ZigBee, the formal network, security, application-framework and application-profile layer overlay on top of the 802.15.4 PHY (physical) and MAC (media-access-control) layers used in low-power wireless mesh networks, continues to evolve with its potential still unclear, reports In-Stat. Currently, ZigBee technology targets building automation, industrial, medical, home automation, asset management, HVAC and other monitoring applications, the high-tech market research firm says. More applications will be invented as programmers acquire more understanding of the technology.
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Within the market, there are different philosophies between chipset manufacturers and their approaches. A company like Jennic sees the technology as an application-enabler, focusing on giving their clients low-cost tool kits and providing their ZigBee software stack for free for customers who choose to build with their components. Ember allows their co-processor chipset, the EM-250, as an add-on for a customer that has application-specific MCUs.
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
• Total ZigBee/802.15.4 node and chipset units will reach 120 million in 2011, up from 5 million in 2006.
• The ZigBee Pro feature set released to members in October 2007 includes: network scalability, fragmentation, frequency agility, automated device address management, group addressing, wireless commissioning and centralized data collection.
• There is a surge in interest in ZigBee technology for Automated Meter Infrastructure.
• Adoption in the consumer electronics is expected to be low because of competing technologies.
This information is drawn from the In-Stat research report, “ZigBee 2007: What it Iz and What it Iz Not,” which covers the worldwide market for ZigBee technology.