Zigbee In Air Conditioning

Zigbee is a regular wi-fi communication protocol which relies on IEEE 802.15.4 specs that can be utilized for communication between gadgets with no need a bodily wire connection just like the WI-FI or Bluetooth know-how.

Comparatively, it has the next traits appropriate for HVAC purposes:

• Less complicated
• Decrease information price
• Decrease energy consumption
• Decrease bandwidth 
• Decrease implementation value
• MESH topology that allows giant community communication
• Appropriate for wi-fi private space networks (WPAN)
• Communication distance of 10m-100m line of sight between every gadgets.

Many producers have carried out this protocol merely due to the benefit of design, decrease value and interoperability with different Zigbee-compliant constructing administration techniques. It is usually extremely safe because the encryption for communication between every gadgets is utilizing AES 128 bits know-how.

On high of that, if designed correctly, the batteries of wi-fi sensors reminiscent of thermostats can final for a few years.

Take notice that your merchandise have to be licensed by Zigbee.org earlier than you need to use the emblem in your merchandise. It’s estimated that there will likely be 8 billion such gadgets that will likely be in utilized by the 12 months 2020.

A Zigbee Thermostat

Zigbee Frequency Assignments

This protocol makes use of unlicensed frequency bands for its operation. That signifies that you wouldn’t have to pay to make use of the frequency spectrum in contrast to cell phones operators reminiscent of 3G or LTE which require approval from the licensing authorities of the nations to function.

The frequencies being assigned differ from every area of the world. Subsequently, while you design or buy your merchandise, you’ll have to decide the place your merchandise will likely be marketed. 

HVAC trade has been round for a very long time and the costs of apparatus have been dropping yearly specifically ductless break up models and window air conditioners. Up to now, many of those models usually are not outfitted to have the ability to talk with constructing administration techniques or management by good telephones and computer systems.

Nonetheless, these are altering and plenty of fashions of those air conditioners and warmth pumps have been outfitted with these non-obligatory IoT(Web of Issues) gadgets that allow them to be management by good telephones and tablets. Wi-fi functionality with encryption for safe communication has more and more being built-in to allow them to reap the benefits of the development in info know-how.

Design Consideration

In designing your merchandise to be compliance to this protocol, the easiest way to do it’s to get the chips which have built-in radio transceivers, central processing unit and flash reminiscence. At present the utmost flash reminiscence dimension out there is 250kB. Moreover that, the encryption within the type of AES 128 bits secret is crucial.

Listed below are some examples of chips which are designed with this in thoughts of which you’ll think about using in your design.

1) Texas Devices CC2630 2.4GHz Chip Set

• 1.8V to three.8V Working Voltage
• 2.4 GHz RF Transceiver
• 128 KB Flash Reminiscence
• 8 KB SRAM For Cache
• AES 128 Bit Encryption
• 250 kbps Information Charge
• 48 MHz Clock Velocity
• Sleep Mode Present: 1uA
• Working Temperature: -40°C to 85°C
• ROHS Compliant Packages

2) Microchip/ATMEL ATmega2564RFR2

• 1.8V to three.6V Working Voltage
• 2.4 GHz RF Transceiver
• 256 KB Flash Reminiscence
• 32 KB SRAM 
• 8192 EEPROM
• AES 128 Bit Encryption
• 250kbps to 2Mbps Information Charge
• Deep Sleep Mode Present: <700 nA at 25°C
• Working Temperature: -40°C to 125°C

3) Silicon Lab EFR32MG1P632F256GM32 Mighty Gecko

• 2.3V to three.6V Working Voltage
• 2.4 GHz RF Transceiver
• 256 KB Flash Reminiscence
• 32 KB SRAM 
• AES 128/256 Bit Encryption
• 40 MHz Clock Velocity
• Deep Sleep Mode Present: 5.5 uA
• Working Temperature: -40°C to 85°C(125°C out there)

Get extra info from the official Zigbee web site.