Zigbee is a wireless communication protocol designed for low-power, short-range communication in the context of home automation, IoT (Internet of Things), and smart devices. This protocols is commonly used in smart homes to connect and control a variety of devices.
Zigbee:
- Standardization: Zigbee is a wireless communication standard based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. It operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
- Network Topology: Zigbee supports a mesh network topology, where devices can communicate with each other through intermediate devices. This enables robust and scalable networks.
- Interoperability: Zigbee Alliance, the organization behind Zigbee, has defined application profiles to ensure interoperability between different Zigbee devices. This helps in creating a diverse ecosystem of Zigbee-compatible products.
- Data Rate: Zigbee supports data rates up to 250 kbps, making it suitable for applications that require low to moderate data transfer speeds.
- Range: Zigbee has a typical indoor range of around 10 to 20 meters per hop, but the range can be extended by creating a mesh network.
- Power Consumption: Zigbee is designed to be power-efficient, making it suitable for battery-powered devices. Devices can enter a low-power sleep mode to conserve energy.
- Applications: Zigbee is commonly used in home automation for devices such as smart lighting, smart thermostats, sensors, and smart locks.