Open Licensed Hardware

Posted by TomRose on September 27, 2006 under NFC, Open Source, RFID | 2 Comments to Read

It has not received the attention of open source software; however, the same concept is being applied to hardware components by releasing the design and usually a working simulation model via hardware description language such as VHDL (HDL Tutorial, FreeHDL ). OPENCORES is one of the consortiums focused on Open Licensed Hardware, and was founded sometime in 2000. The fact that hardware is being open licensed gives much credit to the model of open and free components, as the real value is how to put those components (hardware and software) together into a solution.

I’m not an advocate that absolutely everything has to be open licensed, and not to say that the industry as a whole has the best open licenses today, or have figured out the best business model for both the producers and consumers. Although, I am convinced that open licensed technology is invaluable for increasing innovation, accelerating adoption and evolution of commercial solutions/services, as well as distributing the risk of technology development across a wider participant base.

Now, what prompted this post was a mail list message about OpenPCD, a RFID reader, both hardware and software with an open license. This type of technology is part of a broader movement referred to as NearField Communications (NFC).

Also related, the recently finalized JSR 257 (Contactless Communication API ), that supports many connection interfaces, such as ISO 14443. You will see this particular protocol (and others) referred to in the NFC forum noted above, and also implemented in the OpenPCD project via and open source component called librfid . So there is much movement in this space across the world, in addition to security and privacy controversy with its use. You can look toward implementation of this technology in passports to find heated debate about the additional security it brings, and its appropriateness in this solution space. Search Bruce Schneier’s weblog for “passports” to get a security perspective of the technology.

There is no doubt an open license approach to technology will continue to be adopted. We just need to prove out the business models that will continue to fuel the development of open licensed technology. As nothing is free, somebody always has to pay.

Tom

RFID 2.0 Opens in Japan

Posted by TomRose on September 7, 2006 under RFID | Be the First to Comment

Another version release, we are now at RFID 2.0 in Japan. My first thought was why do we keep doing this, and for a moment I was bitter. After some reflection, I came to the conclusion that I agree with motivations to put the version releases on everything; SOA, RFID, Web, Business, but not the actual versioning itself. I’m sure the marketing teams are trying to get some excitement in the industry, as that leads to focus, innovation, and of course customers. Although the motivations may be admirable the method seems entirely ineffective. I wonder what the empirical data shows relative to adoption rate of technology as it’s arbitrarily assigned a version.

Tom

Global Sensor Network

Posted by TomRose on August 23, 2006 under RFID, Sensor | Be the First to Comment

I was looking at the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Sensor Web services over a year ago, and although they had some emerging ideas, it did not seem cohesive at the time. However, a colleague in Australia’s national science agency noted he was looking over the OGC specifications, so I took another look. I was pleasantly surprised to see they have made significant progress and have released specifications for public review regarding a global sensor network.

Here is a video of the demo for the phase 3 work that completed last year.

EPCglobal has been the global standards organization for RFID hardware, RF, and software interoperability protocols. Although they have great success in hardware and RF, the software interoperability standards have been slow to emerge for public review. The reason I mention this about RFID is I believe that RFID readers are just another type of sensor. Also RFID application authors are slowly realizing that geospatial information will be required to better utilize RFID event information. I suspect the OGC sensor standards will have much greater adoption than a niche technology like RFID, and so hopefully the two industries will collide.

The OGC Sensor Web working group website contains the latest drafts of the specifications.

When we talk about Web 2.0, I envision more services like sensor nets and the applications that utilize them. When we start to put interoperability standards in place like Sensor Web from OGC, combine it with emerging networking technology like Zigbee, WiMax, and Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), then things start to get exciting.

Cheers,

Tom

RFID workshop in EU

Posted by TomRose on May 17, 2006 under RFID | Be the First to Comment

I have been listening to the presentations, and I’m very pleased to hear meaningful discussions about the security and privacy issues. The constant barrage of mindless banter with the “technology evil” slant in the media and books was wearing extremely thin.

Also, the privacy issues being discussed in detail are related to RFID/sensor technology, but really uncover the overall issues to the current collection and management of private information (credit card companies, loyalty programs, etc), regardless of the technology used to capture and associate the information.

Although this is for the EU, speakers from other countries outside the EU, including the US, are participating.

http://www.rfidconsultation.eu/

Streaming video:
http://scic.cec.eu.int/streaming/char/

Privacy has a Price?

Posted by TomRose on February 16, 2006 under RFID | Be the First to Comment

RFID is now in the mainstream of our lives, and so goes the security and privacy of the technology as well. The serious aspect of the topic has created heated debate, and why I think a little humor puts things in perspective. Like any technology, we need to understand where it fits best. While heated debate continues, take a break and have a laugh. Well I hope you find the funny side of it.

Security Cartoon