On-Ramp Wireless says it has solved a number of the problems with smart grid communications and better yet, they have done it in such a way that may allow them to avoid becoming road kill in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

The San Diego-based company has devised a networking platform called Ultra-Link Processing (ULP) that reads like a utility's network manager's wish list -- in theory, anyway. ULP signals have a five-mile range, do not get obstructed by steel or concrete (the company put one under a manhole cover and could still maintain signal connections for two miles), and can carry enough data to provide remote monitoring or demand response services, according to CEO Joaquin Silva.

...

So what are the problems? First, Qualcomm and TI, among other established chip vendors, will likely develop similar products. Last year, in fact, Qualcomm unfurled an initiative to develop products for the "Internet of things." How much attention the conglomerates pay to smart grid will depend on pricing and market conditions. Chips in the cellular market will likely command higher prices than those sold to smart grid vendors. If the cellular market grows while smart meter deployments get mired in trials, these large companies may not put much emphasis on smart grid. On the other hand, large chip companies need to maintain volumes so any potential opportunity can be attractive.

Link

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment