UNIVERSITY OF VAASA

Faculty of Technology Department of Computer Science

TLTE2090 Wireless Networks

ZigBee

Risto Vaahtera, 98312

Vaasa 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. 2. 3. INTRODUCTION IEEE 802.15.4 ZIGBEE 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 4. The ZigBee Alliance ZigBee applications How does ZigBee work?

page 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 11 12 12 12 13 14 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 16

ZIGBEE PROTOCOL 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. PHY Layer MAC Layer NWK Layer APL Layer

5.

ZIGBEE DEVICES 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. ZigBee Coordinator ZigBee Router ZigBee End Device

6.

ZIGBEE TOPOLOGIES 6.1. 6.2. 6.3. Star Topology Tree Topology Mesh Topology

7.

COMMUNICATION IN ZIGBEE NETWORK 7.1. 7.2. Zigbee packet ZigBee message Unicast Broadcast Groupcast Multicast

7.2.1. 7.2.2. 7.2.3. 7.2.4. 8.

OTHER PROPERTIES 8.1. Security

9.

SUMMARY

REFERENCES

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1. INTRODUCTION
This seminar report was made for the TLTE.2090 Wireless Networks lecture In University of Vaasa. This report introduces the ZigBee, protocols and devices. This report will introduce also 802.15.4 standard because ZigBee is very closely related with IEEE standard. ZigBee Alliance is also handled. This report also answers the question what for ZigBee is on market.

The seminar report is written in English according to the Faculty of Technology Guideline.

2. IEEE 802.15.4
IEEE 802.15.4 is a standard and packet data protocol for lightweight wireless networks. IEEE 802.15.4 standard defines Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Network (LRWPAN) which main objectives are ease of installation, reliable data transfer, shortrange operation, extremely low cost and a reasonable battery life, while maintaining a simple and flexible protocol (IEEE Std 802.15.4 2003).

ZigBee is based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard. The ZigBee standard defines only networking, application and security layers of the protocol and adopts PHY and MAC layers from IEEE 802.15.4 standard as part of the ZigBee networking protocol. (Farahani: 2008: 5).

3. ZIGBEE
The ZigBee wireless networking protocol fits into wireless technologies market like hand into glove (see Figure 1). While most wireless protocols trend to transfer data in very high speed, ZigBee aims for low data rates. While other wireless standards add more and more features, ZigBee aims to keep it simple and fits on 8-bit microcontroller. While other wireless technologies try to deliver streaming high-definition media, ZigBee takes it easy and send e.g temperature data to thermostat. While other wireless networking technologies are designed to run for hours, ZigBee is designed to run for years on a pair of AA batteries. ZigBee products are also designed to provide decades or more to use. Whats why slogan for ZigBee is, Wireless Control That Simply Works. (Gislason 2008: 1-2.)

ZigBee is an open global standard that is highly reliable, cost-effective, able to achieve very low power and highly secure. The low cost criteria and low power achievement added to ZigBee a constraint: low data rate. In wireless monitoring and control technology low data rate is not a problem, because for example light switch and thermostat dont need large data set to communicate once in a day with other ZigBee devices. (Gislason 2008: 2.)

Figure 1. Wireless technologies compared (Gislason 2008: 1).

3.1. The ZigBee Alliance

Before going into technical detail of the ZigBee, Id like to introduce the background forces of the ZigBee. It is called The ZigBee Alliance.

The ZigBee Alliance is non-profit association of members that has created a thriving global ecosystem developing standards that ultimately deliver greater freedom and flexibility for a smarter, more sustainable world. (ZigBee FAQ 2013.)

ZigBee Alliance was established in 2002. ZigBee Alliance members are universities and global businesses such as Philips, Honeywell, Texas Instruments, Huawei, LG, Pioneer, Sony, Samsung and Whirlpool. ZigBee Alliance mission is to work together and create new innovative wireless solutions for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Membership is open to all. (ZigBee FAQ 2013; The Alliance 2013; Our Members 2013.)

