The Linet local operational network will soon be the easiest and cleverest way to connect a group of electrical devices - switches, lamps, heaters, sensors, etc. - to be accessible via Internet, as the updated Linet controller will be equipped with Ethernet connection and TCP/IP.
 
The internet connectivity will add new interesting possibilities to the range of applications. For instance, electrical devices in ship cabins or hotel rooms may be controlled by a Linet network - a separate network in each cabin or room - and intranet may be used to link these networks together. This way, each device in the complete ship or hotel is controllable by a single host computer, which can be used to save energy and improve comfort. This approach combines the benefits of both intranet and Linet networks - the proven and high capacity of the former, and the simplicity and low cost of the latter.
 
The terminal interface used to configure the network will be changed to html. Users may then connect a laptop or other computer to the controller, setup the network using computer's internet browser, and when done, disconnect the computer. This modern and easy-to-use configuration tool is independent from the operating system on the computer.
 
The controller update will be processed in two steps. The first step is to change the on-board microprocessor to a higher capacity RISC type uP. This will improve controller's modularity and capacity, so that the same processor can run both TCP/IP and tasks required by the Linet system. The serial interface and the extension interface, already in use in the currently available controller, will remain unchanged. The PC104 interface will be replaced by an 8 bit extension bus.
 
The second step will be to convert the controller into IC, which will simplify it's HW design and makes possible a remarkable price drop when produced in large quantities. Customers who wish to use Linet network controller embedded into their own microprocessor driven system, may then insert the controller IC into their host unit and arrange the communication via the extension bus.
 
All future controllers are compatible with the currently available and previous nodes. Each existing Linet network may thus be connected to Internet by changing only the controller - no other modifications are necessary.
 
The renewed controller including Internet connectivity will be available at Q3/2000, the controller IC at Q1/2001.
 
 

About the company: Linet Oy is a privately held company committed in developing and marketing the Linet network. Products available from Linet are the network chip set and design services. Linet, 'the light network', is an innovative local operational network offering easiest design, set-up and administration in such simple network applications as home automation, data acquisition systems or small-scale industry automation. The Linet network is patented in the USA and Finland, other patents are under pending.
 

Linet Oy, 20th January 2000