The ZigBee Alliance has granted Golden Unit certification to Freescale Semiconductor for its successful implementation of the ZigBee RF4CE specification.
Freescale, an influential contributor in the development of the ZigBee RF4CE protocol, is one of the first ZigBee Alliance members to achieve Golden Unit status.
RF4CE is a specification for RF controls. Limitations of infrared remote controls for large screen, flat panel TVs and the increased need for richer user-interfaces have helped RF-based remote controls gain ground in the home entertainment market.
ZigBee RF4CE is expected to enable advanced control capabilities (i.e. two-way communication between entertainment devices). Freescale's ZigBee RF4CE platform is already deployed in OEM products and Freescale is working with industry leaders in the development of other consumer electronic products.
Freescale offers a range of ZigBee RF4CE certified products for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) that require an immediate, low-cost solution for control of applications such as HDTV, set-top boxes and other consumer electronic devices.
ZigBee RF4CE claims advantages over technologies such as IR, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for controlling consumer electronics, which include ultra-low power (four times lower than IR remotes), two-way communications for upgraded user interfaces and services, and extended range over technologies like Bluetooth.
Freescale estimates that in 2009, there will be four million shipments of 802.15.4 based RF transceivers for consumer electronics. With the new standard, the number of ZigBee RF4CE shipments is expected to grow substantially. By 2012, Freescale expects there to be more than 160 million products shipped per year with ZigBee RF4CE technology.
