Zigbee is a wireless technology developed as an open global standard to address the unique needs of low-cost, low-power wireless IoT networks. The Zigbee standard operates on the IEEE 802.15
Applications include wireless light switches, home energy monitors, traffic management systems, and other consumer and industrial equipment that requires short-range low-rate wireless data transfer.
Zigbee creates flexibility for developers & end-users while delivering stellar interoperability. Created on IEEE’s 802.15.4 using the 2.4GHz band and a self-healing true mesh network; Zigbee has many applications and is widely implemented across the globe.
Zigbee allows us to deliver the most interoperable wireless mesh network.
This communication standard defines physical and Media Access Control (MAC) layers to handle many devices at low-data rates. These Zigbee’s WPANs operate at 868 MHz, 902-928MHz, and 2.4 GHz frequencies. The data rate of 250 kbps is best suited for periodic as well as intermediate two-way transmission of data between sensors and controllers.
ZigBee’s data transfer speed is lower than WiFi’s, too. It’s maximum speed is just 250kbps, much lower than the lowest speed WiFi offers. ZigBee’s best quality is its low power-consumption rate and battery life. Its protocol was designed as “assemble and forget”, meaning once you set it up, it can last for months.
Transmission distances range from 10 to 100 meters, depending on power output and environmental characteristics. Sub GHz channels transmission ranges up to 1km. How does Zigbee compensate for possible interference in the 2.4GHz band? Zigbee products have access to 16 separate, 5MHz channels in the 2.4GHz band.
Zigbee networks are secured by 128 bit symmetric encryption keys. Zigbee has a defined rate of 250 kbit/s, best suited for intermittent data transmissions from a sensor or input device.
Zigbee devices only repeat for other zigbee devices of the same profile. SmartThings uses the Zigbee Home Automation protocol (ZHA 1.2).
Zigbee works on a 2.4 GHz frequency, which is considerably higher than Z Wave’s frequency. It is more capable of passing through walls and other obstructions without distortion, but it has a very limited indoor range of 40 feet.