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ZigBee News Releases
NEW ZIGBEE HEALTH CARE PROFILE: HELPING PEOPLE LIVE HEALTHIER AND INDEPENDENT LIVES
New standard provides a flexible framework to meet Continua Health Alliance requirements for remote health and fitness monitoring
San Ramon, Calif. – March 25, 2009 – The ZigBee® Alliance today announces it has completed development of its ZigBee Health Care public application profile. ZigBee Health Care will enable new ways to help people live healthier and more independent lives. It can lower healthcare costs by providing a variety of remote health monitoring services promoting wellness and fitness while also reducing in-patient stays – all without sacrificing convenience or mobility.
ZigBee Health Care provides a global standard for interoperable wireless devices enabling secure and reliable monitoring and management of noncritical, low-acuity healthcare services targeted at chronic disease management, obesity and ageing. ZigBee Health Care is designed for use in homes, fitness centers, retirement communities, nursing homes and a variety of medical care facilities. Products using ZigBee Health Care may be wearable, portable or fixed, depending on needs. ZigBee Health Care is designed to meet the requirements of a diverse and global ecosystem of consumers, service providers, care providers, payers, product manufacturers and policymakers. In addition, ZigBee Health Care products can interact with the broader ecosystem of ZigBee wireless technology devices that may be found in typical home and commercial settings.
ZigBee Health Care has a wide variety of features. Highlights include support to help people age independently, manage chronic diseases, plus tools to promote overall health and wellness, with security to fit each need. It also provides full support for IEEE 11073 devices including glucometers, pulse oximeters, electrocardiographs, weight scales, thermometers, blood pressure monitors and respirometers. ZigBee Health Care is designed with affordability, ease of-use, security and interoperability all in mind. For a complete list and explanation of features and benefits, and to read our white paper "ZigBee Wireless Sensor Applications for Health, Wellness and Fitness," please visit www.zigbee.org/healthcare.
"Sensing and monitoring are the core of ZigBee's mission, so it was logical for us to create a solution designed to meet the needs and requirements of the Continua Health Alliance and lay a foundation for long-term collaboration between our Alliances," said Dr. Robert F. Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance. "ZigBee Health Care gives fitness centers, medical care facilities and consumers the ability to connect an almost unlimited number of health monitoring devices with ease and privacy. Our timing could not be better since the world is trying to care for a burgeoning aging population while managing skyrocketing health care costs, and the ability to monitor patient health from anywhere is a key tool in that effort."
A recent report by ON World, "WSN for Healthcare" estimates that wireless sensor networks can reduce annual health care costs by US $25 billion by 2012. Much of that savings is derived by reducing hospitalizations and extending independent living for seniors.
The Continua Health Alliance represents the voice of a broad and vital healthcare industry. Nearly 30 members of Continua are also ZigBee Alliance members. Some of those members include Ember, Freescale Semiconductor, Philips, Samsung, Siemens, ST Microelectronics and Texas Instruments. These companies are ZigBee Alliance Promoters and members of the ZigBee Board of Directors.
ZigBee: Control your world
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 300 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 consumer electronics, energy, health care, home, commercial and industrial areas.
ZIGBEE AND RF4CE SET NEW COURSE FOR CONSUMER ELECTRONIC REMOTE CONTROLS
Agreement results in one global open standard for RF remote control as a superior alternative to infrared control
San Ramon, Calif. – Mar. 3, 2009 – The ZigBee Alliance and the RF4CE Consortium, founded by Panasonic Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Sony Corporation, have reached an agreement to deliver a standardized specification for radio frequency-based (RF) remote controls. RF remotes are faster, more reliable and provide more freedom to operate devices from greater distances removing the line-of-sight barrier of today’s infrared (IR) remotes. With this agreement, effective today, the ZigBee Alliance will move into the broad consumer products arena as part of its long-term integration and growth plans.
The Alliance will incorporate version 1.0 of the RF4CE specification into its suite of global sensor and control network solutions. This ZigBee RF4CE specification will first be made available to ZigBee members this quarter. It creates an immediate, low-cost, easy-to-implement solution for control of products and a variety of public application profiles. The ZigBee RF4CE specification is designed for a wide range of products, including home entertainment devices, garage door openers, keyless entry systems and many more. In any application, it transforms the consumer experience, enabling advanced features such as non line-of-sight operation and bi-directional communications.
