ZigBee is an IEEE 802.15.4-based specification for personal area networks that uses low power wireless transmissions between devices. It was standardized in 2003 and revised in 2006. ZigBee networks can support up to 65,000 nodes and consume very low amounts of battery power. Common applications of ZigBee include wireless sensor networks, home automation and control, and medical data collection.

1. ZigBee Technology
Ibrahim Kazanci
www.KAZANCI.ca
www.QUALITIA.com

2. Introduction
▪ An IEEE 802.15.4-based specification for a
suite of high-level communication protocols
used to create personal area networks,
which need wireless connection
▪ Was conceived in 1998, standardized in
2003, and revised in 2006
▪ Low power consumption limits transmission
distances to 10–100 meters line-of-sight,
depending on power output and
environmental characteristics

3. History
▪ZigBee 2004 specification:
➢Zigbee v1.0 (r06), April 15, 2005
➢ZigBee v1.1 (r07), September 4,
2005
▪ZigBee 2006 specification (r13):
➢October 9, 2006
▪ZigBee 2007 specification (r17):
➢October 19, 2007
➢ZigBee/ZigBee Pro

4. General characteristics
▪ Low battery consumption
▪ Low cost
▪ Low data rate
▪ Easy to implement
▪ Supports up to 65,000 nodes connected in a network
▪ Can automatically establish its own network
▪ Uses small packets compared to WiFi and Bluetooth

5. Applications
Home Entertainment
and Control
Wireless sensor
networks
Industrial control
5

6. Embedded sensing Medical data
collection
Smoke and intruder
warning
6
Applications

7. Building automation Remote wireless
microphone
configuration
Applications

8. ▪ consists of three different types of devices such as
ZigBee coordinator, Router and End device
▪ The coordinator is responsible for handling and
storing the information while performing receiving
and transmitting data operations.
▪ Zigbee routers act as intermediary devices that
permit data to pass to and fro through them to
other devices.
▪ End devices have limited functionality to
communicate with the parent nodes such that the
battery power is saved as shown in the figure.
Architecture

9. How ZigBee works

10. cont.…
▪ Physical Layer:
➢Performs modulation and demodulation
operations up on transmitting and receiving
signals respectively.
▪ MAC Layer:
➢Responsible for reliable transmission of data
by accessing different networks with the
carrier sense multiple access collision
avoidance (CSMA).
▪ Network Layer:
➢Takes care of all network related operations
such as network setup, end device connection
and disconnection to network, routing, device
configurations, etc.

11. cont.…
▪Application Support Sub-Layer:
➢Enables the services necessary for ZigBee device object and
application objects to interface with the network layers for data
managing services.
➢Responsible for matching two devices according to their services
and needs.
▪Application Framework:
➢Provides two types of data services as key value pair and generic
message services.
➢Generic message is a developer defined structure, whereas the key
value pair is used for getting attributes within the application objects.

12. ZigBee device types
▪ZigBee Coordinator (ZC):
➢forms the root of the network tree and might bridge to
other networks.
➢stores information about the network, including acting
as the Trust Center & repository for security keys.
▪ZigBee Router (ZR):
➢act as an intermediate router, passing on data from
other devices.
▪ZigBee End Device (ZED):
➢Contains just enough functionality to talk to the parent
node.
➢requires the least amount of memory, and, therefore,
can be less expensive to manufacture than a ZR or
ZC.

13. ZigBee frequencies
▪ Specifies operation in the unlicensed 2.4 to
2.4835 GHz (worldwide) with
250 kbit/s per channel.
▪ 902 to 928 MHz (Americas and Australia) with 40
kbit/s per channel.
▪868 to 868.6 MHz (Europe) with 20 kbit/s per
channel.

14. ZigBee vs. Bluetooth
Zigbee
▪ aims at automation.
▪ uses low data rates, low power
consumption on small packet devices.
▪ support longer range devices
▪ instant network join time is 30
milliseconds.
Bluetooth
▪ aims at connectivity of mobile devices
in close proximity.
▪ uses higher data rates, higher power
consumption on large packet devices.
▪ support shorter range devices.
▪ instant network join time is 3 seconds.

15. Conclusion
▪ ZigBee requires the least power supply, contains the
most nodes, and costs the lowest.
▪ Specially designed for networks of low-cost, multi-
nodes and low power consumption.
Ibrahim Kazanci
www.KAZANCI.ca
www.QUALITIA.com