This is a very brief introduction.
Zigbee is a wireless comms protocol. It has a relatively slow datarate but is cheap to implement, and is typically used to create sensor arrays (e.g. for a fire alarm system).
A Zigbee network always has a Coordinator, which creates the network and assigns other devices onto the network.
A Zigbee Router can buffer data so it can be sent between nodes that are not directly "connected".
An End Device is usually a battery-powered sensor or actuator. It cannot communicate directly with other End Devices, so the communication needs to go through a Router or Coordinator.
We have a 136 page Zigbee course with much more information. And a Zigbee bundle with example programs.
Here are some excerpts from the Zigbee manual:
ZigBee:
- · was formally adopted in December 2004
· focuses on control applications in industry, which do not require high data
rates, but must have low power demand, low cost and offer ease of use
(remote controls, home automation, etc.);
· offers data rates of 250 Kbits at 2.4 GHz, 40 Kpbs at 915 Mhz, and 20 Kpbs
at 868 Mhz with a range of 10-100m;
· currently offers three levels of security;
· costs around half that of Bluetooth;
· can network up to 256 devices;
· has power requirements much lower
Reasons for choosing ZigBee include:
- · low cost
· high reliability
· very long battery life
· high security
· self-healing network properties
· large number of nodes supported
· ease of deployment
· guaranteed delivery
· route optimisation
.