Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. An Overview of ZigBee The Power of the Mesh 2005 Wireless & Mobile WorldExpo Toronto, Ontario Chris Herzog – President Software Technologies Group, Inc.

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. What is ZigBee? A standard for mesh networking –Built on the IEEE 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

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Security HVAC Lighting Control Access Control Lawn & Garden Irrigation Asset Mgt Process Control Environmental Energy Mgt Patient monitoring Fitness monitoring Security HVAC AMR Lighting Control Access Control TV VCR DVD/CD RF Remotes ZigBee Target Markets ZigBee Wireless Control that Simply Works RESIDENTIAL/ LIGHT COMMERCIAL CONTROL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS PC & PERIPHERALS INDUSTRIAL CONTROL PERSONAL HEALTH CARE BUILDING AUTOMATION Chart Copyright ZigBee Alliance 2004

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The ZigBee Standard Protocol –Supports meshing of 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

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ZigBee in the wireless world Chart Copyright ZigBee Alliance 2004

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ZigBee in the wireless world Band – 868, MHz, and 2.4GHz Topology – Ad-hoc, Star, Point to Point, Mesh Data Rate – 20/40Kb/s and 250Kb/s Power Consumption – Very Low Range – meters Security – very high; AES-128 level encryption Size – up to 64K nodes in a single logical network

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ZigBee Network Topologies

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ZigBee Network Topologies

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ZigBee Network Topologies

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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?

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Automated Rental Car Return

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Termite Detection

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. How STG can help Reference software – MAC and ZigBee Protocol Stack Engineering Services –Custom protocol/application development –Firmware, drivers, monitoring and control applications –Proof of concept and prototypes

Software Solutions for Product Developers Copyright 2005 Software Technologies Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any Questions? Any Comments? Would anyone like a copy of the ZigBee specifications? –Please drop off a business card Wrapping it all up…