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Thu, 12 Jun 2008
Consumer electronics consortium to forge future of remote control
technology
Eindhoven, June 12, 2008 - Philips, Samsung Electronics, Sony
Corporation and Panasonic today announced they have joined forces to
develop a standardized specification for radio frequency-based remote
controls for audio visual consumer electronics devices. Working with
Freescale Semiconductors, OKI and Texas Instruments, the seven companies
have formed the RF4CE (Radio Frequency for Consumer Electronics)
Consortium to create a new protocol that will enable the development of
radio frequency remote controls that deliver richer communication,
increased reliability and more flexible use.
Most existing remote controls use infrared technology to communicate
commands to controlled devices. While no radio frequency remote control
standard currently exists for audio visual consumer electronic devices,
increased demand for advanced functionality that cannot be supported by
existing infrared technology has led to the formation of the RF4CE
Consortium. Radio frequency remote controls enable non line-of-sight
operation and the technology also provides more advanced features based
on bi-directional communications such as display feedback for an
enhanced entertainment experience.
The new radio frequency remote control standard will be based on IEEE
802.15.4. MAC/PHY radio technology in the 2.4GHz unlicensed frequency
band, which enables worldwide operation, low power consumption and
instantaneous response time. The RF4CE Consortium aims to develop a
radio frequency platform that allows omni-directional and reliable
two-way wireless communication, frequency agility to co-exist with other
2.4GHz wireless technologies, simple security set-up and configuration.
"The initial applications of the radio frequency remote control standard
in new devices will be similar to the current infrared technology,
however this platform will open up the possibilities for much richer
remote control functionality in the future," said Bas Driesen,
Chairperson, RF4CE Consortium. "Unifying the resources of Philips,
Samsung, Sony and Panasonic together with Freescale Semiconductors, OKI
and Texas Instruments is a big undertaking. The formation of the RF4CE
Consortium is testimony to how important radio frequency technology is
for the consumer electronics industry."
The RF4CE specification is due to be launched in the second half of 2008
and will be accessible to all interested parties.
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