 provides an ideal multimedia backbone for a complete set of video and audio systems in the vehicle," said Bassler. "We believe that telematic applications are going to be one of the most exciting and fastest-growing applications for the standard."
Snider also announced the formation of the Wireless Working Group inside the 1394 Trade Association. Initial members include Intel, Microsoft, Sony, Matsushita, NEC, Texas Instruments and Philips. Other members will be announced soon. Scott Smyers of Sony Corporation and the 1394 Trade Association board emphasized that the new group will explore ways to take advantage of existing wireless protocols and standards alongside 1394 and does not intend to establish a specification that competes with other wireless alternatives.
Another leader in the 1394 development effort, Michael Teener of Zayante, Inc. predicted that, "digital video and television will come to the fore," with most of the DTVs now incorporating the 1394 standard. He added that the audio effort "is also beginning now, and doing well. There will be some very interesting 1394-based audio announcements in 2001, with systems moving to production in the next year," he said. Teener, who has been a leader in the development of the 1394b specification, noted its enhanced speeds -- to 800 Megabits per second and on to 1.6 Gigabits/second - along with the added distances, simpler construction, and other benefits of the 'b' version.
Powerful Versatile Home Network Demo Features 1394 Backbone
The 1394 standard also played a pivotal role in a powerful comprehensive home networking demonstration conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association during the first two days of CES.
The demo was the first public display of simultaneous transmission of multiple video stream, IP telephony, controls and music over 100 meters of CAT5 copper cable using IP over a 1394 backbone.
VHN is a standard for interconnecting device and cluster networks in a home to each other and to the access providers and services outside the home, using IP over a 1394 backbone. It provides a standard for a home intranet that allows networked devices to communicate with each other regardless of the protocol used. All devices also can be linked to the home's access providers over xDSL, cable modems, dial-up services, and satellite modem. Other networks that are being connected include a high-speed powerful carrier network providing music over the backbone and a powerline carrier lighting controller using the LonTalk (EIA709) protocol. The simulated home entertainment cluster over 1394a featured audio-video sources on one end of the backbone and displays on the other.
"The VHN demo was far more than just the most exciting and comprehensive demonstration of home networking over 1394 at CES this year," noted the CEA's Bill Rose. "It is a clear example of what can be done when an industry works together - companies, consortia and standards organizations - to solve one of the most intractable problems facing home networking today: incompatible standards and protocols. By allowing all products to be connected regardless of the protocol used, VHN and the Consumer Electronics Association have taken a tremendous leap forward toward the promise of Integrated Home Networking."
For more information about products, technology and development of IEEE 1394 - including an update on 1394b - please visit the 1394 Trade Association web site at www.1394ta.org
The 1394 Trade Association includes more than 170 members worldwide dedicated to the advancement and proliferation of the 1394 standard, also known as FireWire and i.LINK. The 1394 Trade Association headquarters is located at 2350 Mission College Blvd., Suite 350, Santa Clara, Calif., 95054, tel: 408-748-9416.

Update:
BACnet Lighting Controls Workshop Held. (12/00) The Building and fire Research Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology hosted a workshop on BACnet technology for lighting control applications on December 12, 2000. This workshop brought together lighting control researchers and industry experts to discuss issues and experience related to using BACnet in lighting control applications. The result of the workshop was a commitment to continue the dialog and to establish a task group of experts from ASHRAE, NEMA and IES to explore lighting application needs and possible enhancements to the BACnet protocol.
BIG-EU Announces Training Schedule for 2001. (12/00) The BACnet Interest Group - Europe has announced its schedule of German-language BACnet training sessions for 2001. Training classes will beheld in Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Radebeul/Dresden, and Munich. Additional details are available at the BIG-EU website www.BIG-EU.org.
Public Review of Addenda 135d, 135e, and Standard 135.1P Begins. (12/00) ASHRAE has formally announced the start of the public review periods of Addenda d and e to BACnet together with the long-awaited companion standard 135.1P, Method of Testing Conformance to BACnet. As the public review is the first for each document, the duration of each review will be 60 days, starting December 1, 2000, and ending on January 30, 2001. Copies of the official documents can be retrieved from the ASHRAE website www.ASHRAE.org.
Addendum 135d replaces the original Clause 22, Conformance and Specification, with a new clause, Conformance and Interoperability. In addition, a new Annex A, Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement (PICS), is proposed along with new Annexes K and L which define "BACnet Interoperability Building Blocks" (BIBBs) and provide descriptions and profiles of "Standardized BACnet Devices."
Addendum 135e contains 3 independent substantive changes to the standard. The most important is probably the addition of a new optional property, Profile_Name, that refers to an external source of information that describes other properties added to standard object types or that make up a non-standard object type. This will provide a standard method by which implementers can add proprietary properties to existing objects or create new objects that may allow mapping to non-BACnet object-oriented protocols.
Proposed standard 135.1P Method of Test for Conformance to BACnet is a companion standard to ANSI/ASHRAE 135-1995 that contains detailed tests for every feature of the BACnet protocol. It provides the basis for a testing and listing programs that is being established by the BACnet Manufacturers Association and the BACnet Interest Group-Europe.
Chinese Translation of BACnet Released! Beijing, China. (11/00) Among the highlights of the Intelligent Buildings 2000 Forum and Exhibition (November 27 - December 1, in Beijing) was the release of the recently completed translation of BACnet into Chinese. The 2-day forum and subsequent 3-day exhibition were sponsored by the Committee of Intelligent Building Experts, many of whose members are officials of the Ministry of Construction, directed by Mr. Lin Xuancai.
BMA Sponsors BACnet Interoperability Workshop. Gaithersburg, MD. (11/00) The BACnet Manufacturers Association held its first BACnet Interoperability Workshop, November 14-15, 2000, at NIST's Building and Fire Research Laboratory in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The workshop was attended by representatives of 12 organizations including Alerton, American Auto-Matrix, Automated Logic, Cimetrics, Cornell University, Delta Controls, Johnson Controls, Lithonia Lighting, NIST, Siemens, Simplex and Teletrol. The workshop provided an opportunity to test the interoperability of products from the BMA member companies attending as well as the basic operation of the implementations involved. The testing included pair-wise set-ups as well as larger networks of devices. The goal of the session was to find any interoperability issues that need to be discussed and resolved prior to the start of BTL testing. The BMA is expected to announce at the ASHRAE meeting in Janaury that they will begin accepting applications for testing BACnet products. Testing is expected to begin in February.
ISO TC 205 Approves BACnet as ISO Committee Draft. Tromsø, Norway. (8/00) On August 5, 2000, the delegates of 15 countries unanimously approved a resolution within the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) Technical Committee 205, Building Environment Design, to make BACnet an official "Committee Draft" or "CD". CDs are circulated to member countries for review and comment. Once the comments are received, deliberated, and any necessary changes implemented, a CD may move on to become a "Draft International Standard" and then, finally, a full-fledged "International Standard."
The document approved for circulation includes the original BACnet standard with approved and published Addenda a and b, and proposed Addenda c, d, and e. The countries approving BACnet's promotion to CD status were: Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Japan, Korea, Norway, Spain, UK and the USA.
Update:
Bluetooth SIG Update
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is a consortium of companies that develop and promote the Bluetooth global wireless cable replacement technology. This encompasses driving the technology to be safe and legal to use globally, develop technical, profile, test specifications and vectors that enable the Bluetooth usage models and promote interoperability across different devices. And finally to promote interoperability and quality of Bluetooth devices by setting qualification policies and administrating Bluetooth test facilities. This is the fourth year of the Bluetooth SIG and it continues to grow (currently around 2,100 different companies with about 250 engineers actively working on SIG activities). Last year the Bluetooth SIG officially launched its qualification program and the number of qualified products has grown to 88 with the number of Bluetooth Qualification Body members (BQBs) reaching 25. This year the SIG will start licensing the official Bluetooth qualification vectors and will then start qualifying official Bluetooth Test Facilities (BTFs). Accomplishments for the last year include:
· Successful UnPlugfest-2 (March, Monterey California, 59 platforms)
· Successful 2000 European Bluetooth Developer’s Conference in Monte Carlo (attended by over 2000 people)
· Announcement of the first end user Bluetooth products
· Successful UnPlugfest-3 (August, Nice France, 86 platforms)
· Achieved spectrum harmonization in France (to join Japan and Spain successes)
· Held the UnPlugfest-4 (November, Bellevue Washington, 130 platforms)
· Bluetooth SIG incorporates as Bluetooth SIG Inc.
· Bluetooth technology won the PC Magazine Technology Excellence award at Comdex
· Successful 2000 North American Bluetooth Developer’s Conference in San Jose (attended by over 3000 people)
· Published the 1.1 draft specification (to be ratified end of January)
· Published the 0.95 Universal Plug and Play Profile specification (to be ratified
Additionally the SIG has established 11 new working groups (Audio/Visual, Car, ESDP, HID, Imaging, Local Positioning, PAN, Printing, UDI profile groups and the co-existence and Radio2 technology groups), four new study groups (for ISDN, HCI, Financial Transactions, and Industrial Automation) and one expert group (Automotive). The Bluetooth SIG continues its work with the IEEE in establishing the Bluetooth technology as the 802.15.1 WPAN standard and on co-existence solutions with the 802.11 standard. The Bluetooth SIG expects a rapid introduction of Bluetooth based products this year.
Jim Kardach
Chairman of the Board, Bluetooth SIG Inc.

Update: CEBus Industry Council
2001 will be an interesting and exciting time for the home automation industry and CEBus. This year will see a lot of new CEBus products from several CIC member companies. CEBus has been a long time in maturing, but finally the installer will be provided with a wide choice of solutions from several companies. Among the CIC member companies having solutions or introducing new products this year are:
· CutlerHammer continues to sell its line of advanced power management devices, including its unique CEBus Power Manager designed to be installed in the circuit breaker panel.
· Domosys with a new CEBus enabled integrated chip called the U-Chip. The U-Chip™ integrates a high-performance and multi-featured 8052 core developed for aerospace and military applications, which makes it an interesting general-purpose 8-bit microcontroller. In its flash memory version, the complete firmware of the U-Chip, including the protocol physical layer, can be uploaded remotely over the LAN. Domosys continues to sell several other versions of CEBus enabled chips and several tools designed to simplify CEBus product development.
· Emerald Gateway International operating under the DSC Home Systems umbrella with a complete new line of two-way CEBus lighting and energy management devices that will integrate with DSC’s security controllers. These items include a CEBus enabled control panel, an X10 to CEBus converter, a CEBus/RS-232 bridge, a CEBus LCD display and several other products.
· Electronic Design Technology with a line of CEBus lighting control devices that include several versions of light switches, multi-button switches, flush mount outlet, and fixture load controls. Many of these devices incorporate a unique sensor connection design to reduce the overall cost of installation. The sensor line includes, temperature, moisture, motion and various other sensors.
· GE-Smart with a second generation of lighting control products specially designed to operate without the need for a central controller. The SmartGear line includes light switches, plug in lamp port, contact port, appliance port, sensor port. The first generation SmartOne line of products is also available with a central controller.
· Smart-America is enabling their popular home automation controllers with CEBus HomePnP support. This will enable the controllers to communicate with a variety of other CEBus HomePnP enable devices.
Additional information on each company and their contact information can be found at www.ch.cutler-hammer.com/apc/, www.emeraldgateway.com, www.eldetec.com, www.ge-smart.com, www.smart-america.com, www.cebus.org.
The advantages of CEBus are that every CEBus HomePnP device is capable of communicating with every other CEBus HomePnP device over the powerline without the need for new wires. Many CEBus HomePnP devices can be installed without the need for a central controller, which enables CEBus HomePnP devices to be used to provide solutions for many simple automation problems. Alternatively CEBus HomePnP devices can be networked with a central controller for larger and more extensive automation projects. CEBus products are an ideal solution for retrofitting an existing house or building using the existing powerlines because they do not require any additional wiring to be installed. CEBus products also provide an ideal solution for new construction enabling the automation designer to work with the builder’s preferred electrician and not having to provide extensive training for that electrician. Manufacturers benefit because the CEBus HomePnP standard is a non-proprietary protocol based upon an open standard (EIA 600), which does not require the manufacturer to be tied to an obscure and proprietary standard.
The CEBus Industry Council continues its support and development of the Microsoft led Simple Control Protocol (SCP) standard for the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) standard.
Profile:
Protocol CEBus
Standard(s) EIA-600
Home Plug and Play
Mission To control systems within the home in a reliable and cost-effective manner. These devices must interact in a way that is transparent and easy for the end-user.
Problems Addressed/
Issues · Retrofit market. CEBus powerline devices are suitable for existing housing.
· Reliability. Earlier generations of home automation technology lacked the reliability to be useful for mission critical applications such as HVAC.
· Earlier technologies were limited to one-way transmission of messages. CEBus devices use two-way communication which allows messages to be acknowledged.
· Earlier powerline carrier technology required powerlines being 'alive'. CEBus can work in the absence of power on the lines.
· Earlier protocols were limited to issuing a set of simple commands. CEBus messages can contain any sort of information.
Approach Spread-spectrum powerline carrier signal with full network layer management for reliability.
Status CIC (CEBus Industry Council) member companies will be coming to market with some very exciting new CEBus products in 2001. These products include:
· CutlerHammer continues to sell its line of advanced power management devices, including its unique CEBus Power Manager, which has been designed for installation into the circuit breaker panel.
· Domosys with a new CEBus enabled integrated chip called the U-Chip. The U-Chip"integrates a high-performance and multi-featured 8052 core developed for aerospace and military applications, which makes it an interesting general-purpose 8-bit microcontroller. In its flash memory version, the complete firmware of the U-Chip, including the protocol physical layer, can be uploaded remotely over the LAN. Domosys continues to sell several other versions of CEBus enabled chips and several tools designed to simplify CEBus product development.
· Emerald Gateway International with a new line of two-way CEBus devices that will integrate with DSCs security controllers. Among these items are a CEBus enabled control panel, a CEBus to X-10 converter, a CEBus to RS-232 converter and several other products.
· Electronic Design Technology with a line of CEBus lighting control devices that include several versions of light switches, multi-button switches, flush mount outlet, and fixture load controls. Many of these devices incorporate a unique sensor connection design to reduce the overall cost of installation. The sensor line includes temperature, moisture, motion and various other sensors.
· GE-SMART with a second generation of lighting control products specially designed to operate without the need for a central controller. The SmartGear line includes light switches, plug in lamp port, contact port, appliance port, sensor port. The first generation SmartOne line of products is also available with a central controller.
· Smart-America is enabling their popular home automation controllers with CEBus HomePnP support. This will enable the controllers to communicate with a variety of other CEBus HomePnP enable devices.
Applications Lighting and small appliance control
Home comfort (HVAC) control
Energy Management
Home Security
Appliance Monitoring
Information and Data Services
Advantages/
Benefits · Because it uses existing powerlines, CEBus devices can be added with no new wiring
· CEBus technology is reliable and robust enough to be used with mission critical applications such as HVAC
· CEBus can work in the absence of power on the power-lines
· Communication reliability and the ability to use encryption make CEBus ideal for applications like home security
· CEBus messages can be in the form of information (ie not just control signals)
· Faster data rate than previous technologies
Limitations · CEBus technology is capable of operating with wireless (RF) carrier. However, at the present time only powerline chipsets are available.
· CEBus is designed with sufficient bandwidth for applications such as home automation and energy management. It cannot handle data rates required for computer networking.
Major Sponsors GE-SMART, DSC Home Systems (EGi), Domosys, EDT, Cutler-Hammer, Smart-America
Number of members 15
Web site www.cebus.org
Contact cebus-staff@cebus.org
Communications media CEBus is defined to work on AC Powerlines, Twisted pair connections and over RF networks.
Communications rate 10Kbps
OSI layer(s) CEBus implements the following OSI layers:
Physical Layer
Data Link Layer
Network Layer
Application Layer
CEBus also combines aspects of the Transport Layer into its Application Layer and introduces a Network Layer Management module for global house-keeping etc.

