| HT remote pairs ZigBee and WiFi, runs Windows CE |
Aug. 28, 2007
 A new remote control panel for home theater (HT) is claimed to be the world's first to offer both WiFi and ZigBee wireless interfaces. Advantech's UbiQ-350 also features a 7-inch touchscreen and the "Windows CE 5.0 core" operating system, the company says.
Unlike Bluetooth or WiFi, ZigBee is still a novel feature, despite rosy predictions that have circulated for years. Based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, the technology offers particularly low power consumption. According to the ZigBee Alliance, devices can sleep for hours or even days. Once associated with a network, a ZigBee node can wake up within 15 milliseconds, communicate with other ZigBee devices, and then return to sleep.
Touting long battery life, Advantech says the UbiQ-350 typically operates for eight hours on a charge, where usage is 25 percent "full run," 25 percent "idle" (LCD backlight off), and 50 percent "suspend." In suspend mode, ZigBee remains active and capable of responding to system events.
Advantech's UbiQ-350 in its wall cradle
The company notes that ZigBee has been adopted for sensors, such as security, rain guages, and lights, as well as control devices, such as thermostats. Therefore, while targeted primarily at home theater applications, the UbiQ-350 can also be employed for general home automation.
According to Advantech, the UbiQ-350 "can learn control codes of different remote control devices and becomes a universal remote controller." It can also be used "to adjust lighting, control a wide range of HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems, and even security control."
In addition, the UbiQ-350 can play multimedia content on its screen, which, at 800 x 480 pixels, offers a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. The device employs an Intel XScale processor -- clocked at 312, 416, or 520 MHz -- along with an Intel 2700G graphics accelerator.
Advantech did not detail what control software is shipped on (or with) the device. However, it's expected that solution providers will develop their own software for the device using the SDK (software development kit) and API (application programming interface) provided by the company.
Advantech says it will launch a companion product, the UbiQ-510 ZigBee gateway, in October. This is expected to enable developers to construct a complete ZigBee mesh network.
Key features and specifications listed by Advantech for the UbiQ-350 include:- Processor -- Intel XScale clocked at 312/416/620 MHz
- Memory -- 64 MB DRAM (expandable to 128 MB); 128 MB flash
- Display:
- Intel 2700G graphics accelerator
- 7-inch touchscreen
- 800 x 480 pixel resolution
- 400:1 contrast ratio
- 400 nit brightness rating
- Audio:
- Microphone
- Buzzer
- 2 x 1W speakers
- Front panel:
- 1 x power button for system suspend and resume
- 2 x volume adjustment (up/down)
- 2 x channel change (up/down)
- 1 x mute
- Wireless:
- ZigBee
- 802.11b/g module (occupies SD slot)
- I/O -- 1 x USB 1.1 host
- Expansion -- 2 x SD slots (one SD; one SDIO, intended for system integrator access only)
- Power supply -- 2100 mAh rechargeable battery pack (replaceable by system integrator only); 12 VDC input
- Weight -- 1.76 pounds
- Dimensions -- 5.12 x 8.27 x 1.81 inches (13 x 21 x 2.8 cm)
Advantech says the UbiQ-350 is available now with a desktop charging cradle. The wall-mount cradle pictured above will be released sometime during the third quarter. Pricing was not stated.
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