ZIGBEE TECHNOLOGY

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

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INTRODUCTION

ZigBee is the most popular industry wireless mesh networking standard for connecting
sensors, instrumentation and control systems. ZigBee, a specification for communication in a
wireless personal area network (WPAN), has been called the "Internet of things." Theoretically,
your ZigBee-enabled coffee maker can communicate with your ZigBee-enabled toaster. ZigBee is
an open, global, packet-based protocol designed to provide an easy-to-use architecture for secure,
reliable, low power wireless networks. ZigBee and IEEE 802.15.4 are low data rate wireless
networking standards that can eliminate the costly and damage prone wiring in industrial control
applications. Flow or process control equipment can be place anywhere and still communicate
with the rest of the system. It can also be moved, since the network doesn't care about the physical
location of a sensor, pump or valve. The ZigBee RF4CE standard enhances the IEEE 802.15.4
standard by providing a simple networking layer and standard application profiles that can be used
to create interoperable multi-vendor consumer electronic solutions.

When you hold the TV remote and wish to use it you have to necessarily point your control
at the device. This one-way, line-of-sight, short-range communication uses infrared (IR) sensors
to enable communication and control and it is possible to operate the TV remotely only with its
control unit. Add other home theatre modules, an airconditioner and remotely enabled fans and
lights to your room, and you become a juggler who has to handle not only these remotes, but also
more numbers that will accompany other home appliances you are likely to use. Some remotes do
serve to control more than one device after „memorizing' access codes, but this interoperability is
restricted to LOS, that too only for a set of related equipment, like the different units of a home
entertainment system.

Now picture a home with entertainment units, security systems including fire alarm, smoke
detector and burglar alarm, air-conditioners and kitchen appliances all within whispering distance
from each other and imagine a single unit that talks with all the devices, no longer depending on
line-of-sight, and traffic no longer being one-way. This means that the devices and the control unit
would all need a common standard to enable intelligible communication. ZigBee is such a standard
for embedded application software.

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CHAPTER 2
HISTORY

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HISTORY

 ZigBee-style networks began to be conceived about 1998, when many engineers realized that
both WiFi and Bluetooth were going to be unsuitable for many applications. In particular, many
engineers saw a need for self-organizing ad-hoc digital radio networks.
 The IEEE 802.15.4 standard was completed in May 2003.
 In the summer of 2003, Philips Semiconductors, a major mesh network supporter, ceased its
investment. Philips Lighting has, however, continued Philips' participation, and Philips remains
a promoter member on the ZigBee Alliance Board of Directors.
 The ZigBee Alliance announced in October 2004 that its membership had more than doubled
in the preceding year and had grown to more than 100 member companies, in 22 countries. By
April 2005 membership had grown to more than 150 companies.
 The ZigBee specifications were ratified on 14 December 2004.
 The ZigBee Alliance announces public availability of Specification 1.0 on 13 June 2005.

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CHAPTER 3
WHAT IS ZIGBEE

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WHAT IS ZIGBEE?

Zigbee is a standards-based wireless technology developed to enable low-cost, low-power

wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) and internet of things (IoT) networks.

Zigbee is for low-data rate, low-power applications and is an open standard. This,
theoretically, enables the mixing of implementations from different manufacturers, but in practice,
Zigbee products have been extended and customized by vendors and, thus, plagued by
interoperability issues. In contrast to Wi-Fi networks used to connect endpoints to high-speed
networks, Zigbee supports much lower data rates and uses a mesh networking protocol to avoid
hub devices and create a self-healing architecture.

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CHAPTER 4
ZIGBEE SPECIFICATIONS

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ZIGBEE SPECIFICATIONS

Zigbee is based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards
Association's 802.15 specification. Zigbee is built for control and sensor networks on the IEEE
802.15.4 wireless standard for wireless personal area networks (WPANs). The Zigbee WPANs
operate on 2.4 Ghz, 900 MHz and 868 MHz frequencies.

