Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1520712
7 Qorvo 2024 With gateway support by ConcurrentConnect technology now able to understand multiple protocols simultaneously, and allowing for a mix of end devices, new use cases in the IoT are possible. In addition, the end devices themselves will allow for additional use cases. For example, devices can be connected to Bluetooth® Low Energy Mesh and Zigbee or Thread networks at the same time. Or a Bluetooth® Low Energy- based smartphone can be connected directly to the device while operating on a Zigbee or Thread network. The ability to listen concurrently also opens up new use cases for combined protocols that were not possible before, like a device based on a Zigbee or Thread network becoming location-aware by continuously scanning for Bluetooth® Low Energy beacons from Bluetooth® Low Energy trackers. In the smart home market, connected lighting is one important application that will benefit from ConcurrentConnect technology. For the first time ever, a lightbulb can simultaneously be controlled by Zigbee- or Thread-based switches at the same time as Bluetooth® Low Energy switches. Similar benefits can be achieved in motion sensors, thermostats, and other smart home sense and control devices. Conclusion Standards are scattered and devices are developing quickly. Qorvo's patented ConcurrentConnect technology is the next step beyond dynamic multi-protocol support. It brings to the IoT market a high degree of efficiency that enables new levels of concurrence while allowing designers and consumers to keep their options open across multiple protocols and standards. It is no longer necessary to choose or compromise as almost any use case becomes possible in the connected home and beyond. Zigbee technology fills the gap between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Wi-Fi supports fast data rates over wide bandwidths but uses too much power for battery-powered devices. Bluetooth forms point-to-point connections between only two devices and therefore isn't well suited for networking needs. For low-power networking, Zigbee provides a reliable mesh network that supports many IoT devices, from lighting to sensors. Each Zigbee device acts as a node in the mesh network, meaning the network can extend beyond the range of a typical Wi-Fi router or Bluetooth receiver. This makes Zigbee technology an excellent option for industrial IoT applications that may have thousands of devices spread across a large area. The mesh capability also builds redundancy into the network, meaning a single end- device failure won't bring the entire network down. If one device fails, the network can "heal" by connecting with other devices. The Zigbee network connects to a Zigbee coordinator, which acts as the interface to the Zigbee network and enables you to manage devices on the network through your phone or computer. The Zigbee 3.0 standard, ratified in late 2015, consolidated competing protocols. In earlier versions of Zigbee, manufacturers created their own unique ecosystems that were incompatible with other Zigbee devices. Zigbee 3.0 devices share the same ecosystem, giving end users flexibility when adding new devices from multiple manufacturers. Other protocols, namely Bluetooth Mesh and Thread, follow the example of Zigbee technology to create low-power mesh networks. Bluetooth Mesh relies on Bluetooth Low Energy connections between mesh devices. As the name suggests, Bluetooth® Low Energy devices do not require much power because they can go into a low-power sleep mode, similar to Zigbee devices. Bluetooth® Low Energy supports faster data transmission rates than Zigbee technology and is well suited for personal devices that have a Bluetooth connection. However, Zigbee technology supports larger networks with more devices, making it more suitable for home and industrial sensor and automation applications. Thread also builds a mesh network but uses an IP-based connection. This connection simplifies communication between Thread devices and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices like computers and smartphones. Zigbee technology led the wireless sensor industry for years, but Thread is gaining momentum as the foundation of the new Matter standard. Some modern chipsets support both Zigbee and Thread technologies, enabling support for established Zigbee devices on new Thread and Matter networks. With a deep installed base and years as a leading technology, Zigbee remains a crucial piece of the IoT picture. However, in the coming years, Zigbee devices will coexist with Thread devices under Matter. Reach Farther with Zigbee