Digi International (News - Alert) today launched a battery powered, wireless sensor known as the XBee Sensor for its integration into Drop-in Networking applications, or ZigBee networks that enable low-cost, low-power networking of devices in self-configuring, self-healing wireless mesh networks.

 

The compact XBee Sensor allows customers to easily collect real-time data from multiple nodes across a ZigBee network, and are suitable for applications in building automation, security, energy management, food management, freight/vehicle monitoring and many more.

 

"The XBee sensors are half the size of a deck of cards, feature a long battery life and are easy to install," said Larry Kraft, senior vice president of global sales and marketing, Digi International.

 

"Within minutes, a customer can have a complete wireless sensor network up and running,” he added.

The new XBee sensors can monitor a combination of temperature and light or a combination of temperature, humidity, and light. These sensors can be integrated with Digi's Drop-in networking family of gateways, adapters and modules over a ZigBee network.

 

By using Python development environment that resides on Digi's ConnectPort X gateways, customers can monitor the sensors for events and triggers and make decisions based on the information. XBee Sensors currently support Digi's XBee ZNet 2.5 platform with support for Digi's XBee ZB (ZigBee Pro Feature Set) platform targeted for Q3 2008. This improves compatibility with ZigBee-based products from other manufacturers.

Digi also offers a broad line of externally or battery powered plug-and-play Watchport sensors for Drop-in Networking that measure distance, proximity, humidity, temperature, acceleration/tilt and the presence of water. Watchport sensors for Drop-in Networking integrate with Digi's XBee sensor adapter for wireless ZigBee connectivity.

The temperature/light XBee sensor is available now and lists for $125, and the temperature/humidity/light model is also available now and retails for $165.

Digi International develops products and technologies to connect and securely manage local or remote electronic devices over the network or via the Web. The company offers markets its products through a global network of distributors and resellers, systems integrators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The ZigBee Alliance is an association of companies which works together to provide reliable, cost effective, low-power, wirelessly networked, monitoring and control products based on an open global standard. The ZigBee Alliance membership, which is open to all, comprises technology providers and original equipment manufacturers worldwide.