ZigBee—What’s That?

It’s mesh networking. Come again? Well, it’s one of several exciting technologies that will soon be affecting the world of building control, or at least so say the organizers of BuilSpec.

The seminar series, which CSE reported on last issue, kicked off in Chicago Nov. 4 and tackled a myriad of subjects affecting the building automation community, as well as a number of issues that will be coming down the pike. One of those subjects was new technology.

According to Paul Ehrlich, the seminar’s program development director and main presenter, about two years ago, IEEE approved a number of new standards. The technologies affirmed are now beginning to emerge on the market. One is mesh networking. Originating from the U.S. Defense Dept., the technology was designed to allow soldiers in the field to communicate without having to erect cell towers.

In the commercial world, the technology, known as ZigBee (IEEE standard 802.15.4), will have it’s biggest impact on lighting, says Ehrlich. For more visit www.zigbee.org .

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