DASH7 Wireless Sensor Networking Blog

A key focus of that meeting was the improvement of the original ISO 18000-7 standard to enable features like better indoor location, better sensor and security support, and other features like multi-hop.  Within two years, Alliance members developed DASH7 Mode 2, the most elegant and compelling low power wireless sensor networking technology available today.  Unless an application requires streaming of large files, DASH7 seldom “loses” to a competing technology or standard in a head-to-head bake-off.

Since then, Alliance members (we have more than 50 today) also developed an open source software stack, OpenTag, that is more complete than any other in the RFID or WSN industry, compiling into less than 20KB.  Driven in part by OpenTag, we now have a robust and growing university developer community, thanks also to the inspired and inspiring work of our  original student members who continue to attract new developers from the world’s very largest companies to the smallest of startups.

We created awareness of DASH7 in important places and among crucial thought leaders necessary for the future growth of the technology.  Most had never heard of ISO 18000-7 or DASH7 and now we are increasingly part of the decision sets of a growing number of product developers.

Our Route To The Summit

In a recent lunch with a large consumer electronics vendor, one of their executives told me after hearing the history of the DASH7 Alliance, “you guys have accomplished some amazing stuff.”    My reply:  perhaps, but so far we have not hit the “knee” of the adoption curve for Mode 2.  Relative to the history of other wireless standards like Bluetooth or NFC, our situation is not terribly unique.  Mode 2 is barely 12 months old and the first working OpenTag betas went live just last September, yet the emergence of smartphones and tablets as primary computing platforms means a vast developer community with entrepreneurial ideas for RFID and sensor networks and pushing for solutions on an unprecedented scale and at a fantastic rate.  So for DASH7, there is no window for a 10 year delay for that “knee.”

As a mountaineer (at least I considered myself one until my wife and I began procreating …), I liken our situation to being halfway up of a difficult but attainable route to the summit, but with rougher weather and thinner air awaiting the push to the top.  Fortunately, our expedition has made good foundational preparation with our accomplishments so far.  Our biggest challenges?  Mode 2 interoperability test and certification is a major focus for the Alliance in 2012 as “top to bottom” interoperability is a weakness of competing standards and from the beginning, an essential component of our vision for DASH7.  Also, unlike the defense sector where DASH7 is widely used, the number of commercial implementations of DASH7 is our #1 hurdle to getting broader and faster adoption in commercial markets.  Lastly, adequate Alliance marketing resources will be key to supporting our members and spreading the news of wins to end users and other developers alike in the coming year.

Turning the Page

The DASH7 Alliance was my first experience launching an industry non-profit consortium — on a shoestring, to boot — and many of our members are familiar with the unique challenges in growing a “business” like this.  The job of Alliance President & Chairman has been an unpaid, labor of love for me for the past 3+ years but was not something I originally intended to do for more than a year or so.   Last fall, I announced my plans to resign my role as Chairman and President of the Alliance pending a search for a replacement.  Last week, the Alliance Board of Directors voted to appoint John Greaves of Dubai-based Orion Systems as our new Chairman.   For those that don’t know John, he brings extensive experience in RFID to the role and many ideas for how to improve or accelerate the work already begun, as well as new initiatives altogether.  I hope you will join me in congratulating him and providing him with your support in the coming year.

I will remain on the Alliance board of directors through November 2012 and my work for the Alliance, being done increasingly through my new company, Blackbird Technology, is just getting more focused.