Comparing ZigBee and Z-Wave: Wireless Communication Protocols Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive overview and comparison of ZigBee and Z-Wave, two prominent wireless communication protocols used in home automation and smart home technologies. It delves into their operational principles, including frequency modulation, data rates, and range, highlighting their distinct characteristics. The report examines the similarities, such as their mesh network topology, and contrasts their capabilities, including the number of devices supported and specific applications. It also discusses the compatibility of devices with each protocol, the networking principles of SmartThing hubs, and the strengths and weaknesses of each technology. Furthermore, it addresses potential risks associated with these protocols, such as cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and concludes with a comparative analysis, emphasizing their respective roles in modern networking applications. The report leverages information from various academic sources to support its analysis.

ZigBee / Zwave networking
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Introduction
Communication over the network has been growing substantially for the last two
decades. Internet users have been using different networking protocols such as Wi-Fi and wired
network to support their needs. With continued technological advancements, there has been
raising demands for more stable and reliable network (Aju 2015, p. 68). This has resulted to
several network alternatives such as ZigBee and Z wave. These are wireless network
communication protocols which provides an opportunity to connected devices to share data and
communicate effectively without relying on either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi supported network. These
two complementary network protocols make use of low energy radio waves to facilitate steady
and continuous device connection. Introduction of both ZigBee and Z wave in the networking
industry resulted to growth of smart things with all devices being connected to each other. Smart
things facilitates interconnection and communication of all devices at homes and offices. With
such stable and reliable network, it has been possible to automate home appliances such as
lightings and other electronic devices. In this regard, it would be important to appreciate the need
and opportunities which have come up with ZigBee and Z wave network protocols (Lobaccaro,
Carlucci & Lofstrom 2016, 348). They have capability to connect more devices than other
available wireless network.
ZigBee and Z wave operations
These are wireless communication protocols which make use of radio frequency to
distribute network signals to several devices. According to Obaid et al. (2014, p. 115), through
use of radio frequency, it is possible to control and monitor all connected devices status.

Basically, ZigBee and Z wave are regarded to be different but are used by devices to
communicate to each other over the network. Almost every device is currently being designed in
such a way that, they are able to connect to Z waves. Smart home technology has been advancing
through use of Z waves to include doors, motion sensors, and remote controls and touch switches
among other devices. With ZigBee products, customers are able to integrate available technology
in order to meet specific user needs. All these technologies are mesh networks which is a clear
indication that, network signal can hop from one device to the other. In such a working scenario,
all home gadget does not need to be connected to the Wi-Fi. Z waves in its working capability
can allow a maximum of four hops between the any connected device and the controller. ZigBee
has a capability of operating on 915MHz and 2.4GHz frequency. On the same note, Z-wave has
been observed to operate on a very low frequency of 918-960MHz a clear indication there is
minimal interference on Z-wave as compared to ZigBee (Lobaccaro, Carlucci & Lofstrom 2016,
p. 348). Similarly, ZigBee can support more than 65000 devices while Z-waves can support up to
232 devices making it suitable for many homes. In order for other devices to work with Z-waves
and ZigBee, they should be enabled with any of the enabled chips. The embedded chip makes it
possible for the device to communicate with other devices effectively.

Differences between ZigBee and Z wave
Table 1. ZigBee and Z-wave differences
Specifications and capabilities of ZigBee and Z-waves
Technology Frequency Modulatio
n
Data rate Range Applications
ZigBee 2.4-
2.483GHz
OQPSK 250kibt/s 10m Home automation, remote
control and smart grid
Z-wave 908.42MHz GPSK 9.6/40kibts/s 30m Security and home
automation
Similarity between ZigBee and Z-wave
Both ZigBee and Z-wave make use of mesh network topology. Through use of mesh
topology structure, this makes it possible to connect and communicate with many devices at the
same time. In a mesh topology, networked devices are able to send and receive signals from
interconnected devices randomly. In both network protocols, wireless signals are used as a
means of communication between communicating devices. Communicating devices should be
within a prescribed radius in order to receive and send signals (Turab 2018, p. 14). The radius of
coverage is specific to each technology in use. Communication between networked devices in all
these technologies form a smartThing hub. Interconnection between smart devices supported by
either technology results to smartThing hubs used to perform different activities. Finally, both
ZigBee and Z-wave can be used in different working environments such as homes, enterprises
and small businesses. With Z-wave being the inferior and supporting a minimum of 232 devices,

