Mesh Networking Goes Green
Monday, July 14, 2008
GreenPeak Technologies was formed in 2007 with the merger of Ubiwave and Xanadu Wireless with the goal of being the foremost provider of green wireless networking services. The company’s core technology combines existing technologies in the fields of wireless networking, alternative energy, and advanced programming to produce a truly breakthrough innovation. The Lime CM-09 module, GreenPeak’s main product, combines advances in hardware and software to best serve the customer. With a retail price of $1390 for the Starter Kit and $6950 for the Development Suite, the Lime CM-09 is relatively cheap considering the technology. The module, less than 1 square inch in size, has three particularly innovative features: an advanced mesh networking protocol patented by GreenPeak, an energy harvesting-capable interface, and an ultra-low-power operating system. Wireless mesh networking allows for long range communication by utilizing several nodes to transmit a message along the most efficient path possible. GreenPeak’s mesh network protocol is similar to traditional mesh networking architectures but was cleverly adapted to operate without batteries. However, GreenPeak does produce variants of the Lime CM-09 that are compatible with traditional power sources. Moreover, all of GreenPeak’s products are compliant with Zigbee and IEEE 802.15.4 standards. The module was designed using GreenPeak’s radio silicon to be extremely energy efficient. As such, incorporated in the software is a network clock that switches nodes on only when they are receiving or transmitting a packet. Finally, the Lime CM-09 includes software capable of interfacing with various energy harvesting technologies. While the module itself does not harvest energy, its ability to interface with such technology means customers may utilize energy harvesting if they desire.
If adopted on a broad scale this technology may very well have a ripple effect on the world of wireless networking. The energy conserved makes GreenPeak’s products more environmentally friendly than those of competitors. The technology also proves extremely cost efficient since battery replacement and cabling is not an issue. GreenPeak’s revenue model is based on the adaptability and efficiency of its core technology. For this reason, the company’s products may be applicable in various deployments. GreenPeak primarily targets four main industries: building automation, safety and security, healthcare, and asset management. Each of these industries is rich with market potential for low-power wireless sensors. Moreover, GreenPeak offers its customers the ability to completely customize their chips and modules. For example, OEM companies can integrate GreenPeak’s modules into their products for monitoring and control and can retrofit the modules with virtually any type of energy harvester. Additionally, companies can add their own applications to the modules, thus reducing overall cost to the companies using Green Peak’s technology. While there are some well-established companies (Ember Corp., Freescale, TI) currently operating in the same space as GreenPeak, according to GreenPeak’s CEO Cees Links "We are coming at this from a different perspective—focusing on end nodes—and not as a means to sell unit volumes of MCUs or processors.” Therefore, GreenPeak has little competition to hinder its progress as a lead provider of innovative and clean wireless sensor solutions.
Labels: Advanced Energy
