Digi-Key has signed a world-wide distribution agreement with Zigbee wireless networking specialist Ember.

The distributor will see its wireless chip offering extended with Ember’s EM250 system-on-chip and EM260 Zigbee co-processor as well as InSight development kits for both platforms.

“Ember’s products will significantly enhance Digi-Key’s wireless semiconductor portfolio,” said Mark Larson, Digi-key’s president and chief operating officer.
 
The EM250 is an 802.15.4/ZigBee compliant semiconductor system that integrates a programmable microprocessor, RF radio, network protocol stack and memory into a single device. 

The EM260 Zigbee co-processor integrates an IEEE 802.15-4 radio, network processor and onboard memory to run a complete ZigBee network protocol stack.

The InSight EM250 and EM260 development kits include hardware, network development and debugging software, compiler and EmberZNet mesh network stack for developing embedded applications.

According to Ember CEO Robert LeFort, Digi-Key’s interest in the low power wireless technology is more evidence of the growing market interest in ZigBee. “Digi-Key’s marketing muscle and distribution network will make the technology more readily available to a much wider customer base,” said LeFort.