DSL Forum
Coming soon . . .
This profile has not yet been received by CABA. When it is available, it will be posted here. Check back often for updates.
In the meantime, you can visit the DSL Forum Web site at http://www.dslforum.org. TECHNICAL REPORT
ADSLForumTR-001
ADSL Forum System Reference Model
Contents
1.0 Overall Network and ADSL
2.0 System Reference Model
Abstract
This technical report presents an ADSL-based System Reference Model and defines all relavent interfaces present in an ADSL Access Network.
© 1997 Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line Forum. All Rights Reserved.
ADSL Forum technical reports may be copied, downloaded, stored on a server or otherwise re-distributed in their entirety only (inlcuding this copyright and legend).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, The ADSL Forum makes no representation or warrany, expressed or implied, concerning this publication, its contents or the completeness, accuracy, or applicability of any information contained in this publication. No liability of any kind shall be assumed by The ADSL Forum as a result of reliance upon any information contained in this publication. The ADSl Forum does not assume any responsiblity to update or correct any information in this publication.
The receipt or any use of this document or its contents does not in any way create by implication or otherwise any express or implied license or right to or under any patent, copyright, trademark or trade secret rights which are or may be associated with the ideas, techniques, concepts or expressions contained herein.
1.0 Overall Network and ADSL
The ADSL Forum develops technical guidelines for architectures, interfaces, and protocols for telecommunications networks incorporating ADSL transceivers. The overall network diagram below describes the network elements incorporated in multimedia communications, shows the scope of the Forum's work, and suggests a group of transport configurations ADSL will encounter as networks migrate from Synchronous Transfer Mode (STM) to Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). ADSL Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line STM Synchronous Transfer Mode
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode TE Terminal Equipment
OS Operations System See System Reference Model for reference
PDN Premises Distribution Network point definitions
SM Service Module
2.0 System Reference Model
Definitions
ATU-C: ADSL Transmission Unit at the network end. The ATU-C may be integrated within an Access Node.
ATU-R: ADSL transmission Unit at the customer premises end. The ATU-R may be integrated within an SM.
Access Node: Concentration point for Broadband and Narrowband data. The Access Node may be located at a Central Office or a remote site. Also, a remote Access Node may subtend from a central access node.
B: Auxiliary data input (such as a satellite feed) to Service Module (such as a Set Top Box).
Broadcast: Broadband data input in simplex mode (typically broadcast video).
Broadband Network: Switching system for data rates above 1.5/2.0 Mbps.
Loop: Twisted-pair copper telephone line. Loops may differ in distance, diameter, age, and transmission characteristics depending on network.
Narrowband Network: Switching system for data rates at or below 1.5/2.0 Mbps.
POTS: Plain Old Telephone Service.
POTS-C: Interface between PSTN and POTS splitter at network end.
POTS-R: Interface between phones and POTS splitter at premises end.
PDN: Premises Distribution Network: System for connecting ATU-R to Service Modules. May be point-to-point or multipoint; may be passive wiring or an active network. Multipoint may be a bus or star.
PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network.
SM: Service Module: Performs terminal adaption functions. Examples are set top boxes, PC interfaces, or LAN router.
Splitter: Filters which separate high frequency (ADSL) and low frequency (POTS) signals at network end and premises end. The splitter may be integrated into the ATU, physically separated from the ATU, or divided between high pass and low pass, with the low pass function physically separated from the ATU. The provision of POTS splitters and POTS-related functions is optional.
T-SM: Interface between ATU-R and Premises Distribution Network. May be same as T when network is point-to-point passive wiring. An ATU-R may have more than one type of T-SM interface implemented (e.g., a T1/E1 connection and an Ethernet connection). The T-SM interface may be integrated within a Service Module.
T: Interface between Premises Distribution Network and Service Modules. May be same as T-SM when network is point-to-point passive wiring. Note that T interface may disappear at the physical level when ATU-R is integrated within a Service Module.
U-C: Interface between Loop and POTS Splitter on the network side. Defining both ends of the Loop interface separately arises because of the asymmetry of the signals on the line.
U-C2: Interface between POTS splitter and ATU-C. Note that at present ANSI T1.413 does not define such an interface and separating the POTS splitter from the ATU-C presents some technical difficulties in standardizing the interface.
U-R: Interface between Loop and POTS Splitter on the premises side.
U-R2: Interface between POTS splitter and ATU-R. Note that at present ANSI T1.413 does not define such an interface and separating the POTS splitter from the ATU-R presents some technical difficulties in standardizing the interface.
VA: Logical interface between ATU-C and Access Node. As this interface will often be within circuits on a common board, the ADSL Forum does not consider physical VA interfaces. The V interface may contain STM, ATM, or both transfer modes. In the primitive case of point-to-point connection between a switch port and an ATU-C (that is, a case without concentration or multiplexing), then the VA and VC interfaces become identical (alternatively, the VA interface disappears).
VC: Interface between Access Node and network. May have multiple physical connections (as shown) although may also carry all signals across a single physical connection. A digital carrier facility (e.g., a SONET or SDH extension) may be interposed at the VC interface when the access node and ATU-Cs are located at a remote site. Interface to the PSTN may be a universal tip-ring interface or a multiplexed telephony interface such as specified in Bellcore TR-08 or TR-303. The broadband segment of the VC interface may be STM switching, ATM switching, or private line type connections.
toptop
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© DSL Forum. 2000

Update:
Device networking is all about unlocking information—valuable new information, long hidden inside everyday electronic devices that will change the way we work and live. emWare(R) isn't the only company that recognizes the value of information found inside networked devices. Companies that share emWare's vision have come together to form the Extend The Internet (ETI) Alliance(TM).
Founded by emWare, the ETI Alliance is a group of leading companies working together to offer interoperable device networking solutions by leveraging existing technologies, emWare’s EMIT(R) device networking software infrastructure and the Internet.
With EMIT technology as a foundation, ETI Alliance companies are creating and delivering e-smart(TM), networked products that communicate remotely with new or existing applications. Along with emWare, these visionaries are establishing a unified standard for efficient, affordable device networking.
ETI Alliance members are among the world’s premier microcontroller manufacturers, development tools providers, database systems developers, enterprise systems manufacturers, consulting and systems integrators, Internet service providers, global network services and embedded information providers. Members of the ETI Alliance include AT&T, SkyTel, Computer Associates, emWare, Hitachi, Matsushita Electric Works (MEW), Motorola and Texas Instruments.
emWare’s EMIT software is a complete solution for managing and controlling new and existing devices we use everyday such as thermostats, security systems, lawn sprinklers and vending machines. In fact, EMIT software allows any device, in any industry, to communicate over any network, using any interface.
The primary components of EMIT software—emMicro(TM), emNet(TM), emGateway(TM) and EMITAIS(TM)—provide everything needed to build, manage and maintain a robust, distributed device network. EMIT software allows integration and support of any protocol such as emNet, SCP and CEBus. The EMIT software also interoperates with current and emerging standards-based server operating systems, software gateways and user interfaces.
The power of information is what device networking is all about. To maximize that power, however, you need a device networking solution that is optimized for and interoperates with your particular application. The ETI Alliance provides the freedom to choose the end-to-end solution that works best for you.
Visit http://www.etialliance.com for a complete list of ETI Alliance members, their products and services.
Scott Raban
VP Strategic Alliances, emWare

Coming soon . . .
This profile has not yet been received by CABA. When it is available, it will be posted here. Check back often for updates.
In the meantime, you can visit the HAVi Web site at http://www.havi.org. Update:
Home Electronic System The international standards working group of the Home Electronic System met from January 22-26, 2001 in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the MIT Home of the Future laboratory (described in the Winter 2000 issue of the CABA QUARTERLY). This working group is organized under the auspices of the ISO and IEC, both in Geneva, Switzerland. The official committee name is ISO/IEC JTC1/SC25/WG1[1]. Many nations offer technical experts to participate on ISO and IEC committees writing standards that facilitate international commerce.
About 20 delegates and visitors from North America, Europe, and Japan assembled to address the following topics:
HomeGate, the residential gateway
HomeGate is the proposed international standard for the residential gateway that links external networks with home networks. A draft of the HomeGate architecture was circulated to the member nations last year. Comments and suggestions received were evaluated at the meeting. A revision will be produced that refines the functional description of HomeGate. A feature of HomeGate includes support for user privacy by enforcing access agreements between service providers and users. Additionally, HomeGate may accommodate control of home applications and links among disparate home network protocols.
Application interoperability
The working group received national body comments on a draft proposal introducing a standard for application interoperability. The committee is seeking to describe systems such as lighting, energy management, and security in generic terms so systems from different suppliers can interoperate. Previously, the working group wrote many application models published by the ISO and IEC that will be incorporated into this standard.
Home Electronic System architecture
Last year, the ISO and IEC published a generic system architecture called Home Electronic System, which was developed by this working group. The working group decided to begin updating this architecture. A proposal was discussed for revisions based on EIA- 851, the Versatile Home Network, a standard written by the Consumer Electronics Association, a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliances (EIA).
This working group meets semi-annually. Subcommittees conduct teleconferences and exchange E-mails in the interim. Experts in home systems are encouraged to contact their national bodies about contributing. Additional information is available at:
http://sc25wg1.metrolink.com.
Dr. Kenneth Wacks provides management and engineering consulting in home and building automation to utilities and manufacturers world- wide. He chairs the Home Electronic System working group of the ISO/IEC. For further information, please contact Ken at (781) 662- 6211, Fax: (781) 665-4311, E-mail: kenn@alum.mit.edu.
[1]The Working Group is formally known as ISO/IEC JTC1/SC25/WG1:
ISO = International Organization for Standardization
IEC = International Electrotechnical Commission
JTC1 = Joint Technical Committee 1, responsible primarily for information standards
SC25 = Subcommittee 25, Interconnection of Information Technology Equipment
WG1 = Working Group 1, entitled "Home Electronic System"
Profile:
Protocol Home Electronic System (HES)
The Home Electronic System (HES) is an international standard for home automation under development by experts from North America, Europe, and Asia. The Working Group is formally known as ISO/IEC JTC1/SC25/WG1:
ISO = International Organization for Standardization
IEC = International Electrotechnical Commission
JTC1 = Joint Technical Committee 1, responsible primarily for information standards
SC25 = Subcommittee 25, Interconnection of Information Technology Equipment
WG1 = Working Group 1, entitled Home Electronic System
Standard(s) ISO Technical Report Series14543
ISO Draft Standard Series 10192
Others are in development
Mission A primary goal of HES is to specify hardware and software that enable a manufacturer to offer one version of a product for connection to a variety of home automation networks.
Problems Addressed/Issues Universal Interface: An interface module to be incorporated into an appliance for communicating over a variety of home automation networks.
Command Language: A language for appliance-to-appliance communications independent of which network carries the messages.
HomeGate: A residential gateway to link home control networks with external service provider networks.
Interoperability: Standards for establishing interoperability among application domains, such as security, lighting, and energy management.
The HES Working Group is also chartered to investigate applications of networks for command, control, and communications in commercial and mixed-use buildings. Mixed-use buildings may be apartment houses with retail shops and offices, as is common in Europe.
Approach Consensus building among member nations of ISO and IEC, voluntary organizations that foster international trade through technical standards.
Status HES Architecture and application models published.
Preliminary HomeGate architecture published.
Initial interoperability document circulating for comment.
Applications All home systems applications.
Advantages/
Benefits Potentially the broadest support of any standards. A focal point for converging national and regional standards and specifications.
Limitations In theory there are no limitations. In practice, the only limit is the time invested by the participants.
Major Sponsors The Secretariat is the Electronic Industry Alliance.
Number of members About 30 countries. Nations that have attended recently include Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States
Web site http://sc25wg1.metrolink.com
Contact Working Group Convener:
Kenneth Wacks, Ph.D.
Home & Building Systems Consultant
9 Pinewood Road
Stoneham, Massachusetts 02180, USA
Tel: +1 781 662-6211
Fax: +1 781-665-4311
E-mail: kenn@alum.mit.edu
Communications media Any
Communications rate All
OSI layer(s) All
Update:
Home Electronic System The international standards working group of the Home Electronic System met from January 22-26, 2001 in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the MIT Home of the Future laboratory (described in the Winter 2000 issue of the CABA QUARTERLY). This working group is organized under the auspices of the ISO and IEC, both in Geneva, Switzerland. The official committee name is ISO/IEC JTC1/SC25/WG1[1]. Many nations offer technical experts to participate on ISO and IEC committees writing standards that facilitate international commerce.
About 20 delegates and visitors from North America, Europe, and Japan assembled to address the following topics:
HomeGate, the residential gateway
HomeGate is the proposed international standard for the residential gateway that links external networks with home networks. A draft of the HomeGate architecture was circulated to the member nations last year. Comments and suggestions received were evaluated at the meeting. A revision will be produced that refines the functional description of HomeGate. A feature of HomeGate includes support for user privacy by enforcing access agreements between service providers and users. Additionally, HomeGate may accommodate control of home applications and links among disparate home network protocols.
Application interoperability
The working group received national body comments on a draft proposal introducing a standard for application interoperability. The committee is seeking to describe systems such as lighting, energy management, and security in generic terms so systems from different suppliers can interoperate. Previously, the working group wrote many application models published by the ISO and IEC that will be incorporated into this standard.
Home Electronic System architecture
Last year, the ISO and IEC published a generic system architecture called Home Electronic System, which was developed by this working group. The working group decided to begin updating this architecture. A proposal was discussed for revisions based on EIA- 851, the Versatile Home Network, a standard written by the Consumer Electronics Association, a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliances (EIA).
This working group meets semi-annually. Subcommittees conduct teleconferences and exchange E-mails in the interim. Experts in home systems are encouraged to contact their national bodies about contributing. Additional information is available at:
http://sc25wg1.metrolink.com.
Dr. Kenneth Wacks provides management and engineering consulting in home and building automation to utilities and manufacturers world- wide. He chairs the Home Electronic System working group of the ISO/IEC. For further information, please contact Ken at (781) 662- 6211, Fax: (781) 665-4311, E-mail: kenn@alum.mit.edu.
[1]The Working Group is formally known as ISO/IEC JTC1/SC25/WG1:
ISO = International Organization for Standardization
IEC = International Electrotechnical Commission
JTC1 = Joint Technical Committee 1, responsible primarily for information standards
SC25 = Subcommittee 25, Interconnection of Information Technology Equipment
WG1 = Working Group 1, entitled "Home Electronic System"

