Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
ZigBee
2.1.
Types of ZigBee devices
2.1.1.
Router
2.1.2.
End device
2.1.3.
Coordinator
2.1.4.
Trust center
3.
WiFi
4.
Difference between ZigBee and Wifi
5.
Advantages and Disadvantages of ZigBee and WiFi
6.
Which one is better between ZigBee and Wifi?
7.
Frequently Asked Questions
7.1.
What are the different components that form the Zigbee network or system?
7.2.
Can you compare Zigbee and WiFi?
7.3.
Which device sends and receives radio signals in a wireless network?
8.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024

ZigBee vs WiFi

Author ANJU JAISWAL
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Introduction

Zigbee has been compared as a short version of  WiFi. Keeping some features like range and power consumption apart, Zigbee and WiFi are often used in similar applications in terms of household-based wireless communication. Interestingly, both have been developed and proposed in a different mindset, and hence some significant differences exist between ZigBee and WiFi. This article analyses and contrasts these two technologies on various technical and practical levels.

                                    

                                                        Source - link

ZigBee

ZigBee is a low-power, low data-rate variant of wireless protocols like WiFi, using many of the same networking, security, and interference avoidance technologies and protocols.

                             

                                                 Source - link


Keypoints

  • Used IEEE 802.15.4 to create it.
  • The Zigbee frequency band is generally 2.4 GHz across the world.
  • Like UWB, it employs BPSK and QPSK modulation methods.
  • In ZigBee, there are over sixty-five thousand (65000) cell nodes.
  • In ZigBee, there are sixteen RF channels.
  • Zigbee likewise requires modest bandwidth, although it is usually more than Bluetooth's bandwidth.
  • The ZigBee radio signal has a range of ten to a hundred meters.

 

Types of ZigBee devices

There are four ZigBee device types:

Router

 A mesh network's typical citizen is a ZigBee router. It sends and receives messages from other devices, including routers. Each router is redundant in an ideal setup. As a result of rerouting and redundancy, if a router loses network connectivity, traffic to the other nodes in the network remains intact.

End device

The traffic from a ZigBee end device is not routed to other nodes. It spends most of its time sleeping. Simple peripherals like switches, attenuators, and other ZigBee end devices are standard.

Coordinator

A ZigBee coordinator is a ZigBee router that has all of the router's features. The coordinator is also in charge of network setup, which means it approves new nodes joining the network.          

                                           Source-link

 

Trust center

The ZigBee trust center manages the encryption and decryption keys, distributing the keys to new nodes. The coordinator and the trust center are nearly always the same equipment.

WiFi

Wireless Fidelity is abbreviated as WiFi. WiFi is a wireless network protocol that runs on the 2.4GHz/5GHz communication standard and is commonly used for local area networking. Because Zigbee is not a mesh network technology, smart devices do not repeat signals and must be in the line of sight of the router to function. It makes sense to put money into a high-quality router or mesh system for the best performance. 

Note that WiFi is also a power-hungry technology. Battery-operated devices, tiny ones, have a much lower battery life than comparable Zigbee devices.

 

                                         

                                                     Source - link

 

Key points

  • All devices must have a wireless adapter, and a wireless router is required for connectivity.
  • WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity.
  • It consumes high power.
  • It provides better security.
  • WiFi supports a large number of users.
  • The radio signal range of WiFi is 100 meters.
  • It requires high bandwidth.

Difference between ZigBee and Wifi

Advantages and Disadvantages of ZigBee and WiFi

Which one is better between ZigBee and Wifi?

WiFi vs. ZigBee is a never-ending conflict. ZigBee has been the primary communication protocol for most of the current intelligent home period. WiFi is becoming a formidable competitor, and more WiFi intelligent products are being released every day. So, which one should you go with? The solution is complex.

This is dependent on how essential protocol is to you. If you don't want to use the central hub to access your innovative home system, the WiFi device should be placed on top. The ZigBee device is the winner if you want to run your smart home on low-power technologies. And, in the midst of it all, there is always an aspect that comes first in your thoughts, so we hope this guide will be a helpful reference in the way you construct.

Also see, Difference Between Verilog and Vhdl

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different components that form the Zigbee network or system?

A ZigBee network is made up of three essential components. Coordinator, router, and end device are the three.

Can you compare Zigbee and WiFi?

ZigBee and WiFi both have different applications. WiFi is utilized for internet applications, whereas Zigbee is used for automation. Across 5-10 devices via WiFi may share one internet connection. Furthermore, WiFi is utilized to offload existing cellular internet connections.

Which device sends and receives radio signals in a wireless network?

A router sends and receives radio signals in a wireless network.

Conclusion

This blog has given an overview of ZigBee and WiFi, the differences between ZigBee and WiFi, the pros and cons, and discussed which one is better. Indeed both are masters of their features and great competitors to each other.

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