Is ZigBee Ready For Industrial Networks?

Choosing a wireless protocol for low-power industrial applications can be a confusing and daunting process. Many designers quickly discover that technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are unsuitable for industrial networks, due to their high node costs, power-hungry RF integrated circuits (RFICs), royalties for stacks, and complex protocols. This has opened the door for a new, more power-efficient industrial wireless standard.

In recent years, ZigBee has been touted as the panacea for solving the problems associated with developing and deploying power-efficient, cost-effective, low-data-stream industrial networks. Some claim that ZigBee is "cheap enough and small enough for any application." But is ZigBee really the key to industrial wireless nirvana, or is it merely the latest wave swamping an already inundated industry?

This article will explore the current state of ZigBee to determine whether or not the technology is ready to eliminate the clutter of wires from industrial monitoring and control.