Introduction to Zigbee
Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:32 pm
Because i'll be doing some posts in the near future about my ZigBee experiences, i thought it would be handy to first summarize some things about Zigbee, so we know what we're talking about.
ZigBee is a high level communication protocol for small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPANs). ZigBee is specifically useful for applications that require a low data rate, long battery life, and secure networking.
A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is meant to cover a small area like for instance a home, where communication is needed over relatively short distances. One of the key aspects of WPANs is ad-hoc networking, which means that devices can be part of a network on a temporary basis. ZigBee is known as a sleepy, battery powered WPAN that would be a perfect fit for wireless sensor networks for applications in agricultural, building and industrial automation and home control.
Some ZigBee characteristics:
Frequency: 2.4 GHz
Physical Standard: IEEE 802.15.4
Range: 30-100m
Current: 3 uA asleep, 30-60 mA while transmitting
Datarate : max 250 kbps
Network join time: 30 ms
Nodes per network: 64000
The ZigBee specification adds support to the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for the mesh and cluster tree network topologies. After a device has joined a ZigBee network, it can send commands to all the other devices on the same network.
Zigbee device types
All ZigBee devices can be divided into 3 types.
ZigBee Coordinator (ZC)
- This is the only device required for creating a ZigBee network.
- It initiates network formation.
- There's always only 1 coordinator in a ZigBee network.
ZigBee Router (ZR)
- This is an optional component.
- It may associate with the ZC or a ZR.
- Takes care of it's ZEDs regarding routing data.
ZigBee End Device (ZED)
- No routing capability;
- Low power operation
- Used as sensor/actuator
Advantages of ZigBee
- Based on open standards and detailed documentation is freely available;
- Vendor independence, no proprietary solution
- Its network is reliable and self healing;
- It's easy to use (all the hard work has been done for you 'inside' the firmware);
- It's secure (encryption);
- It supports a large number of nodes;
- It enables long battery life;
- It's low cost.
Want to experiment with ZigBee? Then you'll probably have to read 'some more' and in that case go see http://www.digi.com/products/wireless/zigbee-mesh/ where you can find a huge amount of information on their Zigbee products.
Below a picture of some 802.15.4- and Zigbee-modules i've experimented with:
ZigBee is a high level communication protocol for small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPANs). ZigBee is specifically useful for applications that require a low data rate, long battery life, and secure networking.
A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is meant to cover a small area like for instance a home, where communication is needed over relatively short distances. One of the key aspects of WPANs is ad-hoc networking, which means that devices can be part of a network on a temporary basis. ZigBee is known as a sleepy, battery powered WPAN that would be a perfect fit for wireless sensor networks for applications in agricultural, building and industrial automation and home control.
Some ZigBee characteristics:
Frequency: 2.4 GHz
Physical Standard: IEEE 802.15.4
Range: 30-100m
Current: 3 uA asleep, 30-60 mA while transmitting
Datarate : max 250 kbps
Network join time: 30 ms
Nodes per network: 64000
The ZigBee specification adds support to the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for the mesh and cluster tree network topologies. After a device has joined a ZigBee network, it can send commands to all the other devices on the same network.
Zigbee device types
All ZigBee devices can be divided into 3 types.
ZigBee Coordinator (ZC)
- This is the only device required for creating a ZigBee network.
- It initiates network formation.
- There's always only 1 coordinator in a ZigBee network.
ZigBee Router (ZR)
- This is an optional component.
- It may associate with the ZC or a ZR.
- Takes care of it's ZEDs regarding routing data.
ZigBee End Device (ZED)
- No routing capability;
- Low power operation
- Used as sensor/actuator
Advantages of ZigBee
- Based on open standards and detailed documentation is freely available;
- Vendor independence, no proprietary solution
- Its network is reliable and self healing;
- It's easy to use (all the hard work has been done for you 'inside' the firmware);
- It's secure (encryption);
- It supports a large number of nodes;
- It enables long battery life;
- It's low cost.
Want to experiment with ZigBee? Then you'll probably have to read 'some more' and in that case go see http://www.digi.com/products/wireless/zigbee-mesh/ where you can find a huge amount of information on their Zigbee products.
Below a picture of some 802.15.4- and Zigbee-modules i've experimented with: