Zigbee Transceivers Support Worldwide Standards for ISM Radio Frequency Band

Zigbee is a low-power communication protocol intended for use in the ISM radio frequency band. This band supports industrial and scientific hardware such as building automation and medical devices. In recent years, home entertainment has joined the band for operation of wireless communication in short-range applications.

The standard was established in the late 1990s to meet the growing need for low-power wireless communications. Low power kept the transmissions in short-range territory with the ability to create mesh networks if longer transmission range was necessary. Data transmitted on Zigbee is typically low band, keeping its use to fairly simple communication frequencies.

There are transceiver chips available that integrate a chip antenna within the silicon making small footprint impact to hardware designs. Part vendors offer simple transceiver modules up to system on-chip modules that add a microcontroller. Together with the Zigbee transceiver, the microcontroller tops off a complete control system that contains functionality in a small space.

Background for Zigbee

Many companies offer industrial, scientific, and home automation devices. As such, there exists a Zigbee Alliance Membership that defines and maintains the specifications and standards. Each member has input into changes that evolve the standard and each has access to free licensing software for implementation in their respective hardware offerings.

In 2007, Zigbee added to their offerings by publishing application profiles. These application profiles include home automation, smart energy, telecommunication, health care, remote control, light link, commercial building automation, green power, and retail services. Zigbee Smart Energy adds services for plug-in vehicle charging. In 2009, the Zigbee Alliance teamed with the Radio Frequency Consortium for Consumer Electronics to prescribe a joint standard for remote controls and other consumer electronic products.

Defining Characteristics of Zigbee

Zigbee works in the unlicensed ISM band between 2.4 and 2.4835GHz worldwide, and in the 902 to 928MHz and 868 to 868.6MHz bands in Australia and Europe. There are 16 channels in the 2.4GHz band spaced 5MHz apart. Transmission ranges are about 32 feet indoors, with up to 1 mile when outdoors in unobstructed line-of-sight.

There are three types of Zigbee devices, each allowing specific functionality to support transmission using Zigbee protocol and link layers. Some networks travel their transmission bands using support beacons while others do not. Some use routers. Some form mesh networks to boost transmission ranges by using devices and stepping stones across space.

Parameters to Consider When Selecting a Zigbee Transceiver

Zigbee transceiver parts typically incorporate onboard antennas. Some have the ability to support both onboard and offboard antennas offering versatility in system configuration. Some go a step further by embedding a control processor within the circuit to eliminate the need for extraneous parts. We highlight three possible parts for support of Zigbee in design configuration.

Texas Instruments, CC2530 RF IC

This part incorporates a Zigbee transceiver along with a microcontroller for Zigbee applications. It requires very few external components and requires a single crystal for asynchronous networks. The part is compliant with worldwide radio-frequency regulations. It boasts several low-power modes for efficient use of energy during active and sleep modes operating over a wide supply range of 2V to 3.6V. This part comes with a development kit, the CC2530ZDK-ZLL.

*The CC2530 is a true system-on-chip (SoC) solution for IEEE 802.15.4, Zigbee and RF4CE applications. It enables robust network nodes to be built with very low total bill-of-material costs. The CC2530 combines the excellent performance of a leading RF transceiver with an industry-standard enhanced 8051 MCU, in-system programmable flash memory, 8-KB RAM, and many other powerful features. The CC2530 comes in four different flash versions: CC2530F32/64/128/256, with 32/64/128/256 KB of flash memory, respectively. The CC2530 has various operating modes, making it highly suited for systems where ultralow power consumption is required. *

Found on page 25 of CC2530 datasheet

Microchip, MRF24J40MD/ME

This part operates with a typical 3.3V voltage boasting low-current consumption in the ISM band. It is compatible with Microchip microcontroller families of PIC16, PIC18, PIC24, dsPIC33, and PIC 32 using SPI interface protocol. It is compliant for use in the United States, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand with ranges up to 4000 feet.

The MRF24J40MD/ME is a 2.4 GHz IEEE standard 802.15.4 compliant, surface mount module with integrated crystal, internal voltage regulator, matching circuitry, Power Amplifier, Low Noise Amplifier with PCB trace antenna or 50Ω external antenna connector. The MRF24J40MD/ME module operates in the non-licensed 2.4 GHz frequency band. The integrated module design frees the integrator from extensive RF and antenna design, and regulatory compliance testing allowing quicker time to market.

Found on page 1 of MRF24J40MD/ME datasheet

Digi, XBP24-Z7WIT-004

This is a module integrating an antenna for transceiving 2.4GHz Zigbee transmissions among compatible devices. There is no configuration necessary for out-of-the-box RF communications. Its outdoor RF line-of-sight range is operable up to 1 mile.

The XBP24-Z7WIT is an embedded RF module providing wireless connectivity to end-point devices in ZigBee mesh networks. Utilizing the ZigBee PRO Feature Set, these modules are interoperable with other ZigBee devices, including devices from other vendors with the same feature set.

Found on page 1 of XBP24-Z7WIT-004 datasheet

There are parts available for transceiving Zigbee communications and those parts may be found on this website using the search tool. Along with listed parametric information, each part’s page gives sourcing and pricing and a list of similar parts. With a list of similar parts, the best solution for your application may be easily found and considered for use.

Stay up-to-date with our latest articles by signing up for our newsletter.