ENOCEAN VS. ZIGBEE
The Internet of Things is built on multiple communication protocols. In fact, you’ve
already been exposed to several protocols if you use devices with Bluetooth, BACnet
or Wi-Fi. However, building-specific devices commonly rely on one of two wireless
protocols: EnOcean or Zigbee. Troy Davis of EnOcean and Victor Berrios of Zigbee
describe features of their respective protocols.
ENOCEAN
While the overwhelming number
of Io T sensors use wireless radio,
many products still rely on batteries.
This could result in expensive and
time-consuming maintenance efforts.
Imagine a hotel that has 1,000
devices that require a battery. The
solution is to use energy harvesting
wireless technology. EnOcean is an
essential element to create a comprehensive network of self-powered
wireless sensors.
Energy harvesting wireless modules convert kinetic, solar or thermal energy into electrical power.
Together with ultra-low power
electronics, self-powered Io T devices
communicate on open radio standards. These flexible and maintenance-free sensor solutions help to
make buildings more energy efficient
and cost effective to operate. In
retrofits, self-powered switches and
sensors can be placed nearly anywhere without having to modify the
existing layout.
— Troy Davis, Sales Director,
EnOcean Inc
ZIGBEE
The Internet of Things is helping to
connect devices to each other regardless of brand to bring new possibilities
in linking various and formerly siloed
objects to one another. The value
Zigbee technology brings is that it’s
an open, interoperable mesh Io T solution available to manufacturers. We
want to work with wireless protocols
and products that not only connect
but interoperate with other wireless
brands and products.
We promote the use of smarter,
greener Io T standards for use all over
the world. We have a feature called
Zigbee PRO with Green Power, which
eliminates battery usage and waste.
It integrates battery-less or lifelong
battery-operated devices into a Zigbee network so building maintenance
and IT can add nodes and devices to
the network that are virtually maintenance-free.
— Victor Berrios, Vice President of
Technology, Zigbee Alliance