its application can be used to support small, medium and even large organizational needs. On the
same note, ZigBee can be used to support more than 6500 devices at a time. Considering the
range upon which these technologies can be used to operate, both protocols can be used to
support any business environment.
Z-Wave and ZigBee compatible devices
For devices to integrate smoothly, compatibility issues should be factored in order to
make specific device interface with others effectively. In this regard, there are more devices
which are compatible with ZigBee. These devices range from battery powered to light switch
powered devices. In a bid to increase device compatibility, Z wave has been tailored to
accommodate variety of devices (Betzler et al. 2014, p. 14932). Some of the products which
support ZigBee are Samsung SmartThings, Philips Hue Yale smart locks among others.
Similarly, similar smart home brands and devices that support Z waves are; Samsung
SmarThings, Winkhub, ADT security Hub, Honeywell thermostats, Yale Smart Locks among
other available devices.
ZigBee and Z-waves networking principles
SmartThing hub require both ZigBee and Z-wave in order to operate efficiently. In order
to make use of these networking protocols, smartThing hub must be connected to some other
devices or make use of chips that can receive or sent signals to other connected devices (Mendes
et al. 2015, p. 7279). SmartThing hub makes use of these protocols to pass signals from one
device to the other. In this case, SmartThing hub communicates remotely through use of subject
protocols. Once ZigBee produces network signals, they are distributed to other devices through
Z-wave technology. ZigBee and Z-wave should be connected to at least one working controller

which helps subject protocols to receive and respond commands from other devices or the
operator. In this regard, smartThing devices cannot be connected to more than one hub at a time.
A device can only belong to a single hub at a time and can only respond to commands from just a
single hub. The range of ZigBee and Z-wave without any interference from obstacles varies
depending on environmental factors. The smartThing hub has an approximate of 130 feet and
ZigBee and Z-wave has been approximated to be 50-100 feet (Gomez & Paradells 2010, p. 6).
The range approximated with an assumption that, it happens between two devices and no signal
hopping would occur. It is possible to extend the range of both Z-wave and ZigBee by adopting
mesh network topology which makes it possible for either signals to hop through several devices.
The powered Z-wave and ZigBee are interconnected to serve as wireless network repeaters in a
bid to increase both speed and strength of the network. Important to note is that, nether of the
two protocols can communicate to each other. It is not possible for a Z-wave chip enabled device
to communicate to another device fitted with ZigBee antenna and vice versa.
Strengths
Z-wave frequency of 908.42 MHZ does not interfere with router wireless network. Next,
it is very easy and simple to install and use. It does not require any advanced skills and
experience to use it. Similarly, Z-wave is almost compatible with almost all devices which is the
only capability that makes it popular. On the same note, ZigBee offers is considered cheap and
has low power consumption (Moinuddin et al. 2017, p. 6). Its design has been made flexible with
capability to add more wireless features suitable for specific user. Finally, ZigBee signals are
able to hop up to 15 times making possible to extend its working radius without much
restrictions.
Weaknesses

Z-wave is regarded as resource intensive as it require frequent batteries replacement.
Being compatible to many devices makes it possible to connect as many devices as possible. Due
to its many connections, it tends to occupy more space and are somehow expensive to purchase.
Similarly, ZigBee has compatibility issues making it difficult to extend its working capability
(Subramanian & Jeyaraj 2018, p. 32). Finally, it is important to note that, ZigBee can be complex
to set up when required for enterprise use.
Potential risks
ZigBee and Z-wave are network devices like any another and should be vulnerable to
security issues such as hacking. In this regard, when planning to integrate smart devices into
home network, Z-wave should be preferred (Subramanian & Jeyaraj 2018, p. 32). If required
configurations are not carefully done, it may result to privacy breach.
Conclusion
ZigBee and Z-wave are regarded to be wireless protocols that facilitate communication
between devices across the network. Though there are notable differences between these devices,
they work hand in in hand with each other. These network protocols have been adopted by users
as an alternative to Wi-Fi network connections. Each of these protocols has different working
capabilities and have varying operational frequencies. For interconnected devices to
communicate to each other, they should be fitted with chips which can receive and respond to
commands from other devices. With innovation of ZigBee and z-wave, it has been possible to set
up smartThings hub which results to smart home connections. Both protocols can be used to
make connections in either homes, small businesses or enterprises. There exist notable

differences and similarities between ZigBee and Z-wave. Finally, there are some risks which can
be associated with these network protocols such as cybersecurity issues.
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