Breakthrough in web-based networking for intelligent devices

Licensing opportunity

Programmers on Eureka’s ITEA Sirena project have developed a web-based networking services infrastructure that enables intelligent devices to work together in the same way as computers and their peripherals. This is expected to simplify home or industrial automation, and the approach is expected to be relevant to automotive electronics, communications and medical systems also.

The overall aim of the project is to advance Europe’s position in ambient computing, whereby any device with built-in intelligence can communicate.

While €4 chips can provide a high level of built in intelligence in appliances such as washing machines or fridges, getting them to communicate and work together is much more complex. Existing technologies are in the main, application specific, whereas the services-oriented architecture developed in Sirena makes it possible to interconnect any type of intelligent device.

Applications can be set up by simply plugging in any piece of equipment, which will then automatically register on the network and start communicating. The result is simpler systems integration, increased reliability and robustness, improved flexibility and enhanced interoperability.

Typical applications could include domestic heating and ventilation systems equipped with a range of internal and external sensors, which automatically adjust radiators, air conditioning units and sun blinds, and provides regulated temperatures in different zones of a house, all programmed through a television.

Eureka claims the outputs of Sirena will underpin a new market, forecast to grow rapidly within two to three years, delivering a common services infrastructure for a wide range of real-time embedded networked intelligent device applications

Sirena also forms the basis of two follow-up projects, SODA, which involves 30 partners who are working on the tool infrastructure required to support the SIRENA environment; and SOCRADES, the EU Sixth Framework Programme project that is developing related industrial automation systems.