Speech codecs for high-quality voice over ZigBee applications: Evaluation and implementation challenges

The ZigBee standard is designed to enable the deployment of low-cost, low-power wireless sensor and control networks based on the IEEE 802.15.4 physical radio standard. Despite the low data rates of ZigBee, its use for transmission of voice has been proven to be feasible. This article presents the evaluation and implementation of a voice codec performed in the framework of the Z-Phone project, which targeted the development of a low-cost, ultra-low-power, long-range, ergonomic wireless headset using ZigBee technology to transmit voice in full-duplex mode for use with leading PC VoIP programs. In particular, it presents all the criteria taken into account in selecting the most suitable codec, and also the details and performance of its implementation.