Coming soon . . .
This profile has not yet been received by CABA. When it is available, it will be posted here. Check back often for updates.
In the meantime, you can visit the HomePNA Web site at http://www.homepna.org. Profile
Protocol HomePlug Powerline Alliance
Standard(s) HomePlug is committed to fostering an open specification for home networking products and services built to leverage the worldwide pervasiveness of residential powerlines.
Mission To enable and promote rapid availability, adoption and implementation of cost-effective, interoperable and
standards-based home powerline networks and products
Problems Addressed/
Issues Currently, there is no universal standard for home powerline networking technology. By creating open industry specifications, HomePlug addresses the problems that have prohibited broad market penetration of powerline networking in the home.
Approach Comprised of more than 80 industry-leading companies (as of 2/2001), HomePlug is working to develop a powerline home networking solution that leverages the most pervasive network in the world: powerlines. As Internet usage continues to explode and more exciting, interactive devices are created, the Alliance gains strength and progresses toward releasing an interoperable, cost-effective networking solution. HomePlug welcomes new members to join and help shape the future of powerline home networking.
Status In the beginning of 2001, HomePlug began field trials on its baseline powerline technology in more than 500 homes in the United States, Canada, Europe, Canada, Japan and Korea. Once this specification has been tested and validated on the basis of reliability, speed and interoperability, HomePlug will make available to its member companies an Ethernet-class powerline networking standard that will be one of the fastest, most dependable home networking technologies that exists today.
Applications HomePlug’s powerline home networking technology will support a wide range of products, including gaming, consumer electronics, voice telephony and PC-based applications.
Advantages/
Benefits With multiple outlets in almost every room, residential powerlines are the most pervasive network in the world. Unlike other technology advances, users already own the necessary hardware to network household and computing appliances, which allows powerline networking solutions to become rapidly and widely available.
Limitations Past challenges of powerlines include a lack of open industry specifications and multiple sources of electrical noise. HomePlug is overcoming these challenges through the Alliance’s creation of an open specification that employs advances, optimized algorithms in semiconductor technologies.
Major Sponsors HomePlug's founding members include 3Com, AMD, Cisco Systems, Compaq, Conexant, Enikia, Intel, Intellon, Motorola, Panasonic, RadioShack, SONICblue and Texas Instruments.
Number of members As of February 2001, HomePlug is comprised of more than 80 industry-leading companies. For a full list of all the members, log on to HomePlug’s Web site.
Web site www.homeplug.org
Contact Betsy Gillette
Global Inventures
2694 Bishop Drive, Suite 275
San Ramon, CA 94583
Direct line: 925.277.8110
Fax: 925.277.8111
E-mail: bgillette@inventures.com
Communications media Annie Yoder for HomePlug Powerline Alliance
Alexander Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
400 Colony Square, Suite 980
Atlanta, GA 30341
Direct line: 404.881.2349
Fax: 404.897.2311
E-mail: ayoder@alexanderogilvy.com
Communications rate HomePlug’s 1.0 Specification will be a 10Mbpt Ethernet-class solution.
OSI layer(s) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is the transmission technique used for the PHY. OFDM is commonly used in both digital subscriber line technology and in terrestrial wireless distribution of television signals. By contrast to these technologies, however, HomePlug uses OFDM in a burst mode for full-mesh communications rather than for point to point continuous communication. HomePlug uses concatenated Viterbi and Reed Solomon forward error correction with interleaving for payload data, and Turbo Product Coding (TPC) for sensitive frame control data fields.
Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) is used as the basis for the medium access control (MAC) layer protocol, augmented by features to support priority classes, provide fairness, and allow the control of latency. DES encryption is included for privacy.
Back to Top
Update:
By Chad J. Dotson
The HomeRF Working Group had a successful showing at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Intel introduced their new Web Tablet in their Technology demo, which contains a HomeRF module enabling it to be wirelessly connected to your home network. Intel also announced their new bridging software that will enable their Home Phoneline AnyPoint adapters to connect to their wireless HomeRF adapters. Existing users will be able to download the bridging software in February while future adapters will ship with the software included. Proxim demonstrated their new HomeRF Compact Flash, and SimpleDevices showcased their SimpleFI MP3 streamer, SimpleClock, and SimplePad all containing embedded HomeRF modules. Siemens introduced their GigaSet 4600 SIMPad that will be able to communicate with their future line of GigaSet phone systems. The uniView 310 Set-Top box was on display in the HomeRF booth streaming MPEG4 video at 750Kbps and Motorola announced two new HomeRF products at the show: the Surfboard SB4100W wireless cable modem and Surfboard BB160 wireless home gateway.
HomeRF is targeting Q3 2001 for the debut of their 10Mbps backwards compatible products. The 10Mbps line will increase the number of available phonelines (from 4 to 8), and add new features designed for digital music and standard definition TV, and roaming. Products to keep an eye out for include the first HomeRF cordless phones, web tablets, additional music devices, and increased use in home gateways.
Chad J. Dotson
HomeRF Administration
503-291-2563
administration@homerf.org
Profile:
Protocol Shared Wireless Access Protocol (SWAP)
Standard(s) Since no existing standard could meet all of the market requirements for Home Networking, HomeRF modifies the PHY and MAC layers of three standards: IEEE 802.11, DECT, and OpenAir.
Mission The mission of the HomeRF Working Group (WG) is to establish the mass deployment of interoperable wireless networking access devices to both local content and the Internet for voice, data and streaming media in consumer environments.
Problems Addressed/Issues 1. License-free 2.4GHz frequencies give manufacturers the ability to offer products for the world markets.
2. Achieves consumer price points
3. Effectively handles radio interference from microwave ovens, 2.4GHz cordless phones, and other devices.
4. Provides security for high-density multi-tenant environments.
5. Enables integration of voice and data (available 3Q’01)
6. Provides a cordless phone standard based on DECT, but available worldwide using license-free 2.4GHz frequencies.
Approach The WG started with a thorough understanding of Home Networking market requirements based on ethnographic market research. This fed into a Market Requirements document and then into a Technical Requirements document. At that point, the group solicited input about all available technologies, hoping to select the best one. Since the WG determined that wireless LAN standards were not well suited for cordless phones, and that the cordless phone technologies would not make a good base for wireless LANs, it combined three technologies – IEEE 802.11, OpenAir, and DECT.
Status HomeRF is found in various form factors, including PC USB adapters, PC Card adapters, and built-in components for home gateways, consumer electronics, and other non-PC devices. HomeRF products from well-known companies are available in retail stores at consumer price points and make up 95% of the wireless home networking market, according to PC Data.
In 2001, HomeRF 2.0 will add greater speed (10Mbps vs. 1.6Mbps today) and new features such as more voice lines, prioritized media streaming and roaming – all while continuing to meet the cost, range and interference avoidance requirements of consumers and maintaining backwards compatibility with their current products. This is possible because of a FCC rule change that clears the path for speeds of 10Mbps and beyond.
Applications Currently shipping products let you:
1. Multiple PC and non-PC devices can share an ISP connection, printers, and files between with convenient, wireless access from anywhere in and around the home.
2. HomeRF-equipped PCs can play digital music, access the Internet, print to a printer, and support multi-player games all at the same time. You can listen to MP3 music stored on another PC or downloaded from the Internet – all while using your laptop PC from the comfort of your sofa, at the breakfast table, or on the patio.
Products in development will soon let you:
3. Add additional phone lines for busy families and home offices. Typical house wiring supports only 2 lines, but HomeRF supports 4 toll quality voice lines (going to 8 in 2001).
4. Integrate voice and data applications using a variety of devices ranging from PCs, information appliances, and cordless phones.
5. Intelligently forward incoming telephone calls to multiple cordless handsets, FAX machines and voice mailboxes.
6. Review incoming voice, FAX and e-mail messages from a cordless telephone handset or by dialing in from a cellular phone. Forward these messages to another location and even have your e-mail read aloud using text-to-speech technology. This is made possible through PC-enhanced telephony.
7. Activate other home electronic systems, and run PC and Internet applications with voice commands, where a cordless telephone handset becomes a speech I/O device.
8. Remotely control your Home Robot for a variety applications such as home sentry, pet care, elder care, and home monitoring.
HomeRF is ideally suited for broadband services.
With integrated data and high-quality voice, HomeRF helps consumers get the most out of a single broadband cable or DSL connection. Today, you can share your broadband Internet connection among desktop PCs, laptops, and web tablets. In 2001, you'll be able to add cordless handsets and other voice-enabled devices to your home network. This is an especially valuable feature for service providers and residential gateway makers, since it gives them a way to support VoIP, VoDSL, and VoHFC applications with additional phone lines.
Advantages/
Benefits 1. HomeRF was designed for consumers that want simple, secure, reliable and affordable products.
2. No wires needed, easy install, and freedom of mobility.
3. Supports more than two voice lines for home offices, busy families, and service providers.
4. Voice/Data integration for exciting new devices, applications and services.
Limitations The current data rate of 1.6Mbps easily supports today’s application needs, although it is too slow for distributing TV signals. HomeRF 2.0, with 10Mbps and prioritized streaming, will support TV applications, and the HomeRF WG also recognizes the need to support HDTV. That will require a shift to 5GHz frequency bands that can support bandwidths as high as 50-100Mbps. But there are significant technical and regulatory issues to be solved before making such a move, and backward compatibility will not be possible without a bridging device that handles both frequencies.
Major Sponsors Current Promoter companies include Compaq, Intel, Motorola, National Semiconductor, Proxim, and Siemens
Number of members 85
Web site www.homerf.org
Contact HomeRF Working Group
5440 SW Westgate Drive
Suite 217
Portland OR 97221
Telephone: 503-291-2563
Fax: 503-297-1090
For general inquiries, send e-mail to: info@homerf.org
For membership and organization questions, send e-mail to: administration@homerf.org
Communications media 2.4 GHz Frequency-Hopping Spread-Spectrum, 50 hops/sec
Transmission power: 100 mW
Range: home & yard (up to 150’ radius)
Data networking: unlimited peer devices; CSMS/CA technology derived from 802.11 and OpenAir
Voice networking: 4 voice lines in 2000, 8 lines in 2001; TDMA technology derived from DECT
Security: Range limit, digital spread-spectrum, hopping pattern, 24-bit network ID, optional 56-bit (128-bit in 2001) encryption
Communications rate Up to 1.6 Mbps in 2000, 10Mbps in 2001, although actual throughput will be less.
OSI layer OSI layers 1 & 2 – HomeRF modifies existing PHY and MAC layers and references or maps into other network layers

