EE Times: Sensor network designs win IoT contest

June 7, 2013
ee-times

Rick Merritt
6/7/2013 07:43 PM EDT

SAN JOSE, Calif. –A wireless door lock sensor, a universal LED driver for streetlights and an energy-harvesting current sensor were winners in a contest geared to promote the emerging Internet of Things.

All three winners used IP over 802.15.4 networks. The IPSO Alliance, a trade group promoting Internet Protocol for smart objects, hosted the contest.

First place went to the Energy Harvesting Transformer from Redwire Consulting, a self-powered current sensor that clips to any wire and wirelessly connects to the Internet. A Redwire customer aims to have 1,500 of the devices deployed in 100 buildings by the end of the year to ease the job of monitoring energy use.

The CMD Asset Management system from Colorado Micro Devices took second place. The wireless network includes a door lock sensor that can be added to any deadbolt and a sensor that detects an asset as it moves around a network.

“If this was on the market today, I would purchase it to take advantage of IP enabled home security,” said Geoff Mulligan, chairman of the alliance.

Third place went to a group from Spain’s University of Murcia that developed a universal driver for LED streetlights. The Smart Driver controls LED lights that span a range between 350-700mA and 0-120W. It also provides a platform to connect other sensors.

“The quality of implementation and functionality of the prototype was very impressive,” said Tom Herbst, an IPSO board member.Rick Merritt
6/7/2013 07:43 PM EDT