What is ZigBee..?

 Specification for a suite of high level

communication protocols using small, low-
power digital radios.
 Based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for
wireless home area networks.
 Designed for wireless controls and sensors.
 A low-cost, low-power, wireless mesh
networking standard.
Why ‘ZigBee’..?
 The name evokes the haphazard paths that
bees follow as they harvest pollen, similar to
the way packets would move through a mesh
network.
 Bees’ pattern of zigzag motion enables other
bees to sense the path of newly discovered
food source.
 Implementing the ZigBee Principle, data
packets sense the path from sending device to
destination device.
What Does ZigBee Do..?
 Connectivity between communicating devices
using small data packets.
 Operates in Personal Area Networks (PAN).
 ranges up to 75 meters.
 Supports RF bands of-
 2.4 GHz (worldwide),
 868 MHz (Europe) and
 915 MHz (Americas) unlicensed.
History…
 ZigBee-style networks began to be conceived around
1998.
 This IEEE 802.15.4 standard was completed in May
2003.
 Philips Semiconductors, a major mesh network
supporter, ceased the investment.
 Introduced in October 2004 by ZigBee alliance.
 ZigBee 2004 Specification 1.0 released on 13 June
2005.
 Latest specification is ZigBee Pro in December 2007.
Purpose…
 Targeted at radio-frequency (RF) applications.
 Created to satisfy the market's need for a cost-
effective, standard-based wireless mesh
network that supports low data rates, low
power consumption, security, and reliability.
 The only standards-based technology that
addresses the needs of remote monitoring &
control and sensory network applications.
ZigBee Alliance…
 A group of companies that maintain and
publish the ZigBee standard.
 Developing standardized application software
on top of the IEEE 802.15.4 wireless standard.
 The goal of the ZigBee Alliance is to provide
the consumer with ultimate flexibility, mobility,
and ease of use by building wireless devices.
Released Specifications…
 ZigBee Home Automation
 ZigBee Smart Energy 1.0
 ZigBee Telecommunication Services
 ZigBee Health Care
 ZigBee Remote Control
ZigBee Architecture…
Device types…

 ZigBee coordinator
Device types…

 ZigBee Router
Device types…

 ZigBee end device

ZigBee Mesh Networking…
ZigBee Mesh Networking…
ZigBee Mesh Networking…
ZigBee Mesh Networking…
ZigBee Mesh Networking…
ZigBee Network…
ZigBee Network…
 Topologies supported by ZigBee- star and
mesh.
 star topology is most useful when several end
devices are located close together. 
 That node can then ultimately communicates
with the network coordinator.
 Mesh networking allows for redundancy in
node links.
Type of devices on network…

 Full Function Devices (FFD)

 Reduced Function Devices (RFD)
ZigBee Modes…

 Non-beacon mode- fully coordinated

mode in that all the devices know when
to coordinate with one another.
 Beacon mode- less coordinated as any
device can communicate with the
coordinator at will.
Device units…

 transmitter units-act as normally-open

switch
 receiver units-act as remote control
power switches
 bidirectional units- send the current
status
ZigBee Characteristics…
 A low-cost, wireless mesh networking
standard.
 Average power consumption is very low.
 Offers simplicity and a cost-effective approach
of building, constructing and remodeling with
wireless technology.
ZigBee Applications…
ZigBee Applications…
 Home Entertainment and Control

 Home Awareness 

 Mobile Services

 Commercial Building 

 Industrial Plant
ZigBee Vs. Bluetooth…
 focused on control and
automation.
 ZigBee uses low data
rate, low power
consumption.
 focused on connectivity
between devices &
cable replacement.
 Bluetooth uses a high
data rate& high power
consumption. 

 ZigBee is designed to  Bluetooth takes much

respond quickly. longer and to respond. 

 ZigBee consumes low  Bluetooth must rely on

power backup that lasts fairly frequent battery
from months to years. recharging.
Conclusion…
 ZigBee Standard enables reliable wireless networks
with low complexity, low cost solutions and provides
the ability for a product to run for years on inexpensive
primary batteries.
 It is also capable of inexpensively supporting robust
mesh networking technologies.
 ZigBee is all set to provide the consumers with
ultimate flexibility, mobility, and ease of use by building
wireless intelligence and capabilities into every day
devices.