Update:
Home Electronic System The international standards working group of the Home Electronic System met from January 22-26, 2001 in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the MIT Home of the Future laboratory (described in the Winter 2000 issue of the CABA QUARTERLY). This working group is organized under the auspices of the ISO and IEC, both in Geneva, Switzerland. The official committee name is ISO/IEC JTC1/SC25/WG1[1]. Many nations offer technical experts to participate on ISO and IEC committees writing standards that facilitate international commerce.
About 20 delegates and visitors from North America, Europe, and Japan assembled to address the following topics:
HomeGate, the residential gateway
HomeGate is the proposed international standard for the residential gateway that links external networks with home networks. A draft of the HomeGate architecture was circulated to the member nations last year. Comments and suggestions received were evaluated at the meeting. A revision will be produced that refines the functional description of HomeGate. A feature of HomeGate includes support for user privacy by enforcing access agreements between service providers and users. Additionally, HomeGate may accommodate control of home applications and links among disparate home network protocols.
Application interoperability
The working group received national body comments on a draft proposal introducing a standard for application interoperability. The committee is seeking to describe systems such as lighting, energy management, and security in generic terms so systems from different suppliers can interoperate. Previously, the working group wrote many application models published by the ISO and IEC that will be incorporated into this standard.
Home Electronic System architecture
Last year, the ISO and IEC published a generic system architecture called Home Electronic System, which was developed by this working group. The working group decided to begin updating this architecture. A proposal was discussed for revisions based on EIA- 851, the Versatile Home Network, a standard written by the Consumer Electronics Association, a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliances (EIA).
This working group meets semi-annually. Subcommittees conduct teleconferences and exchange E-mails in the interim. Experts in home systems are encouraged to contact their national bodies about contributing. Additional information is available at:
http://sc25wg1.metrolink.com.
Dr. Kenneth Wacks provides management and engineering consulting in home and building automation to utilities and manufacturers world- wide. He chairs the Home Electronic System working group of the ISO/IEC. For further information, please contact Ken at (781) 662- 6211, Fax: (781) 665-4311, E-mail: kenn@alum.mit.edu.
[1]The Working Group is formally known as ISO/IEC JTC1/SC25/WG1:
ISO = International Organization for Standardization
IEC = International Electrotechnical Commission
JTC1 = Joint Technical Committee 1, responsible primarily for information standards
SC25 = Subcommittee 25, Interconnection of Information Technology Equipment
WG1 = Working Group 1, entitled "Home Electronic System"
Profile:
Protocol Home Electronic System (HES)
The Home Electronic System (HES) is an international standard for home automation under development by experts from North America, Europe, and Asia. The Working Group is formally known as ISO/IEC JTC1/SC25/WG1:
ISO = International Organization for Standardization
IEC = International Electrotechnical Commission
JTC1 = Joint Technical Committee 1, responsible primarily for information standards
SC25 = Subcommittee 25, Interconnection of Information Technology Equipment
WG1 = Working Group 1, entitled Home Electronic System
Standard(s) ISO Technical Report Series14543
ISO Draft Standard Series 10192
Others are in development
Mission A primary goal of HES is to specify hardware and software that enable a manufacturer to offer one version of a product for connection to a variety of home automation networks.
Problems Addressed/Issues Universal Interface: An interface module to be incorporated into an appliance for communicating over a variety of home automation networks.
Command Language: A language for appliance-to-appliance communications independent of which network carries the messages.
HomeGate: A residential gateway to link home control networks with external service provider networks.
Interoperability: Standards for establishing interoperability among application domains, such as security, lighting, and energy management.
The HES Working Group is also chartered to investigate applications of networks for command, control, and communications in commercial and mixed-use buildings. Mixed-use buildings may be apartment houses with retail shops and offices, as is common in Europe.
Approach Consensus building among member nations of ISO and IEC, voluntary organizations that foster international trade through technical standards.
Status HES Architecture and application models published.
Preliminary HomeGate architecture published.
Initial interoperability document circulating for comment.
Applications All home systems applications.
Advantages/
Benefits Potentially the broadest support of any standards. A focal point for converging national and regional standards and specifications.
Limitations In theory there are no limitations. In practice, the only limit is the time invested by the participants.
Major Sponsors The Secretariat is the Electronic Industry Alliance.
Number of members About 30 countries. Nations that have attended recently include Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States
Web site http://sc25wg1.metrolink.com
Contact Working Group Convener:
Kenneth Wacks, Ph.D.
Home & Building Systems Consultant
9 Pinewood Road
Stoneham, Massachusetts 02180, USA
Tel: +1 781 662-6211
Fax: +1 781-665-4311
E-mail: kenn@alum.mit.edu
Communications media Any
Communications rate All
OSI layer(s) All
Update:
Home Electronic System The international standards working group of the Home Electronic System met from January 22-26, 2001 in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the MIT Home of the Future laboratory (described in the Winter 2000 issue of the CABA QUARTERLY). This working group is organized under the auspices of the ISO and IEC, both in Geneva, Switzerland. The official committee name is ISO/IEC JTC1/SC25/WG1[1]. Many nations offer technical experts to participate on ISO and IEC committees writing standards that facilitate international commerce.
About 20 delegates and visitors from North America, Europe, and Japan assembled to address the following topics:
HomeGate, the residential gateway
HomeGate is the proposed international standard for the residential gateway that links external networks with home networks. A draft of the HomeGate architecture was circulated to the member nations last year. Comments and suggestions received were evaluated at the meeting. A revision will be produced that refines the functional description of HomeGate. A feature of HomeGate includes support for user privacy by enforcing access agreements between service providers and users. Additionally, HomeGate may accommodate control of home applications and links among disparate home network protocols.
Application interoperability
The working group received national body comments on a draft proposal introducing a standard for application interoperability. The committee is seeking to describe systems such as lighting, energy management, and security in generic terms so systems from different suppliers can interoperate. Previously, the working group wrote many application models published by the ISO and IEC that will be incorporated into this standard.
Home Electronic System architecture
Last year, the ISO and IEC published a generic system architecture called Home Electronic System, which was developed by this working group. The working group decided to begin updating this architecture. A proposal was discussed for revisions based on EIA- 851, the Versatile Home Network, a standard written by the Consumer Electronics Association, a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliances (EIA).
This working group meets semi-annually. Subcommittees conduct teleconferences and exchange E-mails in the interim. Experts in home systems are encouraged to contact their national bodies about contributing. Additional information is available at:
http://sc25wg1.metrolink.com.
Dr. Kenneth Wacks provides management and engineering consulting in home and building automation to utilities and manufacturers world- wide. He chairs the Home Electronic System working group of the ISO/IEC. For further information, please contact Ken at (781) 662- 6211, Fax: (781) 665-4311, E-mail: kenn@alum.mit.edu.
[1]The Working Group is formally known as ISO/IEC JTC1/SC25/WG1:
ISO = International Organization for Standardization
IEC = International Electrotechnical Commission
JTC1 = Joint Technical Committee 1, responsible primarily for information standards
SC25 = Subcommittee 25, Interconnection of Information Technology Equipment
WG1 = Working Group 1, entitled "Home Electronic System"

Coming soon . . .
This profile has not yet been received by CABA. When it is available, it will be posted here. Check back often for updates.
In the meantime, you can visit the Jini Web site at http://www.sun.com/jini.