The first public profile specification enables innovative two-way interaction and control of home entertainment equipment. Products like HDTV, home theater equipment, set-top boxes and other audio equipment will benefit from the advanced functionality offered by ZigBee.
“ZigBee is now on the fast track to enter millions more homes around the world because no other technology will be able to deliver what ZigBee can do in this space,” said Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance. “We want the world to be RF and we want the world to use ZigBee. This agreement provides us with an evolutionary path to ZigBee everywhere. The Alliance welcomes the members of RF4CE and expects many great things to come from this powerful combination.”
"The RF4CE Consortium and the ZigBee Alliance are both based on IEEE 802.15.4 and aligning the two groups was a logical decision,” said Bas Driesen, chairperson of the RF4CE Consortium and technology manager at Royal Philips Electronics. “We are extremely pleased to see the completed ZigBee RF4CE specification roll-out to consumer electronics manufacturers because it allows them to begin developing exciting new features that will simplify and enrich how consumers interact with home entertainment equipment.”
“Sony has already commercialized RF remote control based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard for LCD TVs. Evolving this proven technology to an industry standard for remote control systems, we believe that RF4CE and ZigBee Alliance will create brand new value for the electronics industry,” said Naoya Suzuki, vice-chair of the RF4CE Consortium and general manager at Sony Corporation.
The agreement will result in the establishment of a new Special Interest Group under the ZigBee Alliance, and it will be a part of the open standardization at the ZigBee Alliance. Non RF4CE members and non ZigBee members are welcome to join the ZigBee Alliance and participate in the newly formed Special Interest Group.
ZigBee RF4CE: More flexibility and control
The ZigBee RF4CE specification is based on IEEE 802.15.4. MAC/PHY radio technology in the 2.4GHz unlicensed frequency band and enables worldwide operation, low power consumption and instantaneous response time. It allows omni-directional and reliable two-way wireless communication, frequency agility for enhanced co-existence with other 2.4GHz wireless technologies, simple security set-up and configuration. During the next quarter, the Alliance will develop a test program consistent with existing policies for specifications and public application profiles. Once complete, products using a public application profile based on the ZigBee RF4CE specification can be submitted to an authorized test house for certification.
RF4CE Consortium
RF4CE Consortium was founded by Panasonic Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Sony Corporation on June 12, 2008, to address increased demand for advanced functionality not currently available through infrared or other proprietary wireless technologies.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 121,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$105 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of two main business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $88 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net
ZigBee: Control your world 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 300 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 consumer electronics, energy, home, commercial and industrial areas. For more information, visit: www.zigbee.org.
Contacts:
Ina J. Kruse
Royal Philips Electronics
+31-2059-78434
ina.kruse@philips.com
Eunhee Lee
Samsung Electronics
+82-2-2255-8273
eunhee_lee@samsung.com
Shinji Obana
Sony
+81-3-6748-2200
Shinji.Obana@jp.sony.com
Kevin Schader
ZigBee Alliance
+1-925-275-6672
kschader@inventures.com
EUROPEAN ENERGY PROVIDERS EXPERIENCE FUTURE OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT AT ZIGBEE SMART ENERGY FORUM
Energy Providers from Numerous Countries Gain Insight on Industry Leading ZigBee Technology
San Ramon, Calif. – Feb. 26, 2009 – ZigBee welcomed more than 120 representatives of European governments, utilities and energy services companies to its European Smart Energy Forum in Dublin, Ireland on February 13, 2009. Coming on the heels of its 27th member meeting, the Forum demonstrated end-to-end applications of ZigBee networking and ZigBee Smart Energy, including smart meters and mesh networked backhaul technologies, as well as ZigBee thermostats and in-home displays in a user-friendly forum for energy providers.
The European energy industry is confronting a number of challenges, such as rapid growth in the demand for electricity, the need to substantially reduce carbon emissions, inability to effectively manage peak demand, volatile gas and oil prices, and ever-increasing energy efficiency goals. Europe faces a rising awareness of the impact of energy consumption on the environment. The ZigBee Smart Energy Forum provided insights and solutions designed to address these challenges.
“This was a terrific dialogue, and a real milestone for the growing advancement of Smart Energy in the European market,” said Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance. “ZigBee’s unique position as an open global standard helps these energy service providers meet Europe’s growing pressures and demands, and will help accelerate the development of innovation solutions within the energy market.”