The ZigBee Alliance offers three levels of memberships: Promoter, Participant and Adopter. Membership dues are following: Adopter: 3,500 (USD) for a 12-month period Participant: $9,500 (USD) for a 12-month period Promoter: $50,000 (USD) for a 12-month period.

The most important role plays the Promoter, can actually lead the development of the ZigBee. Promoter level members get automatic voting rights in all work groups, final approval rights on all standards and a seat on the Alliance Board of Directors. (Member Benefits 2013.)

3.2. ZigBee applications

ZigBee can be applied in many places to control or monitor for example home automation devices. For example remote control of audio and video equipment or air condition system is trivial to ZigBee.

In healthcare ZigBee can provide secure and reliable monitoring and management. For example in office building automation it can offer energy saving reliable monitoring system.

Figure 2 will answers the question where the ZigBee can be applied.

Figure 2. Applications of ZigBee wireless technology.

3.3. How does ZigBee work?

4. ZIGBEE PROTOCOL
This chapter introduces the IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee protocol layers as it is defined in figure 3.

Figure 3. ZigBee Wireless Networking Protocol Layers (Farahani: 2008: 5).

4.1. PHY Layer

The lowest protocol layer in ZigBee wireless networking is IEEE 802.15.4 Physical layer, or PHY. It specifies the PHY protocol functions and interactions with the MAC layer. This layer is the closest layer to hardware and directly controls and communicates with the radio transceiver. It also defines the minimum hardware level requirements. (Farahani: 2008: 17; 34.)

4.2. MAC Layer

The Medium Access Layer (MAC) is also defined by IEEE 802.15.4. MAC layer provides the interface between the PHY layer and the NWK layer, which is next higher layer above the MAC. The MAC is responsible for accomplishing beacons and

synchronizing the devices to the beacons. This layer also provides connection and disconnection services. (Farahani: 2008: 19; 47-48.)

4.3. NWK Layer

The network (NWK) layer is located between MAC and APL layers. The Network layer is in charge for controlling the network formation and routing. Routing is called a process where the ZigBee coordinator and the routers are discovering and maintaining the paths through the wireless network to deliver the messages to its destination device. (Farahani: 2008: 21.)

4.4. APL Layer

The application (APL) layer is the highest protocol layer in the ZigBee wireless network and hosts the application project. (Farahani: 2008: 22.)

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5. ZIGBEE DEVICES
ZigBee network may consist a wireless network from three types of devices: ZigBee Coordinator (ZC), ZigBee Routers (ZR) and ZigBee End Devices (ZED). Those devices can be also dividing in two different types of devices: full function device (FFD) and reduced function device (RFD).

5.1. ZigBee Coordinator

ZigBee Coordinators is Full Function Device (FFD) and have duties such as control the formation and security of networks. In every ZigBee network is allowed only one ZigBee Coordinator and coordinator have always network address 0x0000. First device connecting to network connects to ZigBee Coordinator. After formation ZigBee Coordinator will have same properties as ZigBee Router. (ZigBee Document 053474r17 2007).

5.2. ZigBee Router

ZigBee Router is also Full Function Device (FFD). Routers duties are extend the range of networks and route the messages inside the wireless network. ZigBee Routers never goes low-power mode, because it must route and preserve temporarily ZigBee End Device messages until End Device is fully power on. ZigBee Routers appearance is similar to ZigBee Coordinator. Only the functionality is different: ZigBee Routers connect to network where Coordinators set up the network. (ZigBee Document 053474r17 2007).

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5.3. ZigBee End Device

End devices perform specific sensing or control functions in the network. ZigBee End Devices are designed to be low-power boards and able to run for years on batteries. (Gislason 2008: 26). ZigBee End Devices are for the most part battery-powered, to ensure device to run for years. ZigBee End Devices dont route any messages in network because they are some part of the time in hibernation. ZigBee Router handles the routing. ZigBee Routers saves the End Device messages and gives it to End Device when it wakes up next time. Thats how all messages are delivered to End Devices. (ZigBee Document 053474r17 2007).