Update:
By Kevin Lynch
New Japanese Certification Center Takes the Lead with LonMark
NTT DATA Corporation, Japan's largest data system integrator has entered into an agreement with Echelon and the LonMark Association to develop and operate a LonMark certification center. This new certification center is the first to be operated by a third party and represents a significant step in the Association's growth and ability to respond to the growing demands for certification of LonMark interoperable products. The center also expands NTT DATA's role as a leader in the LonWorks® community.
"We are very pleased to partner with a strong industry leader such as NTT DATA on this certification center," said Kevin Lynch, executive director of LonMark. "The new center will enable us to better serve our members as they build products for the rapidly growing Asian market for interoperable LonWorks networks and LonMark products. We are happy to be able to provide them with a local point of contact, local language support, and increased testing staff."
Designed to simplify and speed up the certification process, the NTT DATA Certification Center will assist Japanese companies planning to submit products for certification by providing guidance and assistance on how to prepare the documentation needed to meet the requirements for the current certification guidelines. The center's bilingual capabilities will further streamline the process for companies submitting products for certification. Technical staff will be available at the center to work directly with manufacturers to identify and rapidly resolve any problems discovered during certification and will carry-out the final certification process.
New European Certification Engineer
The LonMark Interoperability Association is pleased to welcome new employee Ernst Eder (Dipl. Ing.) to the interoperable community. After an exhaustive search, Mr. Eder was hired to work as the European Certification Engineer, supporting the rapidly expanding LonMark Product Certification Program, and the continuing development and extension of the LonMark Interoperability design platform. Mr. Eder’s position will involve working directly with product designers from companies across Europe to assist in creating and completing Functional Profiles, and evaluating members’ control products for compliance to the interoperability Guidelines. In such capacity, he will be assisting the LonMark Principal Engineer, Jeremy Roberts, in providing feedback to member companies on specific design issues, and helping them to achieve LonMark Certification.
Born in 1964 in Austria, where he still makes his home, Mr. Eder and his wife have one child. Mr. Eder was educated at the University of Vienna in electrical engineering, with a special focus on field controllers. Since then, Mr. Eder has been working in a variety of high tech arenas—including development and implementation of LonWorks network systems for use at some of the world’s most challenging and well-known ski resorts.
All of the LonMark team are looking forward to working with Mr. Eder, and know that those of you who cross paths with him will also enjoy the experience. In the next few months, Mr. Eder will be traveling to some of the larger European LonMark venues, such as the Hannover Messe and the Spring LonMark General meeting in Helsinki.
LonMark AHR 2001 Preview
This year’s LonMark Interoperability Association presence at the 2001 AHR Expo is going to be focusing on the wealth of LonMark certified products available in today’s control marketplace. Products that have been verified to conform to Echelon's LonMark interoperability guidelines are eligible to carry the LonMark logo, an indicator that a product has been designed to interoperate over a LonWorks network. To date there are over 300 certified products available. Many of these devices will be featured in the LonMark booth as part of its "Wall of Fame".
Also part of the booth will be an Internet kiosk with connections to several LonMark member Internet demonstrations. These demos feature control networks featuring multiple vendor applications and LonMark certified devices. Another internet enabled computer will be available for potential members to peruse the LonMark website as well as view LonMark’s online product catalog. This valuable resource features certified products, detailed technical information and manufacturer contact information.
Association staff members will be on hand in the booth to discuss the Association, its goals and its upcoming projects. Also manning the booth will be a rotating selection of Association members available to discuss participation in the Association, product information and development.
Stop by and visit LonMark at booth #5943 and show your support for open interoperable control networking.
Calendar of Events
The LonMark Interoperability Association will be involved in the following events in 2001. LonMark sponsored events not only provide opportunities for members, they also create effective and targeted forums for the promoting the value of open interoperable control solutions.
2001 Events
January 23, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Milan, Italy
January 25, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Bologna, Italy
January 29 - 31, 2001
ASHRAE
Booth #5943
Atlanta, Georgia 30313, U.S.A
January 30, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Florence, Italy
February 1, 2001
Home Networking Industry Forum 2001
Santa Clara, California, U.S.A
February 1, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Genoa, Italy
February 6, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Glasgow, United Kingdom
February 8, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Manchester, United Kingdom
February 13, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
London, United Kingdom
February 14, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
London, United Kingdom
February 20, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Dublin, Ireland
March 6, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Oslo, Norway
March 13, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Stockholm, Sweden
March 15, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Gothenburg, Sweden
March 20, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Arhus, Denmark
March 22, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Copenhagen, Denmark
March 27, 2001
Open Systems 2000
European Tour
Helsinki, Finland
Newly Certified LonMark Products
Products that have been verified to conform to LonMark interoperability guidelines are eligible to carry the LonMark logo. The LonMark logo is an indicator that a product has completed the LonMark conformance tests and has been designed to interoperate across a LonWorks network.
To keep up-to-date on newly certified LonMark products and for information on designing LonMark conformance into your products visit the LonMark website at www.LonMark.org.
CIRCON Systems Corp.
Variable Speed Drive LonWorks® Communications Card (VSD-200)
Honeywell
XFL521B, 522B, 523B, 524B
Lexel
LX-PIR
Occupancy Sensor, Occupancy Controller and Light Sensor
LX-4OCC
Four Occupancy Controller Units with Four Digital Outputs
LX-PWC
Four Partition Wall Controllers with Digital Inputs
LX-4PBA
Four Push Button Adaptor/Digital Input Unit
LX-CU10
1 - 10V Control Unit
Samsung Heavy Industries
AX810 - Analog Output Module
DX820 - Digital Input/Output Module
The Trane Company
Tracer ZN.520
Kevin Lynch is Executive Director of the LonMark Interoperability Association, and can be contacted at (650) 855-7400; fax (650) 856-4971; email: director @LonMark.org
Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGi)
Coming soon . . .
This profile has not yet been received by CABA. When it is available, it will be posted here. Check back often for updates.
In the meantime, you can visit the OSGi Web site at http://www.osgi.org. R7-Consumer Electronic Association (CEA)
· Update
· Profiles
· R7
· R7.1 [Coming Soon]
· R7.2 [Coming Soon]
· R7.3 [Coming Soon]
· R7.4
· R7.5
Update:
R7 - HOME NETWORKING COMMITTEE UPDATE
By Bill Rose
TRIVIA: There are approximately 50 home networking standards, specifications, and consortia. Just knowing the names is a daunting task. Actually keeping current is nearly impossible.
R7 Committee:
The R7 committee has remained true to its roots. To date it is not working on any standards itself and does not plan to. Its function remains to coordinate the standards work being done by its subcommittees and to ensure that they remain true to the mission at hand: Do not create that which already exists! R7's direction to its subcommittees is to use existing EIA standards wherever possible. If there are no appropriate EIA standards, use existing standards from other Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs). If none exist, use existing industry specifications or the work of reputable industry consortia. Only if none of the above can fill the need should new standards be written. The focus of CEA's R7 series work is harmony and compatibility of home networking technologies. To this end, their projects include home intranet standards that unite a variety of cluster- and application-specific standards, extension of existing standard to exploit new protocols developed in other industries, and consolidation in areas where there are too many mutually exclusive choices.
This is our commitment to the industry and our solution to the problem of HN standards proliferation.
Subcommittee Update:
R7.1: Home Control Systems (HCS1)
The R7.1 subcommittee in joint committee with R7.2, the CEBus technical subcommittee, is now addressing comments on EIA 852. 852 is an IP Tunneling standard for the EIA 600 and 709 set of standards. The joint committee is currently deciding whether this will be a single standard or broken into several different standards, each pertaining to a different aspect of IP tunneling. Stay tuned! They should be done shortly.
The other R7.1 project, that of creating a standard for "plug-ins" for use in developing and commissioning products built to the EIA 709 standards, has been completed and issued as EIA 860. Plug-ins are a simple way to provide information to other devices on a network about the device and its use. This standard addresses some of the installation issues that face manufacturers and installers. A new work proposal has been approved to extend this work further.
Lastly, the EIA 709 set of standards continues to move toward becoming ANSI standards with EIA 709.4 recently being approved by ANSI.
R7.2: CEBUS
R7.2 has been working on the IP Tunneling standard along with R7.1. See R7.1 update above.
R7.3: Data Networking Subcommittee
R7.3 has completed its field and lab test document and is nearing completion of the weighting factors that will be the key to choosing a winner after the test results are in. Weighting factors are basically a way to score the results of each test. The scores are added up and indicate how well a given technology performed in rigorous real world conditions.
One of the strengths to CEA's approach to standardization is that all of the companies submitting their technology to CEA's R7.3, as well as member companies that will become their customers, have participated in creating the means by which a technology will be selected. By defining weighting factors, they all know how the results will be graded in advance. There are no agreements between sponsor and member companies.
It is a process that meets ANSI requirements for standards. When completed, the resulting standard will be eligible for submission to ANSI as an American National Standard. Consortia, on the other hand, don't necessarily follow this same open process. It allows them to move more quickly but the result is a specification, not a standard.
Another difference between CEA's effort and that of some consortia is the decision to look at all technologies capable of 1 Mbps or greater. It is not that we feel that industry doesn't have a need for higher speed networks. It does. However, there are several companies developing this technology that have roadmaps beginning at several Mbps and then moving quickly to 10 Mbps and higher. Just as HomePNA started at 1 and quickly went to 10 Mbps, we feel that to exclude what might prove to be the most robust and cost effective solution because they took a more conservative approach would be a disservice to the industry. The fact is, even 10 Mbps is too slow for video while very few of us today actually see more than 1 or 2 Mbps from our broadband connection. The technology selected by R7.3 will have to demonstrate it can quickly scale to 10 Mbps and higher to be selected. That is not to say the standard we select will not meet 10 Mbps: only that we will not exclude technology that does not achieve it today.
R7.3 expects to have completed its testing this summer with product available by the end of the year.
R7.4: VHN (Versatile Home Network)
The VHN subcommittee continues work on its 2.0 document. For those of you new to these pages, VHN will provide an IP based, 1394 residential backbone solution that can be carry 100 Mbps for 100 meters over CAT 5 UTP with higher speeds and longer distances on fiber cable. Its purpose is to connect all of the cluster networks in a home to each other and to the world outside the home.
This group achieved a major milestone this year at CES where they demonstrated simultaneous connectivity between 3 video sources (including HDTV and DTV MEG2 streams) and displays, VoIP telephones, 2 different MP3 streams (one running on an 802.11b RF link, and the other connecting by high-speed powerline carrier to the MP3 player), LonTalk controls, a PC and a printer, and Universal Plug and Play all connected by 2 Ethernet hubs to 100 meters of fiber and another 100 meters of CAT 5 UTP running IEEE 1394b. Now that is convergence! But what is really significant was not just that it all ran over the same 1394b backbone, but that there were a half dozen different, incompatible standards and protocols supplied by nearly a dozen different companies all connected together over the VHN backbone. This was made possible by using the VHN standard. We also had a special guest speaker at the demo. James Snider, Chairman of the 1394 TA called the demo the most comprehensive demonstration of networking using 1394 to date. He also committed to working closely with R7.4 as we move forward.
R7.5: A/V Networks Subcommittee
This is the newest subcommittee within the R7 group. They recently held an all day meeting during CES at which presentations were made by many of the most influential companies working in this arena. Their presentations centered on many of the various technologies and standards available for A/V networking. These presentations included EIA 849 - Stream Profiles, HAVi, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11e(a), Hyperlan2 (HL2), 1394-to-HL2 Bridging, R7.4's VHN, UpnP, the Digital Home-network Forum, DVB IHDN and EACEM Service Diagnostics. The purpose is to ensure R7.5 understands the options available to it as it defines A/V networking in the home. Remember, the mission: Do not create that which already exists.
Other Work of Interest:
There are two additional initiatives that R7 has been involved with since we last spoke to you in these pages.
Guide to Home Networking:
R7 has been collaborating with another division of CEA, the Home Networks and IT division (HNIT) to create a Guide to Home Networking. The Guide is the most complete and useful on-line resource available. It covers everything you ever wanted to know from why someone would want a Home Network, to HN applications, standards, topologies, and even a complete glossary. And because it is on-line, you can link between sections as well. It should be available at www.ce.org by the time you are reading this.
RF Discovery Group:
R7.3 in conjunction with R7 held a Discovery Group on RF. Discovery Groups are held periodically to bring industry and CEA members together to discuss an issue of mutual interest and what CEA can do to help. The topic of RF networking was selected because of the real or perceived issues of coexistence and compatibility between competing standards - especially Home RF, Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11b.
RF is the holy grail of retrofit home networking. It is the one true "no-new-wires" solution that can bring HN to every home. The problem, or perceived problem is that RF is a shared media. Home RF, Bluetooth, 802.11b, microwaves, cordless phones, video and audio repeaters, all share the 2.4 Ghz band. The question is "is this a problem?" and if so, "what can be done about it?" While no conclusions were reached at this first meeting on the subject, we believe the questions need to be answered before manufacturers and consumers will jump in. We also want to address the issue at the 5 Ghz band before it becomes a problem.
If you are interested in getting involved in this or any of the other issues discussed here, go to www.ce.org and contact a staff member for information about how to join the fun.
That's all for now.
Bill Rose
Home Networking and Automation Consultant
Chairman, R7 - Home Networking Committee
Profiles:
R7
Protocol None (all standards and protocols are developed in subcommittees).
Standard(s) None (all standards and protocols are developed in subcommittees).
Mission The charter of the Home Network Committee (HNC) is to provide coordination for, and encourage cooperation among, all EIA/CEA home network standardization efforts as well as providing a forum for non-EIA/CEA Home Network standards formulating bodies interested in working with EIA/CEA. The primary goal is to ensure current and future Home Networks can coexist within a home and share information through the use of industry standard interfaces. The HNC subcommittees will develop and maintain all EIA/CEA standards pertaining to home networks that currently exist, are being developed or may be initiated in the future. Standards developed directly by the HNC will be primarily related to the interconnection and coexistence of home networks.
Problems Addressed/
Issues Home Networking suffers from too many standards and protocols which are not interoperable or which duplicate efforts already inexistence. R7, CEAs Home Networking Committee, was created to provide overall coordination of HN standards development for CEA as well as non-CEA standards and protocol developers. To this end R7 will (paraphrased from R7s mission statement goals):
1. Encourage the definition of industry standard interfaces through, for example, the use of joint working groups among its various subcommittees and with non-EIA/CEA formulating groups.
2. Avoid or minimize the creation of standards for home networks that provide the same service or function
3. Provide standards and installation guidelines as required to ensure one home network does not interfere with the operation of other networks in adjacent homes and apartments
4. Provide standards and installation guidelines as required to ensure home networks providing different functions or services within a home do not interfere with each other
5. Encourage all home network standards formulating bodies to participate in the creation of and to utilize the HNC standards and guidelines.
Approach To reach out to non-EIA/CEA groups, R7 utilizes the Discovery Group (DG) process to explore the needs of the home networking industry. This process encourages outside companies and groups to come together with CEA members for 1 or 2 days of meetings to discuss issues of importance. Examples are the Discovery Group on Data Networking, which resulted in R7.3s high-speed powerline carrier standards development effort as well as the recent DG on Wireless standards.
R7s goal is a unified end-to-end set of standards that cover the needs of all networked devices in the home as well as their connection to the Internet. Once a subcommittee has completed a standard, it will be tasked with defining how other CEA HN standards will connect to it through a gateway, bridge or other means.
R7 also coordinates its work with other CEA divisions such as the Home Networking and IT Division.
Status R7 now has 5 subcommittees:
R7.1 Home Controls (LonTalk")
R7.2 CEBus TSC
R7.3 Data Networking
R7.4 Versatile Home Network (VHN)
R7.5 A/V Networking
Details regarding these subcommittees can be found in their individual profiles.
R7 is one of the most important and influential groups in home networking today with broad membership from the CE, PC and IT industries.
Applications Controls: Lighting, energy management, HVAC, security, window treatments, skylights, etc.
Data: High-speed PLC, shared Internet connections, peripheral sharing, file sharing, etc.
Backbone: Connecting cluster networks to each other using IEEE1394b over CAT 5 or fiber cable using IP protocols.
e.g. connecting a controls cluster network to an A/V network allowing low cost control devices to provide access to A/V equipment for whole home distribution.
A/V Distribution: Whole home music and video distribution over various media including fiber, CAT 5/5E/6, HomePNA, PLC, etc.
Advantages/
Benefits R7 fills a void in the industry. There is no other group in North America with responsibility for oversight and coordination of home networking standards for controls, data, backbone and A/V. This provides consortia, SDOs and individual companies a single location to come to with their home networking needs, specifications and issues.
R7 does not write standards itself. It works to determine which subcommittee the work belongs in. If a suitable subcommittee does not exist, it will create one for the work. Additionally, R7 directs its subcommittees to utilize existing standards and protocols wherever possible. The priority for use of existing standards is:
1. Use EIA/CEA standards wherever possible
2. Use standards from recognized SDOs if suitable EIA/CEA standards do not exist
3. Use existing non-SDO specifications from responsible organizations or industry standards when suitable standards from a recognized SDO do not exist
4. Lacking any suitable existing work, write new standards
Limitations
Major Sponsors Major CE and IT manufacturers
Number of members
Web site www.ce.org
Contact CEA Staff
Virginia Williams: vwilliams@ce.org
Shazia Mcgeehan: smcgeehan@ce.org
R7 Chairman
Bill Rose: wjr74@aol.com
Communications media
Communications rate
OSI layer(s) All
R7.4
Protocol TCP. IP, UDP, IEC61773, IP over 1394 RFC
Standard(s) 1394b
Mission The VESA Home Network Committee has defined an architecture and a set of protocols that will enable this vision to be realized. The Committee goals were:
1) To provide an interoperability specification that will allow the transfer of information from any device to any other device in the home;
2) To allow interoperability between all home networks, regardless of their individual physical and data link technologies and bandwidth capabilities;
3) To provide a common interface on the home side for access devices, such as the Residential Gateway;
4) To provide a migration path from analog distribution to totally digital distribution; and,
5) To provide directory services for all networked devices in the home
Problems Addressed/Issues Connection of various clusters in the home
Approach Utilize 1394b as a backbone to connect the various clusters together.
Status An interim version 1 has been published. Work is in the process for version 2 which we anticipate by YE2001.
Applications See Mission
Advantages/Benefits It is the only standard working on the problem of connecting clusters together.
Limitations Today only wired media is defined.
Major Sponsors Telcordia, Samsung, Thomson CE, Philips, Metro Link
Number of members ~30
Web site www/vesa/org
Contact Shazia McGeehan +1- 703-907-7697 or smcgeeha@ce.org
Communications media 1394b
Communications rate 100-400Mbps
OSI layer(s) All
R7.5
Protocol
Standard(s) R7.5
Mission Utilize existing standards wherever possible to develop an Audio/Video Home Entertainment Network Standard for Streaming Media.
Problems Addressed/Issues High Bandwidth Streaming Isocronous Audio and Video Content.
Approach
Status Just Completed the Discovery Phase
Applications Home Networking
Advantages/Benefits
Limitations
Major Sponsors
Number of members 15-20
Web site
Contact Shazia McGeehan CEA
James Williamson Sony
Communications media
Communications rate
OSI layer(s)

