Qualcomm launches development platform for the Internet of Things

At CES, mobile communications specialist Qualcomm has announced a development platform due for release in the second quarter of 2013 which will enable Java developers to write applications for the Internet of Things. Qualcomm's designation for the Internet of Things is the "Internet of Everything" (IoE), by which the company means to include applications in fields such as household and building automation, in which all devices are centrally controlled. US telecommunications group AT&T is also involved and will provide services for the new platform. Once the project goes live, developers will be able to test applications developed using the IoE platform on AT&T's network.

The platform is based on Qualcomm's Gobi QSC6270-Turbo integrated chipset, which includes the Gobi modem technology giving direct access to various 3G connections. This apparently means that no further processors or micro-controllers are required. The application environment is provided by Oracle's Java ME Embedded 3.2, and the platform includes a number of new JSRs for IoE applications which should allow Java apps to write directly to the large number of the Gobi chipset's IO and interfaces, including GPIO, I2C and SPI.

The use of Java Micro Edition for application development for the Internet of Things is no great surprise, at least since Java owner Oracle raised the prospect of new areas of application for Java ME at the last JavaOne event. Qualcomm and Oracle announced a collaboration in October 2012 around M2M applications. Oracle is looking to expand the embedded version of Java, used predominantly so far in Blu-ray players and set-top boxes, into mobile phones and new areas, such as micro-controllers in industrial control systems, home automation, sensors and machine to machine systems.

The IoE development platform will apparently support UMTS/HSDPA (tri-band 2100, 1900, 850 MHz) and GSM networks (quad-band 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), GPS and 2.4 GHz WiFi a/b/g/n through Qualcomm's Atheros AR6103 module. It also contains a range of sensors and analytical tools, such as accelerometers and light and temperature sensors.

(fab)