ETSI publishes first specification for Ultra Low Energy DECT aimed at the M2M market
DECT ULE is based on the very popular Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) standard, which was developed by ETSI. The main characteristics of DECT ULE are ultra-low power consumption, good Quality of Service (a unique feature of ULE compared with other low power wireless standards) and wider coverage than competing technologies.
ULE positions DECT in new and rapidly growing market segments of M2M communications, including energy and utilities (for home automation and smart metering), assisted living and telecare (for example when used with monitoring devices) and safety and security (such as voice entry phones and smoke sensors). The DECT ULE specification is a multi-part specification; the first phase of development has focused on the Home Automation Network (HAN) but ongoing work will extend its application to industrial automation too.
DECT ULE is well suited to support M2M in the home and new ULE devices will be fully compatible with existing DECT systems and will use the existing DECT spectrum. In addition, a single device can combine ULE and DECT/DECT New Generation functionalities. So, by upgrading the base station, existing devices can still be used and other devices added to provide new services and applications to the customer, all controlled from the DECT base station.
DECT ULE harnesses all the advantages of traditional DECT. These include the key factor of instantaneous dynamic channel selection combined with seamless handover. The quality of a link is permanently monitored and, if necessary, the transmission is switched to a better channel without interrupting the media stream. DECT devices have always been very power efficient but, with the arrival of ULE, the stand-by-time can be increased to up to ten years. These factors make DECT ULE technology an excellent choice for the sensors, alarms and monitoring devices used in various types of home automation.
In addition, DECT is traditionally subject to less interference than other communications technologies, due to its exclusive spectrum range in Europe and more than 40 countries outside the CEPT area.
About DECT
Launched early in the 90s, ETSI’s DECT specification is the leading standard worldwide for digital cordless telecommunications for both cordless voice and broadband home communication. Over 820 million DECT/DECT New Generation devices have been purchased throughout the world, and every year more than 100 million new devices are sold. DECT is a member of the IMT 2000 family. The system has been adopted in over 110 countries and DECT products now account for more than 80% of the world cordless market. For many years the leading cordless system in Europe, DECT is also now number 1 in the USA, and DECT products are being sold in Japan. During 2012 a proposal to allow license exempt operation of DECT in India was agreed and the legislative change is expected to become effective in 2013. This will open up a further huge market for DECT products.
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