Introduction to Zigbee
The Full-Stack Solution for All Smart Devices
Developed by the
Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA)
- Low-power, low-cost, and short-range
wireless communication technology
- Common applications: home automation, sensor networks,
industrial control
Possible alternative: Matter and Thread
Properties of Zigbee
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz, 868 MHz, 915 MHz
- Range: Typically shorter than Wi-Fi
- Data Rate: Lower than Wi-Fi
- Topology: Mesh network
Advantages of Zigbee
- Low power consumption
- Low cost
- Reliability
- Security
- Does not require a wifi access point
Disadvantages of Zigbee
- Limited range of individual devices
- Low data rates
- Interference
- Requires a Zigbee coordinator (ZC)
Zigbee Components
Zigbee Coordinator (ZC)
- Role
- Central Hub
- Primary control point for the Zigbee network
- Establishes and maintains the Zigbee mesh network
- Device Management
- Allows adding, removing, and configuring devices on the network
- Security Gateway
There can be only one coordinator in a Zigbee network
Usually an inexpensive USB dongle
Zigbee Router (ZR)
- Role
- Extends network range and improves reliability
- Key Functions
-
- Base for mesh networking
- Data relay
- Route optimization
- Self-healing capabilities
Most mains-powered Zigbee devices (can) also act as
routers
Measured power consumption of an idle Zigbee plug was
around 0.3 watt
Zigbee End Device (ZED)
- Role
- Perform specific tasks within the network
- Data reporting to the network
- Eg. sensor data acquisition
- Power Consumption
- Typically battery-powered, emphasizing low power consumption
Examples: temperature sensors, smoke sensors, ...
Zigbee vs. Wi-Fi Comparison
| Property |
Zigbee |
Wi-Fi |
| Frequency |
2.4 GHz (worldwide)
868 MHz (Europe)
915 MHz (Americas + Australia) |
2.4 GHz, 5 GHz |
| Data Rate |
Up to 250 kbps |
Up to several Gbps |
| Range |
10-100 meters (indoor) |
30-100 meters (indoor) |
| Power Consumption |
Very low (ideal for battery-powered devices)
~0.3W for idle ZR
considerably less for pure ZED |
Higher power consumption
~0.5W for idle end device |
Summary and Conclusion
- Low-power, wireless mesh networking protocol ideal for IoT
- Strong security features and robust mesh topology
- Applications: smart homes, industrial automation, healthcare
- Low bandwidth and slower compared to WiFi
The smart home standard Matter combined with the
low power IPv6-based mesh networking protocol Thread
are an alternative worth considering
Questions
and feedback...