Profile
Protocol Salutation Architecture
Standard(s) Protocol and Operating System independent service discovery
Mission To promote the goal of accessing information through interconnection of heterogeneous information appliances, independent of network and application providers, with a goal of achieving an exchange of information anytime, anywhere. More specifically, the Salutation Architecture focuses on the definition and exchange of information detailing the capabilities of devices, applications and services.
Problems Addressed/
Issues The Salutation Architecture was created to solve the problems of service discovery and utilization among a broad set of appliances and equipment and in an environment of widespread connectivity and mobility.
Approach The architecture provides a standard method for applications, services and devices to describe and to advertise their capabilities to other applications, services and devices and to find out their capabilities. The architecture also enables applications, services and devices to search other applications, services or devices for a particular capability, and to request and establish interoperable sessions with them to utilize their capabilities.
Given the diverse nature of target appliances and equipment in an environment of widespread connectivity, the architecture is processor, operating system, and communication protocol independent, and allows for scalable implementations, even in very low-price devices.
Status Architecture spec 2.1 available for free at www.salutation.org
Multiple products shipping since 1996
Progressing Salutation Extended Service Discovery Profile through Bluetooth SIG
Open Source Code available at www.salutation.org
Applications Office automation, wireless LAN, Home automation – anywhere that service discovery across multiple protocols and multiple platforms is necessary.
Advantages/
Benefits Independent of OS and transmission protocol
Open (specification ownership and source code)
Royalty free
Proven technology through shipping products
Limitations None
Major Sponsors Canon, IBM, Murata, Ricoh
Number of members 19 Industry and 14 Academic
Web site www.salutation.org
Contact Robert Pascoe
President Emeritus
Salutation Consortium, Inc.
108 E. FM 2410, Suite F
PMB #116
Harker Heights, TX 76548
V 254-291-3277
F 254-698-5766
Communications media Independent of communications media, protocol and OS
Communications rate Based on underlying protocol
OSI layer(s) 6
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Universal Plug and Play Forum
· Update
· Profile
Update:
As you may know, October 18th marked the first anniversary of the Universal Plug and Play Forum and its Steering Committee. In light of that, I wanted to highlight some of the key accomplishments made by the UPnP Forum this year. As you know, Microsoft Corporation- in conjunction with its partners - is continuing to make great progress in bringing UPnP devices to market, and indeed, hopes to help further the launch of the first devices before the Holiday season 2001.
Some key accomplishments over the last year include:
· Version 1.0 of the UPnP device architecture approved
· The forum's membership grew to 300
· Voted in several new Steering Committee Members, including Xerox, Invensys,
and Kodak
· Sun Microsystems joined the UPnP Forum
· Microsoft shipped Windows Me, the first UPnP-enabled product.
· Microsoft, GE and others announced the Simple Control Protocol (SCP), a unified standard for lightweight home-control networking.
These accomplishments are particularly compelling as Home Networking and the digital home become more and more popular with consumers. In fact, Yankee Group recently published a report stating that 21 million U.S. households are interested in home networking, and states that estimates show that 12.4 million of these households want to implement home networking capabilities within the next year. For your reference, you can find the Yankee Group press release highlighting their findings here:
http://www.yankeegroup.com/webfolder/yg21a.nsf/press/
As you can see, this makes UPnP - as a "common denominator" in connecting households even more critical to furthering home networking technologies and connectivity.
For more information, visit http://upnp.org/winternewsletter/default.htm
Rachel Jackson performs a communications function for UpnP and can be contacted at 503.443.7000; rachelj@wagged.com *********************************************************************************************
- WiFi (802.11b)
Coming soon . . .
This profile has not yet been received by CABA. When it is available, it will be posted here. Check back often for

*********************************************************************************************

Coming soon . . .
This profile has not yet been received by CABA. When it is available, it will be posted here. Check back often for updates.
In the meantime, you can visit the WECA Web site at http://www.wi-fi.org. *********************************************************************************************
El Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) más que un protocolo es un conjunto de protocolos que definen una serie de reglas y primitivas que permiten a máquinas muy heterogéneas intercambiarse información mediante el uso de redes área local (LANs), redes de área extensa (WAN), redes públicas de telefónía, etc... Por ejemplo, Internet en sí mismo está construido sobre el protocolo TCP/IP.
Al contrario de la arquitectura de 7 niveles especificada en la torre OSI, con TCP/IP bastan cinco niveles, estos son:
De forma muy resumida:
6. Nivel Físico: define los tipos de medio físico (cable de pares, coaxial, fibra, etc) y los niveles de señal que se inyectarán en estos.
7. Nivel de Enlace: prepara los paquetes de datos para su envío por el medio físico en cuestión, resuelve las colisiones, corrige errores de paquetes o solicita el reenvío de los mismos.
8. Nivel de Red (IP): los hosts pueden introducir paquetes en la red, los cuales llegan al destinatario de forma independiente. No hay garantías de entrega ni de orden (IP no está orientado a la conexión), gestiona las rutas de los paquetes y controla la congestión.
9. Nivel de Transporte: es el nivel que realmente permite que dos máqinas conectadas TCP/IP puedan conversar entre sí. En este nivel pueden funcionar dos tipos de protocolos:
· Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Proporciona una conexión segura que permite la entrega sin errores de un flujo de bytes desde una máquina origen a una destino Parte la ristra de datos a enviar en paquetes discretos y lo monta de nuevo en el destino. Maneja el control de flujo.
· User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Es un protocolo no orientado a la conexión, por lo tanto no garantiza el reparto seguro del paquete enviado. En general, se usa el UDP cuando la aplicación que se monta encima, necesita tiempos de respuesta muy cortos mas que fiabilidad en el entrega.
10. Nivel de aplicación. Sobre él se montan las aplicaciones finales que nos facilitan la vida, destacan: el correo electrónico, el navegador Web, el intercambio de ficheros FTP, y aplicaciones como el Napster para el intercambio de música MP3 entre dos ordenadores.
Recordar que cuando se menciona el término "TCP/IP" en general nos estamos refiriendo a todos estos niveles y todas las reglas que hacen posible una comunicación extremo-a-extremo entre dos aplicaciones de máquinas diferentes.
Bien, resumiendo TCP/IP permite trocear las ristras de datos de las aplicaciones y encapsularlos en paquetes de longitud finita, con una dirección de origen y una de destino (como si metiéramos los datos dentro de un sobre de correos). Estos paquetes pasarán por Routers, Gateways, Bridges o Switches que harán posible que lleguen a sus destinos, normalmente libres de errores o pérdidas de información.
TCP/IP no está optimizado para la Domótica
La mayoría de los protocolos que han sido especialmente creados para implementar redes de control distribuidas (Lonworks, EIB, EHS, X-10), las tramas fueron diseñadas de forma que el espacio útil para datos de las aplicaciones fuera el máximo. Por ejemplo para encender y pagar una luz basta con una orden codificada en un par de octetos. Por lo tanto, se trata de minimizar los campos de control (direcciones, CRCs, etc) que el protocolo necesita para transferir estos dos octetos al dispositivo destino.
Los especialistas suelen usar dos formas para medir este factor de mérito:
5. Ancho de Banda Neto, medido en bits por segundo. Por ejemplo, un bus puede inyectar un flujo de datos de 5400 bps en los cables pero sólo 4800 bps son útiles para la aplicación. En este caso, 600 bps serían añadidos por el propio protocolo.
6. Overhead o tara, medido en tanto por ciento. Por ejemplo, de una trama 55 bytes, son útiles 50 bytes. La tara sería del 10%.
Fijarse que ambos parámetros representan lo mismo: cuantos bits puedo transferir por el medio físico en un instante dado y cuantos bits son realmente útiles para la aplicación.
Por el contrario, el protocolo TCP/IP, que fue diseñado para transferir ingentes cantidades de datos entre dos máquinas, cuando se usa para transferir 2 o 3 octetos de información el coste en ancho de banda es muy alto. Por ejemplo, entrando directamente a nivel IP, el paquete mínimo necesita 20 octetos sólo de campos de control. Si entramos a nivel de TCP son 40 octetos de control como mínimo. Dando lugar a una tara del 900% y 1800 %, respecticamente.
Por este motivo, el protocolo TCP/IP no está optimizado para su uso en redes de control distribuido en aplicaciones de automatización de viviendas u oficinas.
Entonces ¿porqué hemos decidido poner a TCP/IP dentro del apartado de Domótica?
A pesar de las razones técnicas que se acaban de mencionar, pronto veremos como aparecerán dispositivos domóticos y electrodomésticos con conexiones TCP/IP en el mercado. La razón es muy sencilla… TCP/IP está siendo usado en infinidad de ordenadores y aplicaciones, de forma que ha conseguido un volumen de negocio tal que ha hecho de este protocolo la herramienta ideal para asegurar la interconectividad total entre máquinas en cualquier parte del mundo.
Por otro lado, hasta hace bien poco, el coste de embarcar la pila TCP/IP (stack TCP/IP, ver figura anterior) no era muy rentable debido a que los precios de las memorias eran elevados y a la cantidad de procesador que roba a la aplicación principal. Pero como el coste del hardware es cada vez menor, estamos viendo como aparecen multitud de microcontroladores de 8 y 16 bits (los más usados en aplicaciones distribuidas de control de las viviendas) que, con una arquitectura avanzada o una velocidad elevada, implementan el stack TCP/IP ocupando muy poca memoria y sin apenas interferir en la velocidad de la aplicación principal.
Por ejemplo el "eZ80 Webserver" de la empresa Zilog, es un pequeño microcontrolador de 8 bits que es capaz de funcionar a 50 MHz y direccionar hasta 16 Mbytes de memoria. Se puede configurar su memoria para implementar todo o parte del stack TCP/IP además de los protocolos adicionales como el HTTP, SMTP, PPP, DHCP, entre otros.
Es decir, que con un pequeño dispositivo, una memoria adicional (sin discos duros) y un transceiver para el medio físico en cuestión (normalmente, cable de pares trenzados UTP-Cat.5, o RS-232 para un modem con el protocolo PPP) se puede tener un servidor Web que controle la calefacción, el HVAC, el horno, etc y encima ¡proporcione una pagina Web! con la que el usuario podrá acceder a telecontrolar y monitorizar todos los parámetros.
El coste de embarcar un microcontrolador como este dentro de la caldera de la calefacción, del aire acondicionado, del horno, apenas incrementará el coste final de estos equipos.
Otro especialista en el uso de TCP/IP es la empresa Lantronix. Sus productos sirven para facilitar la conexión de autómatas industriales o terminales remotos al mundo TCP/IP. De momento la mayoría de sus aplicaciones están centradas en la automatización de industrias y factorías. Pero, según los responsables de estrategia de esta empresa ya están pensando en como abordar a los fabricantes de electrodomésticos, con la clara intención de dotarles a estos de salida Ethernet y stack TCP/IP para poder construir aplicaciones remotas que gestionen su funcionamiento y optimicen el consumo.