The Zigbee specifications, which are maintained and updated by the Zigbee Alliance, boost
the IEEE 802.15.4 standard by adding network and security layers in addition to an application
framework. The standards created by the alliance can be used to create multivendor interoperable
offerings. Manufacturers that are developing custom applications that don't need to operate with
the applications of other manufacturers can create their own specific variations and extensions.

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.

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CHAPTER 5
DEVICE TYPES

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DEVICE TYPES

There are three different types of ZigBee device:

 ZigBee coordinator (ZC): The most capable device, the coordinator forms the root of the
network tree and might bridge to other networks. There is exactly one ZigBee coordinator
in each network. It is able to store information about the network, including acting as the
repository for security keys.

 ZigBee Router (ZR): Routers can act as an intermediate router, passing data from other
devices.

 ZigBee End Device (ZED): Contains just enough functionality to talk to its parent node
(either the coordinator or a router); it cannot relay data from other devices. It requires the
least amount of memory, and therefore can be less expensive to manufacture than a ZR or
ZC.

fig. 5.1 – A ZigBee network consists of three device types

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CHAPTER 6
NETWORK TOPOLOGY

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NETWORK TOPOLOGY

Network topology is the design of the elements such as links or nodes of a communication
network. It can be used to illustrate various types of telecommunication networks. We already talk
briefly about one of the three Zigbee network topology in previous post. Now let dive in a little
deeper about all three Zigbee network topology.

Zigbee network topology can be divided into three types. There are star topology, tree
topology and peer-to-peer or mesh topology. Each topology will have different affect on how the
messages are routed and which devices connect to which devices.

6.1 Star Topology

The first topology is the star topology. Star topology consist of a coordinator and few end
devices. It is the simplest and most limited one in the Zigbee. Devices are all connect to single
coordinator node and all communication goes via this coordinator. The interesting part about the
star topology is it actually define by the underlying 802.15.4 specification which Zigbee builds on.
The disadvantage of this topology is it may become hindrance and there is no option path from the
source to the end devices.

fig. 6.1 - Star Topology

6.2 Tree Topology

The second topology is tree topology. It consists of coordinator, few routers and end
devices that act as a central node or root tree. The routers operate as a extension for the network
coverage. The end nodes that connected to the parent (coordinators or routers) are called children.

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Only the end devices can communicate with the parent. The detriment of the tree topology is if
one parent is disable, the children of the disable parent cannot communicate with other devices in
the network even they are close to each other.

fig. 6.2 - Tree Topology

6.3 Mesh Topology

The third and last topology is peer-to-peer or mesh topology. This topology consists of a
coordinator, a few routers and an end devices. You can expand the network range by adding more
devices into the network. If during the transmission one of the path is fail, the node will find the
alternate path to reach to the destination therefore eliminating dead zones. Using this mesh
topology it is easier for user to add or remove the device because they can communicate with any
destination device in the network.

fig. 6.3 - Mesh Topology

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CHAPTER 7
HOW ZIGBEE WORKS?

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HOW ZIGBEE WORKS?

ZigBee basically uses digital radios to allow devices to communicate with one another. A
typical ZigBee network consists of several types of devices. A network coordinator is a device that
sets up the network, is aware of all the nodes within its network, and manages both the information
about each node as well as the information that is being transmitted/received within the network.
Every ZigBee network must contain a network coordinator.

Full Function Devices (FFD's) may be found in the network, and these devices support all
of the 802.15.4 functions. They can serve as network coordinators, network routers, or as devices
that interact with the physical world. The final device found in these networks is the Reduced
Function Device (RFD), which usually only serve as devices that interact with the physical world.
Several topologies are supported by ZigBee, including star, mesh, and cluster tree. Star topology
is most useful when several end devices are located close together so that they can communicate
with a single router node. That node can then be a part of a larger mesh network that ultimately
communicates with the network coordinator. Mesh networking allows for redundancy in node
links, so that if one node goes down, devices can find an alternative path to communicate with one
another.

