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  ZigBee Stuff





In today's wireless world, there are a zillion different standards and protocols. One of the key challenges is finding a standard that can apply to a product that is to be used in different markets -- in most cases, the product designed for the North American market must be completely redesigned on a different frequency before it can be marketed in Europe, and again for the Asian Pacific market. ZigBee is a open global standard for reliable, cost-effective, low power wireless applications based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, and looks to be the best way available now to help fix this situation. The first ZigBee devices are expected in early 2005.

The name ZigBee comes from the domestic honeybee, which uses a zig-zag type of dance to communicate important information to other hive members. This communications dance (the "ZigBee Principle") is what engineers are trying to emulate with this protocol -- a bunch of separate, simple organisms that join to together to tackle complex tasks. Besides, it's a catchy name, at least the equal to its rival Bluetooth!

We at Pegasus Technologies are in the process of designing a 2.4 GHz ZigBee module, and as a result have done a lot of research on this topic. Some of the stuff we have found is listed below. Happy hunting!


 

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Zigbee in the News


  • Designing a ZigBee-ready IEEE 802.15.4- compliant radio transceiver, by Khanh Tuan Le in RF Design, 11/04

  • ZigBee Wireless Spec Ratified, by TechWeb 12/14/04

    • The specification for ZigBee, a short-range wireless technology aimed at applications such as sensor networks and building automation and management, has received final approval, the ZigBee Alliance said Tuesday.

    The technology is designed to be highly power efficient. That, combined with its relatively low data rates, means it won't compete with other wireless technologies like Wi-Fi, but rather make it an inexpensive tool for applications like sensor networks.

    In a statement, the ZigBee Alliance said that ratification will spur a large number of ZigBee products, many of which are already in the pipeline.

    "Given the number of ZigBee-ready products announced in 2004, we anticipate seeing ZigBee-compliant consumer products as soon as early 2005," Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance, said in a statement.

    The Alliance has more than 100 member companies. While ratification of other wireless specifications, such as 802.11n and ultra-wideband, have been delayed and mired down in debate, the ZigBee spec was ratified on the schedule its proponents originally offered.

    *This story courtesy of Techweb.com.


  • ZigBee Takes It Easy: Short-range wireless "ZigBee" networks are ready to unwire your house, Technology Review article by Eric S. Brown, August 19, 2004

  • First Intelligent, Wireless Consumer Devices About To Hit Market, Tech News World article by Paul Korzeniowski, 7/28/04.

  • Motorola Previews ZigBee Wireless Standard , Designtechnica article May 18, 2004.




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Online Zigbee Resources





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