Second Forum The second Echonet Forum was held on November 4, 1998, at the Keidanren Hall in Tokyo and was attended by some 300 representatives from 63 member companies. After introductory remarks by Chairman Reiji Sano and a speech from Atsuo Hirai, of the Industrial Electronics Division of MITI's Machinery and Information Industries Bureau, the Steering Committee and Promotion Committee each reported on their recent activities. This was followed by reports on the areas shown below. 1. Trends in home networking 2. Overseas case studies (DSM-related) 3. Overview of communications middleware 4. Lower-level transmission media 4-1. Electric wire specifications 4-2. Wireless specifications 4-3. Infrared specifications 4-4. LON specifications Lower-level transmission media and communications middleware In the first forum, the system architecture was explained primarily from the standpoint of application programs. In the second forum, the lower-level transmission media and communications middleware, which enables media-independent operation, were explained. Network Configuration Communications Layer Configuration Communications middleware The communications middleware, which enables the network to be independent of transmission media, detects modifications in the system configuration, and automatically allocates addresses, was described. Electric wire specifications The technological issues involved in sending data over standard home wiring were described along with related regulations. Also, Echonet's unique method of data transmission, currently under development, was explained. Wireless specifications The technological and legal issues involved in using specific low-power wireless as a transmission medium were explained, and a preview given of Echonet's unique wireless system, currently under development. Infrared specifications Echonet intends to use IrDA control, for which standards are currently being developed, as a lower-level medium. The methods for achieving this were explained along with IrDA specifications. LON specifications Echonet will also use LON, which is becoming the de facto standard for control networks in the U.S., as a lower-level transmission medium. LON specifications and methods of interfacing with Echonet were described.