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Gainspan, Our Home Spaces, And RF-Digital Introduce Wi-Fi U-SNAP ModuleFeature-rich U-SNAP module allows quick connection of devices and appliances to Smart Grid Total Energy Management System (TEMS) by Our Home Spaces to be demonstrated at West Coast Green Conference, Oct 1-3 Booth #335 LOS GATOS, Calif. - October 1, 2009 - GainSpan(R) Corporation, a leader in low power Wi-Fi semiconductor solutions, and RF Digital, manufacturer of RF modules, have partnered with Our Home Spaces (OHS), a provider of consumer centric energy management solutions, to deliver a Wi-Fi U-SNAP module and solution for consumers to connect their home appliances to their Wi-Fi networks so they can be remotely monitored and controlled. U-SNAP is a standard developed by the U-SNAP Alliance whose mission is to ensure compatibility of devices as the smart grid extends into homes. The U-SNAP Wi-Fi module requires no access point or router re-configuration, making installation easy. The module can be easily provisioned via Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) push button method or through a USB interface connected to a computer, if WPS is not available. Local control inside the home or remote access of the device through the internet is available with the Our Home Spaces Total Energy Management System (TEMS), which provides a complete solution for homeowners, allowing them to monitor, control, and receive alerts from their appliances through their computers, picture frames, handheld mobile devices, and iPhones(TM). The design of this unique U-SNAP module allows it to be quickly adapted to 'WiFi enable' home appliances and devices such as white appliances, hot water heaters, baseboard heaters, PV solar arrays, and sidewalk de-icers. The TEMS energy management software allows rapid integration of these appliances and devices with Smart Grid initiatives and pilot programs. An early adopter of the U-SNAP technology, Radio Thermostat Company of America (RTCOA), is launching an entire line of programmable communicating thermostats that will have U-SNAP ports. The Wi-Fi U-SNAP module will be a great addition to this line of thermostats. The RTCOA thermostat along with Our Home Spaces TEMS will be on display at the West Coast Green Conference. "The Wi-Fi U-SNAP module is a boon for consumers," said Bernard Aboussouan, GainSpan VP of marketing. "Wi-Fi is the de-facto technology of choice for consumers to connect nearly every appliance in their homes, from thermostats to washing machines, to the smart grid and the Wi-Fi U-SNAP module makes it simple and secure, building on the extensive industry experience in Wi-Fi." The Wi-Fi U-SNAP module is based on GainSpan's GS1011 system-on-chip, a highly integrated and low power consuming Wi-Fi semiconductor solution operating at up to 11 Mbps. "Utilities have been searching for solutions to monitor, control and communicate energy consumption in real time. Wi-Fi and the iPhone platform have been embraced by consumers," said Janet Peterson, CEO, Our Home Spaces. "This solution allows consumers to use their existing Wi-Fi home networks to connect to their devices and appliances and control their comfort level and energy consumption. As electrical utilities roll out time-of-use pricing for residential customers, the ability to monitor and reduce appliance usage during peak rate times and the ability to receive instant alerts on their phones and computers will become increasingly valuable to consumers." The U-SNAP module is currently operating in numerous beta sites. Product will be available in early 4th quarter of 2009. For more information on the U-SNAP module please contact GainSpan, for more information on the U-SNAP module support structure, please contact Our Home Spaces. About GainSpan GainSpan Corporation, a spinoff of Intel Corporation, is a leader in ultra low power Wi-Fi semiconductor solutions. GainSpan provides the industry's lowest power consuming Wi-Fi single chip solution for battery-powered or energy-harvesting sensor devices and other embedded systems. Devices using GainSpan's solution can run for up to 10 years on a single AA battery. GainSpan enables its customers to leverage the large installed base of Wi-Fi access points and devices and create new products for residential, commercial, and industrial applications, while reducing the overall operation and installation costs of sensor networks. GainSpan Receives Wi-Fi Alliance Certification For Its 802.11b/g Sensor Reference DesignFirst ultra low power Wi-Fi design to be certified for enterprise security San Jose, CA -- December 7, 2009 -- GainSpan(R) Corporation, a leader in highly integrated low power Wi-Fi semiconductor solutions, has been awarded the Wi-Fi Alliance's Wi-Fi CERTIFIED seal of approval for its 802.11b/g Sensor Reference design. GainSpan is the first ultra low power Wi-Fi design to achieve certification for enterprise level security as well as personal security. The GainSpan 802.11b/g Sensor Reference design is certified for both WPA™ and WPA2™ and all EAP types including EAP-TTLS, PEAPv0, PEAPv1 and EAP-FAST. GainSpan is the only low power Wi-Fi chipmaker to bear this distinction. The Wi-Fi Alliance certification program conducts tests on products to the 802.11 industry standards for interoperability, security, easy installation, and reliability. The WPA2-Enterprise mark indicates that a product meets the criteria established to ensure stronger data protection for larger corporate networks, as it uses a Radius server to generate an encryption key per session. This certification speeds time to market, minimizes risk and reduces the cost for customers creating Wi-Fi enabled devices. The GainSpan Wi-Fi Alliance Certified 802.11b/g Sensor Reference design is based on the new GainSpan GS1011 SoC for wireless sensor networks. The reference design supports data rates of up to 11 Mbps, can operate in b/g networks and consumes less power than earlier designs. It is pin and package compatible with the GS1010, making for seamless hardware upgrades. In conjunction with this reference design, GainSpan updated the software developer's kit (SDK). The run-time software is more modular, more scalable and contains an OS abstraction layer for increased portability of customer's applications. It is also optimized to take advantage of GS1011 power management capabilities to minimize energy consumption by allowing fine-grained control and enabling and disabling hardware components. With the updated SDK, OEMs can write value-added applications on top of GainSpan's software and hardware platforms, the same foundation certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. "We are very pleased to have our 802.11b/g Sensor Reference design receive the Wi-Fi Alliance stamp of approval," said Pankaj Vyas, vice president of software and systems, GainSpan. "Being the only Wi-Fi chipmaker to achieve enterprise level certification is a strong testament to our leadership in the low power Wi-Fi community. This official certification will accelerate the adoption of low power Wi-Fi technology and the rollout of more and more sensor networks in building automation and industrial applications." |