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WiMax Forum Publishes Smart Grid Utility Requirements Document for WiGrid NetworksJan 29, 2013 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- The WiMax Forum announced the publication of WiMax Forum System Profile Requirements for Smart Grid Applications. According to a release, this document codifies work done on WiGrid, an optimized IEEE 802.16 profile for Utility Field Area Networking applications. This set of requirements was assembled by the WiMax Forum's Smart Grid Working Group, which is composed of technical representatives from electric power utilities, WiMax vendors and industry representatives. "Approval of the WiMax System Profile Requirements for Smart Grid Applications document establishes WiMax, through WiGrid, as a technology capable of meeting the demands of Smart Grid wireless application," said Eugene Crozier, 1800 WG, UTC Canada and Chair of the WiMax Forum's Smart Grid Working Group. "The publication specifically provides the implementation details to meet typical utility use cases and describes the WiMax specifications required of equipment used for electricity management. It was developed by manufacturers and utilities working together, and is an important step in the road to standardization and certification of IEEE 802.16 products for use in utility networks." The proposed WiGrid System profile is an Ethernet version of IEEE 802.16 that includes numerous new features that allow uplink centric data communications, lower latency, extended range, and enables the use of new frequency bands that various Utilities hold, namely 1.4 GHz, 1.8 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 3.65 GHz and 5.8 GHz. "Electric utilities require nearly ubiquitous telecommunications coverage over their service areas to enable 'Smart Grid' applications," said Paul Senior, Vice Chair of the WiMax Forum Smart Grid Working Group and CTO of Airspan Networks. "WiGrid technology provides a reliable wireless communications medium to ensure Smart Grid functionality, and is an excellent complement to wireline technologies already in use. Our new requirements document provides utilities and vendors with the information they need to advance this revolution in field area networking technology." The WiMax Forum's mission is to facilitate the adoption of WiMax and WiGrid technology. The WiMax Forum is an organization that certifies and promotes the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based upon IEEE Standard 802.16. ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |