There are a multitude of standards like Bluetooth and WiFi that address mid to high data rates for voice, PC LANs, video, etc. However, up till now they have not been wireless network standards that meet the unique needs of sensors and control devices. Sensors and controls do not need high bandwidth but they do need low latency and very low energy consumption for long battery lives and for large device arrays.

In contrast to other wireless network standards, ZigBee^TM was created to satisfy the market's need for a cost-effective, standards-based wireless network that supports low data rates, low power consumption, security, and reliability.

ZigBee^TM is poised to become the global control/sensor network standard. ZigBee^TM protocols define a type of sensor network for residential and commercial applications such as heating, air conditioning and lighting control. It combines IEEE802.15.4, which defines the physical and MAC protocol layers, with network, security and application software layers.

J&M Electronics Limited is a reseller of Jennic Limited UK. Jennic provides a combination of chips and software that allows the customers to build ZigBee^TM Network Devices and ZigBee^TM Certified Products.

Montrax MCI is one of our control network solutions using ZigBee^TM technology. It monitors and controls both analog and digital sensors in a wireless sensor network. Montrax MCI is a IEEE802.15.4 compliant wireless transceiver with fully configurable digital and analog I/O. With ZigBee^TM technology, a wireless sensor network can be built on where wire cannot run. The MCI unit can handle both analog and digital sensors, with minimal power consumption.