Open source community seeks “balance” in IoT radio regulations

The open-source community behind the MIPS processor is working with the US regulator the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the area of software controlled radio technology for IoT.

Eric Schultz, community manager with the prpl Foundation will advise on how proposed FCC regulations may affect the open source community and the growth of the internet of things (IoT).

Schultz says it is important to “strike an appropriate balance between protecting the radio spectrum from interference, while still allowing innovation and the flexible addition of features.”

The prpl Foundation is hoping to play the role of bridge-builder between the IoT industry, the open source community, regulators and consumers, who each have different views regarding the security of IoT that are sometimes at odds.

“Regulators have a difficult job in ensuring the finite resource of the wireless spectrum is fairly and securely shared, while at the same time preserving the ability of developers and hobbyists to innovate in wireless devices,” said Art Swift, president of the prpl Foundation.

“Home gateways and wireless routers are rapidly evolving to become the IoT hubs of the connected home, and continued innovation here is crucial to the safe and secure development of the IoT,” added Swift.