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CHAPTER 8
ZIGBEE ARCHITECTURE

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ZIGBEE ARCHITECTURE
on

Zigbee architecture is also called Zigbee stack. It consists of two layers as the foundation on
which Zigbee is built. They are:

 Foundation Layers

 Application and Interface Section

fig. 8.1 – Zigbee Architecture (Zigbee Stack)

8.1 Foundation Layers in Zigbee Architecture

This Layer is defined by IEEE 802.15.4 standard. Both Physical layer and Medium Access Control
(MAC) layers act as foundation layers for Zigbee Architecture.

8.1.1 Physical Layer in Zigbee Architecture

The physical and electrical characteristics are defined by the Physical Layer. This layer is
responsible for data transmission and reception. Mapping bits of information and permits them to
travel through the air by modulation and spreading techniques which is the basic task of physical
layer.

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Functions of Physical Layer in Zigbee Architecture:

 Activation and deactivation of transmission and reception.

 Channel selection and its assessment.

 Sending and receiving of packets.

 Energy detection within the channel.

fig. 8.2 – Zigbee Architecture (Zigbee Stack) Functions

8.1.2 Medium Access Control (MAC) Layer in Zigbee Architecture

This layer provides interface between the physical and network layers. It defines how multiple
802.15.4 radios operating in the same area will share the airwaves. Data handling and data
management are the two main functions of the MAC layer.

Data handling includes functions such as “Data Request” and “Data Confirm”. The MAC layer
adds destination address and transmits options for the outgoing data frames.

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When the Zigbee network layer calls the “data request” function, the data gets formatted into
relevant MAC header and frame length is added which is the physical header. The data frame is
ready to be transmitted.

The purpose of “Data Confirm” function is to communicate the status of the transmitted data. It
sends a fail status when the transmission frames exceeds or when there is no response to
transmitted data.

Functions of Medium Access Control (MAC) Layer in Zigbee Architecture:

 Beacon generation and management.

 CSMA-CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) is implemented.

 Guaranteed Time Clot management (GTS).

 Data frame validation and acknowledgement.

 Data transfer for upper layers.

8.2 Application and Interface Section in Zigbee Architecture

This section is defined by Zigbee Specifications and contains following two layers:

 Network Layer

 Application Layer

8.2.1 Network Layer in Zigbee Architecture

Network Layer provides interface between MAC layer and the application layer. It is responsible
for routing and establishing different Zigbee network topologies namely Star, Mesh and Tree
topologies.

When a coordinator attempts to establish a Zigbee network, an energy scan is initiated to find the
best RF channel for its new network. When a channel has been chosen, the coordinator assigns a
PAN-ID which will be applied to all the devices that join the network.

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PAN-ID is a 16 bit number that is used as a network identifier. A node is allowed to communicate
on a network only when it undergoes the association process. The association function is used to
join a node to a parent.

fig. 8.3 – Types of Network Nodes in Zigbee Architecture (Zigbee Stack)

When a node loses its parent, it is considered as an orphan device. It usually occurs when the end
device is mobile and is out of range or through a failure on the parent. In such case, an orphan scan
is performed by broadcasting an “orphan notification” command frame which helps the device to
find its parent.

If the parent gets the notification command, it responds back to the device that it exists and the
orphan can rejoin the parent. Thus the authenticity and confidentiality of a transmission is ensured
by the network layer.

Functions of Network Layer in Zigbee Architecture:

 Initiation of a network

 Assigning node addresses

 Configuring of new devices

 Providing secured transmission

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8.2.2 Application Layer in Zigbee Architecture

The Application Layer in Zigbee architecture consists of sub layers namely:

 Application Support Sub Layer

 Application Framework

fig. 8.4 – Automation Using Zigbee Architecture (Zigbee Stack)

8.2.2.1 Application Support Sub Layer (APS)

This layer is responsible for filtering of packets for end devices, checks for duplicity of packets
which is common in a network that supports automatic retries. To maximize the chance of
successful transmission, it performs automatic retries, when the acknowledgement is requested by
the sender.

It is involved in maintaining binding tables. Binding is the connection between the endpoint on the
node to one or more endpoints on other nodes. The address mapping associates a 64-bit MAC
address with a Zigbee 16-bit network address.

