This section provides an overview for zigbee modules as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 29 zigbee module manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked zigbee module companies as of November, 2024: 1.Tuya Global Inc., 2.Microchip Technology Inc., 3.Nordic Semiconductor.
Table of Contents
A ZigBee module is a module with a built-in IC that supports ZigBee, an international communication standard.
The ZigBee communication standard is one of the standards for short-distance wireless communication. Although the transmission distance is short and the transmission speed is relatively slow, it features inexpensive circuitry with low power consumption. For this reason, ZigBee is used in relatively large numbers for implementation in compact and mobile devices.
The name "ZigBee" comes from the fact that Bee, a honeybee, flies around in a zigzag pattern.
Zigbee modules are used for remote control of home appliances, sensor communication for home equipment, and power visualization, which can take advantage of their low power consumption for short-distance communication applications.
In recent years, the relative advantage of Bluetooth has been diminishing due to its improved power-saving performance, and Bluetooth is increasingly used in a relatively wide variety of electronic devices and scenes.
One of the unique features of ZigBee is its advantage in the maximum number of simultaneous connections, making it suitable for collecting information from a large number of sensors at once.
Zigbee modules are communication modules equipped with an IC to utilize ZigBee, a standardized alliance for the purpose of connecting battery-powered communication devices such as sensors with as low power consumption as possible. In particular, the electrical specifications are standardized in IEEE 802.15.4.
One of the greatest features of ZigBee is its extremely low standby power consumption during sleep mode.
The system also has an extremely fast response time from standby to communication. This makes ZigBee suitable for applications such as remote control of home appliances and housing equipment, where data is not exchanged constantly, but is transmitted instantaneously when necessary, and then goes into standby sleep mode again.
On the other hand, the low transmission speed of up to 250kbps in the 2.4GHz band is not suitable for applications that require large-volume data transmission such as voice and video. In addition, since Wi-Fi and Bluetooth also use the 2.4GHz band, it is necessary to pay close attention to radio interference, and depending on the environment, shielded devices may be required.
The ZigBee protocol stack is not TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), and in general, it is not highly compatible with the Internet. Therefore, if you want to connect to the Internet environment, you need to set up a separate gateway relay station.
ZigBee is often compared to Bluetooth, another wireless standard used for embedded devices, which also uses the same 2.4GHz frequency band as ZigBee and has the same features of short-distance communication, low-speed communication, and low power consumption.
In general, ZigBee is more power-efficient, but due to the difference in features between Bluetooth and ZigBee, it is necessary to distinguish between Bluetooth and ZigBee depending on the situation in which it is used.
ZigBee is suitable for communications in which data communication is performed after a certain interval of time because of its low power consumption in sleep mode and small recovery time. Note that if the data communication interval cannot be sufficiently long, the power-saving effect will be low.
In contrast, Bluetooth takes time to connect and disconnect, so it is better to turn off the module power supply itself instead of putting it to sleep when using Bluetooth to save power.
ZigBee also allows multiple simultaneous connections, which can be beneficial when building a system that collects multiple sensor information.
ZigBee offers various methods for multiple simultaneous connections. It can support tree and mesh connection methods, as well as bucket relay data transfer through routers. This is one of the features of ZigBee.
To give an example, if a communication network is built using ZigBee, up to 65,536 terminals (using addresses up to 0xFFFF) can be connected according to the standard.
Therefore, the ZigBee modules are suitable for applications that require low power consumption and simultaneous communication to a large number of sensors using various methods.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Qorvo, established in 2015, is a semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, that specializes in providing RF (Radio Frequency) solutions. Their range of product offerings includes RF chips, modules, amplifiers, discrete transistors, and integrated circuits, designed to enable wireless communication, enhance defense systems, support automotive applications, facilitate aerospace operations, and enable connectivity in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector. Qorvo is certified with ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management.
