Jointly developing an end-to-end IoT solution with Thread Group
Combining proven, proven wireless IoT solutions with ThreadGroup's IP networking layer

The ZigBee Alliance announced that it is collaborating with the Thread Group to develop an end-to-end solution for IP-based Internet of Things (IoT) networks.

This solution will be part of the Zigbee Alliance's comprehensive range of product development specifications, technologies, branding, and certification programs. The Zigbee Alliance is a non-profit organization of organizations that create open, global standards that define the Internet of Things (IoT) for consumer, commercial, and industrial applications.

The Zigbee Alliance and Thread Group signed a liaison agreement in April 2015 to explore opportunities to bring Zigbee's widely adopted application libraries to the newly developed Thread networking protocol. The two parties have now completed separate evaluations, and the Zigbee Alliance has begun developing a combined solution that will streamline product development. This solution will increase interoperability and ultimately improve the consumer experience for smart IoT applications across the connected home.

Addressing the need for IP-based low-power radio frequency communications

“This collaboration provides the industry’s most sophisticated and proven low-power networking layer, powered by the ZigBee Common Applications Library, in a complete, interoperable end-to-end solution,” said Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the ZigBee Alliance. “With over a decade of experience building standards and ecosystems, we are taking a significant step toward integrating Thread’s networking stack and IP into the ZigBee Alliance’s portfolio of solutions. This portfolio covers all network layers, energy harvesting, and other critical foundational technologies, supported by the necessary interoperability and marketing solutions.”

The ZigBee Alliance integrates support for the Thread Group's networking layer through a comprehensive ZigBee Applications Layer that unifies all existing ZigBee device profiles for specific markets into a unified library. Zigbee aims to meet the growing demand for IP-based, low-power radio frequency communications within smart homes and other IoT markets by launching a complete solution, including an end-to-end certification program, in the third quarter of 2016.

“Together, the Zigbee Alliance and Thread Group are taking important steps toward slowing the fragmentation of the IoT industry,” said Chris Boross, president of Thread Group and technology and product marketing manager at Nest. “Bringing Zigbee’s application layer into Thread-based devices will simplify product development and increase interoperability, enabling the Thread ecosystem and connected home to thrive. Many of the companies in Thread Group are also members of the Zigbee Alliance, and we look forward to working with Zigbee to bring combined solutions for the connected home to market.”

“The Zigbee Alliance has a strong reputation for creating and delivering robust standards, testing and certification programs for the wireless Internet of Things,” said Skip Ashton, vice president of software at Silicon Labs. “As a founding member of both Zigbee and the Thread Group, we are pleased to support this program, which is in high demand from our customers and will enable them to bring Zigbee-based products to a broader market.” Thread Group has completed key foundational work on the networking layer within these markets,” he explained.

ZigBee 3.0 unveiled at CES 2016

“As a significant contributor to both organizations, we support this announcement and believe this collaboration will reduce uncertainty and accelerate adoption of IoT technologies by device vendors and consumers,” said Kevin Kraus, Vice President of Product Management at Yale Security Inc. “We look forward to seeing products based on the combined solution come to market and working with our Zigbee customers to help them enter new markets.”

“As a founding member of both Zigbee and Thread, we believe the technologies they are developing will benefit the entire IoT market,” said Emmanuel Sambuis, general manager, MCU and connectivity products, Microcontroller Business Unit at NXP. “Combining Zigbee’s open application layer with Thread’s IP protocols with enhanced field strength will provide device vendors with an interoperable and reliable end-to-end solution for the connected home and IoT markets. NXP and its solution partners look forward to supporting the development and deployment of these combined solutions to enable our customers to build the next generation of connected products.”

Hundreds of ZigBee Alliance member companies will unveil ZigBee 3.0 at CES 2016, which runs from January 6 to 9, 2016 (local time). Atmel, DSR, Legrand, MMB Networks, NXP, Osram, OWON, Philips, POMCube, and Ubisys are participating as sponsors. The Zigbee Pavilion is located in the Smart Home section of the Tech West Emerging Technologies Exhibition Hall (Booth #71344) at the Sands Expo Convention Center.