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Functions of Application Support Sub Layer (APS):

 Maintaining binding tables.

 Address definition, mapping and management.

 Ensuring communication between devices.

 Filtering out packets for non-registered end devices or profiles that don’t match and
reassembling of the packets.

8.2.2.2 Application Framework

The Application Framework depends on the vendor who has chosen for specific applications to
interact with Zigbee protocol. This represents how end points are implemented, how data requests
and data confirmation is executed for that particular vendor.

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CHAPTER 9
USES OF ZIGBEE

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USES OF ZIGBEE

Zigbee offers four inherent, beneficial characteristics:

1. Low cost:

The typical zigbee radio is cost effective. chipset prices can be as low as $12 each in
quantities as few as 100 pieces while the 802.15.4and the zigbee stacks are typically included in
this cost, crystals and other discrete components are not; design in module fall in the neighborhood
of $25 in similar quantities. This pricing provides an economic justification for extending wireless
networking to even the simplest of devices.

2. Range and obstruction issue avoidance:

Zigbee routers double as input devices and repeaters to create a form of mesh networking.
If two network points are unable to communicate as intended, transmission is dynamically routed
from the block node to a router with a clear path to the data‟s destination. The use of low cost
routers can also extended the networks effective reach when the distance between the base station
and remote node exceed the device range, an intermediate node or nodes can relay transmission,
eliminating the need for separate repeaters.

3. Multisource products:

As an open standard, zigbee provides costumers with the ability to choose vendors as
needed. Zigbee alliance work in groups defines interoperability profiles to which zigbee certified
devices must ad hire.

4. Low power consumption:

Low power consumption, with battery life ranging from months to years. Considering the
number of devices with remotes in use at present, it is easy to see that more numbers of batteries
need to be provisioned every so often, entailing regular (as well as timely), recurring expenditure.

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In the ZigBee standard, longer battery life is achievable by either of two means: continuous
network connection and slow but sure battery drain, or intermittent connection and even slower
battery drain. basic zigbee radios operate at 1mw RF power and can sleep when not involved in
transmission(higher RF –power zigbee radios for application needed greater range also provide
the sleep function.) because this makes battery-powered radios more practical then ever, wireless
devices are free to be replaced without power cable runs in addition to eliminating data cable runs.

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CHAPTER 10
ADVANTAGES

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ADVANTAGES

1. High node support:

The Zigbee technology can support thousands of nodes together. It can support
65000 nodes under a single network. This helps in further expansion of the transmission
range. This is possible in a large area or a building with multiple levels of floors or houses
with various physical divisions.

2. Suitable for devices with low power:

The Zigbee technology is suitable for devices with low power. Since it does not
require much bandwidth, small smart devices which are battery-operated, object tags,
sensors, etc., are suitable for this technology. It also acts as an alternative for Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth technologies.

3. Range:

Zigbee is a mesh network. Hence, just like mesh networking, Zigbee has a network
whose transmission range can be expanded. It provides better stability compared to a single
router, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The content is expandable because, in this technology, the
individual nodes act as repeaters or wireless routers, and since the technology supports
numerous nodes, it’s easier to expand the network.

4. Flexible:

The structure of the Zigbee technology is very flexible. It has an easy process for
installation, and it is less expensive as well. The working period of this technology is short,
and it also has a long battery life which results in less consumption of power.

5. Monitoring:

The Zigbee technology can be monitored and controlled easily. Since it is mainly
used for home appliances, it is easy to maintain it with the help of a remote. There is no
existence of a central controller. Across the network, loads of this technology are
distributed evenly.

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CHAPTER 11
DISADVANTAGES

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DISADVANTAGES

1. Channel noise:

Zigbee technology is very prone to network interferences. This is because of

overcrowding and channel noise of the network. The technology is prone to interferences
since it uses a 2.4 GHz band, the same band used by Bluetooth devices, cordless phones,
microwaves, and other wireless devices.

2. The transmission rate is low:

The technology used in Zigbee is of low bit rate since it is designed for
transmissions of low rate of data. As a result, its transmission rate is comparatively lower
than Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It is also not suitable for transmitting data at high speed.

