ZigBee Will Enable Plug-and-Play Deployment by Consumers of LED-Based SSL Products

ZigBee Lighting Link will enable plug-and-play deployment by consumers of LED-based SSL products and wireless sensors and controls from multiple vendors. Targeted at the residential space, the ZigBee Light Link standard promises to enable consumers to simply deploy solid-state lighting (SSL) with adaptive controls without having a complex dedicated control system. The standard is intended to enable interoperable LED-based lighting, sensors, timers, switches and other elements from multiple vendors that connect over the ZigBee wireless mesh network. "ZigBee Light Link provides an easy-to-use and intuitive approach to next generation lighting that has the backing and support of top tier companies and product development is already underway," said Jos Bruins, ZigBee Light Link working group chair from Philips. "The ZigBee Alliance provided our technical working group with an excellent platform to complete ZigBee Light Link in a fast and professional manner – a standard we know that will spur the industry’s new lighting propositions." Light Link was defined to allow considerable flexibility in terms of deployment. In its simplest form, Light Link will allow a consumer to purchase a wireless-enabled SSL product and a complementary product such as a light or occupancy sensor, and easily pair the devices for operation. At the most complex end of the spectrum, consumers can use Light Link-enabled products in whole-house networks and control the network via dedicated ZigBee-enabled control panels or over the Internet with a PC, smartphone, or tablet computer. "ZigBee Light Link sets a new bar," said Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance. "It provides a very affordable, easy to install and easy to use standalone lighting solution specifically addressing the general consumer market, but at the same time remains capable of integrating with the broader family of ZigBee home automation solutions." Source: LEDs Magazine