Alliance Develops Smart Objects Protocol Stack

Atmel, Cisco, and the Swedish Institute of Computer Science have created a small-footprint, open-source, IPv6-ready implementation that will enable every device, no matter how limited its power or memory, to have an Internet Protocol address.

Oct 15, 2008
Sensors

SAN JOSE, CA and BANGALORE, India /PRNewswire/ -- Atmel Corp., Cisco, and the Swedish Institute of Computer Science (SICS) announced the availability of uIPv6, one of the world's smallest open-source, IPv6-ready protocol stacks, which could enable every device, no matter how small it is limited by power or memory, to have an Internet Protocol address.

This collaborative project builds on Cisco's expertise in IP networking, Atmel's innovative low-power wireless hardware, and SICS' knowledge of embedded operating systems design. "uIPv6 has the potential to impact a wide range of market verticals where automation is key, just as voice over IP did in enterprise telephony," said Rob Adams, Senior Director of Cisco's Corporate Development technology group.

"Smart" objects powered by a wide range of sensors and actuators are poised to enable a wide range of next-generation applications in building automation, industrial monitoring, smart cities, and energy management, among many other areas. These applications help transmit information in the physical world about conditions or the environment (e.g., temperature, light, motion, and health status) to locations where the information can be analyzed, correlated with other data, and acted upon.

The proliferation of such applications has, however, been held back by the large number of proprietary or semi-closed systems and the cost associated with translating information before it can be effectively shared with other devices and systems. The use of IP as networking technology has long been recognized as the solution to this interoperability issue. Now, thanks to unique lower-layer energy-management mechanisms and limited memory capacity, uIPv6 is highly power-efficient and ideal for most constrained devices.

Open-source uIPv6 includes standard IP applications and can be easily customized for specific requirements. It is integrated in the Contiki operating system developed by SICS, which provides all the necessary functionalities for networked smart objects. In addition, uIPv6's small footprint and memory usage allows it to run on the most constrained platforms. In particular, it was tested on Atmel's Raven wireless platform, chosen for its outstanding low-power performance.

"Efficient, low-power wireless systems require ultra-low-power embedded microcontrollers paired with excellent radio performance," said Magnus Pedersen, Atmel's Director of Product Marketing, MCU Wireless Solutions. "The fact that Cisco and SICS chose the Atmel AVR Raven picoPower wireless platform as the basis for their uIPv6 and 6LoWPAN implementation confirms Atmel's leading edge in low-power embedded wireless technology."

uIPv6 is released under a permissive open-source license and, as a result, can be used for both commercial and noncommercial applications.

"An open-source, standard-compliant, small-footprint IPv6 implementation is essential to enable the next generation of sensor network applications," said Adam Dunkels, Senior Scientist at SICS and Contiki project leader.

Patrick Wetterwald, President of the IP for Smart Objects Alliance, said, "By running an IPv6 stack, operating a network of sensors thus becomes as easy as operating a network of PCs, IP phones, or any other IP devices."

The new uIPv6 stack requires only 0.5 KB of SRAM for data structures, a minimum of 1.3 KB of SRAM for buffering, and 11 KB of Flash for the code. The Raven platform embeds a microcontroller and a wireless chip using the 802.15.4 standard, designed specifically to accommodate smart objects' requirements. uIPv6 includes an implementation of the 6LoWPAN standard, the adaptation layer between 802.15.4 and IPv6.

New Industry Alliance Promotes Use of IP in Networks of 'Smart Objects'

Cisco, SAP and Sun Among 25 Charter Members of 'IPSO Alliance' Offering Education, Interoperability Testing for Embedded IP Applications

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., September 16, 2008 - A group of leading technology vendors and users have formed the IP for Smart Objects (IPSO) Alliance, whose goal is promoting the Internet Protocol (IP) as the networking technology best suited for connecting sensor- and actuator-equipped or "smart" objects and delivering information gathered by those objects.

Smart objects are objects in the physical world that - typically with the help of embedded devices - transmit information about their condition or environment (e.g., temperature, light, motion, health status) to locations where the information can be analyzed, correlated with other data and acted upon. Applications range from automated and energy-efficient homes and office buildings, factory equipment maintenance and asset tracking to hospital patient monitoring and safety and compliance assurance.

