!!! Overview
[{$pagename}] is an [IEEE 802.15.4]-based specification for a suite of high-level [communication] [protocols] used to create [Personal Area Networks] with small, [low-power|Lo] [digital radios|Wireless], such as for home automation, medical device data collection, and other low-power low-bandwidth needs, designed for small scale projects which need wireless connection. 


[{$pagename}] is a [Low-Power and Lossy Network], with low data rate, and [Wireless Network] for [Personal Area Networks]


[{$pagename}] [networks] are [Personal Area Networks] (or PANs). Each [{$pagename}] network is defined with a unique PAN identifier ([Zigbee PAN ID]), which is common among all devices of the same network. [{$pagename}] devices are either preconfigured with a PAN ID to join, or they can discover nearby networks and select a PAN ID to join.

[{$pagename}] supports both a 64-[bit] and a 16-bit PAN ID. Both PAN IDs are used to uniquely identify a network. [Devices] on the same Zigbee network must share the same 64-bit and 16-bit PAN IDs. If multiple Zigbee networks are operating within range of each other, each [MUST] have unique PAN IDs.


!!! Device types

Zigbee defines three different device types: coordinator, router, and end device.

!! Zigbee Coordinator

Zigbee networks may only have a single [Zigbee Coordinator] device. This device:

* Starts the network, selecting the channel and PAN ID (both 64-bit and 16-bit).
* Buffers wireless data packets for sleeping end device children.
* Manages the other functions that define the network, secure it, and keep it healthy.
* Cannot sleep; the coordinator must be powered on all the time.

!! [{$pagename}] Router

A [ZigBee Router] is a full-featured Zigbee node. This device:

* Can join existing networks and send, receive, and route information. Routing involves acting as a messenger for communications between other devices that are too far apart to convey information on their own.
* Can buffer wireless data packets for sleeping end device children. Can allow other routers and end devices to join the network.
* Cannot sleep; router(s) must be powered on all the time.
* May have multiple router devices in a network.

!! End device

An end device is essentially a reduced version of a router. This device:

* Can join existing networks and send and receive information, but cannot act as messenger between any other devices.
* Cannot allow other devices to join the network.
* Uses less expensive hardware and can power itself down intermittently, saving energy by temporarily entering a non responsive sleep mode.
* Always needs a [ZigBee Router] or the coordinator to be its parent device. The parent helps end devices join the network, and stores messages for them when they are asleep.


Zigbee networks may have any number of end devices. In fact, a network can be composed of one Zigbee Coordinator, multiple end devices, and zero [ZigBee Routers].



!! More Information
There might be more information for this subject on one of the following:
[{ReferringPagesPlugin before='*' after='\n' }]
----
* [#1] - [Zigbee|Wikipedia:Zigbee|target='_blank'] - based on information obtained 2022-01-07