What Is LonWorks and Why Do I Need It in My Product?

Mike Markula, one of the original founders of Apple, founded Echelon in 1983. When Mike Markula mapped out the progression of the mainframe down to the PC, he noticed a significant technology gap. At each level, as integration and costs came down, volumes and applications expanded dramatically. But there was no technology that addressed the networking of devices for status and control.

Markula founded Echelon with the vision to create a technology that allows the networking of everyday devices. Their business model is not to manufacture the silicon but license the networking firmware in silicon and provide the surrounding glue that helps companies quickly get to market with a control network. Echelon has successfully implemented this strategy. They do not produce or sell the Neuron integrated circuits, the silicon containing all the LonWorks networking firmware. Instead, they focus on the development tools, network management software, transceivers, routers, etc.