Microchip Technology Incorporated was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. The company is a developer and manufacturer of control solutions for global markets including the automotive, industrial, communications, human-machine interface, and connectivity industries. The company’s products include microcontrollers, field-programmable gate array products, MOSFET and radio frequency products, and both wired and wireless communications products. The company’s services include wafer foundry and assembly services, test subcontracting manufacturing services, development tools for enabling system designers to program microcontrollers and processors, and timing system products.
Silicon Labs, established in 1996 with headquarters and production and R&D facilities in the USA, is a manufacturer of electronic devices and related equipment for the home automation, industrial automation, data center, automotive, communications, healthcare, and retail markets. The company's products include microcontrollers, RF integrated circuits, intelligent sensors, USB bridges, clocks, oscillators, isolators, PoE controllers, and modems. The company offers a cloud-based software platform integrated with Silicon Labs' hardware to allow their developers and OEMs to build advanced industrial, commercial, home, and life applications that include circuit breakers, home appliances, battery-powered tools, and smart hospital equipment.
Digi International Inc., founded in 1985, is an American manufacturer headquartered in Hopkins, Minnesota, specializing in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology. The company's offerings feature a range of solutions, including IoT software and services, along with IoT development kits and complementary items like cellular modems, cloud and security services, intelligent edge controllers, and radio-frequency (RF) modules. It also offers networking systems, including cellular routers and infrastructure management tools. Notably, the company’s SmartSense platform offers remote monitoring solutions for facility, food safety, pharmacy, and the supply chain. These products find applications across industries such as energy, medical, retail, smart cities, and transportation.
Yale is a manufacturer of locks and smart security solutions established in 1840 and headquartered in Stanford, Connecticut, USA. The company’s product portfolio is categorized into home and business solutions, including keypads & smart locks, and door hardware such as deadbolts, handlesets, knobs, and levers. It also offers smart storage & delivery products such as smart safes, smart cabinet locks, and smart delivery boxes. The company was acquired by Fortune Brands in June 2023 and continues to fulfill multi-family, small business, and commercial applications.
Nordic Semiconductor, established in 1983, is a manufacturer of integrated electronics design services and products such as wireless devices for cellular IoT, Bluetooth mesh, Bluetooth low energy, ZigBee, and thread. The Norwegian company offers power management ICs and cloud services for Nordic wireless devices for procol agnostic transport protocols. The company is a member of the ANT+ Alliance, Bluetooth SIG, Thread Group, Connectivity Standards Alliance, Wi-Fi Alliance, and GSMA. The products are used in applications such as wireless PC peripherals, mobile phone accessories, sports and fitness, healthcare and automation.
NXP was established in 2006 as a spinoff from Phillips and is headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The company is a co-founder of NFC communication and designs and manufactures semiconductors that serve the automotive, industrial, mobile, and smart home industries. The company’s automotive products include driver assistance transceivers, sensors, and security systems. For industrial markets, the company produces RFID readers, processors, and microcontrollers. For communication infrastructure, the company produces RF mixers, diodes, and low-noise amplifiers for wireless LAN networks. The company also produces peripherals, power management chips, communications chips, and interface devices.
HOPE Microelectronics CO., Ltd., founded in 2004 in Shenzhen, China, specializes as a manufacturer and supplier of wireless radio frequency solutions. The company make products Sub-1GHz Transmitter IC, Encode Remote IC, SoC Remote IC, Sub-1GHz Receiver IC, Sub-1GHz Transceiver IC, BLE RF IC, Decode Remote IC. As a player in the wireless tech sector, HOPE Microelectronics manufactures and supplies RF components, serving diverse industries. Other than chips, they are also into sensors and modules. The company serves significantly in the technology landscape.
ICP DAS Co. Ltd., established in 1993 and headquartered in Hsinchu County, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of automation products and solutions. Operating in over 100 countries, the company is engaged in developing a wide range of products, including remote I/O controllers, distributed I/O modules, I/O data acquisition boards, programmable automation controllers, and industrial communication modules. The company provides its services in several regions such as the United States, Europe, and China, ensuring its products meet the needs of a global industrial automation clientele.
