CAT-iq ULP - a ground-breaking low-power wireless technology for the Digital Home
 A completely new and innovative technology add-on for the CAT-iq technology is the result of a perfect combination of considerable chip knowledge and excellent system domain knowledge. In the fall of 2008 SiTel and RTX decided to join forces in the quest for new and innovative battery management algorithms. The primary objective was to obtain a considerable reduction in power consumption in order to extend battery life, for example for cordless phones. The outcome is a new and ground-breaking technology - Ultra Low Power (ULP) - with impressive features, and furthermore interoperable with DECT/CAT-iq. Consequently, ULP devices are able to use an already existing DECT/CAT-iq infrastructure; thereby reducing risk and complexity in introducing ULP based devices.
The market potential for the ULP technology is considerable and the drivers in the market are related to three very strong trends – the growth in Internet related services, big European telecom operators’ activities within deployment of residential VoIP, and the increasing focus on “cleantech” and energy saving. The strong preference of telecom operators towards CAT-iq as wireless voice interface in their xDSL gateways shows that there is a considerable momentum behind this trend. Consequently, a very solid and considerable growth in the CAT-iq installed base is foreseen over the next years, thereby enabling the introduction of innovative ULP based products that can be connected to these gateways. In a recent market analysis from IMS Research, the number of Integrated Access Devices (IADs) shipped with a CAT-iq interface is projected to increase from 7 million units in 2009 to 51 million units in 2013, with EMEA being the most important market.
The ULP technology targets not only cordless phones but battery powered devices in general - especially applications in which battery life is an essential issue. Consequently, primary application areas for ULP include:
- Home Entertainment and Control devices – smart lighting, wireless door bell, safety and security, advanced temperature control (e.g. HVAC systems)
- Home Awareness – metering, fire and smoke detectors, water and power sensors, smart appliances, remote monitoring, sensor networks, etc.
- Advanced Remote Controls – e.g. two-way remote controls for consumer electronics.
A very central feature in ULP is interoperability with an existing DECT/CAT-iq infrastructure since this will open a completely new world of opportunities in which ULP devices can be connected to the Internet or LAN through for example a CAT-iq enabled Gateway or IAD. This is especially interesting in connection with for example remote monitoring applications. Key features of ULP are:
- Based on mature and proven technology
- Supports multiple nodes
- Easy and low risk integration path into existing products
- Typical power consumption reduced by a factor 40 over traditional DECT power management algorithms.
Currently, application profiles are being developed and are to be incorporated in the upcoming CAT-iq V4.0 standard. RTX is in the process of creating a platform, modules and a Software Development Kit (SDK) for easy and fast ULP integration and product development. RTX also offers system design services to product developers who want to integrate the ULP technology into their products or product platforms. Get a head start and benefit from the opportunities in ULP with solutions and services from RTX. |
