Wi-SUN Alliance certifies first products for FAN 1.1 certification
What is a Field Area Network?
FAN (Field Area Networks) provides a communications infrastructure for very large-scale outdoor networks. A FAN lets industrial devices such as smart meters and streetlights interconnect onto one shared network. The FAN Certification Program has been developed by the Wi-SUN Alliance to certify devices for use by utilities, city developers and other service providers to simplify large-scale smart cities, smart utilities and other IoT rollouts.
Exegin Technologies, Kyoto University, Japan Radio, Nissin Systems, Landis+Gyr, Renesas Electronics, Silicon Labs, and VertexCom have become the first companies to achieve Field Area Network (FAN) 1.1 certification.
The Wi-SUN Alliance was established to advance seamless connectivity by promoting IEEE 802.15.4g standard-based interoperability for global regional markets. The Wi-SUN Alliance is collaborating with its members to develop mesh wireless communication networks for utilities, smart cities, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
With its recent launch of its Certification Program, the Wi-SUN Alliance is focused on ensuring products, including smart meters, smart sensors, and other utility IoT devices, can interoperate in a multi-vendor data network in compliance with the FAN 1.1 wireless mesh specification.
Phil Beecher, CEO of the Wi-SUN Alliance, stated that the new FAN 1.1 certification will provide commonality for utilities and cities. “Utilities and municipalities can now adopt these devices into their existing networks, knowing that they can interconnect with other products in one common, interoperable ecosystem that boasts enterprise-class security and more efficient network-wide usage of available bandwidth,” he said.
Focus on compatibility
A key benefit of FAN 1.1 is that it integrates with existing FAN 1.0 networks, which can support million-scale device deployments across vast geographical areas.
With FAN 1.1, manufacturers can also take advantage of the significantly higher data-rate performance of up to 2.4 Mbps, utilizing the new OFDM specification, to implement new applications that benefit from higher speeds.
Resiliency is also a key focus of FAN 1.1.
FAN 1.1’s wireless mesh technology supports self-healing communications between various devices used for applications ranging from environmental monitoring to smart metering. The technology’s network reformation capabilities enable a swift recovery if the network were to go down, and they also allow for the graceful handling of power outages or local RF obstructions, ensuring that communications remain uninterrupted.
Additionally, FAN 1.1 devices can be used globally, including the Americas, APAC, and EMEA regions.
Smart cities, smart utilities benefits
While the concepts of smart cities and smart utilities are still evolving, the FAN 1.1 specification can benefit both areas. According to the Wi-SUN Alliance, smart utility networks and smart cities share standard communications requirements and can be supported by the same networking architecture.
A smart city can leverage the existing wireless communications infrastructure provided by Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) or street lighting networks to enable other applications, such as smart traffic signals, public transit signs, parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, and other applications.
Specifically, FAN 1.1 could also facilitate the growth of connected streetlight applications. An IoT Analytics study estimates that the connected streetlights market will surpass $3.6 billion by 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21%.
Likewise, Wi-SUN technology will have applicability in smart utility applications such as Smart Water Management, Smart Gas Metering and Distribution Management. Wi-SUN technology enables IPv6 communications over an IEEE 802.15.4 g-based wireless mesh network.
Wi-SUN enables large-scale outdoor IoT networks, including applications like advanced metering infrastructure and distribution automation.
Already, Wi-SUN technology is gaining momentum across key geographic areas, including India. Last March, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standards body of India, adopted the Wi-SUN Alliance FAN specification as the national standard for India’s Smart Meter RF Communication Networks.
A Navigant Research study revealed that there are 96.5 million Wi-SUN-capable devices awarded worldwide.
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Sean Buckley
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