Smart Energy

Echelon Awarded Patent on Installing a Community of Devices on a Control Network

Echelon was recently awarded U.S. Patent number 8,374,104 for its Interoperable Self-Installation (ISI) protocol, an innovative, simple way to install a group of devices on a control network. Echelon has implemented the ISI technology in a number of products, and Echelon customers have already created commercial products based on the patented technology.

ISI addresses an increasingly important challenge in our lives today. Everyday devices – ranging from large appliances (refrigerators, ovens, etc.); HVAC, security, lighting, and irrigation systems; vehicle controls in trains, automobiles, ships, and planes; to smaller appliances (toasters, microwaves, etc.) – are being interconnected and need to be controlled. As these networked device groups become more prevalent, the devices themselves must be able to join the groups and interact with each other, without requiring an installation tool, expert knowledge, or a special-purpose local server. 

Echelon’s new patent covers a method of installing devices into groups, or communities of devices, that:

• Does not rely on a central server or authority for acquiring or maintaining addresses of devices
• Does not fail when a large number of devices are turned off
• Does not require users to maintain network resource information

Echelon’s innovation includes standardizing a method by which devices in a network can allocate their own network resources and automatically avoid conflicts arising from two devices independently trying to assign duplicate network resources. The method includes automatic discovery so that devices can automatically recognize compatible devices as they are added to the network community and establish communication with each other. Another innovation is discovery and installation without the need for “active negotiation,” meaning that it is not necessary for every device to be knowledgeable about every other device in the community.

Echelon’s patented ISI technology is supported in three of its tools – the NodeBuilder Development Tool, the ShortStack Developer’s Kit, and the LonBridge Server – and PL 3170 Smart Transceiver chip as well as the PL3150, FT5000 and Neuron 5000.

 Customers using Echelon’s patented ISI technology include:

• CyboSoft and CyboEnergy in the U.S., which implemented a gateway and the world’s first solar power Mini-Inverter using Echelon PL chips communicating with ISI technology, with the LonBridge Server running in the gateway. This enables CyboSoft and CyboEnergy to deliver Mini-Inverters that can be managed with its home gateway for home installations, but that are also compatible with the Echelon SmartServer Controller for larger commercial installations.
• e-controls in Spain, which uses Echelon PL chips communicating with ISI technology in its commercial building and home indoor lighting control and commercial remote I/O. With the Echelon technology, e-controls can deliver a system that can be installed without the use of any additional tools in standalone system, but that can also be easily integrated into larger building or home control networks that use Echelon’s LNS or OpenLNS tools.
• SLS Corporation in India, which uses the LonBridge Server to create its In-Home Controller, and the NodeBuilder tool and the PL 3170 chip in its lamp and appliance modules. The SLS In-Home Controller interacts with plug-in modules for dimming lamps and switching appliances on and off; for monitoring and reporting energy usage of lamps and appliances; and to enable homeowners to use a mobile phone or local display to monitor the energy usage of their lighting and key appliances.

Congratulations to Bernd Gauweiler and Rich Blomseth from Echelon, who are the co-inventors of the ISI technology that has received this patent.

You might also like:

• Echelon Interoperable Self-Installation (ISI) web page
• Echelon LonBridge Server web page
• Echelon PL 3170 Smart Transceiver chip web page
• CyboSoft website
• CyboEnergy website
• e-controls website
• SLS website

 

 

Echelon China Users Conference Discusses LonWorks, Internet of Things

The Echelon China Users Conference wrapped up its 2013 meeting in Xiamen, China, in April, with more than 70 people from 20 companies attending the two-day conference.  The Users Group, which gives vendors the opportunity to meet and discuss their solutions based on LonWorks technology, expanded its focus this year to also include Echelon’s strategy and plans for the Internet of Things marketplace. 

Anders Axelsson, Echelon’s senior vice president of Internet of Things Global Sales and Marketing, said: “The China Users Conference is a great example of the LonWorks community coming together to share experiences. We had people talking about their successes in various vertical markets, as well as how to use LonWorks to generate new business and growth and expand to emerging verticals. This conference is an important vehicle for Echelon to get first-hand feedback from our users and to let our community hear the latest updates and plans from Echelon.”

Phoenix Zheng, Echelon’s country manager of China added: “Echelon’s commitment to the Chinese market is very important and every year we are seeing more excitement about Echelon and the LonWorks technology.  The Internet of Things strategy added even more interest this year and I expect next year will be an even greater event.”

The Users Conference showcased the successful implementations of street lighting, green building, and home automation efforts together with new opportunities in solar, indoor lighting, transportation, industrial, and other vertical markets.

 Presentation highlights included:

• Rongwen showcased its work in street lighting energy management
• Tomwell discussed its Echelon power line communications-based advanced LED drivers
• AMKO talked about smart induction lighting and controls
• Hocen discussed emergency lights and signs
• Nan Jing Tujiu talked about indoor lighting systems
• Lianhong talked about government office building energy monitoring
• Protectwell discussed LonWorks-based sun blind control and lighting systems 
• Street Light SLS talked about home energy management 

Stay tuned for details on the next Users Conference, coming soon.

