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Apple Submits Mystery 'Wireless Device' With Bluetooth and NFC to FCC

Hey Siri, it's getting hot in here.

Siri: I don't understand it's getting hot in here.

Hey siri, lower temperature

Siri: bitch I ain't yo slave
 
My hope is an echo device or echo dot for every room. That would explain the NFC, which could also just be there for future proofing (unlikely from Apple) or some really cool feature we haven't thought of.
I would buy a Siri speaker or whatever it's called in a heartbeat, one for every major room.

Can't see it being an Apple Pay adaptor, there are many different manufacturers of NFC card readers. Just about every shop in Europe who has a card reader has a NFC capable one. USA is just behind the curve, hence why it won't be a card reader-won't sell internationally.
 
theRedding said:
It pretty much has to be given the "VDC" designation. Any other applications would run Volt A/C not Volts D/C.
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Except the 4 colors listed don't match up with standard HVAC control colors, not to mention the fact that there aren't enough wires to make it a viable thermostat.

I agree with the people saying this is a NFC enabled access point for security. Who needs a badge when you can just scan your phone/watch?
 
FWIW... It appears to be a hard-wired home automation controller....

RS485 is a home automation network bus..... Considering there are 2 Data lines, it's likely a 2 Phase system.

"RS-485 enables the configuration of inexpensive local networks and multidrop communications links. It offers data transmission speeds of 35 Mbit/s for distances up to 10 m and 100 kbit/s up to 1200 m. Since it uses a differential balanced line over twisted pair (like RS-422), it can span relatively large distances up to 1,200 m (4,000 ft). A rule of thumb is that the speed in bit/s multiplied by the length in meters should not exceed 108. Thus a 50 meter cable should not signal faster than 2 Mbit/s.[2]"


SAUTR_diagram.jpg


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS-485#cite_note-slla070d-2

apple-a1844-fcc-filing.jpg


:apple:
 
handheldgames said:
FWIW... It appears to be a hard-wired home automation controller....:apple:
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Note: RS-485 has nothing to do with phases, so that home AC power line network adapter diagram does not apply.

The reason RS-485 uses two data wires (four for full duplex) is because it's a differential signaling system instead of a single reference value to ground. This helps cancel out interference and allows for longer serial communications than with say, RS-232.

RS-485 is also a master-slave network, usually set up with devices daisy chained together.
 
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kdarling said:
Note: RS-485 has nothing to do with phases, so that home AC power line network adapter diagram does not apply.

The reason RS-485 uses two data wires (four for full duplex) is because it's a differential signaling system instead of a single reference value to ground. This helps cancel out interference and allows for longer serial communications than with say, RS-232.

RS-485 is also a master-slave network, usually set up with devices daisy chained together.
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So what do you think it is Kdarling?
 
DotCom2 said:
So what do you think it is Kdarling?
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I originally was leaning towards some kind of demo support gizmo at Apple stores (like those Watch demo holders), but now am inclined to agree with those who think it's for phone/badge id in the new HQ building:

See post #142 above for the reason why, including the short range Bluetooth and an interesting FCC test diagram label I found.

Could be totally wrong, of course :)
 
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kdarling said:
I originally was leaning towards some kind of demo support gizmo at Apple stores (like those Watch demo holders), but now am inclined to agree with those who think it's for phone/badge id in the new HQ building:

See post #142 above for the reason why, including the short range Bluetooth and an interesting FCC test diagram label I found.

Could be totally wrong, of course :)
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Seems plausible to me. Thank you.
 
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DotCom2 said:
Seems plausible to me. Thank you.
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I would add that something in its favor of a badge reader, is that a door would likely have a DC power supply nearby for the door solenoids.

Now, this device does not have a direct door solenoid connection itself, but I would not expect one for real security, since then you could simply yank the reader off the wall and hot wire the door. I would expect it to only send badge/phone info back to a central security computer, and that computer would decide if it was okay to send a separate unlock signal to the door mechanism.

Again, though, still not conclusive evidence of any particular device application.
 
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RS485 is an old school electrical signaling standard with industrial roots. I've worked with it many times. Contrary to some posts, it is not widely (ever?) used for home thermostats, and in industrial applications, there are many open and proprietary protocols that communicate via RS485. It is used in the security industry, as many have said, for transmitting key fob data to a door controller, communication between door controllers, PTZ Camera controls, etc.

I think it could be part of the Apple Car program. RS485 is used for on-board networks:

Texas Instruments SN65HVD178x-Q1 - Fault-Protected RS-485 Transceivers With 3.3-V to 5-V Operation
Features
• Qualified for Automotive Applications
• AEC-Q100 Qualified With the Following Results – Device Temperature Grade 1: –40°C to 125°C Ambient Operating
• Signaling Rates of 115 kbps, 1 Mbps, and up to 10 Mbps

Applications
• Automotive Data Links
 
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