Ember’s USB Link lowers ZigBee development cost

BOSTON and SAN JOSE (ESC Silicon Valley 2007), April 3, 2007 – Ember, a provider of ZigBee networks for smarter, more energy efficient buildings and homes, today announced a new USB-based programming tool that is easy to use and lowers the cost of developing ZigBee wireless applications.

The new, plug-and-play InSight USB Link includes an inexpensive USB adapter and flash programming software that makes it easier to program Ember’s ZigBee radio modules. Using a USB-enabled PC, customers can connect directly to Ember’s EM250 and EM260 and upload ZigBee applications. Until now, customers used Ember’s more sophisticated InSight Adapter to program the modules via an Ethernet network.

For example, CCS Inc. is using the InSight USB Link to program EM260 modules within their own development environment. “The USB Link has enhanced our development process by providing an easy interface for programming our devices” said Mark Siegesmund, president of CCS Inc.

The InSight USB Link is ideal for customers seeking a low-cost ZigBee development platform, without the need for significant network-level debugging. It offers a more efficient way to burn applications on to Ember-based ZigBee modules. It can also be easily integrated on to a manufacturing floor for low volume production. The USB Link complements Ember’s InSight Adapter, which is ideal for network level debugging, and Ember’s existing support for a wide range of high volume production gang programmers.

Pricing and availability

The Ember InSight USB Link will be available starting in April with a suggested list price of $75. Customers can order the USB Link from Ember’s distribution channels including Digi-Key Corporation.

ZigBee: Wireless Control That Simply Works
The ZigBee Alliance is an association of companies working together to enable reliable, cost-effective, low-power, wirelessly networked monitoring and control products based on an open global standard. The ZigBee Alliance is a rapidly growing, non-profit industry consortium of leading semiconductor manufacturers, technology providers, OEMs, and end-users worldwide. Membership is open to all. Additional information can be found at www.zigbee.org.

About Ember Corporation
Ember develops wireless sensor and control network technologies that help make our living and working environments smarter and energy efficient. Ember’s ZigBee-based semiconductors and software enable communication between devices embedded in a variety of building and home automation products. Ember is headquartered in Boston and has a semiconductor development center in Cambridge, England and distributors worldwide. Ember is a lead member of the ZigBee Alliance, and its platform is the National Technical Systems’ (NTS) “Golden Suite” for 802.15.4/ZigBee interoperability testing. For more information, please visit www.ember.com.
 

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