You might also like:

• Echelon LonWorks web page

Echelon Employees Bring Their Kids to Work

The annual “Bring Your Kids to Work” day was Thursday, April 25, and many children joined their parents at Echelon’s headquarters office in San Jose, California.

The new “Echelon employees” started their day with a welcome and introduction by Varun Nagaraj and Russ Harris, members of Echelon’s executive team.

Then, Tom Jones and Carlos Cuturrufo from Engineering gave the children a tour of the labs.  Steve McKinney from IT gave a tour of the server room and Rob Guzikowski, a product expert, showed the children Echelon’s Demo room.  Wayne Wiebe from Facilities took them around the office building, including the roof, which turned out to be the highlight of the tour and enjoyed most by all the children.

The children also went on a “scavenger hunt” to get them talking and asking questions of the employees. Jason Chien and Melinda Sanders from Customer Support helped with the scavenger hunt and employee questions. 

The questions included: “Find someone who works in finance;”“Locate an employee who has worked here longer than 10 years;” and “Find someone who makes big decisions.” All the children received an Echelon backpack “goodie bag” with a T-shirt, pen, and notepad inside. They also made picture frames and ended their day with a pizza lunch.

This was the 21st anniversary of the U.S. national program and, according to Forbes, more than 37 million employees at more than 3.5 million U.S. workplaces participated in the event. The day was developed by Gloria Steinem and the Ms. Foundation for Women in 1993 and originally intended only for daughters. Ten years later, it was expanded to include sons.  

Echelon Hosts the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Caucus Meeting

Echelon hosted a Caucus Meeting for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group on April 26.

The day’s attendees included State Assembly Member Jim Beall (representing Echelon’s district), State Assembly Member Paul Fong, State Assembly Member Jerry Hill, State Assembly Member Luis Alejo, State Assembly Member Nora Campos, State Assembly Member Rich Gordon, State Assembly Member Kevin Mullin, State Assembly Member Phil Ting, and Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Carl Guardino, among others.

They discussed plans and progress on critical issues such as immigration reform, transportation funding, the California energy grid, greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, California’s “Made in USA” labeling standard, stronger state R&D tax credit, sales tax exemption for equipment purchases and small business stock taxes–all focused on making California competitive and sustainable while maintaining our great quality of life.

Echelon’s CEO Ron Sege recently joined the Board of Directors of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Representing more than 345 significant Silicon Valley employers, and with 36 board members, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) was founded in 1977 by HP co-founder David Packard. Since then, the organization has been actively involved in helping to craft important regional, California state, and U.S. federal policies that impact the economic health and quality of life in Silicon Valley — and beyond.

 

 

You may be interested in:

• Silicon Valley Leadership Group website
• The California State Assembly’s website

 

Echelon at embedded world 2013 and ISH 2013 shows

Echelon recently participated in two trade shows in Europe, the embedded world 2013 exhibition and the ISH 2013 show.

With its theme of “Welcome to a smarter world!” the embedded world 2013 Exhibition & Conference in Nuremberg, Germany, showcased embedded technologies in cars, data and telecommunications systems, industrial and consumer electronics, military and aerospace systems, and of course in the newest generation of networking and energy control systems.

Echelon’s presence at the show strongly echoed the “smarter” theme. In the Avnet Memec booth, Echelon demonstrated the following:

• Free Topology (FT) 5000 Smart Transceiver, a high-performance, low-cost solution that delivers excellent noise immunity and high network communications integrity
• Power Line (PL) Smart Transceiver, a device-on-a-chip product (in 3120, 3150, and 3170 models) that provides a time- and cost-effective way to deliver control-networking capabilities over power lines for smart meters and managed street lighting applications
• SmartServer 2.0 streetlight segment controller, a versatile smart energy manager that connects control devices to IP-based applications
• CPD 3000 Outdoor Lighting Controller (OLC), an integral component of our smart street lighting solution

The ISH show in Frankfurt, Germany, is the world’s leading trade fair for building, energy, air-conditioning technology, and renewable energies.  More than 2,300 exhibitors from 57 countries presented innovative technologies and solutions, as well as the latest trends for sustainable, environmentally friendly buildings.

Echelon participated in the ISH show in the LonMark booth. LonMark highlighted its house and building automation solutions, including:

• LonWorks to BACnet/IP integration
• Demand response and end-user energy portal services
• Intelligent street lighting using outdoor lighting controllers for multiple types of lamps
• Intelligent street lighting using integrated ballasts and generators

You might also like:

• embedded world 2013 website
• ISH show 2013 website
• Echelon Power Line Smart Transceivers web page
• Echelon FT 5000 Smart Transceiver datasheet
• Echelon SmartServer 2.0 Controller web page
• Echelon CPD 3000 Outdoor Lighting Controller datasheet
• Echelon Smart Street Lighting web page
• LonWorks to BACnet/IP integration press release
• Echelon Smart Buildings web page

 

Echelon Wins 2013 European Smart Metering Award

Echelon recently won the 2013 European Smart Metering Award for top Network and Communications company in the Solution Provider category. Echelon and the other winners (in seven other solution provider categories and three utility categories) were presented their awards at an exclusive gala dinner in London  at the close of the Smart Metering UK and Europe Summit 2013.

