DECT ULE spec published

DECT ULE (TS 102 939-1), which is based on the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) standard, is said to offer ultra low power consumption, good Quality of Service and wider coverage than competing technologies. ULE devices will be fully compatible with existing DECT systems and will use the existing DECT spectrum. In addition, one device will be able to combine ULE and DECT/DECT New Generation functionalities. Dr Guenter Kleindl, chair of ETSI's DECT Technical Committee, commented: "DECT ULE is an exciting new application of DECT for a completely different market. It addresses many application scenarios, particularly in the M2M area, which no existing technology can support – other contenders suffer from a variety of drawbacks including high power consumption, spectrum access limitations, short range or a lack of standardisation. As a result, we expect DECT ULE to make a significant impact on the M2M market." Potential applications for DECT ULE include home automation and smart metering, assisted living and telecare and safety and security. The first phase of development is focused on the Home Automation Network (HAN) but this work will be extended to industrial automation. DECT has been found to be less susceptible to interference than other communications technologies, due to its exclusive spectrum range, and offers high quality and long range communications. The DECT base standard (EN 300 175 series) has also been updated to include the necessary new protocol elements and procedures for DECT ULE, and the revised version is expected to be published early in 2014.