Ember enables uControl’s Next Generation ZigBee Home Security System

uControl’s new line of wireless sensors helps broadband providers enter the Security, Monitoring & Automation (SMA) market

Los Angeles, CA – NCTA Cable Show, MAY 11, 2010 - uControl, a leading provider of SMA (Security, Monitoring and Automation) solutions has teamed with Ember to deliver its latest innovation – an entirely new line of wireless ZigBee security sensors which enables Broadband Service Providers to deliver the next generation of services for the Connected Home. The new uControl SMA Platform includes and integrates a wide variety of ZigBee sensors including motion, smoke and glass break detectors, door and window contacts, key fobs, wireless keypads and much more.

uControl’s award winning system pairs its open, technology agnostic software infrastructure with the industry’s only “All-In-One” SMA TouchScreen combining an alarm system, communications gateway and home automation platform into one device. uControl selected Ember’s latest ZigBee chipset, the EM357 ZigBee system-on-chip (SoC), to power its advanced line of sensors and peripherals.

“We believe that home security will be the next big service offering from broadband providers,” said Dennis Natale, Ember’s VP of sales. “ZigBee wireless networks are best suited for this application and enable service providers to establish a deeper presence inside the home.”

The new wireless, two-way ZigBee sensors have many advantages over traditional home security devices including:

Two-way messaging
All sensors can send and receive messages to and from the SMA TouchScreen. This ensures that each message is received from each sensor.

Ability to upgrade each sensor’s software wirelessly
uControl avoids a truck roll to a customer’s home when new services or features require a sensor software upgrade. Just like the SMA TouchScreen, all sensor firmware is remotely managed via uControl’s Service Provider management infrastructure.

Open standard enabling Connected Home ecosystem
uControl’s SMA Platform leverages home security as a launchpad application to deliver multiple Connected Home services that customers will demand. Ember’s ZigBee chips and software are already powering many Connected Home devices and can seamlessly interact with other devices compliant with the ZigBee standard for services such as Residential Energy Management, Home Automation and Home Health Care.

Better Range
The Ember EM357 SoC delivers outstanding wireless RF performance with a total Link Budget of 110dB. It also offers market leading adjacent 802.15.4 and 802.11 channel rejection.

Battery Life
The Ember EM357 is based on a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 processor that completes tasks up to 10 times quicker than modern 8-bit processors. In addition, it has the lowest sleep current (as low as 400nA) and fastest wake-ups (under 128usec from wake event to CPU running) of any ZigBee system on the market.

“We needed to innovate beyond the main control system and into sensors and peripherals to create a home security system that can be easily installed and supported by broadband service providers,” said uControl President and CEO Jim Johnson. “With Ember’s ZigBee technology we have the most reliable, scalable and secure solution on the market.”

uControl has also partnered with SMC Networks which has licensed uControl’s design and will manufacture the entire sensor line as well as the SMA TouchScreen. uControl and SMC announced their strategic partnership during SCTE last year. (See http://bit.ly/dm1lO3 for more information on this partnership.)

uControl and Ember will be co-exhibiting with Comporium at this year’s annual NCTA Cable Show – Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. (See http://bit.ly/c9L0fa for more information on uControl’s partnership with Comporium.) The entire uControl SMA Platform will be available for demonstrations at booth #2250. For an interactive demo and videos of the SMA TouchScreen and web portal, please visit www.uControl.com.

About uControl:
uControl is a leading provider of next-generation home security and automation solutions. The uControl Home Security, Monitoring and Automation (SMA) Platform enables Broadband Service Providers to deliver the next generation of services for the Connected Home. uControl’s award winning solution pairs its open, technology agnostic infrastructure with the industry’s only “All-In-One” SMA TouchScreen combining an alarm system, communications gateway and home automation platform into one device. Beyond home security, the uControl SMA Platform delivers the next generation of energy management, home health monitoring and Connected Home services that customers will demand. For more information about uControl, visit http://www.ucontrol.com or call customer support at 1-888-357-4214.

About Ember:
Ember Corporation (www.ember.com) develops wireless mesh networking technology – chips, software, tools – for Smart Energy, connected homes, as well as many other monitoring and control applications enabling greener living and work environments. The Boston-based company is a promoter of the ZigBee Alliance with an IC design center in Cambridge, England, office in Hong Kong and sales channels worldwide.

About SMC:
SMC is a specialist in providing high-quality, reliable Customer Premise Equipment to Service Providers. We design products for both commercial and residential applications. We focus on delivering the best range of innovative wireless and wired solutions for our customers that drive revenue, are highly reliable, require little support, and have the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry. SMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accton Technology Corporation, a Tier 1 OEM/ODM global outsourcing partner for networking and communications solutions based in Taiwan. For more information, visit the SMC’s website at www.smc.com or call (800) SMC-4YOU or Accton’s website at www.accton.com.

ZigBee: Control your world
ZigBee is the global wireless language connecting dramatically different devices to work together and enhance everyday life. The ZigBee Alliance is a non-profit association of more than 340 members driving development of ZigBee wireless technology. The Alliance promotes world-wide adoption of ZigBee as the leading wirelessly networked, sensing and control standard for use in consumer electronic, energy, home, commercial and industrial areas. For more information, visit: www.ZigBee.org.

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