Bluetooth Vs ZigBee

1. Personal Area Network(PAN)

1.1. Introduction

A personal area network (PAN) - a computer network used for data transmission amongst
devices such as computers, telephones, tablets and personal digital assistants. PANs can be used
for communication amongst the personal devices themselves (interpersonal communication), or
for connecting to a higher level network and the Internet (an uplink) where one "master" device
takes up the role as internet router.

Fugere1. Personal area (PAN) network

1.2Types Personal area network

PAN can be

1. Wired
2. Wireless

Wired Personal area network also be carried over wired computer buses such as :

USB
fire wire often link together a wired PAN.

Wireless personal area network (WPAN) - a low-powered PAN carried over a short-
distance wireless network technology such as:

Infrared Data Association (IrDA)

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Wireless USB
Bluetooth
Z-Wave
ZigBee
Body Area Network

Low-power wireless networking standards like 802.15.1 (Bluetooth & ZigBee) have driven
consumer interest in personal area networks (PANs).These networks are designed for
inexpensively connecting low-power devices located within 1 m to 100 m of each other.
Working Group Institute(IEEE) 802.15 is developing 802.15 standards for wireless personal
networks (PAN) and coordinating them with other group of standards, such as the802.11
standard for wireless local area network.

Although a (secured) Wi-Fi tethering connection could be used by only one single user it is not
considered to be a PAN.

1.3 Benefits of PAN

Personal area network are for a personal use, so the benefits might be more easily understood
than when talking about wide area networks. For example, that describes the Internet. With PAN
your own personal devices can interconnect for easier communication, and it is relatively a
secure network.

2.Bluetooth

2.1. Introduction
Bluetooth - is a radio frequency standard used for short-range small-scale applications.
Developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Bluetooth technology was designed to be
highly compatible with various types of equipment and applications. Its low power consumption
and ease of use makes it a very viable option for many short-range wireless applications. A
newer Bluetooth protocol, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Bluetooth Smart, was introduced as a
low power protocol and the original Bluetooth is now referred to as Bluetooth Classic.

Figure 2.1 Bluetooth logo

Bluetooth is a type of wireless communication used to transmit voice and data at high speeds
using radio waves. It is a standard protocol for short-range radio communications between many
different types of devices, including mobile phones, computers, entertainment systems and other

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electronics. Devices need to be within approximately 10 meters of each other, and the typical
data transfer rate is around 2 megabits per second (Mbps).

The technology is named after the Danish King Harold Bluetooth who unified Scandinavia.
Bluetooth signals operate in the 2.45 GHz frequency band. Every device using Bluetooth has a
small microchip that can send both voice and data signals. In a typical setup, one device operates
as the master, and one or more other devices operate as slaves. The master device uses link
manager software to identify other Bluetooth devices to create links with them to be able to send
and receive data.

Bluetooth uses a spread-spectrum frequency-hopping technology. This means it uses multiple

frequencies at the same time to limit interference when using multiple devices. While Bluetooth
does not need a direct line of sight, the signals do not carry very far, and the devices need to be
within approximately 10 meters. This works great to make phone calls using the audio system in
your car or to play music through a wireless speaker, but it does not work well to connect
multiple computers in an office building.

Bluetooth is widely used in mobile phones. For example, a wireless mobile phone headset allows
you to make phone calls without placing your phone to your ear. A similar example is to use
your Bluetooth to set up a link between your mobile phone and you car's audio system, making it
possible to make hands-free phone calls. Bluetooth is also widely used to establish a wireless
connection between a computer and various peripheral devices, including a mouse, keyboard,
printer, trackpads, digital camera, speakers, etc.

