Based on the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPANs) Zigbee is a specification for a suite of high level communications protocols that utilise small, low-power digital radios to communicate.

Not only is Zigbee ideally suited to RF applications that look for low data rate, long battery life & secure networking, but it's self-organising mesh networking capabilities allow use in a variety of environments - from industrial control, embedded sensing & medical data collection, through to full building & home automation.

Application profiles

Complimenting the Zigbee specification are a range of profiles, tailored to specific market sectors, that incorporate additional features that certain applications demand but importantly ensure interoperability with other Zigbee systems. The current list of applications profiles include:

	Zigbee Smart Energy
	Zigbee Health Care
	Zigbee Remote Control
	Zigbee Building Automation
	Zigbee Home Automation
	Zigbee RF4CE

Understanding technology

With such a versatile software standard, knowing where to start & implementing the correct aspects to produce & agile solution (as opposed to a 'bloated' wireless execution) can be a challenge.

At AND we pride ourselves in not only having built up expert knowledge of the Zigbee standard as a whole, but also in the number of hands-on Zigbee-based solutions we have designed & developed for our clients - a reason why we are considered technology market leaders in the field.

If you have a project in mind or are simply looking for advice on the benefits Zigbee can bring to your products, please contact our Programmes Director, Steven Kear [and@andtr.com] who will be happy to discuss your specific requirements with you.

ConnectZED - Zigbee modules

From the experience gained in developing Zigbee solutions for our customers, we have produced our own range of inexpensive, single-chip Zigbee modules - ConnectZED. Designed for plug-&-play deployment into new or existing electronic designs the ConnectZED modules fit onto a host board & can be powered from that board. A number of connectivity & aerial options are available to fit your specific designs.

The Zigbee module consists of an M16c device from Renesas together with highly optimised RF front end design including a highly accurate 16MHz crystal & a matched antenna. The modules can be supplied in two forms for host connectivity, DILL connectors for plugging into a prototype board, or with pad connectors for direct soldering. Communications ports for programming & debugging are also included. Further, the modules can be supplied, with or without a Tin can protection depending on customer requirements.

The M16C device is pre-programmed with the Zigbee Pro stack from Renesas and is licensed for use.

To find out more, please download the ConnectZED fact sheet:

	Fact sheet - ConnectZED Zigbee Module Author: AND Technology Research Ltd. [192KB]

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