Coming Soon: The Next Generation Of Remote Controls

July 29, 2009 - PRLog -- NEWTOWN, CT/PLEASANTON, CA  – Imagine a remote control that turns on a TV without the usual point-and-click.  By 2010, radio-frequency (RF) remote controls will start replacing infrared as consumers’ remote of choice.  Unlike current remote technology, RF can control devices from greater distances, no matter what object lies in its path.  

A new testing standard supported by TÜVRheinland®, the leading provider of testing and certification services for global companies, will ensure RF technology operates as designed before next-generation remotes ever reach consumers’ hands.

Radio-frequency remote controls offer more freedom to operate devices regardless of distance or line-of-sight barriers. This reliable form of two-way wireless communication (remote to target, and target to target) brings consumers enhanced user interfaces, better interaction and new control techniques.

Texas Instruments and Freescale Semiconductor were the first two companies to receive ZigBee RF4CE certification of their platforms. TÜVRheinland was appointed as one of their Authorized Test Labs.  

“I am pleased with the commitment made by TÜVRheinland to the program to help us obtain certification of our first ZigBee RF4CE platform,” said Kobus Marneweck, manager of Low- Power Wireless Software at Texas Instruments.

TÜVRheinland worked with the ZigBee Alliance to define a test standard that verifies controls and “targets” (e.g., TVs, DVD players, and set-top boxes) at a low cost. With ZigBee’s RF4CE Compliance Working Group, TÜVRheinland helped create the new RF4CE (Radio Frequency for Consumer Electronics) certification testing platform. The test is designed for a wide range of products such as home entertainment devices, garage door openers, and keyless entry systems.

“TÜVRheinland's contributions to the ZigBee RF4CE certification efforts are well appreciated by the Compliance Working Group,” said Victor Berrios, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance’s RF4CE Compliance Working Group, and Global Platform Development Manager of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.  “Their professionalism and support of the technology will help the ZigBee Alliance ensure a smooth and quick adoption in the market.”

The RF4CE standard was initiated by the RF4CE consortium, which included Panasonic Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Sony Corporation, OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd., in addition to the chipmakers Freescale Semiconductor and Texas Instruments before they became part of the ZigBee Alliance.

The new ZigBee RF4CE testing platform is based on IEEE 802.15.4. MAC/PHY radio technology in the 2.4GHz unlicensed frequency band.  The test program verifies functionality and interoperability across multiple vendors.  Compliance allows manufacturers to quickly and easily develop products that operate worldwide, require low-power consumption and provide instantaneous response time.  Product-level certification testing of radio-frequency-based remotes is soon to follow.

“The RF4CE test standard provides a low-power solution that removes line-of-sight issues commonly associated with typical consumer remotes,” said Dr. Farouk Zanaty, TÜVRheinland’s Wireless Development Manager. “Through our certification experience, we were able to work with the ZigBee Alliance to develop a low-cost testing platform that ultimately will help advance the RF4CE breakthrough.”

TÜVRheinland is authorized by the ZigBee Alliance to provide ZigBee testing and certification to member companies for all classes of platforms and related products. With this specification, TÜVRheinland adds radio-frequency remote controls to its telecom testing portfolio, which already includes ZigBee, Smart Energy, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

About the ZigBee Alliance  

ZigBee is the global wireless language connecting dramatically different devices to work together and enhance everyday life. The ZigBee Alliance is a non-profit association of more than 300 member companies driving development of ZigBee wireless technology. The Alliance promotes world-wide adoption of ZigBee as the leading wirelessly networked, sensing and control standard for use in consumer electronics, energy, home, commercial and industrial areas. For more information, visit www.zigbee.org.  

About TÜVRheinland®

TÜVRheinland® delivers premier independent testing, assessment, and certification services to help companies gain access into global markets. Boasting an international network across six continents, the company’s in-country experts ease the path to compliance with cost-effective pricing and quick turnaround times. The $1.5 billion corporation is comprised of an international network of more than 13,000 employees in 62 countries and serves most industry sectors and markets worldwide. For more information, visit www.us.tuv.com.

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TÜVRheinland® delivers premier independent testing, assessment, and certification services to help companies gain access into global markets.