DECT: the “obvious choice” for Home Automation, Control and Security networks

New whitepaper explains how a unique combination of strengths makes DECT ULP ideally suited to home networking applications

‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, 7 January 2010 - SiTel Semiconductor has released a whitepaper explaining the unique benefits that DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology) and its new low-power mode DECT ULP (Ultra Low Power) offer for Home Automation, Control and Security networks. Entitled "Home automation, control and security: a myriad of options; one obvious choice", the whitepaper compares the ULP version of the familiar cordless telephony standard to a number of other proposed network technologies in key requirements including range, voice capabilities, cost, power consumption and ease of integration.

Home Automation, Control and Security is an emerging home networking application area. It has different requirements to the more mature computing and accessory networks, and so far a number of wired and wireless protocols have been proposed to meet these needs. However, the emergence of a single standard for the sector is seen as a key factor in driving wide scale adoption. DECT ULP is an ultra-low-power operating mode based on the familiar DECT / CAT-iq (Cordless Advanced Technology-internet and quality) standards. It reduces DECT power consumption to levels low enough that a sensor node can operate autonomously for ten years.

"With the CAT-iq and ULP developments, DECT exceeds the technical requirements for Home Automation, Control and Security networks. It's the obvious choice for home networks. Moreover, with a quarter of a billion DECT phones in homes today, it's the one people are already comfortable with," said Jos van der Loop, Product Marketing Manager, SiTel Semiconductor. The whitepaper is available as a free download at http://www.sitelsemi.com/news/white-papers.html