Paris — October 7, 2008 — Freescale Semiconductor’s ZigBee® protocol stack, BeeStackTM, now supports the new ZigBee PRO feature set. ZigBee PRO is the professional-grade version of the ZigBee standard designed to support more sophisticated sensor and control networks.
Included with this release is the ZigBee Smart Energy (SE) profile used for HAN and smart metering applications. The ZigBee 2007 and ZigBee PRO solutions are both supported by the ZigBee Smart Energy profile.
Freescale’s BeeStack for ZigBee once again achieves golden unit status based on the latest ZigBee specification, leading the industry as the standard of excellence for platforms requiring certification testing.
Freescale’s third generation chip set, MC13224, supports both BeeStack for ZigBee and BeeStack for ZigBee PRO feature sets. This family is based on IEEE® 802.15.4 technology, known for its benefits in the areas of cost, performance and efficiency for real-time remote monitoring and control. This chip set is designed for a range of wireless applications, including energy management, commercial building automation, industrial control and monitoring and home entertainment control.
Both BeeStack profiles are offered through Freescales BeeKit™ application, completing the wireless communication software portfolio with capabilities for home and commercial automation. The ZigBee and ZigBee PRO protocol stacks and profiles can be downloaded starting October 14 at www.freescale.com/802154. Additional benefits include:
Configurable profiles that allow customers to remove unneeded features
Compatibility and security of larger, more complex networks
Platform interoperability and flexibility
Quotes from Executives
“The BeeStack wireless communication software for ZigBee PRO validates our continued commitment to address the growing market demands for wireless sensing and control applications,” said Brett Black, Wireless Connectivity Operations Manager, Freescale. “We are proud to be a leading, full-service platform provider for OEMs choosing to adopt the advanced ZigBee PRO technology.”
“Freescale is one of a few providers supporting both ZigBee and ZigBee PRO feature sets,” said Bob Heile from ZigBee Alliance. “As the demand for commercial automation tools continues to rise, the ZigBee Alliance is confident that Freescales BeeStack portfolio will play a large role in fulfilling the industrys need for robust wireless communication software.”
About ZigBee technology
ZigBee is the global wireless language connecting dramatically different devices to make life easier. It is a low-power wireless communications technology and international standard protocol for the next-generation wireless network, reducing data size and allowing for lower-cost network construction with simplified protocol and limited functionality. ZigBee uses the PHY and MAC layers defined by IEEE 802.15.4, which is the short-distance wireless communication standard for 2.4 GHz band. ZigBee comprises the ZigBee platform specifications and ZigBee profiles defined by the ZigBee Alliance.
About the ZigBee Alliance
ZigBee is the global wireless language connecting dramatically different devices to work together and enhance everyday life. The ZigBee Alliance is a non-profit association of more than 280 member companies driving development of ZigBee wireless technology. The Alliance promotes world-wide adoption of ZigBee as the leading wirelessly networked, sensing and control standard for use in energy, home, commercial and industrial areas. For more information, visit: www.ZigBee.org.
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale is one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies with 2007 sales of $5.7 billion (USD).www.freescale.com.
