BACKGROUND ABOUT ZIGBEE

The IEEE 802.15.4 standard is a simple packet data protocol for lightweight
wireless networks and specifies the Physical (PHY) and Medium Access Control (MAC)
layers for Multiple Radio Frequency (RF) bands, including 868 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.4
GHz. The IEEE 802.15.4 standard is designed to provide reliable data transmission of
modest amounts of data up to 100 meters or more while consuming very little power.
ZigBee technology takes full advantage of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard and extends the
capabilities of this new radio standard by defining a flexible and secure network layer
that supports a variety of architectures to provide highly reliable wireless
communication.

ZigBee is a specification for a suite of high level communication protocols using

small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard for wireless
personal area networks (WPANs), such as wireless thermostats connecting with hvac
systems, light switches with lamps, electrical meters with in-home-displays, remote
controls with consumer electronics equipment via short-range radio. The technology
defined by the ZigBee specification is intended to be simpler and less expensive than
other WPANs, such as bluetooth. ZigBee is targeted at radio-frequency (rf) applications
that require a low data rate, long battery life, and secure networking.

ZigBee technology also offers simplicity and a cost-effective approach to

building, construction and remodeling with wireless technology. 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. ZigBee provides battery life
as long as several months to several years. This kind of network eliminates use of
physical data buses like USB and Ethernet cables.
 INTRODUCTION TO TECHNOLOGY

What is ZigBee?

ZigBee is a wireless communication modem based on IEEE802.15.4, which can

be widely used in home automation and security, automatic meter reading, factory
automation, toys and so on.

IEEE 802.15.4 WPAN

General description

A low rate-WPAN is a simple, low-cost communication network that allows

wireless connectivity in applications with limited power and relaxed throughput
requirements. The three license-free frequencies of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard include
sixteen channels at 2.4 GHz, ten channels at 915 MHz, and one channel at 868 MHz, to
support global or regional deployment. The maximum data rates for each band are 250
kbps, 40 kbps and 20 kbps, respectively. The air interface is direct sequence spread
spectrum (DSSS) using binary phase shift keying (BPSK) for 868 MHz and 915 MHz
and offset-quadrature phase shift keying (OQPSK) for 2.4 GHz. Other features of the
IEEE 802.15.4 PHY include receiver energy detection, link quality indication and clear
channel assessment. Both contention-based and contention-free channel access
methods are supported. Maximum packet size is 128 bytes, including a variable payload
of up to 104 bytes. IEEE 802.15.4 employs 64-bit IEEE and 16-bit short addresses,
which supports over 65,000 nodes per network. The IEEE 802.15.4 MAC also enables
network association and disassociation, has an optional super frame structure with
beacons for time synchronization, and a guaranteed time slot (GTS) mechanism for
high priority communications. The access method is carrier sense multiple access with
collision avoidance (CSMA-CA). Network routing schemes are designed to ensure
power conservation, and low latency through guaranteed time slots. A unique feature of
ZigBee network layer is communication redundancy eliminating “single point of failure”
in mesh networks.
 ZigBee CHARACTERISTICS

The focus of network applications under the IEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee standard
include the features of low power consumption, needed for only two major modes
(TX / Rx or Sleep), high density of nodes per network, low costs and simple
implementation.

These features are enabled by the following characteristics

1. 2.4GHz and 868/915 MHz dual PHY modes.

2. This represents three license-free bands: 2.4-2.4835 GHz, 868-870 MHz and
902- 928 MHz. The number of channels allotted to each frequency band is fixed
at 16 channels in the 2.45 GHz band, 10 channels in the 915 MHz band, and 1
channel in the 868 MHz band.
3. Maximum data rates allowed for each of these frequency bands are fixed as 250
Kbps @ 2.4 GHz, 40 kbps @ 915 MHz, and 20 kbps @ 868 MHz
4. Allocated 16 bit short or 64 bit extended addresses.
5. Allocation of guaranteed time slots (GTSs).
6. Carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA-CA) channel
access Yields high throughput and low latency for low duty cycle devices like
sensors and controls.
7. Fully “hand-shake” acknowledged protocol for transfer reliability.
8. Low power consumption with battery life ranging from months to years.
9. Energy detection (ED).
10. Link quality indication (LQI).
11. Multiple topologies: star, peer-to-peer, mesh topologies.
 DEVICE TYPES

