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MotionBee platform enables remote motion control

STMicroelectronics has introduced MotionBee, a platform that combines advanced motion sensing with ZigBee wireless technology in a single compact module. Featuring low power consumption and high level of integration, the platform enables system developers to quickly build wireless sensor networks for remote motion recognition and tracking in many different application areas. The first-generation MotionBee module integrates the company’s three-axis digital-output MEMS accelerometer with a ZigBee platform from Ember, which includes the EM250 system-on-chip, a 2.4GHz, IEEE 802.15.4-compliant radio transceiver and processor, together with the EmberZNet PRO ZigBee networking software. The module detects accelerations in the selectable range of ±2g and ± 6g and transmits the information to a central connection point (star topology) or every other node (mesh topology) in a ZigBee wireless network. The module is fully programmable and its small size (49x27x5mm) makes the deployment easier. Addressing specifically the requirements of remote sensing and control systems, ZigBee technology enables the implementation of broad-based wireless mesh networks that are able to run long on inexpensive primary batteries.