X10
X-10 es uno de los protocolos más antiguos que se están usando en aplicaciones domóticas. Fue diseñado en Escocia entre los años 1976 y 1978 con el objetivo de transmitir datos por las líneas de baja tensión a muy baja velocidad (60 bps en EEUU y 50 bps en Europa) y costes muy bajos. Al usar las líneas de eléctricas de la vivienda, no es necesario tender nuevos cables para conectar dispositivos.
El protocolo X-10, en sí, no es propietario, es decir, cualquier fabricante puede producir dispositivos X-10 y ofrecerlos en su catálogo, eso sí, está obligado a usar los circuitos del fabricante escocés que diseño esta tecnología. Aunque, al contrario de lo que sucede con la firma Echelon y su NeuronChip que implementa Lonworks, los circuitos integrados que implementan el X-10 tienen un royalty muy bajo (casi simbólico).
Actualmente, podréis encontrar en Europa con tres grandes familias de productos basadas en X-10, teóricamente compatibles entre sí, estas son: Netzbus, Timac y Home Systems.
Gracias a su madurez (más de 20 años en el mercado) y a la tecnología empleada los productos X-10 tienen un precio muy competitivo de forma que es líder en el mercado norteamericano residencial y de pequeñas empresas (realizadas por los usuarios finales o electricistas sin conocimientos de automatización).
Se puede afirmar que el X-10 es ahora mismo la tecnología más asequible para realizar una instalación domótica no muy compleja. Habrá que esperar a que aparezcan los primeros productos E.mode (easy mode) del protocolo KNX (ver página Konnex) en Europa para comprobar si el X-10 tendrá competencia real, por precio y prestaciones, en el mercado europeo.
Nivel Físico
El protocolo X-10 usa una modulación muy sencilla, comparado con las que usan otros protocolos de control por ondas portadoras. El transceiver X-10 está pendiente de los pasos por cero de la onda senoidal de 50 Hz típica de la alimentación eléctrica (60 Hz en EEUU) para insertar un instante después una ráfaga muy corta de señal en una frecuencia fija.
Se puede insertar esta señal en el semiciclo positivo y el negativo de la onda senoidal. La codificación de un bit 1 o de un bit 0, depende de cómo se inyecte esta señal en los dos semiciclos. Un 1 binario se representa por un pulso de 120 KHz durante 1 milisegundo y el 0 binario se representa por la ausencia de ese pulso de 120 KHz. En un sistema trifásico el pulso de 1 milisegundo se transmite tres veces para que coincida con el paso por el cero en las tres fases.
Por lo tanto, el Tiempo de Bit coincide con los 20 msg que dura el ciclo de la señal, de forma que la velocidad binaria de 50 bps viene impuesta por la frecuencia de la red eléctrica que tenemos en Europa. En Estados Unidos la velocidad binaria son 60 bps.
La transmisión completa de un orden X-10 necesita once ciclos de corriente. Esta trama se divide en tres campos de información:
11. dos ciclos representan el Código de Inicio.
12. cuatro ciclos representan el Código de Casa (letras A-P),
13. cinco ciclos representan o bien el Código Numérico (1-16) o bien el Código de Función (Encender, Apagar, Aumento de Intensidad, etc...).
Para aumentar la fiabilidad del sistema, esta trama (Código de Inicio, Código de Casa y Código de Función o Numérico) se transmite siempre dos veces, separándolas por tres ciclos completos de corriente. Hay una excepción, en funciones de regulación de intensidad, se transmiten de forma continuada (por lo menos dos veces) sin separación entre tramas.
Protocolo
Existen tres tipos de dispositivos X-10: los que sólo pueden transmitir órdenes, los que sólo pueden recibirlas y los que pueden enviar/recibir estas.
Los transmisores pueden direccionar hasta 256 receptores. Los receptores vienen dotados de dos pequeños conmutadores giratorios, uno con 16 letras y el otro con 16 números) que permiten asignar una dirección de las 256 posibles. En una misma instalación puede haber varios receptores configurados con la misma dirección, todos realizarán la función preasignada cuando un transmisor envíe una trama con esa dirección. Evidentemente cualquier dispositivo receptor puede recibir órdenes de diferentes transmisores.
Los dispositivos bidireccionales, tienen la capacidad de responder y confirmar la correcta realización de una orden, lo cual puede ser muy útil cuando el sistema X-10 está conectado a un programa de ordenador que muestre los estados en que se encuentra la instalación domótica de la vivienda.
A continuación se muestran los logos con que podeis identificar a que tipo pertenece un dispositivo que tengais en las manos (Transmisor, Receptor y Transmisor/Receptor, respectivamente).
En 1984 varios miembros de la EIA norteamericana (Electronics Industry Association) llegaron a la conclusión de la necesidad de un bus domótico que aportara más funciones que las que aportaban sistemas de aquella época (ON, OFF, DIMMER xx, ALL OFF, etc). Especificaron y desarrollaron un estándar llamado CEBus (Consumer Electronic Bus).
En 1992 fue presentada la primera especificación. Se trata de un protocolo, para entornos distribuidos de control, que está definido en un conjunto de documentos (en total unas 1000 páginas). Como es una especificación abierta cualquier empresa puede conseguir estos documentos y fabricar productos que implementen este estándar.
En Europa una iniciativa similar en prestaciones, y en el mercado al que va dirigido, es el protocolo EHS (European Home System).
Nivel Físico
Se contemplan diversos protocolos para que los electrodomésticos y equipos eléctricos puedan comunicarse usando ondas portadoras por las líneas de baja tensión, par trenzado con telealimentación, cable coaxial, infrarrojo, radiofrecuencia y fibra óptica.
Para la transmisión de datos por corrientes portadoras, el CEBus usa una modulación en espectro expandido; estos se transmite uno o varios bits dentro de una ráfaga de señal que comienza en 100 kHz y termina en 400 kHz (barrido) de duración 100 microsegundos. La velocidad media de transmisión es de 7500 bps.
NOTA: a pesar que podreis encontraros productos CEBus para redes eléctricas "240 Vac/50 Hz", desde Casadomo debemos indicar que el nivel físico del estándar CEBus no cumple la norma europea relativa a transmisión de señal por las líneas de baja tensión (CENELEC EN-50065), por lo que recomendamos no implantar en una vivienda española una solución basada en este protocolo.
Protocolo
Las tramas definidas en CEBus pueden tener longitud variable en función de la cantidad de datos que se necesitan transmitir. El tamaño mínimo es 8 octetos y el máximo casi 100 octetos.
Al igual que los dispositivos EIB, los nodos CEBus tienen grabado una dirección física prefijada en fábrica, que los identifican de forma unívoca en una instalación domótica. Hay más de 4.000 millones de posibilidades.
Como parte de la especificación CEBus se ha definido un lenguaje común para el diseño y especificación de la funcionalidad de un nodo, a este lenguaje lo han llamado CAL (Common Application Language) y esta orientado a objetos (estándar EIA-600).
La empresa Intellon Corporation dispone del hardware y el protocolo embarcados en un único circuito. Además proporcionan el entorno de desarrollo en lenguaje CAL compatible con sus propios circuitos así como Kits de inicio para aquellas empresas que deseen empezar a desarrollar productos CEBus.
CIC
La CIC (CEBus Industry Council) es una asociación de diferentes fabricantes de software y hardware que certifican que los nuevos productos CEBus que se lancen al mercado cumplan toda la especificación. Una vez que el producto pase todos los ensayos, el fabricante paga una tasa y es autorizado a poner el logo CEBus en ese producto.

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LonWorks/LonTalk - domótica

Echelon presentó la tecnología LonWorks en el año 1992, desde entonces multitud de empresas viene usando esta tecnología para implementar redes de control distribuidas y automatización. Aunque está diseñada para cubrir los requisitos de la mayoría de las aplicaciones de control, sólo ha tenido éxito de implantación en edificios de oficinas, hoteles o industrias. Pero, debido a su coste, los dispositivos Lonworks no han tenido una implantación masiva en los hogares, sobretodo porque existían otras tecnologías de prestaciones similares mucho más baratas.
El éxito que ha tenido Lonworks en instalaciones profesionales, en las que importa mucho más la fiabilidad y robustez que el precio, se debe a que desde su origen ofrece una solución con arquitectura descentralizada, extremo-a-extremo, que permite distribuir la inteligencia entre los sensores y los actuadores instalados en la vivienda y que cubre desde el nivel físico al nivel de aplicación de la mayoría de los proyectos de redes de control.
Según Echelon, su arquitectura es un sistema abierto a cualquier fabricante que quiera usar esta tecnología sin depender de sistemas propietarios, que permite reducir los costes y aumentar la flexibilidad de la aplicación de control distribuida. Aunque Echelon usa el concepto de "sistema abierto", como veremos posteriormente, realmente no es una tecnología que pueda implementarse si no es con un circuito integrado registrado por Echelon.
Conceptos Básicos sobre Lonworks
Cualquier dispositivo Lonworks, o nodo, está basado en un microcontrolador especial llamado Neuron Chip. Tanto este circuito integrado como el firmware que implementa el protocolo LonTalk fueron desarollados por Echelon en el año 1990.
Del Neuron Chip podemos destacar:
· Tiene un identificador único, el Neuron ID, que permite direccionar cualquier nodo de forma unívoca dentro de una red de control Lonworks. Este identificador, con 48 bits de ancho, se graba en la memoria EEPROM durante la fabricación del circuito.
· Tiene un modelo de comunicaciones que es independiente del medio físico sobre el que funciona, esto es, los datos pueden transmitirse sobre cables de par trenzado, ondas portadoras, fibra óptica, radiofrecuencia y cable coaxial, entre otros.
· El firmware que implementa el protocolo LonTalk, proporciona servicios de transporte y routing extremo-a-extremo. Está incluido un sistema operativo que ejecuta y planifica la aplicación distribuida y que maneja las estructuras de datos que se intercambian los nodos.
Estos circuitos se comunican entre sí enviándose telegramas que contienen la dirección de destino, información para el routing, datos de control así como los datos de la aplicación del usuario y un checksum como código detector de errores. Todos los intercambios de datos se inician en un Neuron Chip y se supervisan en el resto de los circuitos de la red. Un telegrama puede tener hasta 229 octetos de información neta para la aplicación distribuida.
Los datos pueden tener dos formatos, desde un mensaje explícito o una variable de red. Los mensajes explícitos son la forma más sencilla de intercambiar datos entre dos aplicaciones residentes en dos Neuron Chips del mismo segmento Lonworks. Por el contrario, las variables de red proporcionan un modelo estructurado para el intercambio automático de datos distribuidos en un segmento Lonworks. Aunque son menos flexibles que los mensajes explícitos, las variables de red evitan que el programador de la aplicación distribuida esté pendiente de los detalles de las comunicaciones.
Respecto a los fabricantes, Echelon sólo ha concedido licencia a tres fabricantes de semiconductores, los cuales además tienen que pagar un royalty por cada circuito fabricado. Además, el diseño del Neuron Chip permanece secreto y supuestamente, ningún otro fabricante, además de estos tres, puede fabricar dicho producto. Por estos motivos, al no existir competencia real y estar la producción controlada por Echelon, los precios no se han reducido tanto como para permitir que los nodos Lonworks puedan tener un precio realmente competitivo en aplicaciones residenciales. Por lo tanto, aunque Echelon se empeñe en decir que es una sistema abierto, la realidad viene demostrando que no es cierto.
Medio Físico
El Neuron Chip proporciona un puerto específico de cinco pines que puede ser configurado para actuar como interface de diversos transceivers de línea y funcionar a diferentes velocidades binarias. Lonworks puede funcionar sobre RS-485 opto-aislado, acoplado a un cable coaxial o de pares trenzados con un transformador, sobre corrientes portadoras, fibra óptica e incluso radio.
El transceiver es el encargado de adaptar las señales del Neuron Chip a los niveles que necesita cada medio físico. En la tabla siguiente se resumen las características más importantes de cinco modelos muy usados actualmente. Protocolos y Estándares
Actualidades Trans-
ceiver Medio Físico Vel-
ocidad binaria Topo-
logía de red Distancia máxima NžNodos Otros Konnex ( EIB , Batibus , EHS )
X10
CEBus
Lonworks/LonTalk
SCP
Bacnet
HAVi
Jini
UpnP
HAPI
TCP/IP
PLT-22 Ondas Porta_
doras 5,4 Kbps Cualquiera en redes de baja tensión o par trenzado sin alimen-
tación Depende de la atenuación entre emisor y receptor y del ruido en la línea Depende de la atenuación entre emisor y receptor y del ruido en la línea Compatible con PLT-20 y PLT-21 Sistemas Propetarios
Portada FTT-10A Par Trenzado 78 Kbps Bus, estrella o lazo. Cualquier combina-
ción 500 metros, hasta 2700 metros con doble bus e impe-
dancias de carga en los extremos 64 Compatible con FTT-10 y LPT10 Simon: Vox & Vis
Fagor: Maior-Domo
Eunea Merlin: Amigo
Lutron
Aike: Domaike
Biodom
Domotel
LPT-10 Par Trenzado 78 Kbps Bus, estrella o lazo. Cualquier combina-
ción 500 metros, hasta 2700 metros con doble bus e impe-
dancias de carga en los extremos 32, 64, 128 en función del consumo Capaz de tele-
alimentar nodos por el mismo par trenzado
Articulos TPT/XF-78 Par Trenzado 78 Kbps Bus 1400 metros 64 Ø Aislado con trans-
formador
TPT/XF-1250 Par Trenzado 1,25 Mbps Bus 130 metros 64 Ø Aislado con trans-
formador
Noticias Compatibilidad LonMark
LonMark es una asociación de fabricantes que desarrollan productos o servicios basados en redes de control Lonworks. Esta asociación especifica y publica las recomendaciones e implementaciones que mejor se adaptan a cada uno de los dispositivos típicos de las redes de control, para ello se basan en objetos y perfiles funcionales.
Los objetos LonMark forman las variables que se intercambia la red de control a nivel de aplicación (nivel 7 de la torre OSI). Estos objetos describen los formatos de los datos que se intercambian los nodos y la semántica que se usa para relacionarlos con otros objetos de la aplicación distribuida. Hay tres objetos que son básicos, el actuador, el sensor y el controlador.
Los perfiles funcionales detallan en profundidad el interface de la aplicación distribuida con la red Lonworks (variables de red y las propiedades de configuración) y el comportamiento que tendrán las funciones implementadas.
Hay que recalcar que los perfiles funcionales estandarizan las funciones no los productos de forma que permite que diversos fabricantes ofrezcan el mismo producto a nivel funcional pero desde el punto de vista hardware no tenga nada que ver un diseño con otro. Lo perfiles LonMark aseguran la compatibilidad total entre productos Lonworks.
Para no limitar el conjunto de funciones u objetos que un fabricante puede embarcar en un nodo Lonworks, los perfiles funcionales se especifican con un conjunto de objetos o funciones obligatorias además de un conjunto opcional de las mismas. En este punto se debe indicar que aunque existen cientos de productos Lonworks no todos tienen la certificación LonMark.
Más información:
www.echelon.com
www.lonmark.com
http:///
http:///
http:///


