How is ZigBee different from other wireless standards (e.g. Bluetooth)?
top There is a multitude of standards that address mid to high data rates for voice, PC LANs, video, etc. However, until ZigBee there hasnt been a wireless network standard that meets the unique needs of sensors and control devices. Sensors and control devices dont need high bandwidth, but they do need low latency and very low energy consumption for long battery lives and for large device arrays. There are many proprietary wireless systems that function like ZigBee; inexpensive, very-low current draining solutions that address a multitude of problems without requiring high data rates. These proprietary systems were designed because there were no standards that met their requirements. These legacy systems are now creating significant interoperability problems with each other and with newer technologies. What are the real-life applications of ZigBee? top ZigBee is well suited for a wide range of building automation, industrial, medical and residential control and monitoring applications.
