The A to Z of wireless

Z is for Zigbee

Zigbee is a low-power, low-cost wireless standard that some say will allow billions of everyday devices to connect wirelessly to the internet.

It's intended to be much simpler and cheaper than other wireless personal area networks such as Bluetooth. Zigbee's technology is slower than Bluetooth (1Mbps compared to 11Mbps) but it consumes significantly less power.

The list from A to Z

Click on the links below to find out more on each of the entries in the list.

A is for Antivirus
B is for Bluetooth
C is for The Cloud
D is for dotMobi
E is for Email
F is for FMC
G is for GPS
H is for HSDPA
I is for i-mode
J is for Japan Air
K is for Korea
L is for LBS
M is for M2M
N is for NFC
O is for Operating systems
P is for Pubs
Q is for QoS
R is for Roaming
S is for Satellite
T is for TV
U is for UMTS
V is for Virgin
W is for WiMax
X is for XDA
Y is for Yucca
Z is for Zigbee

It works by connecting various nodes that together form a mesh network where information from one node can be routed via other nodes to reach the required destination. This means that it can be installed cheaply and that networks are 'self-healing' - meaning that if one node fails, others can take over. Each node also requires around only 10 per cent of the software needed to support Bluetooth nodes.

Typical uses could include sensor control, medical data collection, smoke or burglar alarm systems, building or home automation and domotics (the use of robot and computer technology in domestic appliances).

The Zigbee Alliance of companies is working to develop the standard. Well known companies involved with the Alliance include Honeywell, Mitsubishi, Motorola and Philips.