2.2. Bluetooth network topology

The typical Bluetooth classic network topology is based on two main net concepts such as
Piconet and Scatternet. Bluetooth protocol can support connection between one or more
Bluetooth devices by simply using concepts of two networks. When piconet includes only two
connected devices, the net refers to point-to-point connection scheme or other specific scheme as
point-to-multipoint net with more then one slave devices connected together. One or more
devices create a piconet if they are synchronized on the same physical channel.
In the Bluetooth network two types of connection are possible: synchronized or asynchronous
connection. Synchronous Connection-Oriented (SCO) is used for point-topoint connection and
more orientated to establish connection which usually used to transmit voice packets or mixed
voice and data packet. Asynchronous Connectionless (ACL) supports point-to-multipoint
connection without establishing connection between devices.
In a typical piconet only one of devices works as a master and rest of them act as
slaves. Actually, there is no limit in number of slaves. Master can connect 7 is the
maximum number of active slaves connected simultaneously. But if there are more
that seven, rest of the slaves must be parked. Amount of parked slaves can be up to
256 per piconet. Every parked device gets direct an 8-bit Parked Member address.
(PM_ADDR). Any parked device is synchronized by master clock can quickly change their
current state to the active state and get 3-bits Active Member address
(AM_ADDR). Below examples of Scatternet:

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Figure 2.2 Scatternet topology for Bluetooth classic ( Bluetooth v3.0 and before)

As an example, user case demonstrating the need for a clean, high quality implementation of
scatternet is shown in Figure 2.3. Here is a user synchronizing calendars between a phone and a
notebook PC while at the same time carrying on a phone conversation using a Bluetooth headset.
In this case, the mobile phone acts both as a master
towards the headset and as a slave towards the computer. The appropriate scatternet
topology would be the most appropriate in order to have uninterrupted connection and
effective data speed.

Figure 2.3 Example of scatternet user case

Bluetooth low energy (BTLE) two different network topologies are organized for two Bluetooth
modes. Single mode topology supports star topology, and according to dual mode implements
star bus topology within PAN. The BTLE technology theoretically has no limit in number
of active slaves in star and star-bus network topology.

2.3 IEEE Protocol Bluetooth

In 1999 the IEEE established a working group for wireless personal area networks (WPAN) with
similar goals to Bluetooth. The working group was divided
into several subgroups focusing on different aspects of WPANs (IEEE, 2002c).
The following gives a quick overview and presents the standard for low-rate
WPANs, 802.15.4, in some more detail:

Bluetooth is the technique built on using the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) 802.15.1 standard. The IEEE is a non-profit organization unites members
and volunteers are working to develop IEEE 802 wireless standards. Well-known

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ZigBee standard is also a part of the IEEE 802 standard family. So for the IEEE
802 working group it is necessary to ensure that all the standards can coexist and operate in the
same radio space.

2.4. Specification and Features of Bluetooth

The specifications were formalized by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The SIG was
formally announced on 20 May 1998. Today it has a membership of over 30,000 companies
worldwide. It was established by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Toshiba and Nokia, and later joined by
many other companies.

All versions of the Bluetooth standards support downward compatibility. That lets the latest
standard cover all older versions.

1. Bluetooth 1.0 and 1.0B

- had many problems and manufacturers had difficulty making their products
interoperable.
2. Bluetooth 1.1
- Ratified as IEEE Standard 802.15.1 2002.
- Many errors found in the v1.0B specifications were fixed.
3. Bluetooth 1.2
- Faster Connection and Discovery.
4. Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
- This version of the Bluetooth Core Specification was released in 2004.
- The main difference is the introduction of an Enhanced Data Rate
(EDR) for faster data transfer.

5. Bluetooth 2.1+EDR

- Bluetooth Core Specification Version 2.1 + EDR was adopted by the Bluetooth SIG on
26 July 2007.

6. Bluetooth 3.0+HS

- is called Bluetooth high speed.

- Version 3.0 + HS of the Bluetooth Core Specification was adopted by the Bluetooth
SIG on 21 April 2009.

7. Bluetooth 4.0

- has been adopted as of 30 June 2010.

- It includes Classic Bluetooth, Bluetooth high speed and Bluetooth low energy protocols.

