Zigbee Networks

ZigBee is a published specification set of high level communication protocols designed to use small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPANs). The relationship between IEEE 802.15.4-2003 and ZigBee is analogous to that existing between IEEE 802.11 and the Wi-Fi Alliance. The ZigBee 1.0 specifications were ratified on December 14, 2004 and are available to members of the ZigBee Alliance. An entry level membership in the ZigBee Alliance costs US$ 3500 and provides access to the specifications. For non-commercial purposes, the ZigBee specification is available to the general public at the ZigBee Alliance homepage.
The technology is designed to be simpler and cheaper than other WPANs such as Bluetooth. The most capable ZigBee node type is said to require only about 10% of the software of a typical Bluetooth or Wireless Internet node, while the simplest nodes are about 2%. However, actual code sizes are much higher, more like 50% of Bluetooth code size. ZigBee chip vendors announced 128-kilobyte devices.
As of 2005, the estimated cost of the radio for a ZigBee node is about $1.10 to the manufacturer in very high volumes. Most ZigBee solutions require an additional micro controller driving the price further up at this time. In comparison, before Bluetooth was launched (1998) it had a projected price, in high volumes, of $4-$6. The price of consumer-grade Bluetooth chips are now under $3.
ZigBee has started work on version 1.1. Version 1.1 is meant to take advantage of improvements in the 802.15.4b (still in draft) specification, most notably that of CCM* as an alternative to CCM(CTR + CBC-MAC)CCM mode. CCM* enjoys the same security proof as CCM and provides greater flexibility in the choice of Authentication and Encryption.