The European Smart Metering Awards are determined by independent judges who include utility industry experts from a range of European companies. In our award citation, they said they selected Echelon as “a company that surpassed all others [in their category] due to their strong focus on consumer outputs and extensive use of open-source technologies.”

It’s always a privilege to be honored by your peers, and especially in a forum as prestigious as the European Smart Metering Awards. We take it as encouragement that Echelon is on the right path with our smart metering, smart grid, and other grid modernization solutions, and with our open-standard, multi-application energy control networking platform. Whether we win awards or not, though, Echelon is committed to delivering innovative solutions that help utilities solve their business problems and ‘keep the lights on’ for their customers across the globe.

Echelon Makes the Semi-Finals to be one of 13 Smart Grid Companies to Watch in 2013

Echelon has been nominated to the next level of voting for Smart Grid News’ annual Smart Grid Companies to Watch competition. Out of a field of 54, Echelon is now one of 25 companies vying for the prize of being one of 13 Smart Grid Companies to Watch in 2013.

Vote for Echelon here. The polls are open until noon PST on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. Thank you to our employees, customers, suppliers and partners for helping to elevate us to the next level.

Vote for Echelon to be a Smart Grid Company to Watch finalist in 2013

The 2013 edition of Smart Grid News' annual poll of the top Smart Grid Companies to Watch has gathered nominations and is now ready to choose the 13 finalists.  Echelon is on the list and wants your vote to make it to the finals! 

For the past four years, Smart Grid News readers have nominated the top smart grid superstars. Echelon continues to excel in the smart grid marketplace, with successful smart meter deployments throughout the world – including notable recent expansions in China, Brazil, and Europe. We think we deserve to be recognized for our accomplishments, and we hope you'll agree.

Cast your vote now!

Representing Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is a leader in more ways than just technology. In fact, policies, concepts, and ways of working that originate in Silicon Valley exert a strong influence over activities and markets throughout the U.S. and the world. Now, Echelon has a front-row seat at — and an avenue for contributing to — one of Silicon Valley's policy power players.

Echelon’s CEO Ron Sege recently joined the Board of Directors of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Representing more than 345 significant Silicon Valley employers, and with 36 board members, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) was founded in 1977 by HP co-founder David Packard. Since then, the organization has been actively involved in helping to craft important regional, California state, and U.S. federal policies that impact the economic health and quality of life in Silicon Valley — and beyond.

 Sege will help shape discussions at the SVLG around issues he is passionate about, taking a long and strategic view.

“Infrastructure and education are the lifeblood of Silicon Valley,” he said. “We need the best and brightest people in the world, and that requires great school systems, as well as intelligent immigration reform. It’s also important how people, things, data, and ideas move around, which is what infrastructures do. Whether it’s transportation, or data center designs, or smart grid technologies, the SVLG is an important forum for these discussions and mouthpiece for recommended reports.

“In my role as SVLG board member, I expect to be advocating for policy goals such as H1B visa reform, bringing more innovation and accountability to our primary and higher education programs, and promoting ROI-driven investment in digital and analog infrastructure.

“By working to make Silicon Valley a better place, the hope is that the results of our efforts will ripple outward from here.”

Echelon Honored for its Philanthropic Activities and Leadership

In its annual Corporate Philanthropy and Community Impact Awards event on November 1, 2012, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal recognized Echelon for its companywide philanthropic efforts, as demonstrated through employee volunteering and charitable donations. 

In 2011, Echelon made contributions to the Second Harvest Food Bank in Silicon Valley as well as to European-based organizations that resulted in the construction of three homes in Africa. In addition, Silicon Valley-based Echelon employees collectively donated many volunteer hours to help the efforts of the Second Harvest Food Bank.

“Last year, the Silicon Valley office decided to donate money to charity rather than having our annual holiday party,” said Ron Sege, Echelon CEO. “The employee ‘giving back’ effort continued as our workforce volunteered many hours at the Second Harvest Food Bank. The experience was so positive that local Echelon employees plan to give their time to the Food Bank again this year.” 

Other local companies recognized by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal for their philanthropy included Google, Intel, Cisco, The Sobrato Organization, and eBay. The Corporate Philanthropy and Community Impact Awards are given to companies that demonstrate exceptional generosity; donate time, talent, and financial resources; and play a key role in providing exceptional charitable contributions in the fields of education, health care, or arts and culture to the Silicon Valley/San Jose community.