ZigBee upgrades standards for Internet of Things

The ZigBee Alliance has ratified ZigBee 3.0, paving the way for improved communication and interoperability between products used in applications ranging from connected home, intelligent buildings and smart cities to connected lighting, energy efficiency and other applications.

A non-profit association of companies, the ZigBee Alliance creates open, global standards that define the Internet of Things (IoT) for use in consumer, commercial and industrial applications.

Helping to lead the standards groups to collaborate with the ZigBee Alliance on fulfilling this vision for the IoT is the EnOcean Alliance. The two groups will work together to combine the benefits of EnOcean Equipment Profiles (EEPs) already widely adopted in the sub-one GHz frequency with the newly ratified ZigBee 3.0 solution in the worldwide 2.4GHz frequency band.

ZigBee 3.0 is the first single unified, open and complete wireless IoT product development solution of its kind. It extends all the way from the physical to application layer, and includes certification and branding for improved interoperability across a growing range of market segments. Based on proven ZigBee PRO Mesh networking and with unique Green Power support for advanced energy-harvesting devices, ZigBee 3.0 is fully compatible with existing ZigBee Home Automation and ZigBee Light Link standards.

ZigBee 3.0 unifies all previous application-specific ZigBee device descriptions, behaviours and profiles into a common applications layer that supports all IoT product development needs for smart homes, buildings and neighbourhood area networks. The availability of ZigBee 3.0-certified devices will increase choice and flexibility for developers and users, and deliver the confidence that products and services will all work together.

"Last December we shared our vision for a unifying IoT standard that would make it easier to develop and market interoperable products and solutions, unlock growth opportunities and fuel innovation to enable surprising new capabilities in the home, workplace and cities," said Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the ZigBee Alliance. "After a year of member testing and development, we now announce a significant step in fulfilling this vision with the ratification of ZigBee 3.0."

ZigBee 3.0 ratification is the first major step in a number of planned 2016 initiatives that will be focused on further simplifying IoT product development and deployment, reducing industry confusion through the availability of a consolidated set of open application device definitions, and helping members bring the benefits and capabilities of connected IoT devices to a significantly broader range of applications and markets.

The Alliance is concluding a year of major accomplishments including growth and diversification across its 425-company membership, expanded programme and event offerings, and stronger engagement across more than 80 working group meetings each month. The Alliance continues to attract the industry's top IoT product and solution developers and is also helping to foster greater industry collaboration by working with other major alliances and consortia to help reduce market confusion and further accelerate market growth and opportunities for its members.