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6LoWPAN ?
BYOD, BYON, IoT, IPv6, SaaS, SDN, MDM, M2M, TCP/IP, IEEE, EIEIO, IMHO, tech is drowning in drowning in acronyms. And now Stacey Higginbotham at GigaOM explains 6LoWPAN. 6LoWPAN stands for IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks. 6LoWPAN is the lightweight version of traditional internet protocol (IP) designed for the internet of things.
Misco reports that Internet-connected devices will number 9.6 billion by the end of 2013 and the figure will jump to 28 billion by 2020. Currently, the 9.6 billion Internet-connected devices connect to another device, a phone, or a corporate gateway. In order for a true internet of things to emerge, these devices should have the ability to connect directly to a web service.
Device to cloud
Instead of device-to-device, it’s device to cloud. The article surmises that since most of today’s devices use IP to connect to the web, engineers would like to use IP to connect devices to the web as well. The only problem is that IP is a heavy, energy-intensive beast. This is one that reason, the Internet’s standard’s setting organization, the IETF, proposed 6LoWPAN in 2004.
The numeral 6 in the standard, is short for IPv6. Ms.Higginbotham explains that if you’re envisioning tens of billions of connected sensors then IPv6 is the way to go. However, supporting the 128-bit numbering system required by IPv6 also takes computing and memory overhead that tiny sensors don’t have. It also requires longer packet headers and such that can clog low bit-rate networks. Since the 6 is IPv6 and the Lo references the low-power aspect of the protocol.
The WPAN or Wireless Personal Area Network is a nod to the wireless mesh network that the protocol supports. Because this isn’t directly analogous to the traditional network stacks, it’s hard to limit the technology to a particular layer in the network.
Sensors in a connected network can run the gamut from a video camera that’s plugged into a wall to a battery-powered water sensor hiding under the washing machine. GigaOM says the standard is flexible enough that some nodes might be able to do more than just send information. Others can be designed to sleep until an event wakes them for a data transmission. In short, it’s complicated, which makes defining a network stack or standards for the internet of things tough.
6LoWPAN will use multiple radio protocols
The WPAN in 6LoWPAN will use multiple radio protocols. It can work over several radio networks that use the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, the most popular being ZigBee. The IETF is also working with the Bluetooth Special Interest Group to build 6LoWPAN support for the Bluetooth protocol.
GigaOM notes that the Bluetooth SIG already has taken steps to cut power consumption to meet the demands of the internet of things, so it clearly is also aware of the need for the IPv6 addressing scheme if every bra, door lock, or porta-potty is going to hop on the InterTubes without a phone or computer.
Charles McLellan at ZDNet explains that IBM (IBM) has teamed up with wireless sensor network specialist Libelium to deliver a wireless sensor platform starter kit comprising IBM’s Mote Runner SDK and Libelium’s Waspmote sensor platform, Waspmote Mote Runner development platform allows researchers to explore the benefits of 6LoWPAN.
Tech titans betting on 6LoWPAN
Ms. Higginbotham says that IBM getting behind the standard with this announcement is just one more big-name betting on 6LoWPAN as the communications protocol for the internet of things. She says a few months ago ARM purchased Sensinode, a company that has literally written the book (MP4) about 6LoWPAN. Cisco (CSCO) has an investment in 6LoWPAN with its 2010 purchase of Arch Rock, for its smart grid initiative.
Platforms such as Electric Imp, Ayla Networks, and ThingSquare, all of which offer modules and services to connect devices directly to the internet, are also gaining ground with test programs and early adopters, helping make the case for 6LoWPAN. So as devices start going directly to the cloud and bypassing phones and computers, having a protocol that supports modern addressing at relatively low power and low overhead will become more important. And that’s what this terribly awkward acronym provides.
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6LoWPAN is what will drive the rapid growth of the IoT. The Business Insider says that IoT grows from 1.9 billion devices today, to 9 billion by 2018. To put that in perspective, BI claims that by 2018 IoT will be roughly equal to the number of smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, wearable computers, and PCs combined.
You can insert your own joke about the feds collecting data from a porta-potty.
What do you think? Is 6LoWPAN the best way to connect IoT devices to the cloud?
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- Discovering new IoT hardware development scenarios (sensos.wordpress.com)
Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.
Project Managers Grow in Importance
In a recent post, Computer Economics has found that the slowdown in capital spending has been good for project managers. With fewer projects and thus fewer project managers, Project managers are growing in importance. Project managers with sound project management become even more important when projects are downsized, delayed, or outsourced.
Their study, Project Manager Staffing Ratios, finds that over a five-year period project managers have risen as a percentage of the IT staff. In 2011, project managers made up an average of 4.5% of the IT staff, up from 3.4% in 2008.
The ratio rose sharply in 2009 to 4.3%, indicating the recession played a role. While IT organizations were reducing headcount, project managers fared better than most other IT job functions according to Computer Economics. The ratio has remained relatively steady over the past three years, peaking at 4.7% in 2010.
The author summarizes that IT organizations are relying more and more on professional project managers. The reasons for this growth are varied. They include new technology adoption, regulatory compliance issues, and outsourcing. There is also the ever-present mandate to do more with less. All of which contribute to the need for project management.
Perhaps the most pressing reason for the growth in project management staff is that many organizations have a poor record of bringing IT projects in on time and within budget according to the article. Much of the work in IT organizations today is project-based. IT managers are beginning to realize that project management is a critical element in delivering successful projects. And value—to the business.
