RF4CE solutions support ZigBee Remote Control 2.0

TI’s solution includes sample applications for both the remote control as well as the target (STBs, TVs, etc.) to speed time-to-market. ZigBee Remote Control 1.x products which are already deployed can be upgraded to be 2.0 standard compatible via an over-the-air download feature.

The ZigBee Remote Control 2.0 standard will deliver simpler pairing to improve the consumer experience with validation based pairing standardisation. It also features pairing proxy for quick pairing to a device or a group of devices with assistance e.g. using near field communications (NFC).

The Human Interface Device (HID) command bank gives manufacturers one standard to implement for simple button based remotes and HID functionality; while the home automation command bank enables the remote to control ZigBee Home Automation devices through the STB. In order to free up memory, IR code download enables remotes to download IR codes from the STB or TV rather than storing the entire IR database on the remote.

The new standard improves the consumer experience with key re-mapping for dynamic configuration of remote control keys depending on the context. Effective two-way communication enables a battery-friendly approach for features such as 'find my remote' and enhanced security enables the update of security key after binding.

TI’s software for ZigBee Remote Control 2.0 standard is sampling now.