Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. An Overview of ZigBee The Power of the.

Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Software Solutions for Product Developers

An Overview of ZigBee

The Power of the Mesh

2005 Wireless & Mobile WorldExpoToronto, Ontario

Chris Herzog – [email protected]

Software Technologies Group, Inc.

www.stg.com



What is ZigBee?

• A standard for mesh networking– Built on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard– Reliability through meshed connectivity

• Designed for low power applications– Very long battery life

• Low data rate– 20-250Kb/sec (depending on band)

• Very Secure– AES-128 encryption available

• Self configuring– Allows ad hoc networks– Ease of installation and configuration



Security

HVAC

Lighting Control

Access Control

Lawn & Garden

Irrigation

Asset Mgt

Process Control

EnvironmentalEnergy Mgt

Patient monitoring

Fitness monitoring

Security

HVAC

AMR

Lighting Control

Access Control

TV

VCR

DVD/CD

RF Remotes

ZigBee Target Markets

ZigBeeWireless Control that

Simply Works

RESIDENTIAL/LIGHT

COMMERCIAL CONTROL

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

PC & PERIPHERALS

INDUSTRIALCONTROL

PERSONAL HEALTH CARE

BUILDING AUTOMATION

Chart Copyright ZigBee Alliance 2004



The ZigBee Standard

• Protocol– Supports meshing of 802.15.4 nodes– Support for rapid joining and leaving the

network (joining in <30ms)– Support for route discovery and route

failure recovery

• Services– Device and Service discovery– Standardized Device Profiles



The ZigBee Alliance

• Group of over 150 companies involved in ZigBee development and deployment

• Define the ZigBee standards

• Promote the ZigBee standards

• Provide ZigBee certification and branding

• Online at www.zigbee.org



ZigBee in the wireless world

Chart Copyright ZigBee Alliance 2004



ZigBee in the wireless world

• Band – 868, 902-928MHz, and 2.4GHz

• Topology – Ad-hoc, Star, Point to Point, Mesh

• Data Rate – 20/40Kb/s and 250Kb/s

• Power Consumption – Very Low

• Range – 10-100+ meters

• Security – very high; AES-128 level encryption

• Size – up to 64K nodes in a single logical network



ZigBee Network Topologies



ZigBee Networks

• PAN (Personal Area Network)– Uses a specific 16-bit PAN ID– A ZigBee Coordinator “forms” the network

• Node “0”• Chooses radio channel• Specifies PAN ID• Chooses security model in effect• Starts network formation process using specified

network parameters

– Network includes routing and non-routing devices






Types of ZigBee Devices

• Two classes of devices– FFD (Full Function Device)

• Can act as a ZigBee Router (and a ZigBee coordinator)• Helps form the mesh and route data• Can also perform any other function like sensing

– RFD (Reduced Function Device)• Can’t act as a router• Only an end node• Sensors, actuators, etc. that don’t need to route data

• Permit implementers to choose an appropriate device for the application






Extending ZigBee Networks

• ZED (ZigBee Extension Device)– A ZigBee router with a wire interface

• Joins two or more radio disjoint PANs

• Provides a “wormhole” within a single PAN– A low cost, high reliability link within

the radio network

• “Extends” the ZigBee network layer

• Specification is nearly complete with reference ZEDs available soon

ZED ZED

Coordinator A

PAN APAN A

ZED ZED

Coordinator B

PAN B



Gateways to ZigBee Networks

• Joins two different network protocols– Network layers are terminated

• Provides a way for non-ZigBee devices to communicate with ZigBee devices without knowing the ZigBee protocol

• Standard Specification is in progress– Some proprietary and focused

solutions available

ZigBee

Gateway

Abstracted M

essages



When is ZigBee appropriate?

• Low power consumption– True battery powered sensors

• Appropriate data rate– We’re not talking streaming video here

• Range– Both point to point and meshed ranges

• Costs– Is there sufficient ROI from adding a

radio?



Appropriate Sensor Applications

• Sensors and actuators matter– Power consumption– Monitoring needs

• What’s the big picture?– Battery powered devices require battery-

friendly sensors and actuators– Mains powered devices have more

options



Cost Considerations

• BOM Components– Radio – about $5 US– Processor – under $3 US– Memory (FLASH) – about $5 US– Miscellaneous (XTAL, etc.) – under $2 US

• Up and coming– Radio / Processor Bundles

• 8051 class processor• Under $5 US in quantity



Some STG Proof of Concepts

Using the power of the mesh to automate a manual process

– Rental Car Return Automation

Long life battery powered sensing

– Wireless Termite Detection



Automated Rental Car Return



Termite Detection



How STG can help

• Reference software– 802.15.4 MAC and ZigBee Protocol Stack

• Engineering Services– Custom protocol/application development– Firmware, drivers, monitoring and control

applications– Proof of concept and prototypes



• Any Questions?

• Any Comments?

• Would anyone like a copy of the ZigBee specifications?– Please drop off a business card

Wrapping it all up…

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. An Overview of ZigBee The Power of the.

Documents

software solutions

product developers copyright

overview of zigbee

zigbee standard protocol

configuration slide

standard reliability

low power applications

mesh networking