TI Android Development Platform Brings Zigbee to Smartphones and Tablets

Texas Instruments Inc. recently showcased an Android 2.2 software development platform designed to simplify the mobile device integration of the ZigBee and ZigBee RF4CE protocol stacks. Mobile device manufacturers can now connect directly to the growing consumer electronics and smart home application markets. Resulting use cases enable consumers to manage commands like smart TV and set-top-box (STB) remote control features or utility management through smartphones and tablets—driving flexibility for consumers while maximizing the usability of mobile devices.

The IEEE 802.15.4 radio technology is recognized as one of today’s top growing wireless protocols. RF4CE use alone in the consumer electronics industry is expected to jump from less than 10 million units in 2010 to 250-300 million units by 2015. Similarly, use of ZigBee connectivity in home automation solutions is expected to be in the 20-30 million units range by 2015, an approximate 35% year-over-year increase from the 2010 figure .

“TI is the first to offer mobile device manufacturers the immense opportunity to connect today’s more than 294 million smartphones and tablets to the anticipated 331 million devices in the home networking system—an opportunity that is expected to grow dramatically year-over-year. The simplified integration of ZigBee and ZigBee RF4CE connectivity offered by TI enables the logical control of everything from a digital video recorder to a complex home lighting solution, a compelling experience for consumers who want more functionality from their favorite mobile devices,” said Volker Prueller, marketing manager for TI's Low-Power RF products.

Utilizing an Android-based touch screen user interface that directly controls ZigBee-driven networking devices, example use cases developed on TI’s OMAP 4 platform-based Blaze mobile development platform include:

- TI’s ZigBee RF4CE remote control, which enables an Android-based mobile device to control a PC-based media center.
- TI’s ZigBee Home Automation (HA) profile application, which enables an Android-based mobile device to control the color and dimming of LED lamps exemplifying a consumer lighting system.
- TI’s ZigBee Smart Energy (SE) power meter application, which enables a user to track energy usage and pricing status on their Android-based mobile device.

TI’s IEEE 802.15.4 radio solution for mobile development is based on the company’s CC2530 system-on-chip device, and supports ZigBee and ZigBee RF4CE applications. The solution operates in parallel with TI’s WiLink 6.0 combo chip (WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth technology and FM radio connectivity), as well as the WiLink 7.0 combo chip (WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy technologies, GPS, and FM radio).

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