Posts

ZigBee Mesh used in industrial IoT applications

Enhancing the Smart Connectivity with the ZigBee Gateway based on the ModBerry 500 CM5

As smart technologies continue to evolve, the need for efficient and reliable communication protocols has become paramount. ZigBee, a widely adopted wireless technology, offers robust connectivity for various IoT applications. The ModBerry 500 CM5, powered by the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5), provides an ideal platform for implementing a ZigBee gateway, enhancing smart connectivity across different environments.

The Power of ModBerry 500 CM5

The ModBerry 500 CM5 boasts a powerful quad-core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz processor and up to 8GB of LPDDR4x-4267 SDRAM, making it a versatile and robust industrial computer. Its compact design and extensive range of configurable hardware options make it suitable for various IoT applications, from smart homes to industrial automation.

Integrating ZigBee for Seamless Connectivity

ZigBee is known for its low power consumption, high reliability, and efficient data transfer capabilities. By integrating a ZigBee module with the ModBerry 500 CM5, users can create a seamless communication network that connects multiple smart devices, enabling them to interact and share data efficiently.

Applications of the ZigBee Gateway

  1. Smart Home Automation: The ModBerry 500 CM5 with a ZigBee gateway can streamline home automation by connecting devices such as smart lights, thermostats, and security systems, allowing for centralized control and management.
  2. Industrial IoT Solutions: In industrial settings, the ZigBee-enabled ModBerry 500 CM5 can facilitate real-time monitoring and control of machinery, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
  3. Agricultural Monitoring: Farmers can leverage the ModBerry 500 CM5 as a ZigBee gateway to monitor soil conditions, weather data, and crop health, optimizing agricultural practices and boosting yield.
ZigBee Gateway

Advantages of Using ModBerry 500 CM5 as a ZigBee Gateway

  • Scalability and Flexibility: The ModBerry 500 CM5’s modular design allows for easy scalability and customization, ensuring it can meet the specific needs of various applications.
  • Remote Management: With built-in wireless communication modules, including Wi-Fi and optional 4G/LTE, the ModBerry 500 CM5 supports remote monitoring and management, reducing the need for on-site maintenance.
  • Energy Efficiency: The low power consumption of both the ModBerry 500 CM5 and ZigBee technology ensures energy-efficient operation, making it an environmentally friendly solution.

Conclusion

Implementing the ModBerry 500 CM5 as a ZigBee gateway offers numerous benefits, including enhanced connectivity, real-time data processing, and remote management. By leveraging this powerful combination, users can create efficient and reliable IoT networks that drive innovation and improve overall performance in various sectors.

With the update to CM5, the ModBerry 500 series continues to build on these strengths, offering even greater performance and flexibility for industrial IoT applications. The ModBerry 500 CM5 represents a significant upgrade, combining the proven reliability and versatility of the ModBerry platform with the advanced features of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5. 



ZigBee Mesh used in industrial IoT applications

ZigBee Mesh used in industrial IoT applications

ZigBee mesh‘s usefulness for IoT is partly due to the fact that it is an open standard. The same products can be used all over the world, which gives customers a large selection of available option. The high competition between products and producers means that the created solutions are innovative, characterized by high quality and give customers a considerable choice. Many suppliers of cooperating elements of this ecosystem mean that they are not limited to any specific brands or specific semiconductor manufacturers.

Competitiveness of ZigBee based solutions

With a maximum data bandwidth of 250 kbps at 2.4 GHz, ZigBee is slower than other popular wireless standards such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but it doesn’t matter in typical sensor applications. ZigBee Mesh is designed to send small data packets at relatively long intervals, which is usually sufficient to collect data from temperature sensors, safety sensors, air quality monitoring systems and similar subsystems. In the meantime, the low bandwidth affects the low power needed for the system to work, so that ZigBee nodes can usually work for many years on a single AAA battery.

ZigBee Power Consumption. Source: ZigBee Alliance
ZigBee Power Consumption. Source: ZigBee Alliance

With low power consumption, ZigBee supporting products typically have a short transmission range – typically from 10 to 15 meters, and the signal they emit is easily disturbed by obstacles on the route, or changes in the environment. However, the beauty of ZigBee devices lies in their work as part of a lattice topology network, where each of them transmits signals between themselves over a total of longer distances. The grid topology also means that damage to a single device will not stop the entire network, as communication can simply be redirected.

Industrial use of ZigBee Mesh

One of industrial IoT devices, supporting ZigBee Mesh technology is eModGATE from TECHBASE. Economical, ESP32-based solution can serve as an end-point in any installation or works well as a gateway, gathering data from scattered sensor mesh across the installation. For more information check Industrial IoT Shop with all the configuration options for eModGATE, including ZigBee modem.