Alpha Micro and GanSpan have unveiled the first merging of Wi-Fi and ZigBee protocol standards onto a System on a Chip (SoC). SoC is an integrated circuit that embeds all components of a computer or electronic system onto a single chip design. This can have benefits such as reducing size, weight and power requirements of the larger system. It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal and often radio-frequency functions. The common application is in the area of embedded systems.

The benefit of merging Wi-Fi with ZigBee will be having longer reaching Home Area Networks (HANs). ZigBee makes this possible. Despite its low-powered status, ZigBee devices are able to transmit data over longer distances to reach more distant ones. They can also create a mesh network. 

ZigBee is perfect for use in systems that require a low data rate, long battery life and secure networking. This would also work well for smart meters because the Internet connection is not 100 percent needed. One system can wake up and connect to the others, thereby transmitting a communities worth of data. In addition to extending the range of home Wi-Fi there is an added benefit of faster data transfers along with the small channelization of ZigBee IP.

The new Wi-Fi and ZigBee IP chip, called the GS2000, has the potential to accelerate the development and market adoption of home networked devices. The GS2000 features a dual mode IPv4/IPv6 TCP/UDP (News - Alert) networking stack along with additional networking services.

“While other wireless technologies compete in various applications, only Wi-Fi and ZigBee IP provide for and support IP addressing and methods, extending these proven Internet protocols directly to a device or sensor,” said Greg Winner, president and CEO of GainSpan. “To truly deliver on the vision of the Internet of Things, range, power consumption, ease of deployment and network management are often more critical than other factors. The GS2000 combining both technologies is able to address line powered as well as battery operated applications cost effectively, which are both necessary to achieve that vision.”