3. Security and compatibility:

Zigbee technology has a lot of security threats. Since it is prone to interferences,

intentional interferences can cause loss of services provided by the network, theft of data
from a node, theft of an entire node. The hacker can also get access to a node and even
control it in an unauthorized process. It also has compatibility issues. Since it is constantly
competing with other technologies that are wireless communications, such as Bluetooth
and Wi-Fi, users’ choices get limited. As a result, it is rendered incompatible with
mainstream devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, and laptops.

4. Expensive:

Implementation of a Zigbee technology can be expensive. There are various reasons

for it. The size of the network and the range of the network affect the cost of
implementation of Zigbee. The price is also affected by the availability of compatible
products and devices. For a particular use, the level of complexity of the technology may
also affect the cost.

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5. Alternatives:

The standard wireless communication Z-Wave provides as an alternative for the

Zigbee technology. Z-Wave wireless communication has a more extended range when
compared to Zigbee. It also offers better reliability and stability since it uses a frequency
band of 908 MHz

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CHAPTER 12
APPLICATIONS

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APPLICATIONS

Zigbee Networking and Zigbee Technology has a wide range of application like Home
Automation, Healthcare and Material Tracking. Below are the few Applications of Zigbee
Technology, where Zigbee Devices can increase efficiency and reduce cost.

 Home Automation
o Security Systems
o Meter Reading Systems
o Light Control Systems
o HVAC Systems
 Consumer Electronics
o Gaming Consoles
o Wireless Mouse
o Wireless Remote Controls
 Industrial Automation
o Asset Management
o Personnel Tracking
o Livestock Tracking
 Healthcare
 Hotel Room Access
 Fire Extinguishers

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CHAPTER 13
CONCLUSION

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CONCLUSION

ZigBee is one of the global standards of communication protocol formulated by the

relevant task force. ZigBee is the newest and provides specifications for devices that have low data
rates, consume very low power and are thus characterized by long battery life. Other standards like
Bluetooth and IrDA address high data rate applications such as voice, video and LAN
communications. So with all these features ZigBee in future will surely becomes the talk of the
town.

The ZigBee Standard enables the broad-based deployment of reliable wireless networks
with low complexity, low cost solutions and provides the ability for a product to run for years on
inexpensive primary batteries (for a typical monitoring application). It is also, of course, 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. The mission of the ZigBee Working Group is to bring about
the existence of a broad range of interoperable consumer devices by establishing open industry
specifications for unlicensed, untethered peripheral, control and entertainment devices requiring
the lowest cost and lowest power consumption communications between compliant devices
anywhere in and around the home.

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CHAPTER 14
REFERENCES

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REFERENCES

 Simin Long, Feng Miao, “Research on ZigBee wireless communication technology and
its application”, 2019 IEEE 4th Advanced Information Technology, Electronic and
Automation Control Conference (IAEAC 2019).

 Kanchan Kaushal, Taranvir Kaur, Jaspinder Kaur, “ZigBee based Wireless Sensor
Networks”, International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technologies,
Vol. 5 (6) , 2014.

 Parneet Dhillon Dr. Harsh Sadawarti “A Review Paper on Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4)
Standard” International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT), Vol. 3
Issue 4, April – 2014.

 Aamir Shaikh and Siraj Pathan, “Research on Wireless Sensor Network Technology,”
International Journal of Information and Education Technology, Vol. 2, No. 5, October
2012.

 Nisha Ashok Somani and Yask Patel, “ZIGBEE: A LOW POWER WIRELESS
TECHNOLOGY FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS,” International Journal of
Control Theory and Computer Modelling (IJCTCM) Vol.2, No.3, May 2012.

 Muthu Ramya. C, Shanmugaraj. M, Prabhakaran. R, "STUDY ON ZIGBEE

TECHNOLOGY." International Conference on Electronics Computer Technology
(ICECT), p.p. 297-301, Vol. 6, April 2011, Tiruchirappalli, India.

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