In consumer electronics, ZigBee can be used in wireless remote controls, game
controllers, a wireless mouse for a personal computer, and many other applications. In
this section, we briefly review the application of ZigBee in wireless remotes.
An infrared (IR) remote controller communicates with televisions, DVDs, and other
entertainment devices via infrared signals. The limitation of IR remotes is that they provide
only one-way communication from the remote to the entertainment device. Also, IR signals
do not penetrate walls and other objects and therefore require line of sight to operate
properly. Radio frequency (RF) signals, however, easily penetrate walls and most objects.
IEEE 802.15.4 is a proper replacement for IR technology in remote controls because
of the low cost and long battery life of ZigBee-based wireless communication [5] . IEEE
802.15.4 can be used to create two-way communications between the remote control
and the entertainment device. For example, song information or on-screen programming
options can be downloaded in to the remote itself, even when the remote control is not in
the same room as the entertainment device.