Press Information
For Release
September 23, 2003
Motorola Sensors Go with ZigBeeTM Protocol for Wireless
Networking
ZigBee Technology from Motorola Provides Interoperability between
Multiple Sensors for Automation, Control, Monitoring and Maintenance
PHOENIX– September 23, 2003 – Motorola, Inc.’s (NYSE: MOT) Semiconductor
Products Sector is offering acceleration and pressure sensor integrated circuits (ICs)
which are designed to enable sensor networks with the convenience and reduced
installation expense of wireless technology, through their compatibility with the
ZigBee™ protocol. These ICs are designed to help enable the deployment of wireless
sensor networks in environments as diverse as a factory floor to a game console in the
family living room.
Sensors compatible with the ZigBee wireless standard offer convenience and cost
savings by enabling easy re-configuration and eliminating the need for re-wiring once
installed. Wireless sensor networks should obtain real-time data on systems or devices
without requiring physical contact, enabling remote monitoring and reduced labor costs.
These sensors use MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems), a micron-sized
mechanical technology, to sense, process and/or control the surrounding environment.
ZigBee is a wireless networking technology based on the newly defined IEEE (Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.15.4 standard. Designers of wired sensor
networks should benefit from using Motorola’s flexible ZigBee technology to develop
wireless sensor networks. Adoption of the ZigBee protocol as a single wireless
standard helps original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) realize cost reductions and
speed time to market versus current proprietary wireless or wired sensor networks.
Wireless Sensor Applications Enabled by the ZigBee Standard
Industrial – Motorola’s sensors are optimal for building automation where they can be
used to measure temperature, pressure, smoke and motion. The feedback response
can trigger additional control functions such as turning systems on or off, sounding
alarms and preventive maintenance.
Logistics Management – Wireless acceleration sensors can be attached to high value
assets in a manufacturing line to provide location status and orientation for inventory
and work-in-progress monitoring. The wireless sensor then becomes embedded within
a final product for tracking location, product position and orientation during shipment to
(more)
the end user. After installation in the end location, the product may continue to use the
embedded sensor with the ZigBee protocol to link into a new wireless network.
Consumer – Game peripherals and PC joysticks use low-g acceleration sensors to
respond to tilt and motion, providing more accurate and responsive end user gaming
experiences. The combination with wireless should allow the player the freedom to
move about the room while playing, unfettered by wired connectors.
In addition to these applications, a range of industrial, consumer, medical, and
automotive applications can benefit from wireless sensors utilizing the ZigBee standard.
Some of these include:
 Industrial: energy management, HVAC, proactive maintenance, vibration
measurement, bearing wear monitoring, seismic detectors, inclinometers, robotics,
security systems, security enhancement equipment
 Consumer: lighting and heating and ventilation remote controls, security and remote
monitoring systems, household appliances, PC peripherals, entertainment systems
control, interactive toys, virtual reality input devices
 Healthcare/Fitness: sports medicine equipment, physical therapy/rehabilitation
equipment, ergonomics tools, pedometers
 Automotive: telematics and occupant safety enhancement features
“Sensors compatible with the ZigBee standard are a natural fit within Motorola’s
semiconductor portfolio,” said Behrooz Abdi, vice president and general manager of
Motorola’s Radio Products Division. “With our leadership in the ZigBee wireless
networking standard, we are able to merge our position as the number one supplier of
automotive microcontrollers, our MEMS-based sensor devices, and our leading IEEE
802.15.4 RF technology to create cost-effective end product solutions.”
Industry analyst firm Allied Business Intelligence estimates the worldwide potential for
short-range, low data rate wireless at 150 million units for 2003. The impact of industry
standardization is expected to at least triple the market within a few years according to
analysts at IDC Semiconductors. Early drivers for building management systems
include wireless sensor networks for energy management enabling real-time pricing and
load balancing. Cost savings, resulting from logistics management and preventive
maintenance, drive industrial sensor networks.
From everyday devices used in the home to more sophisticated highly configured
sensor networks, OEMs can expect to use acceleration and pressure sensors
compatible with the ZigBee wireless standard for star, mesh or cluster tree network
topologies. Together with sensors compatible with the ZigBee wireless protocol,
Motorola’s embedded MCUs and RF transceiver data modem offer a full suite of
products for sensor networks, simplifying vendor selection for the OEM.
“In the world of sensors, the trend is toward increased system functionality,” said Brett
Richmond, vice president and general manager of Motorola’s Sensor Products Division.
“Wireless sensor integration is the next step. The ZigBee protocol opens up
opportunities for a wide variety of customer applications to obtain real time data on
systems and devices in secure transmissions.”
Features and Benefits
– Architectural Flexibility: Motorola’s solutions compatible with the ZigBee standard are
designed for maximum system flexibility, utilizing standard hardware interfaces for OEM
sensor and embedded processor choice. The Motorola RF transceiver operates in the
global 2.4 GHz band, allowing for one system design to be used worldwide.
– Secure Communication Transmission: By using symmetric key with 128-bit AES
(Advanced Encryption Standard) algorithms the communication protocol helps to
promote security in its communication transmission.
– Standards-Based: The IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee technologies, combined for a
standardized network protocol, help to reduce development time for the OEM. Wireless
sensors can now follow a standard that has exceptional network control, scalability,
interoperability, low power consumption, and reliability. This helps to increase costefficiency and allows for widespread wireless sensors for automation, control,
monitoring and maintenance.
– Established Provider: Sensors compatible with the ZigBee wireless networking
standard come from Motorola – a semiconductor manufacturer that understands
wireless technology and knows the needs of the market segments. According to
Gartner Dataquest, Motorola is the market leader in wireless communication
semiconductor sales and has been producing wireless technology for 70 years.
Availability
Motorola’s acceleration and pressure sensors are currently available. Engineering
samples of the ZigBee products from Motorola are expected to be available in
November.
About the ZigBee Alliance
ZigBee Technology: Wireless control that simply works. The ZigBee Alliance is a
rapidly growing, non-profit industry consortium of leading semiconductor manufacturers,
technology providers, OEMs, and end-users worldwide. Membership is open to all
through the ZigBee Alliance web site. For information please visit the ZigBee Alliance
web site at www.zigbee.org.
About Motorola’s Semiconductor Products Sector
As the world's #1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor
Products Sector creates DigitalDNA™ system-on-chip solutions for a connected world.
Our strong focus on wireless communications and networking enables customers to
develop smarter, simpler, safer and synchronized products for the person, work team,
home and automobile. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $5.0 billion
(USD) in 2002. For more information please visit www.motorola.com/semiconductors
About Motorola, Inc.
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications
and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2002 were $27.3 billion. Motorola is a
global corporate citizen dedicated to ethical business practices and pioneering
important technologies that make things smarter and life better for people, honored
traditions that began when the company was founded 75 years ago this year. For more
information, please visit: www.motorola.com.
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Media Contacts – North America:
Motorola
Lisa Bradley
+1 (480) 413-8819
lisa.bradley@motorola.com
Andrea Crocker
Motorola
+1 (512) 895-7714
andrea.crocker@motorola.com
Media Contacts – Europe:
Regina Cirmonova
Motorola
(41) 22-799-1258
regina.cirmonova@motorola.com
Media Contacts – Asia:
Gloria Shiu
Motorola
(852) 2666-8237
gloria.shiu@motorola.com
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2003.