ZigBee Alliance Creates Initiative to Expand ZigBee IP Capabilities
March 6, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
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The ZigBee Alliance created an initiative to enhance ZigBee connectivity to the Internet and other networks by developing ways to exploit ZigBee's Internet Protocol (IP) capabilities.
The ZigBee standard offers communication to devices over the Internet creating an "Internet of Things," according to the ZigBee Alliance.
This initiative is designed to make it easier for developers and system integrators to deploy ZigBee and to add additional features and functions including IP version 6 (IPv6) support, said the ZigBee Alliance.
ZigBee offers wireless networking to devices including light switches, thermostats, electric meters and medical devices.
This alliance initiative will look to expand IP services further into ZigBee networks and will augment existing ZigBee gateway programs providing standardized interfaces for ZigBee data.
All ZigBee public application profiles feature product interoperability regardless of manufacturer, claims the ZigBee Alliance.
Public profiles available include:
- ZigBee Smart Energy, which is designed to enable wireless communication between utility companies and household devices such as smart thermostats and appliances either through the meter or over the Internet.
It is touted as improving energy efficiency by allowing consumers to choose interoperable products from different manufacturers giving them the means to manage their energy consumption using automation and near real-time information.
- ZigBee Home Automation (HA), which is designed to offer interoperable products to be developed for the home by product manufacturers. It provides interfaces for the control of lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), power outlets, motorization, security, audio/video and other devices.
ZigBee HA devices are connected to other networks such as through phone lines, mobile phones, set-top boxes and directly to the Internet offering remote access for information and control of devices at the home.
- ZigBee Commercial Building Automation (CBA), which is designed to offer interoperable products to be developed for commercial applications. It offers interfaces for the control of lighting, HVAC, power outlets, access control, security and other devices.
ZigBee CBA devices are used to extend existing building networks and connect to these other networks via ZigBee to BACnet, ZigBee to IP or ZigBee to other types of building networks.
Source: ZigBee Alliance.