Short Range Wireless The perfect storm
The use of machine-to-machine technology is being led by the automotive, security and healthcare sectors, but it’s simply a matter of time before other sectors follow suit, according to Daryl Miller
S
ince the creation of information technology, use of “machine-to- machine communication” (M2M) has
been growing. What has changed today is the availability of inexpensive electronics, the use of Internet protocol, and connectivity in the form of cloud computing and modern ubiquitous networks. The coming together of this perfect storm of technology has enabled sophisticated but cheap devices to collect data easily. This data can then be stored, analysed or forwarded as needed. It is the start of the capture of base information that will form the building blocks of the currently fashionable Big Data, and has resulted in a huge step forward in M2M adoption. Across the world there are thousands of smart devices all with sensors, all connected and all sending information somewhere. The term the ‘Internet of
left out. M2M is getting ever closer to users to improve their quality of life. There are a number of reasons for this:
firstly, networks have now become omnipresent: wireless internet is being installed across large areas of cities and 3G, followed by faster LTE technology, is even penetrating rural areas. Secondly, the sensors for various measurements have now become standard components, so devices are now able to easily detect factors such as location, speed, light conditions or temperature, and a lot more. Thirdly, communication components like NFC (Near Field Communication) and device servers are constantly getting smaller and more affordable. NFC is a standard for contactless exchange of data over a maximum of ten centimetres. A device server is a mini- computer that connects sensors and devices to a computer network or the Internet – via cable, wireless internet or
Smartphone is the focus point of many of these applications. With its mobile data services, the Smartphone is a “machine” that enables many M2M applications for ease of use.
Smart homes of the future One of the biggest potential growth areas in the world of M2M has to do with the concept of the "smart home”. This concept originated when homes started to introduce items such as programmable thermostats that enabled people to reduce electricity and gas usage by having the home warmer or cooler whilst people are either out at work or asleep at night. The "smart home" has now been taken to a whole new level because much of the optimisation can now be done without the user having to pre-programme a schedule. Today, connectivity is generally regarded as a high-end novelty in home devices, such as thermostats, utility meters, home security cameras, TVs and Blu-ray players. This view will become out-dated as we move to an era where connectivity is pervasive and embedded in almost every household device. In today’s smart homes, private users can already control their stereo system with their Smartphone; programme their heating system or control electric shutters. There are already wireless- enabled washing machines too, which can be controlled via an app.
Things’ (IoT) will be soon become commonplace and the ‘things’ it describes are those very devices.
The growth of M2M
The UK market for M2M has experienced unprecedented growth in the last three years and the number of connected devices is set to double over the next eight years to 50 billion globally. However, the idea of machines speaking to machines makes some people freak out that there is an impending machine age. In reality, M2M is not science fiction, but science fact and human beings are being anything but
14 November 2013
3G. Some devices have this in the form of a matchbox-sized circuit board; Lantronix even has a device server in their portfolio that is the size of a two-pound coin. The use of professional M2M technologies is rapidly advancing in areas such as transport, security, utilities, logistics, healthcare, building automation and machine control. According to IDC, 15 billion smart devices will be connected via the Internet by 2015 - i.e. many more than there are people. The trend towards the so-called “Internet of Things” is also reflected in an increasing number of applications for private users and the
Components in Electronics
A lot of analysts claim that the smart home of the future is likely to contain 15 to 30 connected devices and sensors; all linked via a home area network and connected to service providers’ back-end systems and the Internet. Connected devices will range from ordinary household appliances through to solar panels and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The UK government has set a target to have 53 million smart meters in homes and businesses by 2020. Smart metering has many advantages because meters can transmit real-time information directly to companies. This removes the need for meter readers to physically travel to each property, which reduces travel costs. They also provide data for management statistics at the press of a button. From the consumer side the information collected can be fed back to indicate consumption trends and potentially ways of reducing bills. Smart metering is already common in France, Sweden and Italy due to regulatory enforcement.
Quick payments via Smartphone’s are also expected to increase in the years ahead. E ticketing in public transport is at the forefront here. Rail passengers in Germany can already book tickets for selected connections using Touch&Travel. Passengers can use this for all public transport in Berlin, Potsdam and the Rhine- Main area. Anyone with an NFC-enabled Smartphone can purchase a ticket just by briefly holding it up to a contact point
when they get on. Then they check out in the same way at their destination.
The automotive industry The car is another “machine” that can provide additional comfort when it communicates with other systems. Fleet management is one of the most popular M2M applications in businesses. Taxi or logistics companies have the considerable advantage of being able to easily check the location of all vehicles in the fleet. Any user of public transport already knows one advantage of this M2M technology: the time to the next connection displayed at bus or tram stops. This is only possible because M2M components built into the buses constantly provide information about their location. Modern “in-car services” ensure
increased comfort, infotainment and security in private vehicles through the combination of online services, driver assistance systems, sensors and integration solutions for smartphones. Examples of this include BMW Connected Car, Audi connect and Daimler’s Comand Online. These can help, for example, when looking for a free parking space or the nearest open pharmacy. Real-time traffic information, partly based on anonymous data from other vehicles, ensures that the navigation system can quickly adjust the planned route based on the current traffic situation. In future, vehicles will be able to identify the driver by the mobile phone and automatically adjust vehicle features, such as individual mirror positions or favourite radio stations. Hyundai is experimenting with using the mobile phone as a key. The vehicle, as an example, also illustrates how M2M can provide better service and support in other areas. It is already common in mechanical engineering for maintenance staff to use remote diagnostics to acquire a clear picture of the malfunction. M2M can therefore also be used to assist the breakdown service. If the vehicle is able to automatically send a standardised diagnosis based on its own sensor readings to the nearest workshop, then this workshop can then dispatch the appropriate specialists and ensure that they have the right replacement parts and tools with them. So there you have it, the possibilities of
M2M are unlimited. Some people believe this is the beginning of the dumbing down of the human race, but to others it represents a great opportunity. So far, there has been a positive reaction to the technological developments in the automotive, security and healthcare sectors. It’s simply a matter of time before the other sectors follow.
Lantronix |
www.lantronix.com
Daryl Miller is Vice President of Engineering, Lantronix
www.cieonline.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49