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6. ZIGBEE TOPOLOGIES
The ZigBee network can accept one of the three possible topologies: Star, Tree or Mesh. In ZigBee network uses 16-bit network address in messages, which is given when device is connecting to network. When the device stays in same network, it also maintains its address. When the device leaves current network and connects to another network, it obtain new 16-bit network address.

6.1. Star Topology

A Star network has a central node, which is linked to all other nodes in the network. All messages travel via the central node. (Jennic 2007.)

From the three topologies, star topology is the simplest. The concept of the star topology is easy to understand. Entire network needs only ZigBee coordinator and one or more end device to work properly. In Star topology network addresses are determined by the parent. That is the node through which device connects to network. Parent is always the ZigBee coordinator and all traffic goes through coordinator. Each possible parent node will set aside for enough addresses from address space to all its children and grandchildren.

6.2. Tree Topology

A Tree network has a top node with a branch/leaf structure below. To reach its destination, a message travels up the tree (as far as necessary) and then down the tree. (Jennic 2007.)

Tree topology includes ZigBee coordinator, ZigBee routers and Zigbee devices. ZigBee coordinator is the parent of the all nodes, which is the highest node.

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6.3. Mesh Topology

A Mesh network has a tree-like structure in which some leaves are directly linked. Messages can travel across the tree, when a suitable route is available. (Jennic 2007.)

Mesh topology includes ZigBee coordinator, ZigBee routers and Zigbee devices.

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7. COMMUNICATION IN ZIGBEE NETWORK

The ZigBee device communicates inside network with messages, which are packages. Single message receivers are determined by network address. Messages are also routed forward inside network, if the target device is not inside transmission range.

7.1. Zigbee packet

7.2. ZigBee message

7.2.1. Unicast

7.2.2. Broadcast

7.2.3. Groupcast

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7.2.4. Multicast

8. OTHER PROPERTIES

8.1. Security

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9. SUMMARY

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REFERENCES
Farahani, Shahin (2008). ZigBee wireless networks and transceivers. Boston: Elsevier, Newnes. 339 p. ISBN 978-0-7506-8393-7.

Gislason, Drew (2008). ZigBee wireless networking. New York: Elsevier, Newnes. 425 p. ISBN 978-0-7506-8597-9.

Hassinen, Jari (2005). ZigBee ja IEEE 802.15.4. [online][cited 20 Jan 2013], Available from World Wide Web: <URL: http://www2.it.lut.fi/kurssit/04-

05/010626000/seminaarit/zigbee_ja_ieee_802154_jari_hassinen_kalvot.pdf>.

IEEE Std 802.15.4-2003 (2003). [online][cited 20 Jan 2013], Available from World Wide Web: <URL: http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/download/802.15.4-2003.pdf>.

Jennic (2007). ZigBee e-learning. [online][cited 21 Jan 2013], Available from World Wide Web: <URL: http://www.jennic.com/elearning/zigbee/index.htm>.

Membership Benefits (2013), [online][cited 22 Jan 2013], Available from World Wide Web: <URL: http://www.zigbee.org/Join/MemberBenefits.aspx>.

Our Members (2013), [online][cited 20 Jan 2013], Available from World Wide Web: <URL: http://www.zigbee.org/About/OurMembers.aspx>.

The Alliance (2013), [online][cited 20 Jan 2013], Available from World Wide Web: <URL: http://www.zigbee.org/About/AboutAlliance/TheAlliance.aspx>.

ZigBee Alliance (2007), ZigBee Specification, ZigBee Document 053474r17. [online][cited 25 Jan 2013], Available from World Wide Web: <URL: http://people.ece.cornell.edu/land/courses/ece4760/FinalProjects/s2011/kjb79_ajm 232/pmeter/ZigBee%20Specification.pdf>.

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ZigBee FAQ (2013), [online][cited 19 Jan 2013], Available from World Wide Web: <URL: http://www.zigbee.org/About/FAQ.aspx>.