by AF 0410 g3 — April 9, 2010—GreenPeak Technologies is teaming with leading consumer electronics companies, service providers and the ZigBee Alliance to roll out the Third Wireless Network for home and office, which is environmentally friendly and conserves energy.
Operating concurrently in the home with Wi-Fi internet and cordless phones, the Third Wireless Network is based on the newly approved ZigBee RF4CE (Radio Frequency for Consumer Electronics) standard that is supported by the world’s leading consumer electronic manufacturers.
Remote controls are among the first applications to benefit from ultra low power ZigBee RF4CE. As ZigBee RF4CE is based on radio that penetrates walls, furniture, and floors, rather than line of sight optical IR (infra-red), this new generation of remote control means that users no longer have to point-and-shoot to their TV set or set top box to change channels or program the DVR. A single ZigBee RF4CE remote can control the entire home’s electronic systems—TV, games, communications, home automation, audio, security, environment, etc.
The GreenPeak ultra low power control network enables the remote controls to function on a single battery for a decade or more. Other ZigBee RF4CE capabilities include a central “dashboard” function on the remote control that includes monitoring home energy consumption as well as a cool “Find-Me” feature. Find-Me enables users to press a button on their TV set or stereo and their hidden or lost remote will make itself known by blinking, beeping or even playing music.
As part of the ZigBee family, ZigBee RF4CE is not limited to remote controls and can be used for much other low power, low data rate applications including controlling lighting, heating/air conditioning, locks, home automation, in-home health monitoring and alerts. This year, the firm expect to see the emergence of ZigBee light switches that do not require any batteries whatsoever and can be stuck anywhere in the home. The effort of turning the switch generates enough power to transmit an on or off signal to a lamp across the room.
GreenPeak was selected by the World Economic Forum as a 2009 Technology Pioneer, in the “energy” category, for its accomplishments as an innovator of the highest caliber, involved in the development of life-changing technology innovation and with the potential for long-term impact on business and society. For more information, visit the GreenPeak Web site.
