Analog and mixed-signal semiconductor supplier Skyworks Solutions, Inc. has teamed up with low-power wireless mesh networking technology developer Ember Corp. to deliver innovative solutions for energy management, home area networks and industrial automation using ZigBee technology.

The two partners plan to develop ZigBee based wireless networks for solving the unique needs of remote monitoring and control, and sensor-network applications. Specific wireless applications range from lighting control, to door and window sensors and appliance and temperature controllers.

“Ember is a global leader for ZigBee networking systems and is known for delivering the highest levels of performance. Continuing our partnering with Skyworks with our latest generation of ZigBee solutions was an obvious choice,” said Dennis Natale, Ember’s vice president of sales, in a statement. Natale added, “These industry-leading platforms are designed to power the next wave of energy management and home automation applications while delivering exceptional performance and long battery life. To this end, we are excited to be utilizing Skyworks’ field-proven front-end solutions.”

Similarly, commented Liam K. Griffin, Skyworks’ senior vice president of sales and marketing, “Ember is the undisputed ZigBee market leader and we are delighted to be combining Skyworks’ front-end modules with their next-generation system-on-chips (SoCs) to offer customers best-in-class, turnkey solutions.” “Given the momentum and demand for green technologies, enhanced security and energy conservation, we are thrilled to be leveraging our scale and analog integration capabilities with the industry leader to serve multiple end markets,” noted Griffin.

Market watcher ON World Inc. is forecasting more than 100 million 802.15.4 and ZigBee units to ship annually within the next few years. The largest markets are expected to be advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), home automation and consumer electronics.

In addition, ON World anticipates that many emerging vertical markets, including medical devices, health and wellness monitoring, building automation and municipal/transportation, will also leverage ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4 technologies.