ZigBee devices are required to conform to the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 Low-Rate

Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) standard. ZigBee wireless devices are
expected to transmit 10-75 meters, depending on the RF environment and the power
output consumption required for a given application, and will operate in the unlicensed
RF worldwide (2.4GHz global, 915MHz Americas or 868 MHz Europe). The data rate is
250kbps at 2.4GHz, 40kbps at 915MHz and 20kbps at 868MHz.
There are three different ZigBee device types that operate on these layers in any
self-organizing application network. These devices have 64-bit IEEE addresses, with
option to enable shorter addresses to reduce packet size, and work in either of two
addressing modes – star and peer-to-peer.

1. ZigBee (PAN) coordinator node: The most capable device, the coordinator forms
the root of the network tree and might bridge to other networks. It is able to store
information about the network. There is one, and only one, ZigBee coordinator in
each network to act as the router to other network. It also acts as the repository
for security keys.

2. Full Function Device (FFD): The FFD is an intermediary router transmitting data
from other devices. It needs lesser memory than the ZigBee coordinator node,
and entails lesser manufacturing costs. It can operate in all topologies and can
act as a coordinator.

3. Reduced Function Device (RFD): This device is just capable of talking in the
network; it cannot relay data from other devices. Requiring even less memory,
(no flash, very little ROM and RAM), an RFD will thus be cheaper than an FFD.
This device talks only to a network coordinator and can be implemented very
simply in star topology.

An FFD can talk to RFDs or other FFDs, while an RFD can talk only to an FFD.
An RFD is intended for applications that are extremely simple, such as a light switch or
a passive infrared sensor; they do not have the need to send large amounts of data and
may only associate with a single FFD at a time. Consequently, the RFD can be
implemented using minimal resources and memory capacity.
 HOW A ZigBee NETWORK FORMS

1. Devices are pre‐programmed for their network function

I. Coordinator scans to find an unused channel to start a network

II. Router (mesh device within a network) scans to find an active
channel to join, then permits other devices to join
III. End Device will always try to join an existing network

2. Devices discover other devices in the network providing complementary

Services

I. Service Discovery can be initiated from any device within the

network

3. Devices can be bound to other devices offering complementary services

I. Binding provides a command and control feature for specially

identified sets of devices.
WHY ZIGBE?
BLOCK DIAGRAM
 SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

HARDWARE IMPLEMENTATION:

There are three basic options for ZigBee hardware implementation:

1. Chipset reference designs

ZigBee chipmakers offer reference designs which, to be relevant for as

many different applications as possible, are very broad. Using a reference design
may mean giving up real estate and incurring cost for capabilities you don’t need,
but you’ll avoid the time and expense of a custom design.

2. Chipset custom designs

You can save space and recurring product expense by building a custom
design around a chipset. All current sets consist of an RF chip paired with a
microchip, you’ll need both RF and digital design engineering capability.

3. Design-in modules

There are a number of OEM module manufacturers, including Cirronet,

whose products incorporate ZigBee-compliant chipsets. With any module
solution, the RF work is already complete, often with optimization for particular
types of applications, and typically including FCC and ETSI certification as a
module. You may or may not find a module that supports your application in the
optimum manner, but if you do, you’ll get to market very quickly and greatly
reduce development costs. Because module manufacturers aggregate demand
from a number of customers, they often will be building modules in such large
quantities that the price of a module may even be less than the cost of a chipset
solution.

SOFTWARE:

The software is designed to be easy to develop on small, inexpensive

microprocessors. A C-complier is also used for developing program for ZigBee
Module.