Reduction of CO2 emission is a central issue today, and SmartGrid initiatives have been launched in various countries, hence using digital technology balance demand, production, and storage of energy. However, the average user of energy is not directly influenced by the introduction of these SmartGrids. Consequently, these initiatives are just a first important step on the road towards considerable energy savings. The next step could very well be to enable the average energy user to micro-control power consumption in their own homes – here DECT ULP can turn out to be a very essential facilitator.
 

The Cleantech mega trend is just one piece of the puzzle in the next wave within energy savings; the second is the Home Networking & Communication mega trend. The essence of this trend is the fact that home networks start to embrace communication and convergence services. This is especially noticeable through the increasing interest from telecommunication operators to integrate DECT in residential GWs as an interface for cordless telephony. Typically the GWs or IADs also have a built-in Wi-Fi interface which mainly is used for data, but due to Wi-Fi perfor­mance in voice applications it makes good sense to integrate a DECT interface as a voice interface. Since DECT operates in a reserved frequency band the two technolo­gies can easily coexist in the same vicinity. 
 

To support the above trends RTX and SiTel initiated a program with the main objective to innovate on the energy efficiency of the wireless infra­structure in a DECT system, and the result of this program is DECT ULP. One of the major advantages of this technology is that it can be integrated directly on top of an existing DECT infrastructure, and through a DECT enabled IAD and a number of DECT ULP enabled devices new applications areas can be addressed.
 

The primary target for DECT ULP is Automation & Control applications, but in general the techno­logy is feasible in a wide number of other application areas as well. Although alternative wireless low power technologies within this application area exist they have a number of disadvantages over DECT ULP. Firstly, almost all lack the native Internet connectivity (= additional energy consumption for a hub). Secondly, they typically operate in the crowded 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band (= ineffective wireless transmission). DECT ULP has both native Internet connectivity and it operates in a reserved frequency band. Furthermore, the cost level of DECT ULP devices is low since it builds upon DECT; a mature technology which has a good “economy of scale” due to the high volume of shipped chipsets. Consequently, DECT ULP has a unique chance to become the technology that is able to accelerate growth in the market for energy-saving residential pro­ducts by exploiting the huge momentum behind the deployment of DECT based IADs - especially in Europe.
 

A prototype of a DECT ULP system was shown at the DECT World 2010 Conference & Exhibition in the beginning of February this year and the interest has been very positive. In fact, it was so overwhelming that the DECT Forum, the organisation promoting DECT and CAT-iq, recently decided to form a low power Working Group with the aim of introducing a low power mode in the DECT standard. Sales Manager, Dan D. S. Hermansen from RTX was appointed as the chairman of this Working Group. RTX is therefore heavily involved in the future of low power DECT and we are devoted to add value with DECT in new applications areas through the unique characteristics of the technology.

For further information please contact Lasse Anker Knudsen, Technical Marketing Manager, lkn@rtx.dk.