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Executive Summary
ThinkPower is an early‐stage embedded design and development company. It has
defined its business model (data acquisition anywhere; transmission over any platform
wired or wireless). Its senior management and core engineering teams are in place,
locking in world‐class capabilities in hardware design and embedded software
development.
ThinkPower’s main tools, a best‐in‐class engineering design tool (Altium Designer 09
Custom Board Implementation) and coding environment (Keil µVision IV), are in place.
The company’s network of component suppliers, chosen from the world’s leading
players (including Freescale, Fujitsu, NXP etc.) , is established.
ThinkPower has an early‐stage product portfolio in place as well: the chief among this is
a data concentrator unit that can be deployed across multiple domains (utilities seeking
smart grid solutions, HVAC and green energy initiatives, automobiles and healthcare, for
example).
About ThinkPower
Focus Areas, Domains and Markets
The company started out with the idea of engineering products for the smart grid. Over
a short period the vision has evolved into a cross‐domain perspective, with the objective
of developing data acquisition, transmission and display applications for purposes as
diverse as HVAC systems and car charging.
ThinkPower is focused on delivering LTE‐based solutions, in addition to standard
wireless platforms. The management believes the 3GPP initiative has piloted and guided
the evolution of wireless communications to the point where along with WiMax, LTE will
definitely be one of the major answers to growing data volume and traffic density
challenges. ThinkPower has therefore invested in serious training and partnerships to
make LTE a fundamental plank of its progress. The organization is considering investing
in aligning this LTE orientation with growing global interest in Femtocell technology.
The company’s major marketing effort is currently focused on North America, where it is
led by a North America sales veteran. ThinkPower is also seeking opportunities for
innovative projects in Europe, Asia and of course, the company’s backyard in India.
People Resources
Dwijottam Bhattacharjee, Founder and CEO: Dwijottam has worked in the Indian private
sector in media and financial services for 18 years. The last decade was spent in financial
services, during which he worked in senior capacity for Reliance, ABN AMRO and finally
the Swiss bank UBS. Dwijottam is the founder of ThinkPower and currently manages its
set‐up and early growth.
Ravindra Barlingay, Chief Technology Officer: Ravindra has spent most of his 20 year
career focused on data acquisition and transmission. His embedded technology
leadership involved leading hardware engineers and firmware developers, and product
development experience includes design of several smart grid prototypes. He is an
expert in the field of automatic meter reading and data concentrator units; he is also an
expert across wireless platforms. Ravindra has several publications to his credit and is
on the editorial advisory board of the journal of Sensors and Actuators.
George Butts Jr, Sales Director North America: George joined ThinkPower from Dell,
where he built and managed $20 million worth of enterprise accounts. George is a
North America veteran, having sold technology products and services in that geography
for over 25 years.
Ramakrishna Reddy Gouru, an ex‐GE Thomas Alva Edison Engineer, is ThinkPower’s
Senior Hardware Engineer, who will lead hardware design and drive methodology,
processes and procedures and ensure quality assurance in that department.
Firmware recruits include an experienced sensor technology expert from GE Sensing and
other resources experienced in handling all wireless platforms: RF, ZigBee, GSM and
GPRS.
• Hardware designers with strong academics, hands‐on cross‐domain
experience and competencies across all major tools including latest
releases of Altium, Cadence and Orcad
• Embedded software programmers with coding excellence, modularity and
vision; hands on cross domain experience on stacks and RTOS
• Wireless competency: RF/ZigBee/GSM/GPRS/4G
Tools
ThinkPower’s hardware design platform is Altium Designer 09 Custom Board
Implementation, and main programming environment is Keil µvision 4.
Solutions Range
ThinkPower has planned a product portfolio (see below) but its objective is to work on a
case‐to‐case basis with customers to define their data acquisition requirements, define
their data transmission and display possibilities and implement the requirements
precisely. This may or may not require deployment of a particular ThinkPower product
from the portfolio below.
What is on offer from ThinkPower in every case, therefore, over and above the products
listed below, is a slew of invaluable skills: top‐end hardware design engineering as well
as ability to write code with vision and modularity. The customer is free to define to
ThinkPower, or work with ThinkPower to define, how these skills can help solve their
problems in implementing smart grid solutions, or use embedded technology through
cutting edge applications to meet business challenges.
Products Portfolio
ThinkPower is ready with the following solutions (and each solution is amenable to
multiple applications):
Data Concentrator Unit
The DCU aims to automate acquisition of Feeder meter data and breaker status from
entities within a substation. The data is transmitted out to a data centre located at Sub‐
Division office using GSM/ GPRS/RF.
