Smart devices, smart grids, smart motors and a myriad of other “smart” technological advances will be unable to “talk” to one another, resulting in chaotic communications structures – unless standards are developed to enable, monitor, and ensure interoperable interfaces to the network.

That is the core focus of the new Smart Device Communications (SDC) Engineering Committee just created through member companies of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), a leading global standards developing organization (SDO). TIA is the trade association for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, representing wireless, mobile, smart phone, network solutions, network management, data server, conferencing, M2M, fiber, satellite, cable, and other technology manufacturers and vendors that serve the needs of the connected planet.

The new committee, TR-50, is intent on speedily producing a ubiquitous protocol for communicating with smart devices used in industries such as manufacturing, medical, building automation/home automation, transportation, entertainment, semiconductor, communication, and energy distribution.

The initiative has triggered extensive support among TIA Board members and members as well as other companies. “While other protocols may accommodate accessing subsets of the information and events, no other organization addresses common requirements and interoperability of essential intelligent/smart devices across industries,” stressed Charles Kenmore, TIA board member and Chairman of its Standards & Technical Committee.

Accessing information and events within devices has become essential in every industry. The SDC Committee will consider many possible use cases that include monitoring, as well as remote changing of state (both read and write functions). Types of information and events that any Smart Devices Communications Specification needs to accommodate include:

• Equipment Fault Events
• Preventive Maintenance Events
• Energy Metrics
• Network Metrics
• Equipment Data (customizable)
• Remote Diagnostics
• Configuration Management

In developing a new protocol specification, TIA will work to incorporate the best of many specifications that have been created over the last 15 years while avoiding mistakes of the past, creating a flexible, adaptable technology protocol that will survive well into the future.

“TIA’s vision for this new committee is to foster collaboration and coordination with other appropriate organizations addressing various components of smart device communication systems,” said Cheryl Blum, TIA’s VP for Standards and Technology. “This initiative has already stimulated great interest among companies whose business is in smart devices, and we expect a widespread level of involvement and support.”

Companies that have expressed interest in supporting this initiative include Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Inc., Intel Corporation, ILS Technology, LGE, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Qualcomm, Telcordia Technologies, Tyco Electronics, Verari Systems and Ygomi.

To learn more about how to participate in the new initiative, please contact Cheryl Blum at cblum@tiaonline.org.

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924, TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members’ products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.

TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM® tradeshow and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

About TIA Standards Development

Thousands of communications leaders work through TIA's standards program to enhance the business environment for telecommunications, broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite, unified communications, emergency communications, vehicular telematics and healthcare ICT.

More than 1,100 subject-matter experts and other industry leaders participate in TIA's 70+ engineering committees, subcommittees, working groups and Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) and the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2). Their collaborative efforts have produced more than 3,500 standards documents. These invaluable reference tools are used by industry and government entities across the globe to help develop numerous products and services.

TIA’s Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

Sign up for TIA RSS news feeds at tiaonline.org