Smart remote control enables two-way communication

SINGAPORE: What if you only needed a single compact remote control for all the appliances in your home – a “smart” remote control which displays current settings, and tells you if an appliance is consuming too much power or needs maintenance?

NXP Semiconductors has introduced a smart remote control demonstrator, featuring the JN5161 wireless microcontroller using ZigBee RF4CE, as well as a capacitive touchscreen that can be used to control and display information about multiple home appliances.

For applications ranging from home entertainment to residential air conditioning systems, the demonstrator shows how bi-directional communication can transform the remote control into a truly “smart” device that can also help consumers monitor and manage their total energy consumption in real time.

“Touchscreens and low-power wireless communications are redefining how we interact with nearly everything. Our smart remote control demonstrates how appliance manufacturers can take advantage of the two-way communication enabled by RF4CE, by displaying real-time information about environmental conditions in the home, about power consumption levels, or about the appliance itself, said Jan Willem Vogel, senior director, Appliances, Energy and Automation segment, NXP Semiconductors.

"We also offer a straightforward migration path to more sophisticated remote controls or smartphone- and tablet-based systems using ZigBee PRO and JenNet-IP. For heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in particular, better information can help consumers and facilities managers to optimize usage, for tremendous energy savings.”