Back when Anand Iyer worked for PRTM he thought RFID was a collaborative methodology that could assist growth in In-Building technologies.
But will the objectives of the IBWA compete with other location technologies like radio frequency identification (RFID) that are already being tested in similar situations? Iyer thinks that RFID is a complementary technology. "Instead of investing in a separate RFID network, you could only invest in the [RFID] tag, and have that tag talk to the in-building communication infrastructure," he says. "Shared platforms, shared infrastructure…one common network inside a building." In fact, Iyer believes that everything from energy sensors, to cellular devices, to computers could and should share the same communication infrastructure.
For that reason, you should Hear No RF Evil, See No RF Evil. Although, you can't really see RF anyway, so I'm not sure the point?
Oh, and look, another juicy Anand Iyer interview. Can't get enough of his thoughts on RF and technology, so we are putting him up here for some light reading.
Despite the ever-growing need for always-on connectivity, most commercial buildings in the U.S. have not yet adopted wireless hook-ups. Without a reliable indoor signal, we are bound by cables and have to rely on wishful thinking to keep calls online.
And it’s not just individual productivity that takes a hit when buildings are ill-equipped to handle the new-generation requirements. Public safety officials and emergency first responders are also affected by inadequate people-locating services and poor emergency communication coverage, both of which could potentially lead to compromised life-saving planning and rescue operations.
Building owners, too, encounter many disadvantages from staying with the wired way. They risk losing tenants who refuse to sign leases without WiFi capabilities, and they have difficulty tracking and consolidating data about in-building energy consumption, security, or other feeds that require frequent monitoring but reside on different IT platforms.
In-building wireless presents a leap forward in ubiquitous connectivity and mobility. While the effort has been mostly grass-roots until now, several prominent companies are banding together to promote in-building wireless and establish standards for the industry to adopt. The In-Building Wireless Alliance is one of the leaders of this coordinated movement.
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