What are the benefits of using IP?

The Internet Protocol and 6LoWPAN offer a long-lasting (10s of years) standard solution which can be used over a wide range of radio technologies for embedded devices. In addition to direct Internet integration, IP also offers proven scalability, manageability, easy learning curves, and fast innovation. IP is also an unbeatable marketing advantage for products, especially through the IP Smart Objects Alliance.

Can products using 6LoWPAN be certified?

The IP Smart Objects Alliance, which Sensinode helped found, is performing interoperability tests and members of the alliance can use the IPSO logo on validated products. Sensinode is very active in vendor interoperability and fully assists our customers with certification and interoperability issues.

Must we join the IPSO Alliance?

The IPSO Alliance is an open organization, and its members consist of chip makers, network technology providers, device manufacturers, research organizations, system integrators and end users. Sensinode recommends our customers and partners to join the Alliance, which will help them in marketing and PR along with interoperability. Anyone may use Sensinode products and IP technology, IPSO membership is not required.

Isn't IP heavy and power-consuming?

The Internet Protocol itself is a very simple framing, and in itself does not consume extra power. Thanks to 6LoWPAN, the core simplicity of IP is made available for use in low-power, low-bandwidth wireless networks. The NanoStack 2.0 6LoWPAN related IP protocols take only ~10 kB of ROM for example. Entire wireless sensor firmwares are possible using NanoStack 2.0 in under 32 kB of ROM and 4 kB of RAM. NanoStack is designed to run on cheap, low-power SoC radios such as the TI CC2430.

Is 6LoWPAN a standard?

Yes, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standardizes most Internet-related protocols including the IPv6 (RFC2460) and 6LoWPAN (RFC4944) specifications. In addition Sensinode supports the IEEE 802.15.4 radio standard, over which 6LoWPAN networking standards are used.

Is 6LoWPAN really IP?

6LoWPAN is a stateless compression format for IPv6, which is the newest generation of the Internet Protocol. 6LoWPAN follows IPv6 standards, but applies them in an innovative way appropriate for low-power, low-bandwidth wireless links.

What is the difference to ZigBee?

ZigBee is an alliance which specifies a vertical protocol solution on-top of the IEEE 802.15.4 radio. ZigBee networking protocols are proprietary, and not directly compatible with the Internet. In addition, vertical profiles are used for all applications. 6LoWPAN achieves efficiency and performance equal to ZigBee, but with direct Internet compatibility without application gateway solutions required. 6LoWPAN networks are also open to a wide range of application protocols, thanks to OSI layering of protocols.