At the Sub‐Division office, the data collected from all the DCUs is collected and
organized as per electrical hierarchical structure. The compiled data is used to generate
localized reports. Also, the data is further transmitted to a data centre, for use at a
higher level of distribution system management. The data is used to generate
exceptions and MIS reports for proper load planning and monitoring, which are
essential for effective management of substation as cost‐centre and thereby manage
energy and demand of a Distribution Company.
• Software Features
Built‐in RTOS: WIN CE, WIN XP embedded, Linux
Maximum network flexibility:
10/100 Mbps Ethernet
TCP/IP, UDP sockets
DNS support, dynamic and static IP support
Web‐server, HTTP, FTP, E‐mail support
MODBUS support
Data logging
Remote configuration, Time synchronization,
GPS
• Hardware Features
Low power real time processor (312MHz or more)
Supports standalone operation, signal processing, acquisition and
deterministic control.
Memory 64Mb onwards SDRAM, 128Mb onwards Flash,
Extension slot for Compact Flash/SD‐card
Inbuilt RTC with battery backup
Compact modular structure
Digital/Analog IO combination
Serial communication, RS‐232, RS‐485, Ethernet (10/100 Mbps),
USB
All ranges of AC/DC input
Automatic Meter Reader
A smart grid classic: reads old metering systems, smoothly acquires electricity, gas,
water related data and transmits it back to consumers and utilities for further
processing.
• DLMS‐COSEM/Euridis compliant interoperable unit
• Customizable to electricity, water, oil & gas
• Choose your wireless platform: modular across all
• ARM7/ARM9 Microcontrollers
• Supports all hardware protocols, buses, interfaces
• Compact size; ingress (IP 55 and above) protection
• DIN/EN‐compliant mounting fixtures
Wireless Modem
The Wireless Modem is a highly flexible GSM / GPRS / RF modem for easy integration
with RS‐232 & RS485 interface. It is equipped with features of circuit switched data,
SMS, PC, Fax and GPRS. It is a perfect solution for Remote Data Transfer, Industrial
Automation, Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), Telemetry, SCADA and Fleet
Management. The modem utilizes latest surface mount technology and high level circuit
integration to achieve superior performance with minimum space and wide DC input
voltage range. The modem comes with an ABS enclosure with Ingress Protection
category of IP55 and above casing and DIN clip making it an ideal solution for Industrial
applications.
Application areas
9 SCADA
9 System Integrators
9 Automatic meter reading
9 Industrial / Process Automation
9 Telemetry
9 Web browsing
9 Fleet Management
9 Remote Data Logging
9 Manufacturers of Data Loggers/ RTUs/ PLC Devices
Features
9 Modem Specifications:
• Quad Band operation 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Data, SMS (Text & PDU), Fax, GPRS
• Fully compliant with ETSI, GSM
• GSM Data Rate: 14.4kbps
• GPRS Data Rate: 115kbps
• 3V/5V SIM Interface : SIM Card Holder with lock feature
• SMS: Supports Text and PDU mode
o 4 MB non volatile data memory
o 1 opto isolated digital output
o 1 opto isolated digital input for tamper sensing
o RTC battery backup
o Integrated IEC1107, PACT, ANSI compatible optical port for Energy
Meter Interface
o RS‐232 interface (9 PIN ‘D’ type female)
o Half Duplex RS485
o Low power consumption
o Input voltage range: 85 – 300 VAC Single Phase (110/230 +/‐ 30%)
o 6KV Surge Protected built in SMPS
o Enclosure: Plastic – ABS Polycarbonate – IP55 Onwards
o Mounting: Table Top / Wall Mounting / DIN Rail Mounting
o Temperature: Operating: ‐‐10°C ~ +50°C
Digital Signage
“Pratham” LED Box
This product has application in the outdoor advertising and messaging domains.
It enables push of such messages or campaigns to LED displays via wireless means
from remote locations.
• Image display in monochrome display
• Design modularity i.e. expendable from 1ft X 1ft to 20ft X 20ft
• Remote programming
• Wireless (GSM/GPRS/RF) and Wired connectivity between display terminal
and programming/base station
“Pratham LD Box”
This product allows remote upload of .mpeg and other 500MB‐plus files to LCD
terminals used by out of home advertising rights owners. This obviates the need
for local asset uploads, painful from logistics and cost perspectives. It also
includes a solution for image splitting, allowing multiple LCD units to be utilized.