Zigbee: a Social Network for IoT

Intersog has just successfully shipped a new custom built IoT application to our client - one of U.S. leading providers of energy management solutions based out of Chicago. The project was based on ZigBee technology and our project team found this suite of high-level communication protocols extremely useful for solutions that imply creation of personal area networks with small and low-power digital radios.

Our senior software engineers Igor Rolinskiy told me more about ZigBee, its pros and cons and why it was chosen for building a remote wifi ventilation controller application.

ZigBee is an IEEE 802.15.4-based specification for high-level communication protocols.

Key benefits of using ZigBee over other protocol specifications:

• Low energy consumption
• Small size
• Very low cost (below $5)
• Reliable and protected network
• Self-organizing and self-reset
• Work range exceeds 10 meters
• Transmits data in unlicensed frequency bands

ZigBee Stack Architecture

ZigBee Application Layer is implemented via ZigBee Cluster Library (ZCL) where a cluster is a mix of descriptions for a standard ZigBee device, its attributes and queries / commands.

ZigBee Application Profile Layer defines its use cases and enables interoperability of devices produced by different manufacturers.

ZigBee profiles:

• Smart energy
• Home automation
• Personal home and hospital care (PHHC)

ZigBee network includes three types of devices:

• ZigBee coordinator
• Routers
• End devices

ZigBee coordinator functions:

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• Launch and manage networks
• Form a network
• Act as a control hub
• Set parameters while devices are connecting to the network
• Manage security keys

ZigBee router functions:

• Transmit packages
• Enable dynamic routing
• Reset routes at network congestion
• Ensure permanent receiver mode
• Mains supply
• Can serve up to 32 sleeping devices

ZigBee end device:

• Can receive and send packages, but can't transmit or route them
• Can be set to a sleeping mode to save battery life (up to 3 weeks)
• Works with sensors, local controllers and actuation mechanisms

ZigBee networks topology

ZigBee flaws

• Low data transmission speed (around 30 kb/sec)
• Several application level standards (4 specs and over 10 standards), which leads to interoperability issues

Check out how we used ZigBee for building a custom IoT solution for our client!