We saw a couple of reports about new Wi-FI features a little while ago and now we have been able to catch up with the developments!
The first feature is Wi-Fi Certified TimeSync, a new technology that allows Wi-Fi devices to lock sync down to sub-microsecond levels which has a number of potential use cases. The one that immediately appealed to us was the synchronisation of streams of video or audio or video and audio. The technology should allow multiple speakers around a network, for example, to stay in sync. It also ensures that multiple wireless speakers can stay in sync with video. We have seen reports that Sonos devices can do this, but the new Wi-Fi feature should allow standardisation of this function.
The technology should also be usable in production environments to keep audio and video systems in sync. There are also industrial, medical and automotive applications as well.
The Alliance is already developing a certification programme, but expects it to take some time for products to get to market.
The second initiative is the Wi-Fi Certified Location programme, which allows wireless access points to be able to report their location to metre-level accuracy, but also allows a standardised address (including the floor) to be provided to a client. The technology could be useful for mobile devices used indoors, but could also be useful for emergency services.
The programme has started, but mass deployments are not expected until 2018.
Analyst Comment
The TimeSync technology looks very cool, but it will take years, I suspect, to get all the devices that you need to respond to the standard to come up to the level of support that would be needed to make it useful. I hope I’m wrong! (BR)
