Standards group forms to push ‘white space’ radio

A group of companies based in the UK have formed a group that hopes to develop and promote standards for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications that employ gaps in radio spectrum, so-called white-space radio, rather than relying on dedicated frequency bands.

ARM, Cable & Wireless Worldwide, CSR and Neul have formally signed up to the Weightless Special Interest Group (SIG) with the aim of delivering a delivering and promoting a royalty-free standard for white-space radio to support the growth of the Internet of Things.

The Weightless group reckons a standard designed specifically for short to mid-range machine communications that uses white-space radio is needed. The group expects to complete the standard by early 2013 that will support the development of compatible chipsets that cost less than $2, a range of up to 10km and a battery life of 10 years.