ZigBee does the "Waggle" dance for Wireless Networks
The name ZigBee was inspired by none other than the Bee. Bees perform a “dance” known as the waggle to communicate to other bees in the hive. They are able to share information with the other bees as to where they found food (how far it is from the hive and in what direction). Bees work in a system much like a network, sharing information. Much like the bees, ZigBee focuses on distributing information among its different devices to form a mesh network. ZigBee is a wireless technology designed for small systems targeted at radio frequency applications.
Manufacturers’ needs have shown they want cheap wireless systems. ZigBee devices are small, not much larger than a coin. They are designed to have a low data rate, a long battery life, and a secure wireless network. ZigBee is ideal for several small system applications such as home entertainment / control (smart lighting, room temperature, etc.), medical data collecting, building automation and Industrial Control (HVAC Control, Automated Meter Reading, etc.). The ZigBee specification is designed to be simple and less expensive than other wireless technologies, (e.g. Bluetooth and WPAN). ZigBee devices have a faster active mode time than Bluetooth -- it can switch from sleep operation to active in 30 msec, whereas Bluetooth shows a 3 second delay. These traits are ideal to manufacturers.
Recently, choosing between technologies has been confusing and setups expensive. ZigBee has a simple implementation to a system. Devices are connected to wireless modules which talk to a gateway. If a device is busy, ZigBee can reroute its information via the mesh network, allowing the system to run continuously without stopping. In a factory setting, harsh elements (humidity and temperature) can deteriorate a wireless signal or cause a node to fail. Spreading the data over a mesh network keeps the system running, eliminating the need for wires. This type of network is ideal in a large factory. ZigBee operates at a maximum rate of 250 kbps (<10 msecs), which is good for periodic and intermittent data collection. ZigBee works well for collecting information related to a controller, sensors and actuators (Valves, Motors, and Relays) because info is only needed when a sensor input changes.
ZigBee offers several benefits in an industrial setting:
- It has a low install cost
- It’s easy to maintain
- It offers portability and range making use of a mesh network
- It has a low power consumption which allows for a long battery life.
If you would like to learn more about ZigBee or its applications in an industrial setting, feel free to email our sales engineer, Jim Sellitto.
Article Sources:
http://www.automation.com/content/aerocomm-enhances-zigbee-transceivers
http://www.eetimes.com/design/embedded-internet-design/4201087/ZigBee-applications--Part-1-Sending-and-receiving-data/
http://www.zigbeeresourceguide.com/
http://www.automation.com/resources-tools/articles-white-papers/articles-by-bill-lydon/state-of-industrial-wireless
www.zigbee.org
http://www.flickr.com/photos/botheredbybees/245215850/