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- Five Tips to be an Effective Project Manager (jasmineengineering.wordpress.com)
Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.
Ford Rolls Out A Hot Wheels Transit
TheDetroitBureau.com reports from SEMA 2013 in Las Vegas that Ford Motor Company (F) has rolled out some very hot wheels. Ford is the latest carmaker to honor Hot Wheels the popular Mattel (MAT) toy line with a running, life-size model. This one based on the latest Ford Transit Connect van.
The Hot Wheels Ford Transit Connect van is dark blue with bright orange accents. It has a flaming “Hot Wheels” logo, fins, and fender details one might expect on a toy car.
Hot Wheels Ford Transit Connect van
“The Hot Wheels design team jumped at the chance to hot rod a Transit Connect van. The idea was to create a race-inspired support vehicle for the average guy to spend a weekend at the track testing his Hot Wheels race car,” said Felix Holst, vice president of creative for the Mattel Wheels Division.
It’s no surprise Ford came up with the flashy version of its all-new 2014 Transit Connect. The Hot Wheels brand has been around since 1968. Kids – as well as many adult fans – have snapped up 4 billion of the line’s model cars since then.
The Hot Wheels Transit Connect is more than just a van with a flashy paint job and decals. It is powered by Ford’s 2.5-liter 2.5-liter Ti-VCT four-pot. The sliding side doors are replaced by gull-wing doors. The rear wheels are widened with the body panels flared out to accommodate the larger wheels. There are three shark fins on the back of the roof and scoops on the hood. To complete the package, there are three widescreen TV sets inside the author reports.
“It has everything you need to spend a weekend at the track,” suggested Mr. Holst. The blog says he didn’t say whether that meant the race track or the little orange plastic tracks that Hot Wheels cars run on.
There’s no word on whether Ford plans to offer any of the modifications made for the Hot Wheels Transit Connect concept, though the use of gullwing doors in a production vehicle seems unlikely speculates TheDetroitBureau.com.
That said, Chevrolet debuted its homage to Hot Wheels at the 2012 SEMA Show. last year. Chevy displayed the Hot Wheels Camaro at the 2013 Woodward Dream Cruise and sold it as a limited-edition Hot Wheels Camaro.
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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.
Activity Tracker For Dogs
Fitbark is one of a small number of startups working to support and even improve the health of dogs. Business Insider reports that Fitbark just raised $80,000 on Kickstarter from 697 backers — more than double the amount it was seeking to support its product and mission of fun and responsible dog parenting.
“We looked around and realized there’s a black hole in the way we track the health and activity of our dogs throughout time,” Fitbark co-founder Davide Rossi tells Business Insider. “If you cannot measure it, you can’t improve it.”
Daily goals dogs
New York-based FitBark recommends daily goals for your dog based on breed, weight, size, and age. From there, a dog owner can tweak those recommendations. The article says FitBark aims to provide rich information with actionable insights for dog owners. That way, owners can quickly gauge what kind of day their dog is having, even if they’re away from him or her. They can also use that data to share with the veterinarian at their dog’s next check-up.
FitBark’s “Bark charts” let owners know if their dog is moving less than normal, which could mean the dog is sick. Owners can also gain better insight into how their dog acts around different people. The author says the data can be used to suggest that their dog is more active with one pet sitter than the other. Or maybe one boarding home makes their dog exercise more than the other.
BI reports that if FitBark notices that a dog is nowhere close to hitting his or her daily goal, the owner may get a notification suggesting to take their dog on a walk. But if the dog is with a pet sitter, the owner could call and check-in.
How it works
The FitBark device attaches to a collar and collects data on the dog’s activity levels 24/7 and sends the information it collects to FitBark servers when the wearable device is within range of an authorized smartphone or a FitBark base station. Once this occurs, the dog’s data is analyzed and sent back to the owner’s phone. Owners can then compare his or her dog’s actual activities levels to the dog’s daily fitness goals.
Down the road, Fitbark envisions trainers or even veterinarians tapping into its API to help carry out a custom exercise plan. “Trainers will complain that they prescribe or recommend a program for dogs and owners, but there’s no way to monitor compliance,” Rossi says.
Another application could be for lifestyle recommendations. So a developer could make an app to suggest certain types of pet foods, sync that up with Fitbark, and see if there are any noticeable changes in activity.
GigaOm points out that Fitbark pulled an earlier attempt at crowdfunding the device to rethink the business model, scrapping the monthly subscription fee and opting for a fixed price tag of $69 via Kickstarter or $99 for general retail.
Wearable tech market
Broadcom (AVGO) CEO Scott McGregor has announced its entry into the wearable tech market with the company’s low-cost, low-power Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) hardware platform for connected mobile devices. PCMag reports that Broadcom sees a lot of potential for simple, inexpensive, purpose-built products that use one or more connectivity technologies like FitBark.
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I
covered a similar product called Tagg back in 2012 here. A lot of things have changed since then. Machine to Machine communications and the Internet of Things is all the rage. The Cloud is a viable business model. Big-data analytics is allowing the NSA to spy on the world. And now all of that has come together, M2M dog tags run thru big-data analytics stored in the public cloud so the NSA can spy on U.S. dogs. What a country!
Related articles
- The 5 PetTech Sites That Your Pet Wishes You Were Visiting (alleywatch.com)
Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.
Happy Thanksgiving 2013
A spaceship and aliens invade Detroit’s Woodward Avenue during J.L. Hudson’s 1935 Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.