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El Simple Control Protocol (SCP) es un intento del gigante Microsoft, y de la mayor empresa del mundo (por facturación y empleados) General Electric, de crear un protocolo para redes de control que consiga afianzarse como la solución, de facto, en todas las aplicaciones de automatización de edificios y viviendas.
Se trata de poner un poco de orden en la oferta que hay ahora mismo en EEUU para estos temas (X-10, CEBus, Lonworks, otros) y auspiciar la convergencia de todos estos hacia un protocolo abierto y libre de royalties, además de desarrollar un conjunto de productos que cubran todos los requisitos de automatización de las viviendas. Esta iniciativa, aunque ya había trabajos previos, tiene formalmente apenas dos años de vida.
Para el desarrollo de este protocolo, no se ha partido de cero, el CIC (CEBus Industry Council) junto con las empresas que auspician el desarrollo del UPnP (Universal Plug&Play), se unieron a la causa y trabajan desde el principio en esta convergencia. Evidentemente era lógico que ambas iniciativas lo hicieran, algunas de las empresas asociadas al CIC ya estaban trabajando en lo que iba a ser el Home PnP, además General Electric estaba usando el CEBus en algunos de sus productos.
Por otro lado UPnP es una iniciativa liderada por Microsoft (aunque se empeñe en decir lo contrario) que pretende ser la solución estándar para todos lo problemas de instalación y configuración de una red de dispositivos pequeños o grandes, facilitando así la vida al usuario final. Hay que recalcar que el UPnP y el Jini (Sun Microsystems) son iniciativas que tienen objetivo similares y que por lo tanto se están desarrollando en competencia.
Nivel Físico
A nivel físico el SCP ha escogido una solución basada la transmisión de datos por las líneas de baja tensión (ondas portadoras) que ya estaba desarrollada, el CEBus. Gracias a esto, el estándar CEBus está disfrutando de una segunda oportunidad después de varios años de existencia con una implantación escasa. En este punto hay que recalcar que en EEUU, donde llevan varios años de adelanto en la implantación de sistemas domóticos respecto a Europa, el X-10, en el mercado residencial y el Lonworks, en el mercado profesional, tienen copado el mercado.
En la página CEBus podréis encontrar más detalle del nivel físico de este protocolo. Hay que destacar, como usa las líneas eléctricas como medio de transmisión, que no es necesario cablear la vivienda para acceder a los dispositivos.
Actualmente las empresas Domosys, ITRAN Communications Ltd y, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, están desarrollando circuitos integrados que implementen la especificación SCP en poco espacio y a bajo coste, haciendo posible su uso en multitud de dispositivos eléctricos, electrodomésticos y equipos de consumo de las viviendas.
Está previsto el desarrollo de varios medios físicos adicionales como el par trenzado y la radiofrecuencia.
Protocolo
El SCP esta optimizado para su uso en dispositivos de eléctricos y electrónicos que tienen una memoria y una capacidad de proceso muy limitadas. Al igual que otros buses o protocolos de control distribuido, el SCP está diseñado para funcionar sobre redes de control con un ancho de banda muy pequeño (< 10 Kbps) y optimizado para las condiciones de ruido características de las líneas de baja tensión (Ondas Portadoras o "Powerline Communications").
Los dispositivos SCP usarán un modelos definidos por el UPnP que serán configurados mediante el acceso a un conjunto de primitivas o APIs (Application Program Interface). Se trata de asegurar la conexión punto-a-punto entre dispositivos y definir un conjunto de funciones distribuidas extremo-a-extremo que permita el desarrollo de múltiples servicios en las viviendas con un bajo coste y de manera segura.
Evolución
En Casadomo seguiremos con interés la evolución de esta iniciativa y su evolución hacia el mercado europeo (en Europa no se usa el CEBus). Suponemos que Microsoft, una vez que el SCP haya dado los primeros pasos en el mercado norteamericano, intentará que algún protocolo europeo (que tenga bien resuelto el acceso al medio físico por ondas portadoras) se una a la causa. Otra solución sería que el CEBus se adapte a la legislación europea relativa a la transmisión de datos por las líneas de baja tensión (para el que quiera saber más es la norma CENELEC EN-50065).

El BACnet es un protocolo norteamericano para la automatización de viviendas y redes de control que fue desarrollado bajo el patrocinio de una asociación norteamericana de fabricantes e instaladores de equipos de calefacción y aire acondicionado.
El principal objetivo, a finales de los años ochenta, era la de crear un protocolo abierto (no propietario) que permitiera interconectar los sistemas de aire acondicionado y calefacción de las viviendas y edificios con el único propósito de realizar una gestión energética inteligente de la vivienda.
Se definió un protocolo que implementaba la arquitectura OSI de niveles y se decidió empezar usando, como soporte de nivel físico, la tecnología RS-485 (similar al RS-232 pero sobre un par trenzado y transmisión diferencial de la señal, para hacer más inmune esta a las interferencias electromagnéticas).
Incluso a principios de los años 90, cuando apareció el protocolo LonTalk usado en Lonworks, esta asociación se planteó su inclusión como parte del protocolo BACnet, a pesar de que Echelon demostró que no pensaba ceder los derechos de patente ni dejar de cobrar royalties por los chips que implementan el Lonworks. Todo ello iba en contra de las bases fundacionales del grupo de trabajo BACnet como protocolo abierto.
La parte más interesante de este protocolo es el esfuerzo que han realizado para definir un conjunto de reglas HW y SW que permiten comunicarse a dos dispositivos independientemente si estos usan protocolos como el EIB, el BatiBUS, el EHS, el LonTalk, TCP/IP, etc…
El BACnet no quiere cerrarse a un nivel físico o a un protocolo de nivel 3 concretos, realmente lo que pretende definir es la forma en que se representan las funciones que puede hacer cada dispositivo, llamadas "objetos" cada una con sus propiedades concretas. Existen objetos como entradas/salidas analógicas, digitales, bucles de control (PID, etc) entre otros. Algunas propiedades son obligatorias otras son opcionales, pero la que siempre se debe configurar es la dirección o identificador de dispositivo el cual permite localizar a este dentro de una instalación compleja BACnet.
Actualmente existe incluso una iniciativa en Europa para la estandarización del BACnet como herramienta para el diseño, gestión e interconexión de múltiples redes de control distribuido.
Más información:
www.bacnet.org
El HAVi es una iniciativa de los fabricantes más importantes de equipos de entretenimiento (Grundig, Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp, Sony, Thomson y Toshiba) para crear un estándar que permita compartir recursos y servicios entre los televisores, los equipos HiFi, los vídeos, etc.. El HAVi es una especificación software que permite la interoperabilidad total entre estos.
Con el HAVi los usuarios podrán usar la pantalla del televisor para gobernar el equipo de música, la vídeo cámara, la videoconsola, a su vez, la TV o el equipo HiFi. Podrán escuchar la música del reproductor de CDs del salón en el equipo mini de la habitación, o usar un ordenador, situado en otra habitación, como reproductor de películas DVD mientras cenamos en la cocina o en el salón. Por otro lado, todos estos equipos podrán bajar automáticamente el volumen cuando suene el teléfono o llamen a la puerta. El sistema de alarma de la vivienda podrá usar la TV como pantalla y el vídeo como sistema de almacenamiento.
Tecnología
El HAVi ha sido desarrollado para cubrir las demandas de intercambio de información entre los equipos de audio y vídeo digitales de las viviendas actuales. Es independiente del firmware usado en cada uno de los equipos, de hecho, el HAVi tiene su propio sistema operativo (independiente del HW y de la función del equipo) que ha sido especialmente diseñado para el intercambio rápido y eficaz de grandes paquetes de datos de audio y vídeo (streaming).
Cuando estemos adquiriendo un equipo con el logo HAVi de alguno de los fabricantes mencionados, tendremos asegurado que:
· La interoperabilidad será total, cualquier otro dispositivo HAVi podrá gobernar al nuevo y viceversa.
· Compatibilidad entre dispositivos de fabricantes diferentes está asegurada.
· Plug&Play inmediato. Una vez conectado el bus IEEE 1394 al nuevo dispositivo este se anunciará al resto de equipos HAVi instalados en la vivienda y ofrecerá sus funciones y servicios a los demás. No será necesario estudiarse ningún manual de configuración o de instalación en red del nuevo equipo.
· Podremos descargar de Internet las nuevas versiones de SW y controladores que actualizarán las prestaciones del equipo adecuándolo así a las necesidades de cada usuario o a su entorno de equipos HAVi que tenga instalados en su vivienda.
Nivel Físico
El HAVi ha escogido al estándar IEEE 1394 (llamado "i.Link â"o "FireWire â") como soporte físico de los paquetes de datos. Este estándar, que alcanza velocidades de hasta 500 Mbps, es capaz de distribuir al mismo tiempo diversos paquetes de datos de audio y vídeo entre diferentes equipos de una vivienda, además de todos los paquetes de control necesarios para la correcta distribución y gestión de todos los servicios.
Más información:
www.havi.org
http:///
http:///
El Jini es una tecnología, desarrollada por Sun Microsystems, que proporciona un mecanismo sencillo para que diversos dispositivos conectados a una red puedan colaborar y compartir recursos sin necesidad de que el usuario final tenga que planificar y configurar dicha red. En esta red de equipos, llamada "comunidad", cada uno proporciona a los demás los servicios, controladores e interfaces necesarios para distribuirse de forma óptima la carga de trabajo o las tareas que deben realizar.
Al igual que el UPnP de Microsoft, el Jini tiene un procedimiento, llamado "discovery" para que cualquier dispositivo recién conectado a la red sea capaz de ofrecer sus recursos a los a los demás, informando de su capacidad de procesamiento y de memoria además de las funciones que es capaz de hacer (tostar el pan, sacar una foto digital, imprimir, etc.). Una vez ejecutado el discovery, se ejecutará el procedimiento "join", asignándole una dirección fija, una posición en la red, etc.
La arquitectura está totalmente distribuida, ningún dispositivo hace el papel de controlador central o maestro de la red, todos pueden hablar con todos y ofrecer sus servicios a los demás. No es necesario el uso de un PC central que controle a los dispositivos conectados a la red. Igualmente, el Jini puede funcionar en entornos dinámicos donde la aparición o desconexión de dispositivos sea constante.
Tecnología
Jini ha sido desarrollado por Sun Microsystems, aprovechando la experiencia y muchos de los conceptos en los que está inspirado el lenguaje Java y, sobretodo, en la filosofía de la Máquina Virtual Java (JVM). Por lo tanto, el Jini puede funcionar sobre potentes estaciones de trabajo, en PCs, en pequeños dispositivos (PDAs, cámaras de fotos, móviles, reproductores mp3) o en electrodomésticos de línea marrón o blanca (HiFi, TV, Vídeos, set-top boxes, frigoríficos, lavadoras, etc..). Gracias al Java la compatibilidad y la seguridad están garantizadas.
Evolución
Desde su lanzamiento y presentación en el año 1999 por Sun Microsystems, la tecnología Jini no está teniendo el éxito que se esperaba de ella. De hecho, la propia Sun así lo ha reconocido. Algunos fabricantes de dispositivos achacan este fracaso a la actitud que mantiene Sun respecto a los derechos sobre el Java y su máquina virtual. Aunque cualquier fabricante puede usar el Java en infinidad de aplicaciones de sobremesa o embarcadas, realmente sólo Sun o alguna empresa autorizada puede desarrollar la JVM.
Por otro lado, Microsoft está contraatacando con el Universal Plug&Play (UPnP) el cual se puede montar sobre sistemas operativos usados de forma masiva como el Windows Me, Pocket PC, y otros. No hay que olvidar que los usuarios demandan aplicaciones, independientemente de la tecnología que las implemente, y hoy en día la mayoría de las aplicaciones corren sobre sistemas operativos como el Windows 98, Me, 2000, etc.
Más información:
www.jini.orgUniversal Plug&Play (UPnP) es una arquitectura SW abierta y distribuida que permite a las aplicaciones de los dispositivos conectados a una red intercambien información y datos de forma sencilla y transparente para el usuario final, sin necesidad de que este tenga que ser un experto en la configuración de redes, dispositivos o sistemas operativos. Esta arquitectura SW está por encima de protocolos como el TCP, el UDP, el IP, etc, y es independiente de estos.
El UPnP se encarga de todos los procesos necesarios para que un dispositivo u ordenador conectado a una red pueda intercambiar información con el resto. El UPnP ha sido diseñado de forma que sea independiente del fabricante, sistema operativo, del lenguaje de programación de cada dispositivo u ordenador, y del medio físico usado para implementar la red.
Este protocolo es capaz de descubrir cuando se conecta un nuevo equipo o dispositivo a la red, asignándole una dirección IP, un nombre lógico, informando a los demás de sus funciones y capacidad de procesamiento, e informarle, a su vez, de las funciones y prestaciones de los demás. De esta forma, el usuario no tiene que preocuparse de configurar la red ni de perder el tiempo instalando drivers o controladores de dispositivos, el UPnP se encarga todos estos procesos cada vez que se conecta o se desconecta un equipo. y además optimiza en todo momento la configuración de los equipos.
Hay que destacar que el UPnP, que ha sido auspiciado por Microsoft, persigue los mismos objetivos que el Jini de Sun Microsystems. Se trata de facilitar la vida al usuario final o al administrador de red de un empresa. Por ejemplo, al conectar una nueva impresora, con el logo UPnP o Jini,,a un red de ordenadores la impresora proporciona todos los controladores a los demás dispositivos que lo necesiten. Lo mismo sucedería con un escáner, una cámara de fotos digital, una videoconsola, etc…
Más información:
www.upnp.org
http:///

El grupo de trabajo Home API (HAPI) es una iniciativa de diferentes empresas cuyo objetivo es la especificación y desarrollo de un conjunto de servicios y interfaces de programación (Application Program Interface (API)) orientados hacia la automatización y control de las viviendas.
Es una iniciativa puramente orientada al software y que probablemente permitirá que diversas aplicaciones de control puedan funcionar sobre diferentes protocolos, destacan el CEBus, el Lonworks, el HAVi e incluso las redes de área local basadas en Ethernet y TCP/IP.
El HAPI está auspiciado por diversos fabricantes de PCs y por el gigante Microsoft el cual esta desarrollando la que será la primera implementación del HAPI, como es lógico, para sus sistema operativo Windows, aunque la organización se ha comprometido a desarrollarlo en breve para otros sistemas operativos.
Por lo tanto, el HAPI facilitará la labor de los programadores de aplicaciones domóticas o de gestión de la vivienda, creando un conjunto de primitivas o APIs comunes para todos ellos que permitirán aumentar la portabilidad de las aplicaciones y reusabilidad de un código que ha sido especialmente diseñado para el control de dispositivos en la vivienda.
Más información:
www.homeapi.org