I recently had an interesting conversation with Brett Black, Freescale's wireless connectivity operations manager. Brett was eager to tell me all about its Entertainment Control network (EC network) platform that is based upon the IEEE 802.15.4 core.

Brett peaked my interest by first telling me about the new line of Sony Bravia TVs that were recently announced. These LCD TVs offer a new experience for users by employing an RF remote controller that uses non-directional radio waves that can penetrate walls, compared with the present infrared remote controller which requires direct pointing at the TV. Many new entertainment components such as these, planned for 2008, will contain EC network technology.

Wall penetration and two-way interactivity are essential elements of a new sophisticated entertainment control ‘network’ that reaches beyond just one room.

Freescale Semiconductor’s EC network enables a universal remote for any consumer electronic component and two-way communication between numerous entertainment devices (TVs, DVDs, set-top boxes, etc.). The technology makes new remote control activities possible, such as parental controls, automated settings, timing devices and more.

Brett went on to say that out of fifteen new Sony products, thirteen of them will employ EC network technology. Sony refers to it as the Bravia Link.

Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst for Park Associates explains it like this, "Freescale’s entertainment control platform is designed to enable a true point-to-point solution that can penetrate walls or even reach outside the home. This flexibility gives consumers an unprecedented degree of freedom, whether they want to download a program guide or song play lists from their audio receiver to their remote control or control their entire entertainment system with a push of a button."

The EC network enhances the user experience in many ways:

- room-to-room connectivity
- indoor/outdoor control
- master remote monitoring and control from single handheld device
- automated entertainment component setup
- automated firmware update via Internet connection
- remote parental monitoring and control

A single master remote control can be used to monitor entertainment systems around the home for activity and current content. Sound systems around the home can be adjusted and coordinated.

One of the neatest features of fully implemented EC network technology is automated entertainment component setup. An example of this feature is changing from watching a TV channel to enjoying a DVD. When the DVD is inserted into the player, setup signals are sent to associated components to change their status in support of playing the DVD – the proper video input is set on the TV, the video mode is selected and the digital surround sound port is selected on the sound system. This enhanced automation allows a guest, or anyone else, to enjoy what is desired, even if the person is not familiar with the system. In short, operational complexity is removed.

The EC network Internet gateway allows the firmware of not only the EC technology to be automatically and periodically updated, but the equipment in which it is embedded as well. Most entertainment components today are processor controlled and made network able, which means that there is often a need to update firmware in these devices to improve performance or reliability. The EC network provides an infrastructure over which updates can occur.

So, just when you thought that you had it all with your new huge plasma or LCD TV and an HD DVR, new technology comes along to take you to the next level and you think, “Ya - I need that too.”

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