Zigbee Technology
                     ZIGBEE 
TECHNOLOGY
WHAT IS ZIGBEE?
• 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 802.15.4 physical radio specification and 
operates in unlicensed bands including 2.4 GHz, 900 MHz and 868 MHz.
Source: www.digi.com
THE ZIGBEE 3.0 PROTOCOL
• The Zigbee protocol has been created and ratified by member companies of the Zigbee 
Alliance.Over 300 leading semiconductor manufacturers, technology firms, OEMs and 
service companies comprise the Zigbee Alliance membership.
Source: www.digi.com
NETWORK SECURITY
• Centralized security: This method employs a coordinator/trust center that forms the 
network and manages the allocation of network and link security keys to joining nodes.
• Distributed security: This method has no coordinator/trust center and is formed by a router. 
Any Zigbee router node can subsequently provide the network key to joining nodes.
Source: www.digi.com
ZIGBEE APPLICATIONS
• Zigbee enables broad-based deployment of wireless networks with low-cost, low-power 
solutions. 
• It provides the ability to run for years on inexpensive batteries for a host of monitoring and 
control applications. 
Source: www.digi.com
ZIGBEE APPLICATIONS 
CONT.
• Smart energy/smart grid, AMR (Automatic Meter Reading), lighting controls, building 
automation systems, tank monitoring, HVAC control, medical devices and fleet applications 
are just some of the many spaces where Zigbee technology is making significant 
advancements.
Source: www.digi.com
HISTORY OF ZIGBEE 
TECHNOLOGY
• In the year 1990, the digital radio networks with self-organizing ad hoc were implemented. 
The Zigbee specification like IEEE 802.15.4-2003 was approved in the year 2004, on 
December 14. The Specification 1.0 was announced by Zigbee Alliance in the year 2005, on 
June 13, called the Specification of ZigBee 2004.
Source: www.elprocus.com
HOW DOES ZIGBEE 
TECHNOLOGY WORK?
• Zigbee technology works with digital radios by allowing different devices to converse 
through one another. The devices used in this network are a router, coordinator as well as 
end devices. 
• The main function of these devices is to deliver the instructions and messages from the 
coordinator to the single end devices such as a light bulb.
Source: www.elprocus.com
ZIGBEE ARCHITECTURE
• Zigbee system structure consists of three different types of devices as Zigbee Coordinator, 
Router, and End device. Every Zigbee network must consist of at least one coordinator 
which acts as a root and bridge of the network. 
• The coordinator is responsible for handling and storing the information while performing 
receiving and transmitting data operations.
Source: www.elprocus.com
ADVANTAGES
• Support for multiple network topologies such as point-to-point,
• Point-to-multipoint and mesh networks
• Low duty cycle – provides long battery life
• Low latency
• Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)
Source: www.digi.com
DISADVANTAGES 
• It needs the system information to control Zigbee based devices for the owner.
• As compared with WiFi, it is not secure.
• The high replacement cost once any issue happens within Zigbee based home appliances
• The transmission rate of the Zigbee is less
Source: www.elprocus.com