Zigbee is a low-power wireless local area network (WLAN) that facilitates IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) networks with low data and power usage. It’s primarily used for two-way data transfer between a sensor and a control system, with most connected devices running off of a battery.

Zigbee uses a mesh network where devices are interconnected with other devices within the network. This provides businesses and enterprises with a network that doesn’t have a single point of failure, as multiple connections are created between each device within the network.

In addition, these mesh networks automatically configure themselves, adjusting as devices are added or removed, and their interconnectedness enables a larger coverage range than competitors like Bluetooth Low Energy.

However, despite this, Zigbee is still considered a low-range connectivity, offering a coverage range of up to 100 meters. This makes it the ideal connectivity choice for personal areas like smart homes or in-building operations.

A Zigbee network is made up of a coordinator, a router and a device. The coordinator is essentially the root of the network, linking each component, and is responsible for data transfer and the storage of collected information.

Zigbee coordinators are supported by the network’s routers. These are intermediary devices that send and receive data to and from the devices, which range from televisions, and doors, to cameras and thermostats.

Zigbee is known for its secure communications, which is why it’s often the preferred choice for personal area networks, especially in corporate networks where data is particularly sensitive.

Zigbee’s low power consumption makes it a better IoT connectivity choice than Wifi. It is used for many different operations, including smart building automation, temperature control, and more.

Any industry where small amounts of data are infrequently transferred, such as remote monitoring or in-building applications, is a perfect partner for Zigbee.