Zigbee is network technology. Here this article gives information about Zigbee topology to know more details about it.
1. Star topology :
A star network has a central node, which is linked to all other nodes in the networks. All messages travel via the central node.
The star topology consists of a coordinator and several end devices as shown in the figure. In this topology, the end device communicates only with the coordinator. So any packet exchange between end devices must go through the ZigBee coordinator.
The advantages of the star topology are that it is simple and packet go through at most two hopes to reach their destination.
2. Tree topology :
A tree network has a top node with a branch like structure as shown in the figure. To reach its destination, a message travels up the tree and then down the tree.
As shown in the figure, the network terminal consists of a central node, which is a coordinator, several routers and end device.
So in this topology, the task of the router is to extend the coverage of the network. The end nodes connected to the routers or the coordinator are referred to as children. Only the coordinator and the routers can have children like that.
The coordinator and the routers can have children. Hence only they can be parents. A special case of tree topology is called as cluster tree topology. In it, a parent with its children is called a cluster, as shown in the figure.
One of disadvantages of tree topology is that if two nodes are located close to each other, they can not directly communicate.
3. Mesh topology :
A mesh topology look like a tree structure, in which some leaves are directly linked. Message can travel across the tree, when a suitable route is available.
It is also called peer to peer topology. It consist of one coordinator several routers , and end device as shown n figure.
Following characteristics of a mesh topology
- Dead zone eliminated in this topology
- In this topology the device can be placed close to each other so that they use less power
- Adding or removing a device is very easy in this topology
- Any source device can communicate with any destination in the network
- It uses a more complex routing protocol in comparison to the star topology
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