The forum combined case studies, open discussions and live demonstrations designed to address the needs of European energy providers. Representatives from the energy sector provided the latest information on a variety of real-world ZigBee and ZigBee Smart Energy implementations. Attendees also discussed the challenges and opportunities facing intelligent energy applications, and learned about the active role of ZigBee in Europe. Presentations given at the Forum are available for download.
Demonstrations were provided by more than a dozen Alliance members including Freescale Semiconductor, Philips, Schneider Electric, Alektrona, AlertMe, Comverge, Elster, Develco, Digi International, Episensor, Jennic, Nuri Telecom, Onzo, Watteco, Silver Springs Networks, Telegesis, Trilliant and Wavecom.
ZigBee Smart Energy – The Standard for Energy Management and Efficiency
ZigBee Smart Energy enables wireless communication between utility companies and common household devices such as smart thermostats and appliances. It improves energy efficiency by allowing consumers to choose interoperable products from different manufacturers giving them the means to manage their energy consumption more precisely using automation and near real-time information. It also helps utility companies implement new advanced metering and demand response programs to drive greater energy management and efficiency, while responding to changing government requirements.
ZigBee: Control your world
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 300 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.
Contact:
Kevin Schader
ZigBee Alliance
kschader@inventures.com
+1 925-275-6672
Earlene Tang
GolinHarris for ZigBee Alliance
etang@golinharris.com
+1 714-662-5115
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EPRI COLLABORATES WITH ZIGBEE® AND HOMEPLUG® TO DEFINE SMART ENERGY STANDARD FOR CONSUMER APPLICATIONS
Groups are working together to develop common language for Smart Energy devices in the home
San Ramon, Calif. – Feb. 3, 2009 – The ZigBee® Alliance and the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance announced today that the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is now collaborating with them to develop a common language for home area network (HAN) devices to utilize advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). The groups will work in cooperation with the many utilities already supporting ZigBee Smart Energy and will look for ways to further expand the Smart Grid by creating a standard communication approach between AMI systems and HANs, as well as a common set of certification procedures.
EPRI joins the ZigBee and HomePlug initiative led by several leading utilities with the goal to create a unified AMI and HAN solution. Development efforts of the initiative will center on expanding the ZigBee Smart Energy public application profile. The initiative will enhance the capabilities of Smart Energy to incorporate new features, support ZigBee wireless and HomePlug wired devices, and accelerate the development and certification of HAN devices capable of plugging into the Smart Grid such as thermostats, pool pumps, water heaters, appliances and plug-in vehicles.
“There are a number of ways that EPRI can contribute to this effort,” said Arshad Mansoor, vice president of power delivery and utilization for EPRI. “Using our collaborative model, we have the ability to bring multiple perspectives outside the alliance to create a broader consensus for establishing standards.”
“EPRI’s involvement in this effort will focus resources and bring together a strong coalition whose work to establish the standard for Smart Energy HAN devices will accelerate the deployment of the Smart Grid,” said Bob Heile, ZigBee Alliance chairman. “EPRI is highly regarded and working with its staff will make the Smart Energy information model more robust.”
“We’re delighted to have EPRI involved in this smart energy initiative,” said Rob Ranck, HomePlug Alliance president. “EPRI brings both U.S. and global insight to our focus on delivering the best technology to meet the needs of consumers and power utilities.”
ZigBee Smart Energy – The Standard for Energy Management and Efficiency
ZigBee Smart Energy enables wireless communication between utility companies and common household devices such as smart thermostats and appliances. It improves energy efficiency by allowing consumers to choose interoperable products from different manufacturers giving them the means to manage their energy consumption more precisely using automation and near real-time information. It also helps utility companies implement new advanced metering and demand response programs to drive greater energy management and efficiency, while responding to changing government requirements.
About EPRI
The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.
About ZigBee: Control your world
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 300 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 the HomePlug Powerline Alliance
The HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. is an industry-led initiative established to create specifications and certification logo programs for using the powerlines within homes for simple, reliable networking. The Alliance accelerates worldwide adoption for HomePlug technology through market development and user education programs. Membership in the Alliance has grown to include 70 companies. Sponsor members include Cisco (CSCO); Comcast (CMCSK); GE Energy, a business unit of General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE); Intel Corporation (INTC); Motorola (MOT); Sharp Laboratories of America; and Texas Instruments Incorporated (NYSE:TXN) (TI). Additional information about the Alliance, including a complete listing of HomePlug certified products, is available at www.HomePlug.org.
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Issue 2
The Alliance continues to expand its market presence with new public application profiles and strategic additions to the Alliance family of solutions. 
