Expanding Wireless Data Technology

March 18, 2009
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—The DASH7 Alliance has been formed to promote technology used by the global defense industry and increasingly by commercial customers.

The wireless data technology is based on the ISO 18000-7 standard. The DASH7 Alliance will be working to ensure cross-vendor interoperability as well as to promote use of the standard.

ISO 18000-7 provides the ability to track the location and status of a number of everyday objects—such things as vehicles, shipping containers, pharmaceutical products, hazardous materials, perishable goods and manufacturing and operational equipment.

Taking the technology a step further, the DASH7 Alliance will be working to help in the creation of new wireless data innovations based on ISO 18000-7. Included are advanced sensor networking, electronic seals, mobile phone integration, and similar advances.

Companies forming the DASH7 Alliance include Michelin, Lockheed Martin’s Savi Technology and Texas Instruments. Those expecting to service as technical advisors to the group are the University of Pittsburgh, the U.S. Department of Energy and three of its laboratories: Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.