Date: 12/05/2009
TI's Silicon and software for ZigBee based remote control design
Texas Instruments has released software (network protocol stack) and hardware combined development kit to develop new standardized ZigBee RF4CE specification for radio frequency (RF)-based remote controls. TI calls this as low-cost solution with CC2530 IEEE/802.15.4 system-on-chip and software stack.
ZigBee RF4CE specification is based on IEEE 802.15.4. MAC/PHY radio technology in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed frequency band.
This software plus hardware kit is for designing remote controls for home entertainment consumer products, such as televisions and set-top boxes.
This kit called RemoTI development kit packs sample application code, remote control kit with target board, simple API or optional direct RF4CE interface, and reference designs.
Availability: Now
Price: Each $149
Texas Instruments' new 2.4-GHz radio frequency (RF) system-on-chip CC2530 supporting the IEEE 802.15.4 standard is for applications covering ZigBee PRO networks, ZigBee RF4CE remote controls, smart energy, home and building automation, environmental monitoring and wireless medical. The CC2530 has up to 256 KB of Flash memory.
The key features in this chip include DMA, GPIO, USARTs, ADC, and timers. This ZigBee chip integrates a RF transceiver with an 8051 MCU, in-system programmable flash memory, and 8-KB RAM.
Package: QFN-40
Availability: Now
Price: Each $3.25 in 1K pieces.
Due to line of sight and compatibility issues, the infrared-based remote control might be taken over by ZigBee based remote control systems in coming years. Using ZigBee based remote system, just a single remote control is enough to monitor and control host of home equipments which include TVs, security systems, lighting, etc.
RF-based remotes are faster and reliable and operate devices from longer distances compared to infrared based remotes. Complete home automation is possible through ZibBee based centralized home control system. E-metering is another major application area for ZigBee devices.
It can be roughly estimated, by year 2011 the IEEE802.15.4 based chipset market demand might reach greater than 100 million units. Peak consumption of these devices may start in 2010 and continue up to 2015. In about 4/5 years of timeframe from 2009, there is a market demand for about 1 billion unit shipments.