TALQ Consortium releases Specification Version 2.3.0

Piscataway, NJ, USA – March 4, 2021 – The TALQ Consortium, which developed the Smart City Protocol, a global interface standard for managing heterogeneous smart city device networks, continues to enhance its software protocol. With the release of the Specification Version 2.3.0 several new functions have been added. It’s significant that most of the new requests address smart city applications other than street lighting. All protocol updates aim to improve the interoperability of different systems and so to ease investment decisions for cities and other operators.

To respond best to all new requirements of users and system manufacturers, the Smart City Protocol is regularly reviewed and updated. TALQ members and partners, such as cities and consultants, can propose new functions and other changes. All requests are reviewed by the Requirements Work Group before being passed on to the Technical Work Group for approval and integration.

With the newly released Version 2.3.0, completely new functions have been added in the form of a Waste Management profile, including a description of a waste container, a weight sensor, an accelerometer, a pH sensor and a gas sensor. This particular profile was requested by many members, demonstrating the momentum that has developed in the waste management sector in smart cities. Important savings can be realized, in both costs and CO₂ emissions, as soon as waste collection is based on real data gathered live from waste containers. Additionally, in the latest version a few minor bugs have been fixed, and some descriptions have been clarified with the inclusion of several real examples.

More convenience for software developers

As a result of the API changes, new releases of the specification, data model files and TALQ Certification Tool (TCT) have been created. From now on, the technical capability to run the TCT with Docker is provided by the installation documentation file, thus allowing developers to use the tool without worrying about Java configuration and dependencies. Furthermore, the TCT now includes the possibility of running selected test cases only without waiting for the whole test session to finish, and pausing and resuming a test session have been made very much simpler: every software specialist can use the TCT in a much more comfortable and efficient way.

“As with all the existing functions already defined, the challenge is to describe new functions in a way which best balances interoperability, implementation complexity and feature value. To successfully manage this goal, the collaboration between members is fundamental. Releasing Version 2.3.0 proves again the engagement, trust and openness among all parties.” highlights Simon Dunkley, Secretary General, TALQ Consortium.

Version 2.3.0 is fully compatible with all existing certified TALQ-compliant products certified against Version 2.x

About the TALQ Consortium:

Founded in 2012, the TALQ Consortium is establishing a globally accepted standard for management software interfaces to control and monitor heterogeneous smart city applications. The TALQ Smart City Protocol is a specification for information exchange, suitable for implementation in various products and systems. This way interoperability between Central Management Software (CMS) and Outdoor Device Networks (ODN) from different vendors will be enabled, such that a single CMS can control different ODNs in different parts of a city or region.

TALQ is an open industry consortium currently consisting of about 50 member companies.

Certified TALQ-Compliant Products (TALQ Version 2):

Central Management Software (CMS):