RTX and SiTel create new and innovative Ultra Low Power (ULP) technology

's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, June 19, 2009 – By combining considerable chip knowledge with excellent system domain knowledge, RTX and SiTel have created a new innovative Ultra Low Power (ULP) technology based on CAT-iq – this is the first step into completely new application areas for DECT/CAT-iq.

RTX and SiTel have joined forces in the quest for new and innovative battery management algorithms. The primary objective in the program has been 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; hence reducing risk and complexity in introducing ULP based devices.

About Ultra Low Power (ULP) technology

The new and innovative 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 up 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 into the upcoming CAT-iq V4.0 standard.

“The market is asking for greener products. Certain retail chains start now also to push the issue of sustainability and they measure their suppliers against a scorecard of “green” metrics”, says Arend van der Weijden, CMO at SiTel Semiconductor BV. The solutions of RTX and SiTel semiconductor are leading in this field.

Availability and solutions

“RTX is in the process of creating a platform, modules and an SDK (software Develoment Kit) for easy and fast ULP integration and product development”, says Lasse Anker Knudsen, Technical Marketing Manager at RTX Telecom A/S. 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 RTX.