SHANGHAI, China /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- Freescale Semiconductor eases customers' development of ZigBee applications with its BeeKit wireless connectivity tool kit. BeeKit provides an easy-to-use interface and framework for developers to configure parameters for their point-to-point, 802.15.4, and ZigBee applications.
BeeKit includes Freescale's BeeStack, a compliant ZigBee protocol stack, and a developer configuration tool that supports Freescale's platforms compliant with the ZigBee specification and based on the HCS08 MCU. The code base also includes preconfigured ZigBee application samples and templates.
"Freescale has acquired an extensive amount of ZigBee stack experience from our customers and partners over the last several years," said Brett Black, commercial wireless operations manager for Freescale. "This experience has allowed us to build a comprehensive networking stack from the ground up, which optimizes performance and ease of use."
Freescale's BeeStack will be fully compliant with the ZigBee Alliance's next-generation home control protocol stack, which includes the home automation profile. Other planned updates include support for 802.15.4 MAC, 802.15.4-based applications, and Simple MAC (SMAC) –based applications.
"As a key promoter of the ZigBee Alliance, Freescale has a history of innovation and continues to offer compelling solutions to its customers," said Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance. "Their commitment to ZigBee is evident with products like BeeKit, which has the goal of enabling customers to quickly develop and deploy ZigBee solutions."
Once developers have completed the configuration of their wireless solution, the BeeKit allows them to export to Freescale's CodeWarrior Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for use in the building and debugging of their application.
Pricing and Availability
The BeeKit is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2006. Pricing for both the kit and stack is estimated to start at $995 per license seat.
Freescale is providing training on BeeKit at the ZigBee Developers Conference co-located with Sensors Expo in Rosemont, Ill., June 5-8 and at the Freescale Technology Forum in Orlando, Fla., July 24-27. For more information, click here.
About ZigBee technology
ZigBee is a low-power wireless communication technology and international standard protocol for the next-generation wireless network, reducing data size and allowing for lower-cost network construction, with simplified protocol and limited functionality. ZigBee uses the PHY and MAC layers defined by IEEE(R)802.15.4, which is the short-distance wireless communications standard for 2.4 GHz band. ZigBee comprises the ZigBee platform specifications and ZigBee profiles defined by the ZigBee Alliance. For more information on Freescale's ZigBee-compliant solutions, click here.
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking, and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004, after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based in Austin, Tex., and has design, research and development, manufacturing, or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of the S&P 500, is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2005 sales of $5.8 billion.
Freescale Technology Forum
The Freescale Technology Forum (FTF) is a global program, which features visionary keynote speakers, in-depth technical training, and interactive demonstrations from Freescale and leading hardware, software, and tool providers. For detailed information about FTF events around the world, please click here.
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