Jan 7 2013
Zonoff, Inc., today announced the launch of the "Zonoff Distributed Radio Architecture" (ZDRA) which solves a key problem for consumers while also opening new opportunities for consumer electronics OEMs. The new architecture includes hardware reference designs for an ultra low cost wireless radio solution code-named "Sentry" which will be demonstrated by Zonoff at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
"As the first company in the industry to deliver enabling technology that is truly standards agnostic, the release of ZDRA and Sentry is the next logical step for Zonoff," explained Mike Harris , Zonoff's CEO. ZDRA and Sentry facilitate communication back to the home's primary automation controller, which houses the "brain" of the connected home via Zonoff Home Software.
"Other companies have traditionally depended upon a dedicated home automation controller box to contain both their control software and the specific radios required for RF standards used in home automation, such as Z-Wave, ZigBee and others. Essentially, we have separated the control software from the radios, enabling the radios to be placed wherever they may be needed in the home, without the need for a wired Ethernet connection. The benefit is that consumers can use their existing WiFi network to add any home automation device in any location," Harris explained.
Just as important are the ramifications of ZDRA and Sentry for consumer electronics OEMs because now virtually any "always on" connected CE device – including such things as HDTV, Blu-Ray players, set top boxes, routers, NAS devices, etc. - can add home automation as a value-added feature. With the radios now handled by small, low-cost Sentry devices scattered throughout the home, OEMs can deploy the Zonoff Home Software in either newly shipped CE devices, or add it to existing components in consumer's homes via a software upgrade "push" over the Internet.
According to Harris, Zonoff will be once again creating an immersive interactive demo "home" inside their private 2,000 square foot suite at the Las Vegas Hotel to demonstrate the entire spectrum of the Zonoff Platform. Zonoff's demo suite will be located on the 29th floor of the Las Vegas Hilton. CES attendees can request a private demo and briefing by calling 484.466.6331.