What is ZigBee?
- ZigBee is a network protocol based on 802.15.4
- 802.15.4 is a standard for wireless communication put out by the IEEE (Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
- 802.15.4 was developed with lower data rate, simple connectivity and battery application in mind
- The 802.15.4 standard allows for communication in a point-to-point or a point-to-multipoint configuration
ZigBee vs 802.15.4
- MaxStream's XBee (series one) family of radios can be set up to operate in a point-to-point, point-to-multipoint or a peer-to-peer configuration
- ZigBee uses the 802.15.4 standard as a baseline and adds mesh networking, routing and self healing
ZigBee networks node types
- Coordinator: A node that has the unique function of forming a network (base station) id 0.
- Router: A node that creates/maintains network information and uses this information to determine the best route for a data packet.
- End device: An end device can be a source or destination for data packets but cannot route packets.
- Personal Area Network (PAN): A data communication network that includes a Coordinator and one or more Routers/End Devices
802.15.4 & ZigBee network topologies
802.15.4 & ZigBee
vs others