8. Bluetooth 4.1

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- The Bluetooth SIG announced formal adoption of the Bluetooth v4.1 specification on 4
December 2013.

- Released on December 2, 2014, it Introduces features for the Internet of Things.

9. Bluetooth 5.0

- The Bluetooth SIG officially unveiled Bluetooth 5 during a media event in London on
16 June 2016.

- Its new features are mainly focused on emerging Internet of Things technology. The
Samsung Galaxy S8 launched with Bluetooth 5 support in April 2017.

3. ZigBee

3.1 Introduction

ZigBee is a well-known registered trademark of the ZigBee Alliance. This trademark

is registered in certain countries only.
The ZigBee alliance includes such companies as Invensys, Honeywell, Mitsubishi
Electric, Motorola and Philips.
Primarily ZigBee takes its name from zigzag path of bees. ZigBee technique is similar
to the bee dance as a way to share information as the location, distance and location of
a new found food source to other members of the colony. They easily can apply mesh
network topology to share information between flowers.

Figure 3.1. ZigBee logo

ZigBee Technology is flexible and multi-purpose standard designed for wireless controls and
sensors. Because of the ZigBee applications operate with low data rate there
are no needs for high bandwidth. It is necessary need for low latency and to establish
reliable power-saving local area network for sensors and control devices. The most
attractive feature is that ZigBee technology allows devices to communicate with one
another with low power consumption technique which allowing permanent usage of a
battery even for years.

3.2 ZigBee Network Topology

Star, mesh, cluster tree are three different topologies are all supported by ZigBee. The

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figure below shows good examples of ZigBee network topology where star and mesh
topologies represent multiple path communication between devices. The most useful
topology for end devices is a star topology. When several end devices are located close
to each other they can communicate with a single router. As well as the same node can
be a part of more complicated mesh network topology that communicates by the network
coordinator. And very network has to have coordinator device as a necessary part
of network. Actually, network coordinator is the device responsible for managing for
information about each node and information transmitted or received over network.
Mesh topology is more reliable compared to other topologies as specially in case when
one node goes down and mesh networking allows finding alternative path to continue
transferring data.

Figure 3.2 ZigBee network topologies

3.3 The IEEE Standard of ZigBee

IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee) is a standard as Wireless Personal Area Network, characterized by low
cost of the components, reduced coverage area, low power transmission, bit rate and
energy consumption. IEEE 802.15.4 is based on half-duplex data transmission. It
means that a device can transmit or receive data within PAN. IEEE 802.15.4 group standardizes
low-rate wireless personal area networks (LR-WPAN).

3.5. Specification of ZigBee

The ZigBee Specification is available to individuals, companies and institutions free of
charge for all non-commercial purposes (including university research, technical
evaluation, and development of non-commercial software, tools, or documentation). No
part of this specification may be used in development of a product for sale without
becoming a member of ZigBee Alliance.

1. ZigBee v.1.0

- draft ratified as IEEE Standard 802.15.4 2004

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2. ZigBee v.r06

- release on February 17, 2006.

3. ZigBee v.r07

- release on April 28, 2006.

4. ZigBee v.r13

- release on October 9, 2006.

5. ZigBee v.r14

- release on November 3, 2006.

6. ZigBee v.r15

- release on December 12, 2006.

7. ZigBee v.r17

- release on October 19, 2007 ZigBee-2007.

4. Comparing Bluetooth and ZigBee

1. Technical details

Comparing ZigBee and Bluetooth in common characteristics they look similar to each
other. They are both from the same standard group IEEE 802.15 They use the same
unlicensed 2.4 GHz operational frequency band to perform their low power connectivity and low
cost. There are still some differences between two competitive technologies in their
specifications.

Bluetooth specification is based on IEEE 802.15.1 group and ZigBee implements IEEE 802.15.4.
They are two different technologies in their design. At very beginning Zigbee more focused on
controlling, monitoring and automation and Bluetooth belongs to be more focused on creating a
network with laptops, mobile phones.

