SENSORS EXPO 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Arch Rock Corp., a leading provider of software, systems, and services for wireless sensor networks, announced that it has integrated the ZigBee networking protocol stack with its open, hardware-independent software and systems suite. The integration of ZigBee into Arch Rock technology gives customers unprecedented flexibility and choice when developing solutions for wireless sensor networks.
Using the Arch Rock technology suite, the company is demonstrating the ZigBee protocol stack, integrated for the first time as a new networking option over the IEEE 802.15.4 low-power radio standard, with a TinyOS 2.0-based embedded operating system.
Arch Rock also announced that it has joined the ZigBee Alliance as a participant member. 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.
Arch Rock continues to deliver on its promise of building a modular open platform that provides ease of integration and extensibility across multiple hardware platforms, networking protocols, and application-development environments. The integration demonstrates the power of Arch Rock's open and modular architecture to enable assembly of best-of-breed wireless sensor solutions across the entire technology stack, including processor chips, sensors, motes, networking protocols, and enterprise applications.
Running on Ember Corporation's newly introduced EM 260 chip, the integration creates a new set of Arch Rock–enabled platform choices based on Ember's technology. Support for Ember-based solutions augment Arch Rock's existing set of supported hardware platforms using IEEE 802.15.4 radio technology, including Intel Mote 2, MICAz, and TelosB-based platforms.
"The significance of the integration of ZigBee and TinyOS 2.0 is profound for the wireless sensor industry and is in the true spirit of open systems," said Roland Acra, president and CEO of Arch Rock. "By integrating ZigBee with Arch Rock's open, hardware-independent software and systems suite, we are opening up Ember-based sensor platforms to Arch Rock's technology so more companies can benefit from the of ease of deployment, operation, and enterprise integration we are delivering."
"We are pleased that Arch Rock has delivered the industry's first ZigBee implementation on their hardened, TinyOS 2.0-based Arch Rock technology suite," said Andy Wheeler, CTO, Ember Corp. The combination of Ember's leadership position in the ZigBee marketplace and Arch Rock's leadership role in the advancement of TinyOS-based solutions is a big win for the industry and customers alike."
About Arch Rock
Arch Rock provides software, systems, and services that enable wireless sensing and control networks to be easily deployed and integrated at scale within Internet and enterprise frameworks. The San Francisco-based company deploys open systems that bridge the gaps between manufacturers of sensor devices, wireless networking technology, and Internet-based software applications. The company has secured financing from New Enterprise Associates, Shasta Ventures, and Intel Capital. More information can be found at the company's Web site.