Every once in a while over the past two years I would hear something about combining RFID with ZigBee networks. But usually it was more theoretical than actual, often nothing more than a quick mention, along with a reference to ZigBee networks as "not quite there yet."

Now, though, the instances of hearing the words ZigBee and RFID in the same breath are increasing. Which leads me to wonder: Will 2006 be the year we see RFID and ZigBee tie the knot? Or have they already eloped? Or is it just a casual fling?

A ZigBee network is one where items relay each others' taffic (zigzagging from one to another), as the following diagram from an article in IT Architect shows:




The ZigBee Alliance, a group of companies developing a common standard for the technology, thinks 2006 will be a year of "unprecedented momentum." Read their press release.

You will be hearing a lot more in 2006 about ZigBee and Active RFID.