Bluetooth is designed to be used for self-organizing wireless ad-hoc networks. Ad-hoc

networks do not have a permanent structure and provide decentralized wireless networks
between devices. Devices are connected dynamically and forming a network.

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Each node in the network tries to transmit data destined to other nodes in dynamical
mode.

2. Over the air data rate

ZigBee has lower data rate then Bluetooth.

ZigBee: 250kbps at 2.4GHz, 40kbps at 915MHz and 20kbps at 868MHz.
Bluetooth is varied 1 to 3Mbps

3. Method of modulation

ZigBee: Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum

Bluetooth: Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum

4. Network topology
ZigBee uses star, cluster and mesh
Bluetooth Classic: Scatternet
Bluetooth LE: Star-Bus

5. Connecting time of a node

ZigBee can wake up and get a packet in around 15 milliseconds.
For Bluetooth device, it would take 3 seconds to wake up and respond on request.

6. Connecting time of a node

ZigBee can wake up and get a packet in around 15 milliseconds.
For Bluetooth device, it would take 3 seconds to wake up and respond on request.

7. Battery

Bluetooth: Intended for frequent recharging

ZigBee: Not rechargeable (one reason batteries will last for up to 10 years)

8. Network range:

Bluetooth: 1 to 10-100 meters, depending on radio class

ZigBee: Up to 70 meters

5. Conclusion
In the conclusion the most important question comes up to make a final decision
What is the best technology, ZigBee or Bluetooth? We would say there is no certain
answer. In understanding of differences between them we have to look at and compare
their specific technical features. Certainly ZigBee and Bluetooth technologies become
closer to each other in low power characteristics. Especially last Bluetooth Low Energy

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approaches to the main goal to provide low power consumption in data transmission. They are
obviously overlapping in some applications, for instance in Personal
Health care of Home Environment areas in order to give a new possibilities for applications.
They both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Bluetooth is capable
to communicate within Personal Area Network to thousands and thousands of Bluetooth devices
but cannot work with mesh topology that allows flexible network topology in case when some
node becomes not able for transmission. Bluetooth is based on
star topology with a central device which simply can dynamically add devices into
network or drop the device connection off. On other hand, ZigBee covers large Local
Area Network but is not so much appropriate for ad-hoc wireless network.

6. Summary
ZigBee, Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Smart(BTLP) are all communication protocols for
transferring data over wireless networks. They are short range technologies that will
automatically detect devices within range and set up ad hoc networks with detected devices.
Devices only operate within their networks, and currently do not connect to the internet. ZigBee
is used primarily in building and home automation control, controlling lights, temperature,
equipment. Bluetooth Classic enables wireless connections for PCs and mobiles for headsets,
earpieces, keyboards; it handles voice and data, and devices require frequent
recharging. Bluetooth Smart offers the range and connections of Bluetooth Classic, but with low
power consumption in mind for sensor and fitness devices.

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7. References

http://www.wikipidia.com
Vadym Samosuyev , BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY COMPARED TO ZIGBEE AND
BLUETOOTH CLASSIC, Bachelors Thesis Information Technology, May 2010
Michael Price, Wireless Communication Using Bluetooth and Android
ochen H. Schiller ,Mobile Communications, Second Edition
San Ramon , ZigBee Specification Document 053474r17
K. V. S. S. S. S. Sairam, University of Madras, Dr. M. G. R. Engineering College N.
Gunasekaran, Anna UniversityS. Rama Reddy, Jerusalem College of Engineering, Dr. M.
G. R. Engineering College, Bluetooth in Wireless Communication
http://google.com/ZigBee Vs. Bluetooth: A Use Case With Range Calculations,
Published August 24, 2015

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8. Group members and ID

No Name ID
1 Hashim Nuri TEST 184/07
2 Kaleabe Yohannes ETS 0644/07
3 Michael Wondemu ETS 0777/07
4 Tadiyos Solomon ETS 0969/07

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