Wi-Fi Moves into the Sensor Networking Realm, Says ABI Research

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(Business Wire)--"Rarely is Wi-Fi invoked within the context of wireless sensor
networking or industrial process control," observes Sam Lucero, ABI
Research senior analyst. "Wi-Fi is considered too power-intensive as
many sensors, actuators, and other devices require battery operation
while deployed for several years at a time - whereas Wi-Fi is
optimized for limited time usage: from a few hours to less than a full
day."

But a new transition peeks over the horizon, put forth by a
company called GainSpan.

A Wi-Fi chipset company, GainSpan has developed various techniques
that provide the battery life needed by sensor networks for Wi-Fi.

ABI Research notes several benefits for such a capability. If
companies have already deployed a Wi-Fi infrastructure, access points,
etc., it will reduce or even eliminate the need to deploy additional
backhaul sensor infrastructure.

"Wi-Fi is more widely used and understood as a technology than
many sensor-networking technologies being developed," continues
Lucero. "GainSpan may in fact be able to offer a wider base of tools
to develop applications. And overall system cost may be lower via a
simpler topology."

In many cases, Wi-Fi can transmit farther than sensor network
technologies. Rather than employ a dense cluster of meshed nodes,
which are inherently more complex to network and manage, Wi-Fi is a
simpler start, reducing complexity of the network topology.

"GainSpan contends that it has created a highly integrated SoC
(System on Chip) that reduces the amount of extra components and
circuitry needed," Lucero explains. "Total BOM (Bill of Materials)
will fall noticeably as well."

ABI Research believes this kind of Wi-Fi approach has a sweet spot
that particular customers will find enticing; and those with Wi-Fi
infrastructure already deployed (without expensive wired or alternate
legacy control systems) will benefit the most.

In the recent report, Wireless Sensor Networking (WSN) in
Industrial Automation
(http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/Wireless_Sensor_
Networking_WSN_in_Industrial_Automation), ABI Research discusses
market opportunity for WSN in industrial deployments; implications of
key standards efforts including Wireless HART, SP-100.11a, and
"industrial" ZigBee; WSN adoption trends; and details key players
involved in making WSN a reality in industrial automation. It forms
part of two ABI Research Services: M2M
(http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/M2M_Research_Service) and
Short-Range Wireless
(http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Short_Range_Wireless_
Research_Service).

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ABI Research is a leading market research firm focused on the
impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business
markets. Utilizing a unique blend of market intelligence, primary
research, and expert assessment from its worldwide team of industry
analysts, ABI Research assists hundreds of clients each year with
their strategic growth initiatives. For information, visit
www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

ABI Research
Nicole Fabris, +1-516-624-2542
pr@abiresearch.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008