Freescale Semiconductor announces software stack
and development kit based on the ZigBee™
specification
BeeKit simplifies development of wireless home automation, control
and sensing designs enabling faster time-to-market
SHANGHAI, China (Freescale Technology Forum) – May 30, 2006 – Freescale
Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL, FSL.B) eases customers’ development of ZigBee
applications with the announcement of its BeeKit wireless connectivity tool kit.
BeeKit provides an easy-to-use interface and framework for developers to
configure parameters for their point-to-point, 802.15.4 and ZigBee applications.
BeeKit includes Freescale’s BeeStack, a compliant ZigBee protocol stack, and
developer configuration tool that supports Freescale’s platforms compliant with
the ZigBee specification and based on the HCS08 MCU. The code base also
includes pre-configured ZigBee application samples and templates.
“Freescale has acquired an extensive amount of ZigBee stack experience from
our customers and partners over the last several years,” said Brett Black,
commercial wireless operations manager for Freescale. “This experience has
allowed us to build a comprehensive networking stack from the ground up, which
optimizes performance and ease of use.”
Freescale’s BeeStack will be fully compliant with the ZigBee Alliance’s next
generation home control protocol stack that includes the Home Automation
profile. Other planned updates include support for 802.15.4 MAC, 802.15.4
based applications and Simple MAC (SMAC) based applications.
As a key promoter of the ZigBee Alliance, Freescale has a history of innovation
and continues to offer compelling solutions to its customers," said Bob Heile,
chairman of the ZigBee Alliance. "Their commitment to ZigBee is evident with
products like BeeKit which has the goal of enabling customers to quickly develop
and deploy ZigBee solutions."
Once developers have completed the configuration of their wireless solution, the
BeeKit allows them to export to Freescale’s CodeWarrior Integrated
Development Environment (IDE) for use in the building and debugging of their
application.
Pricing and availability
The BeeKit is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2006. Pricing for
both the kit and stack is estimated to start at $995 per license seat.
Freescale is providing training on BeeKit at the ZigBee Developers Conference
co-located with Sensors Expo in Rosemont, Ill., June 5-8 and at the Freescale
Technology Forum in Orlando, Fla., July 24-27. For more information, visit
www.freescale.com/zigbee.
About ZigBee technology
ZigBee is a low-power wireless communication technology and international
standard protocol for the next-generation wireless network, reducing data size
and allowing for lower-cost network construction with simplified protocol and
limited functionality. ZigBee uses the PHY and MAC layers defined by
IEEE®802.15.4, which is the short-distance wireless communication standard for
2.4 GHz band. ZigBee comprises the ZigBee platform specifications and ZigBee
profiles defined by the ZigBee Alliance. For more information on Freescale’s
ZigBee-compliant solutions, visit www.freescale.com/zigbee.
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL, FSL.B) is a global leader in the
design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive,
consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a
publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of
Motorola, Inc. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research
and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries.
Freescale, a member of the S&P 500®, is one of the world's largest
semiconductor companies with 2005 sales of $5.8 billion (USD).
www.freescale.com
Freescale Technology Forum
The Freescale Technology Forum (FTF) is fast becoming the embedded
semiconductor industry’s premier developer conference. A global program, FTF
events feature visionary keynote speakers, in-depth technical training, and
interactive demonstrations from Freescale and leading hardware, software and
tools providers. For detailed information about FTF events around the world,
please go to www.freescale.com/ftf.
ZigBee: Wireless Control That Simply Works
The ZigBee Alliance is an association of companies working together to enable
reliable, cost effective, low-power, wirelessly networked, monitoring and control
products based on an open global standard. The ZigBee Alliance membership
comprises technology providers and original equipment manufacturers
worldwide. Membership is open to all.
Additional information can be found at www.zigbee.org.
Media Contacts:
North America
Shannon Reid
Freescale Semiconductor
(480) 413-3228
shannon.reid@freescale.com
Asia Pacific
Gloria Shiu
Freescale Semiconductor
(85-22) 666-8237
gloria.shiu@freescale.com
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Regina Cirmonova
Freescale Semiconductor
(41-22) 799-1258
regina.cirmonova@freescale.com
Japan
Koichi Yoshimura
Freescale Semiconductor
(81-3) 5437-9350
koichi.yoshimura@freescale.com
Latin America
Ruth Ruiz
Freescale Semiconductor
(480) 814-4897
ruth.ruiz@freescale.com
Reader Inquiry Response:
Freescale Semiconductor
P.O. Box 17927
Denver, CO 80217 USA
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owners. © Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 2006.