Intended to complement the efforts of entities such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which develop and ratify technical standards in the Internet community, the IPSO Alliance will perform interoperability tests, document the use of new IP-based technologies, conduct marketing activities and serve as an information repository for users seeking to understand the role of IP in networks of physical objects. The alliance seeks to advocate how networks of objects of all types have the potential to be converged onto IP.

Founding members of the IPSO Alliance are Arch Rock, Atmel, Cimetrics, Cisco, Duke Energy, Dust Networks, EDF R&D, eka systems, Emerson, Freescale, IP Infusion, Jennic, Kinney Consulting, Nivis, PicosNet, Proto6, ROAM, SAP, Sensinode, SICS, Silver Spring Networks, Sun Microsystems, Tampere University, Watteco and Zensys.

Geoff Mulligan, industry consultant and IPSO Alliance chairman, said, "In recent years IP has emerged as the most efficient and scalable networking technology not just in the traditional IT realm but in scenarios with low power, restricted memory, rugged surroundings and tens of thousands of often unattended devices. Users are recognizing that the proven, ubiquitous IP standard is a much better alternative to using a patchwork of proprietary protocols that have no guarantee of scalability or interoperability, and require complex gateways that are difficult to deploy and manage. The aim of the Alliance is to provide the community with more information on smart objects and the industries and markets where they play an effective role. We will offer case studies and white papers, track IETF and other standards, and organize demonstrations and interoperability events."

"Unlike proprietary technologies, which typically are constrained to a single physical medium, IP allows users virtually limitless flexibility thanks to a layered architecture. It works on any physical layer from wired to Wi-Fi to low-power radio and more," said Jean-Philippe Vasseur, distinguished engineer at Cisco and chairman of the Alliance's Technical Advisory Board. "As a result, the IPSO Alliance isn't defined by a narrow focus on a single medium, but embraces a broad spectrum of options that address various user requirements."

"The IPSO Alliance is a significant step forward for organizations whose businesses depend on coherent extended network architectures to retrieve critical information from the edge of their enterprises, said Ted Russ, general manager for ROAM, a provider of streetlight-monitoring solutions and a division of Acuity Brands Technology Services. "The advocacy and expertise of the IPSO Alliance will allow ROAM to focus more on providing new products and services, and less on deciphering disparate and conflicting protocols."

IPSO Alliance membership is open to any organization advocating an IP-based approach to connecting smart objects. There are two levels of membership: Contributor members, who currently pay $2,500 per year, may use the Alliance's technical guidelines and case studies, participate in meetings and committees, demonstrate their products at meetings, trade shows and other Alliance events, and qualify their products and services in the interoperability program. Promoter members, who currently pay $5,000 per year, are also eligible to vote, serve on the Alliance's board of directors, and chair committees.

For more information, visit http://www.ipso-alliance.org.

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IP for Smart Objects (IPSO) Alliance Charter

Introduction

There is a wide scope of areas where Smart Objects such as sensors for light, pressure, temperature, vibration, actuators, and other similar objects allow for a vast range of new applications: “smart cities”, “smart grid”, home and building automation, industrial applications, asset tracking, utility metering, etc.

Companies and consumers are ready for the level of automation that Smart Objects can bring.

Current technical approaches based on proprietary protocols are unlikely to be successful especially as the scale grows and tens of thousands of devices need to be networked. Indeed, this lack of interoperability created by the proprietary systems is known to be a show stopper and will limit innovation. Such approaches require complex “gateways” that are inherently highly inefficient and complex to deploy, manage and operate.

There is a networking solution based on open standards that has been demonstrated and deployed and is eminently scalable – the Internet Protocol (IP).

Customers need more information on the various solutions to the management of Smart Objects and need such information from other sources than the current proprietary solution providers and would prefer such information from an unbiased source.

There is a need for the establishment of an open, informal and thought-leading association of like-minded organizations and individuals to promote the value of using the Internet Protocol for the networking of Smart Objects.

