Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Atmel - the trend is about to change -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: tech101 who wrote (13408)	5/17/2004 3:12:14 PM
From: tech101	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13565

Here Come Wireless Sensors Wireless sensors based on the ZigBee standard are about to change the way industry approaches control and feedback. Remy Malan Barrington Partners Management Inc. Menlo Park, Calif. Wireless mesh networks have been getting a lot of attention recently. Interestingly, many of the applications developers have in mind for these networks are either industrial or in building management. A few simple examples illustrate the allure: It may soon be possible to install room thermostats that are wireless. This saves time and cost by eliminating the need for running signal wires. Ditto for lighting and HVAC controls in commercial buildings. Facilities operators will manage entire buildings with a handheld controller. In factories, wireless sensors will likely speed up the commissioning of production machinery. During setup, developers must typically tweak the position of sensors that feedback the position of moving actuators. Wireless devices may simplify this process by eliminating the rewiring and cable management that generally accompanies deployment. Some have voiced concerns about EMI and other factors that could pose problems for wireless links in such environments. But results presented at the recent Industrial Wireless Automation Summit (www.IWASummit.com) show that manufacturers are already deploying wireless sensor nets that function reliably despite such difficulties. A number of companies, including several startups, are actively bringing wireless mesh technologies to market. They frequently cite terms like 802.15.4 and ZigBee in their literature. These are standards to which wireless sensor networks will be built. ...... machinedesign.com