Wi-SUN Alliance completes verification of communications specification for ECHONET-Lite based Wireless Smart Utility Network Products

TOKYO, Aug. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wi-SUN® Alliance, a global ecosystem of organizations creating interoperable wireless solutions for use in energy management, smart-utility network applications, today announced completion of Wi-SUN ECHONET-Lite specification and is now available for product development. The specification provides for fully interoperable, multiple vendor implementations.

ECHONET Lite is the industry leading standard helping to create smarter homes that enhance the comfort, convenience, security and energy management for the Home and Building Automation. In January, 2013 Wi-SUN Alliance published Wi-SUN profiles for ECHONET Lite version 1, a standard communication interface for ECHONET Lite and the interface was selected as a TTC (Telecommunication Technology Committee) standard, TTC JJ300.10. The newly published specification (Wi-SUN profile for ECHONET Lite version 2) adds important new features that ensure the seamless interoperability and easy network deployment, standardize pairing of devices and simplifying installation and maintenance for consumers and custom installers alike. Specifically, the new specification includes an encryption and an authentication process between smart meter and home energy management system (HEMS) and between HEMS and home electrical appliance. These features have a significant impact on operational and device costs to service providers and quality of service to the society.

The Wi-SUN ECHONET Lite specification and test plan supports enhanced functionality in devices such as door locks, smoke sensors, window blinds, air-conditioning, refrigerators and support for additional devices including smart appliances and electrical measurement devices. The standard incorporates new features resulting from collaboration between Wi-SUN Alliance and the ECHONET initiative, a Japanese consortium of more than 100 companies, which will benefit consumers by integrating new devices and raising consumer awareness of energy usage without necessarily connecting to an electric utility.

"The Wi-SUN Specification for ECHONET Lite 2.0 is a major step forward in creating an open and fully interoperable wireless Home Energy Management platform," said Phil Beecher, Chairman of the Wi-SUN Alliance. "For Service Operators and CE companies, Wi-SUN ECHONET Lite will provide a technology standard that removes much of the complexity from planning and deploying advanced home services and reduces the amount of energy they consume."

"The Wi-SUN Specification for ECHONET Lite 2.0 is the most robust, reliable and scalable low power wireless standard for Home Energy Management Systems, and the technology of choice for world-leading service providers, installers and retailers," said Hiroshi Harada, NICT, Wi-SUN Alliance board co-chair and chair of the ECHONET WG."

"We are very happy to contribute as Technical Editor to the ECHONET WG," said Tamiya Ochiai, Chief Specialist, TOSHIBA Corporation. "We believe the Wi-SUN Specification for ECHONET Lite 2.0 delivers a standard that can make every home a smarter, safer and more energy efficient environment for consumers and families."

About the Wi-SUN Alliance:  Wi-SUN: Seamless Connectivity

The Wi-SUN Alliance is an association of companies working together to enable reliable, cost-effective, low-power, wireless Utility products based on open global standard IEEE 802.15.4g. The Wi-SUN Alliance comprises solutions from original equipment manufacturers worldwide.  Membership is open to all corporations.  Additional information may be found on http://www.wi-sun.org

About ECHONET:

The ECHONET standards are globally applicable, international communication standards for linking home appliances made by different manufacturers.  The ECHONET Lite standard is endorsed as the Japanese Smart House Standard by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Contact Bhupender Virk, MWG Chair: +81-80-1137-5574, [email protected]

SOURCE Wi-SUN Alliance

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