ZigBee: Technology for Wireless Sensor Networks, Assessment Technologies and Markets

SUMMARY

Wireless technologies for short- and medium-reach communications attract attention due to their ability support multiple applications and their cost efficiency. These technologies became synonymous with home and manufacturing automation as well as with Wireless Sensor Networks.

ZigBee plays a significant role among these technologies. Relatively new and fast growing ZigBee's industry covers already many applications, starting from home automation and going to military and commercial WSNs. This report reflects growth of the ZigBee's market and attention to this technology from various branches of the industry.

The report emphasizes multiple facets of ZigBee, such as technological, marketing and applications. In the technology part, the report analyzes features of this technology, and shows the standardization process: ZigBee is based on the IEEE802.15.4 standard, which supports physical and MAC layers, as well as on the approved by the ZigBee Alliance network and application layers. Being a symbiosis of two organizations standards, ZigBee devices are being built on open platforms - many companies are utilizing open software and hardware to manufacture ZigBee platforms. This technology attracts user by its simplicity, cost efficiency and low power consumption.

Among many ZigBee applications, this report stresses the importance of home "smartinization" and WSN. In the home front, it is envisioned that ZigBee devices will be widely used to build smart homes, including security systems, meter reading, remote commanders and other. The report sees much more important application in WSN both military and commercials. ZigBee devices are a good fit for this application - they can work years on the same battery, support 100 Kb/s-200 Kb/s transmission and are very economical in ranges between nodes 30 m-50 m. WSNs are key structures in the instrumentation and other industries. The majority of modern WSNs are built in the frequency bands where ZigBee is standardized, and they using either this technology or proprietary technologies or such technologies as Ultra Wideband. The WSN market is developing fast due to the high demand in many branches of the industry and high volume of deployment for military.

The market part of the report shows that already in 2006 the ZigBee industry market value can reach hundred of millions. This industry consists of many small and midsize companies, with several heavyweights such as Freescale. The detailed analysis of ZigBee products is presented.

The report pictures a competitive landscape in which this technology prospers: ZigBee fights with Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband and 802.11 techniques to prove its importance. None of competing technologies, so far could prove its uniqueness. The trend is observed when vendors trying to build chipsets supporting several competing technologies.

The report pictures an optimistic view that ZigBee, as a technology for home automation and WSN will find its place among other similar techniques.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction

• 1.1 General
• 1.2 Development
• 1.3 Design
• 1.4 Scope
• 1.5 Structure
• 1.6 Research Methodology
• 1.7Target Audience

2.0 Technology

• 2.1 General
• 2.2 Device Types
• 2.3 Protocol Stack
  • 2.3.1 Physical and MAC layers - IEEE802.15.4
    • 2.3.1.1 Frame
  • 2.3.2 Upper Layers
    • 2.3.2.1 Interoperability
    • 2.3.2.2 Security
• 2.4 Platform Considerations
  • 2.4.1 Battery Life
• 2.5 Technology Benefits and Limitations

3.0 Standardization Process

• 3.1 Zigbee Alliance
  • 3.1.1 Objectives
• 3.2 802.15.4- ZigBee Basis
  • 3.2.1 IEEE 802.15.4 Radio
  • 3.2.2 Application Specifics

4.0 Applications

• 4.1 General
• 4.2 Home
• 4.2.1 PC
• 4.3 Manufacturing
• 4.4 Wireless Sensor Networks and ZigBee
  • 4.4.1 General
  • 4.4.2 WSN Requirements and ZigBee
    • 4.4.2.1 Requirements
    • 4.4.2.2 ZigBee Role
    • 4.4.2.2.1 ZigBee-structured WSN
  • 4.4.3 WSN: Examples
  • 4.4.4 Structure and Economics
  • 4.4.5 WSN Major Applications
  • 4.4.6 Standards
  • 4.4.7 Software Development: TinyOS

5.0 Market

• 5.1 Expectations
• 5.2 Segments
• 5.3 Forecast
• 5.4 Climate of Competition
  • 5.4.1 Bluetooth and ZigBee
    • 5.4.1.1 Air Interface
    • 5.4.1.2 Battery Drain
    • 5.4.1.3 Timing Considerations

6.0 Vendors

• Airbee (Software)
• Amber (RF Systems)
• Atmel (Chipsets)
• Chipcon - TI (Chipsets)
• Cirronet (Modules)
• Crossbow(WSN, motes)
• Duolog (Transceivers)
• Eazix (Modules)
• Ember (Chipsets)
• Falcom (Modules)
• Helicomm (Modules)
• Jennic (Chipsets-Modules)
• Freescale (Chipsets)
• Luxoft Labs (Integration)
• M&R Lawugger GmbH (Software)
• Maxstream (WSN Modules)
• Moteiv(Modules, SW)
• Nanotron (Chipsets)
• Oki (Chipsets)
• Renesas (Platforms)
• Silicon Laboratories (Chipsets, Modules)
• Telegesis (Integrator)
• Ubiwave (Mesh Network)
• Uniband (Chipsets)
• ZMD (Chipsets)

7.0 Conclusions