What exactly is . . . ZigBee

A new wireless technology named ZigBee is being launched onto the market. However, with Bluetooth, 802.11a, b and g, ultra wideband (UWB) and many more, there may seem to be a surfeit of wireless systems. Already a number of standards, such as HomeRF, have gone by the wayside, and others are sure to follow. But can ZigBee live up to its expectations? Aimed at control and sensor applications, ZigBee is a superset of the IEEE 802.15.4 specification, which defines the physical and MAC layers. Above this, ZigBee defines the application and security layer specifications that enable interoperability between products from different manufacturers. ZigBee supports three network topologies - star, mesh and cluster tree or hybrid networks. The article outlines the specification's foundations. It concludes that, in view of the size of this market, and the way in which considerable wiring cost savings can be realised, ZigBee has a good chance to carve out its own niche in the marketplace. Having already made an impact in the US, it is likely to be around for some time to come.