ZigBee is a specification based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPANs). ZigBee operates in the ISM radio bands, and it defines a general-purpose, inexpensive, self-organizing, mesh network for industrial control, embedded sensing, medical data collection, smoke and intruder warning, building automation, home automation, and domotics, etc. There are three different types of ZigBee devices in a ZigBee network:
- Coordinator (Master): Only one coordinator exists in each ZigBee network. Its function is to store information about the network and to determine the optimum transmission path between any two points of the network.
- Full function device (Router, Repeater): Routers act as an intermediate repeater that passes data from other devices.
- Reduced Function Device (End Device): This device contains a minimal amount of functionality to enable it to talk to its parent node (either the coordinator or a router); it cannot relay data directly from other devices.
View our line of Zigbee products
There are three topologies defined in the IEEE 802.15.4: standard, Star, Cluster Tree and Mesh.
ZigBee uses a basic master-slave configuration that is suited to the static star networks of many infrequently used devices that talk via small data packets. Up to 254 nodes are allowed.
ZigBee VS Bluetooth
While ZigBee is focused on control and automation, Bluetooth is focused on connectivity between laptops, PDA’s, and the like, as well as more general cable replacement. ZigBee uses low data rate and a low power consumption, and works with small packet devices; Bluetooth uses a higher data rate and a higher power consumption, and works with large packet devices. Compared to Bluetooth, ZigBee networks can support a larger number of devices and allows a longer range between devices.
ZigBee VS SST-2450
SST-2450 is used for long distance wireless applications (the maximum is 20Km), and is suitable for simple half-duplex networks. ZigBee supports various network topologies, such as star, cluster tree and mesh. It also supports repeater functionality in redundancy systems.
About ZT-2570/ZT-2571
ZT-2570/ZT-2571 is a Ethernet/RS-485/RS-232 to ZigBee Network converter. It enables RS-232/RS-485 devices to be wirelessly and easily connected to a new or existing system.
ZT-2570 is net Host and ZT-2571 is net Slave.It also supports various data formats and Baud Rates that can be configured via a Windows-based GUI utility.The ZT-2570/ZT-2571 can implement an ad-hoc, star or mesh network topology.
In some existing systems that use an Ethernet/RS-485/RS-232 network, it is sometimes difficult to extend the new devices due to building structure issues, wiring problems or other reasons. The ZT-2570/ZT-2571 can be easily added to an existing system in order to extend your network.
About ZT-2550/ZT-2551
ZT-2550/ZT-2551 is a RS-485/RS-232 to ZigBee Network converter. It enables RS-232/RS-485 devices to be wirelessly and easily connected to a new or existing system.
ZT-2550 is net Host and ZT-2551 is net Slave. It also supports various data formats and Baud Rates that can be configured via a Windows-based GUI utility. The ZT-2550/ZT-2551 can implement an ad-hoc, star or mesh network topology.
In some existing systems that use a RS-485/RS-232 network, it is sometimes difficult to extend the new devices due to building structure issues, wiring problems or other reasons. The ZT-2550/ZT-2551 can be easily added to an existing system in order to extend your network.
Using ZT-2510 as a Repeater
For advanced wireless applications, repeaters and a mesh are required in order to build a more flexible and reliable network. The ZT-2510 can be used to avoid an obstacle that may be located between two wireless devices or to extend the wireless transmission range.
Using ZT-2570, ZT-2571 & ZT-2510 to implement a Mesh Network
The mesh feature is the most important function for wireless transmission. Wireless transmission is greatly affected by humidity, temperature, weather, and obstacles, etc. A mesh network topology is needed to overcome such interference, especially in an industrial environment. The benefits of using a mesh topology are shown below:
- When mesh network discovers a new node, it will automatically incorporate it into the current network.
- If a node malfunctions, the mesh network will route the data through an alternate path using another node.
- Adding additional repeater nodes to your network enables each node to have more than two possible paths for transmission. It also allows a redundancy to be incorporated into the system in a much simpler way than with other types of system.
ZT-2570 & ZT-2571 with ICP DAS 7000 Series
- P2P:peer to peer
- P2M:peer to multi
ZT-2570 with ICP DAS ZT-2000 Series