The current standards bodies, such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) which is in charge of specifying IP protocols, are doing good work developing standards, but do not provide any marketing support so that potential users of IP for Smart Objects can understand the value of that approach and obtain information on it.

Without such an association, those parties promoting proprietary solutions will be able to create uncertainty about the value of the IP for Smart Objects approach and delay adoption.

In order to maximize the impact of this association, it needs to be started today and boot-strapped initially with the expectation that it will evolve into a more formal and larger organization over time.

This charter sets forth the basic elements of the Alliance for the promotion and establishment of the Internet Protocol as the network of choice for Smart Objects.

Mission

The Alliance is a global non-profit organization serving the various communities seeking to establish the Internet Protocol as the network for the connection of Smart Objects by providing coordinated marketing efforts available to the general public. Our purpose is to provide a foundation for industry growth through building stronger relationships, fostering awareness, providing education, promoting the industry, generating research, and creating a better understanding of IP and its role in connecting Smart Objects.

Goals

Promote IP as the premier solution for access and communication for Smart Objects.
Promote the use of IP in Smart Objects by developing and publishing white papers and case studies and providing updates on standards progress from associations like IETF among others and through other supporting marketing activities.
Understand the industries and markets where Smart Objects can have an effective role in growth when connected using the Internet Protocol.
Organize interoperability tests that will allow members and interested parties to show that products and services using IP for Smart Objects can work together and meet industry standards for communication.
Support IETF and other standards development organizations in the development of standards for IP for Smart Objects.

It should be noted that the objective of the Alliance is not to define technologies, but to document the use of IP-based technologies defined at the standard organizations such as IETF with focus on support by the Alliance of various use cases.

In establishing the Alliance one of the subsidiary goals will be to be as efficient as possible in environmental matters and our preference will always be to make appropriate substitutions such as virtual meetings for in-person meetings.

Membership

There shall be two classes of membership, Promoter and Contributor. Promoters are eligible for voting in the Alliance to elect the Board of Directors and to serve as Chairpersons of Committees. The rights and privileges of each class of membership shall be as specified in the bylaws and other founding documents of the Alliance and may be modified by action of two-thirds of the Promoters. No party shall hold more than one membership in the Alliance and no party shall have more than one member on the Board of Directors.

Contributor Member Benefits

Right to participate (non-voting) in Committees to help create and influence the use cases, technical guidelines, marketing materials, lobbying efforts, and all other Alliance work products
Right to use the Alliance Interoperability Program to qualify products and services.
Right to participate in Alliance Plugfests free of charge for cross vendor interoperability testing.
Option to allow Alliance to place company executives in industry speaking events.
Right to demo certified products at Alliance meetings, tradeshow booths, other Alliance events and Alliance’s public newsletter.
Right to use Alliance marketing material internally and externally.
Free Alliance marketing kits: signs, brochures, etc.

Promoter Member Benefits

All Contributor Member benefits.
Voting rights in all Promoter meetings.
Ability to hold leadership positions within the Committees.
Right to be elected to the Board of Directors.
Opportunity to participate in Alliance sponsored trade show exhibit kiosks and demonstrations.

Eligibility and Application Process

Any firm, partnership, corporation, unincorporated association, or government body (hereinafter “Person”), with a demonstrated interest in promoting the mission of the Alliance, may apply for membership. The Alliance does not restrict membership on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.

Any Person possessing the requisite qualifications to secure admission to membership in the Alliance can submit a membership application. Upon submission of the Membership Agreement and review by the Alliance, the applicant will be notified of the Alliance’s decision consistent with the Alliance bylaws.

Dues and Renewal Dues

The annual membership dues will be disclosed in the Alliance Membership Agreement and may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors and are expected to be $5000 for Promoters and $2500 for Contributors for the first year. The dues for the first year of membership must be paid at the time of application. No new membership will be activated prior to receipt of payment in full.

Each member shall pay annual dues to the Treasurer according to their annual membership schedule. Each member will be issued an invoice thirty (30) days prior to the renewal date. All invoices are payable upon receipt.

