HGI, under the leadership of major service providers, has today published a new document setting out requirements for the wireless technologies to be deployed to enable the Smart Home.

The leading organisation, involved in setting requirements for the smart home, says an expansion in the complexity, use and number of wireless technologies for smart home applications has required a fresh look at the capabilities actually needed to support a range of smart home services. 

HGI is a non-profit making organization created to define guidelines and specifications for broadband Home Gateways. The new document called RD039, Requirements for Wireless Home Area Networks (WHANs) Supporting Smart Home Services, is the output of the working groups of HGI and its members and clearly itemises the requirements for security, performance, reliability and other aspects that are vital for supporting smart home services. The document lays the framework for a technology comparison that will assist the Service Providers to select appropriate WHAN technologies.

“It is already apparent that the use of WHANs will expand with the advent of smart home services. These wireless technologies are key to enable energy management, home automation and many other applications,” said Duncan Bees, Chief Technology and Business Officer of HGI.

“Yet, operators and manufacturers must select among many competing technologies. The new work from HGI helps companies to understand the requirements specifically needed by smart home applications. We see this as a first step in helping companies to select the right technology, and also as a step to assisting the technology development groups with improving their capabilities. We intend to work with many of the WHAN groups, in comparing their capabilities against these requirements, and converging on appropriate solutions for the industry.”

Network providers have already begun developing and deploying smart home services, yet to realise these services, HGI believes it is necessary to work with other industry players, such as device manufacturers, to define robust specifications. The document published today looks at configuration of devices, performance, network security, ease of use and interoperability.

HGI members approved the new requirements in a recent ballot and the document is now available on the HGI website for any manufacturer or operator to download.

To view the document go to http://www.homegatewayinitiative.org/publis/RD039-Req-for-Wireless-home-area-networks.pdf