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 and home automation, etc. There are three different types of ZigBee devices in a ZigBee network:

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.

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.

ZB-2570/ZB-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.

ZB-2570 is net Host and ZB-2571 is net Slave.It also supports various data formats and Baud Rates that can be configured via a Windows-based GUI utility.The ZB-2570/ZB-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 ZB-2570/ZB-2571 can be easily added to an existing system in order to extend your network.

ZB-2550/ZB-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.

ZB-2550 is net Host and ZB-2551 is net Slave. It also supports various data formats and Baud Rates that can be configured via a Windows-based GUI utility. The ZB-2550/ZB-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 ZB-2550/ZB-2551 can be easily added to an existing system in order to extend your network.

For advanced wireless applications, repeaters and a mesh are required in order to build a more flexible and reliable network. The ZB-2510 can be used to avoid an obstacle that may be located between two wireless devices or to extend the wireless transmission range.

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: