The ZigBee Alliance and the RF4CE Consortium, founded by Panasonic, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics and Sony, have reached an agreement to deliver a standardised 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 immediately, 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. It creates an immediate, low-cost, easy-to-implement solution for control of products and a variety of public application profiles. The specification is designed for a wide range of products, including home entertainment devices, garage door openers, keyless entry systems and many more.
The first public profile specification enables innovative two-way interaction and control of home entertainment equipment. Products like HDTV, home theatre equipment, set-top boxes and other audio equipment will benefit from the advanced functionality offered by ZigBee.
“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.”
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 standardisation at the ZigBee Alliance.
The ZigBee RF4CE specification is based on IEEE 802.15.4. MAC/PHY radio technology in the 2,4 GHz unlicensed frequency band and enables worldwide operation, low power consumption and instantaneous response time. It allows omnidirectional and reliable two-way wireless communication, frequency agility for enhanced co-existence with other 2,4 GHz wireless technologies, simple security setup and configuration. The Alliance will soon 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 authorised test house for certification.
For more information visit www.zigbee.org
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