If any payment of dues or any assessment is not made as and when required, the Alliance will send a notice to the member whose payment is delinquent. Sixty (60) days of default in payment of any assessment or installment of any dues shall entitle the Alliance, without notice to the member in default, to suspend all rights and privileges of membership until the default in payment of dues or installments is cured. If such a suspension is imposed, membership shall be reinstated upon payment in full of the unpaid dues or assessment.

Primary Contact and Annual Meetings

Upon admission to membership in the Alliance, an entity member will designate an individual who shall represent the member in all matters with Alliance as the “Primary Contact.” A member’s Primary Contact may be replaced by the member at any time, and such replacement shall be effective when written notice reaches the Alliance. Notwithstanding the limitation that the Primary Contact represents the member in all matters regarding the Alliance, another employee of any Promoter may be nominated for and become a member of the Board of Directors.

The Annual meeting of the Alliance, at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be held on a date, time, and place that will accommodate a large gathering of members. These meetings are usually held after the close of the Board of Directors election and effort will be made to make it coincide with an industry event.

Structure, Board of Directors and Officers

The Alliance is governed by a Board of Directors (“Board"), which has responsibility for overseeing the work of the organization. The Board charters committees, ad-hoc committees, working groups, and task forces to undertake the activities of the organization and appoints Alliance officers.

The Board is responsible for running the Alliance. It is composed of members elected by the Promoters who serve without pay. The Alliance bylaws contain the details of the Board’s membership, responsibilities and operations.

The companies related to the Board members do not receive complimentary membership with the Alliance while their employees serve their elected terms. In addition, Board members have a fiduciary responsibility to the Alliance and shall not use their Board position as a means of promoting their own company or business interests.

All expenses incurred for travel or otherwise for the Alliance shall be borne by the officers and their companies with the exception of the Executive Director.

For all meeting activities of the Alliance, Robert’s Rules of Order (10th Edition) should be consulted and followed with the caveat that the Alliance intends to function on an informal basis whenever possible.

Chairperson

The Chairperson will set the strategic direction of the Alliance and act as its primary (but not restricted to) spokesperson.

President

The President shall have general and active management of the business of the Alliance and see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. Additionally, the President will oversee the launch and ongoing activities of new committees necessary to support the growth of the Alliance.

Vice President

The Vice-President will perform the duties of the President if not available.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Alliance.

Board Secretary

The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and all meetings of the members, and record all the proceedings of the meetings and of the Board of Directors as directed by the Board.

Executive Director

The Executive Director of the Alliance will be responsible for providing the administrative support necessary for any such association to function as the officers and Board members will be providing their services on a part time basis. The role may be filled by the Alliance employing one or more individuals or by hiring a professional management firm to handle the work.

Board Meetings

The Board will meet with the frequency specified in the bylaws and other founding documents of the Alliance, at facilities provided by Promoters and against a schedule set by the Board at the start of the calendar year. Whenever possible such meetings shall be in person. Board members must attend Board meetings regularly and any significant absence from such meetings will be reported to the Board for action. Board members are able to send a designee to act for them in the event that they cannot attend a specific meeting. The Board will have the latitude to schedule additional meetings or conference calls if needed.

The Executive Director will set Board meeting agendas in consultation with the Chairperson and will coordinate presentations with the various committees and other organizations of the Alliance. Board minutes will be taken by the Executive Director and approved by the Board.

Committees and Other Organizations within the Alliance

The Board creates committees and working groups to facilitate the functioning of the Alliance. There are several long-term committees designed to handle major areas of interest, which may include Development, Education, Emerging Technologies, Metrics, Marketing, Membership, and Research. The Board can also create ad-hoc committees/working groups/task forces as needed to oversee organizational initiatives when necessary. Participation on committees and ad-hoc groups is open to Promoters and Contributors unless otherwise specified in the committee charter and approved by the Board of Directors. Committee chairs may be individuals from the Board; although the position is not exclusive to Board members, but is limited to Promoters, and will usually be appointed by the Board.

