Zigbee is an IEEE 802.15.4-based specification for a suite of high-level communication protocols used to create personal area networks with small, low-power digital radios, such as for home automation, medical device data collection, and other low-power low-bandwidth needs, designed for small-scale projects which need a wireless connection. Hence, Zigbee is a standards-based wireless technology developed to enable low-cost, low-power wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) and the Internet of Things (IoT) networks.
Specifications of Zigbee
Zigbee builds on the physical layer and media access control defined in IEEE standard 802.15.4 for low-rate wireless personal area networks (WPANs). The Zigbee WPANs operate on 2.4 GHz, 900 MHz and 868 MHz frequencies The specification includes four additional key components- Network layer
- Application layer
- Zigbee Device Objects (ZDOs)
- Manufacturer-defined application objects
ZDOs are responsible for some tasks, including keeping track of device roles, managing requests to join a network, as well as device discovery and security.
The Zigbee network layer natively supports both star and tree networks, and generic mesh networking. Every network must have one coordinator device. Within star networks, the coordinator must be the central node. Both trees and meshes allow the use of Zigbee routers to extend communication at the network level.
Another defining feature of Zigbee is facilities for carrying out secure communications, protecting establishment and transport of cryptographic keys, cyphering frames, and controlling device. It builds on the basic security framework defined in IEEE 802.15.4.
There are three Zigbee specifications: Zigbee PRO, Zigbee RF4CE, and Zigbee IP.
Zigbee PRO aims to provide the foundation for IoT with features to support low-cost, highly reliable networks for device-to-device communication. Zigbee PRO also offers Green Power, a new feature that supports energy harvesting or self-powered devices that don't require batteries or AC power supply.
Zigbee RF4CE is designed for simple, two-way device-to-device control applications that don't need the full-featured mesh networking functionalities offered by the Zigbee specification.
Zigbee IP optimizes the standard for IPv6-based full wireless mesh networks, offering internet connections to control low-power, low-cost devices.
Advantages of Zigbee
- Easy setup, doesn’t require a central hub or controller
- You can control and monitor products using a remote or mobile device
- Scaleable supports up to 65,000 devices on a single setup
- AES-128 encryption, offering peace of mind
- Speeds of 40-250 Kbps
Disadvantages of Zigbee
- Not as secure as other systems (such as Wi-Fi)
- Walls and other obstructions can reduce transmission strength significantly
Z-Wave Vs. Zigbee: Similarities
- Both technologies are mesh networks
- Both technologies use the IEEE 802.15.4 low-rate personal area network (LR-PAN) protocol
- Both are widely used in local area sensor data networks, like in security systems, urban smart grid controllers, HVAC control systems, home automation, and lighting controls.
Z-Wave Vs. Zigbee: Differences
- Z-wave has a tightly controlled product ecosystem that caters to the smart home and smart building space, whereas Zigbee can be used for a number of applications.
- Zigbee uses the global standard 2.4GHz ISM frequency band, whereas Z-Wave uses the 915 MHz ISM band (in the U.S.) and the 868 MHz RFID band (in Europe).
- Lots of providers make Zigbee radios, but Z-Wave uses a proprietary radio system from Sigma designs.
- Z-Wave uses frequency-shift-keyed modulation (FSK), whereas Zigbee modulation is carried out through direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS).
ZigBee Vs. Bluetooth
BLE (Bluetooth 4.0)
Bluetooth Low Energy
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ZigBee
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TX Antenna Height (m)
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6
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6
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TX Power (dBm)
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4
|
18
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TX Antenna Gain (dB)
|
0
|
0
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Frequency (MHz)
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2400
|
2400
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RX Antenna Height (m)
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1
|
1
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RX Antenna Gain (dB)
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-6
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-6
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Structure Loss (dB)
|
11
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11
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Sensitivity (dBm)
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-93
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-102
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Margin (dB)
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20
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20
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Range (m)
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77
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291
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