MikroElektronika d.o.o., established in 2001 and headquartered in Belgrade, Serbia, is a manufacturer of development tools for the embedded industry. The company’s product range includes microcontroller development boards, compilers, and accessory boards catering to professionals in telecommunications, environmental sciences, transport, and various industrial sectors. It offers multiple solutions such as click boards, NECTO studio, and planet debug, ensuring streamlined and efficient processes in microcontroller programming. The company has been honored with the Grand Prix 2022 Innovation and the 2021 EY Innovative Entrepreneur Of The Year award.
Texas Instruments Incorporated was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Texas Instruments is a producer of high tech equipment for industrial, automotive, personal electronics, communications equipment industries. Texas Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells semiconductors to electronics designers and manufacturers in the United States and internationally. Texas Instruments operates in two segments: analog and embedded processing. The Analog segment offers power products, including battery-management solutions, DC/DC switching regulators, power switches, linear regulators, voltage references, and lighting products. The Embedded Processing segment offers microcontrollers that are used in fields such as electronic equipment and digital signal processors for mathematical computations.
Laird Connectivity, Now Ezurio, established in 2018 and headquartered in Akron, USA, is a manufacturer of wireless modules, SOMs, and internal antennas. The company specializes in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IoT devices, offering customizable solutions for medical, industrial, and commercial sectors. Its products include modules for secure connectivity, SOM platforms for IoT deployment, and internal antennas. The company's modules are compatible with various antenna types, ensuring efficient performance and minimizing expenses associated with EMC radio certifications. Its system-on-modules delivers scalable embedded processing solutions with wireless capabilities, facilitating secure and connected IoT deployments in demanding scenarios.
Digi-Key Electronics, founded in 1972 and located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, USA, is a distributor of automation products and electronic components. The company offers over 14.9 million electronic components from more than 2,300 manufacturers around the world. These include connectors, capacitors, integrated circuits, audio cable assemblies, micropoenes, and fiber optics equipment. The company also supports procurement professionals and design engineers through the design process, providing them with digital equipment, tools, and solutions needed to make their work easier.
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd., Founded in 2010, is a manufacturer and supplier of wireless radio frequency solutions, specializing in low-power modules for IoT, industrial, automotive, and consumer applications. With over a decade of engagement in short-to-middle range wireless technologies, RF-star's product portfolio covers from BLE modules, ZigBee modules, WiFi modules, Sub-1Ghz modules, Matter modules, Thread Modules, UWB modules Wi-SUN modules and customized service. As the IDH of TI, RF-star keeps elevating its technological and operational caliber. It is ISO 9001 and IATF16949 compliant and a member in the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) and Intelligent Car Connectivity Industry Ecosystem Alliance (ICCE).
Premier Farnell Limited, established in 1939 and based in Leeds, United Kingdom, is a distributor and supplier of products for electronic system design. The company's product range includes switches, relays, enclosures, sensors, transducers, and thermal management tools. These items are crucial for system design, maintenance, and repair processes in the electrical and electronic manufacturing sector. The company serves the appliances, electrical, and electronics manufacturing industries. The company also offers product distribution, 24/7 support, prototype assistance, and production services.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Tuya Global Inc. |
11.3%
|
2 | Microchip Technology Inc. |
9.4%
|
3 | Nordic Semiconductor |
7.9%
|
4 | Shenzhen Hope Microelectronics Co., Ltd. |
6.4%
|
5 | Silicon Laboratories |
6.4%
|
6 | NXP Semiconductors |
5.4%
|
7 | ASSA ABLOY AB |
4.9%
|
8 | Digi International |
4.4%
|
9 | Nabu Casa, Inc |
3.4%
|
10 | Wenzhou Kaisi Electric Co.,Ltd |
3.4%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the zigbee module page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
China | 7 | 35.0% |
United States of America | 5 | 25.0% |
United Kingdom | 3 | 15.0% |
Sweden | 1 | 5.0% |
Norway | 1 | 5.0% |
Netherlands | 1 | 5.0% |
Poland | 1 | 5.0% |
Croatia | 1 | 5.0% |