In general there is no limitation as to the number of members of a Committee or other working group and inclusion of members should always be as open as possible. Committee participation by members is essential for the Alliance to be successful and Committee Chairpersons may remove members for reasons such as non-attendance or failure to contribute as agreed. When appropriate the Alliance may invite non-members to participate in specific projects where special skill sets are needed.

Committees shall meet at the times and places as agreed by the Committee or in the absence of agreement as directed by the Committee Chairperson. Agendas and minutes for meetings shall be the responsibility of the Committee Chairperson who may delegate tasks to others on the Committee from time to time. Decisions shall be by consensus of the committee members present.

Technical Advisory Board

The Alliance Technical Advisory Board (“TAB”) is comprised of persons with technical knowledge of benefit to the Alliance and who are appointed by the Board of Directors. These advisors will serve at the discretion of the Board. Appointees to the TAB need not be from Member companies. TAB appointees may be from companies that also have a member on the Board of Directors. The TAB shall meet generally once a quarter or as otherwise agreed by the Board and usually by teleconference. The TAB will review technical and marketing documents prepared by the Alliance prior to distribution, will establish the case definition for interoperability testing, review and validate interoperability test results and provide technical advice to the Alliance and its members.

White Papers and Other Marketing Initiatives

The Alliance shall focus on the preparation and distribution of white papers, case studies, demonstrations and other similar marketing initiatives designed to promote IP for Smart Objects. Such papers and case studies may be developed by Alliance Committees, Promoters, Contributors or any combination of them. There is no requirement for a consensus or majority approval for the distribution of such marketing documents and those involved in developing them will be the parties noted as the authors. All such documents will have to be reviewed by the TAB before distribution to ensure technical sufficiency.

Interoperability Events

The Alliance will work to establish an interoperability program that will allow members of the Alliance to demonstrate that their products and services will work together and within the IP for Smart Objects environment. Participation in the interoperability program is not required nor is publication of test results as they apply to individual companies and their products.

Administration of the Alliance

The Alliance shall be administered by a combination of the Promoters and the Executive Director. Banking and financial administration, communication, addresses, telephone and email access and other administrative functions will be provided by Promoters on a voluntary basis and/or through the services of the Executive Director.

Intellectual Property Rights; No Warranties; Limited Liability

Unless they expressly agree otherwise, members shall retain all their intellectual property rights, except only for the non-exclusive limited license to copy, distribute and display marketing and other promotional materials. The rights to interoperability test results, if any, shall be discussed and agreed to by the members participating in such tests. Promotional materials, test results, and any other materials prepared or developed in connection with the Alliance activities may only be distributed “AS IS” with no representations or warranties of any kind as to the content, including without limitation any included technology, unless otherwise agreed to by the members contributing to such materials. Members’ liability shall be capped and limited to the greatest extent permitted under applicable law.

Anti-Trust

One of the goals of the Alliance shall be to promote competition in the area of Smart Objects networking. The potential Alliance members engaged in discussions concerning the Alliance agree not to engage in any anti-competitive activities and further agree that any definitive agreement shall include an appropriate anti-trust provision as customary for associations similar to the Alliance. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Alliance shall adopt no rules and take no action restricting or limiting in any way (a) the pricing of products or services sold by Members; (b) product distribution decisions by Members; or (c) licensing policies of Members.

Confidentiality

The potential Alliance members engaged in discussions concerning the Alliance agree that information exchanged between them regarding the proposed Alliance and related activities described in this proposal shall be kept confidential and shall only be used for purposes of exploring and discussing the potential formation of the Alliance and the related activities contemplated under the Alliance and further agree that any definitive agreement shall expressly provide for the protection of each member’s confidential information.

Non-Binding Proposal

This proposal is not, nor is it intended to be, legally binding. This proposal does not constitute an offer, a contract, or a requirement to make an offer or to negotiate or enter into a contract. This proposal is not complete and merely serves as the basis for discussions between potential Alliance members. Except for the commitments agreed to as stated in the “Confidentiality” and “Anti-Trust” sections of this proposal, this proposal does not give rise to any binding obligations, express or implied, and no one will be liable for the failure to agree upon a definitive alliance agreement or bylaws. In addition, no one should act or fail to act in detrimental reliance on this proposal.