Digi XBee 3 ZigBee User Manual

Zigbee networks Zigbee networking concepts
Digi XBee® 3 Zigbee® RF Module
77
operation, set DH/DL to the broadcast address or some specific unicast address when the
device is changed to a coordinator.
In general, it is your responsibility to ensure that parameters are set to be compatible with the new
device type when changing device types.
PAN ID
Zigbee networks are called personal area networks (PANs). Each network is defined with a unique
PAN identifier (PAN ID), which is common among all devices of the same network. Zigbee devices are
either preconfigured with a PAN ID to join, or they can discover nearby networks and select a PAN ID
to join.
Zigbee supports both a 64-bit and a 16-bit PAN ID. Both PAN IDs are used to uniquely identify a
network. Devices on the same Zigbee network must share the same 64-bit and 16-bit PAN IDs. If
multiple Zigbee networks are operating within range of each other, each should have unique PAN IDs.
16-bit PAN ID
The 16-bit PAN ID is used as a MAC layer addressing field in all RF data transmissions between devices
in a network. However, due to the limited addressing space of the 16-bit PAN ID (65,535 possibilities),
there is a possibility that multiple Zigbee networks (within range of each other) could use the same
16-bit PAN ID. To resolve potential 16-bit PAN ID conflicts, the Zigbee Alliance created a 64-bit PAN ID.
64-bit PAN ID
The 64-bit PAN ID (also called the extended PAN ID), is intended to be a unique, non-duplicated value.
When a coordinator starts a network, it can either start a network on a preconfigured 64-bit PAN ID,
or it can select a random 64-bit PAN ID. Devices use a 64-bit PAN ID during joining; if a device has a
preconfigured 64-bit PAN ID, it will only join a network with the same 64-bit PAN ID. Otherwise, a
device could join any detected PAN and inherit the PAN ID from the network when it joins. All Zigbee
beacons include the 64-bit PAN ID and is used in 16- bit PAN ID conflict resolution.
Routers and end devices
Routers and end devices are typically configured to join a network with any 16-bit PAN ID as long as
the 64-bit PAN ID is valid. Coordinators typically select a random 16-bit PAN ID for their network.
Since the 16-bit PAN ID only allows up to 65,535 unique values, and the device randomly selects the
16-bit PAN ID, provisions exist in Zigbee to detect if two networks (with different 64-bit PAN IDs) are
operating on the same 16- bit PAN ID. If the device detects a conflict, the Zigbee stack can perform
PAN ID conflict resolution to change the 16- bit PAN ID of the network in order to resolve the conflict.
See the Zigbee specification for details.
Zigbee routers and end devices should be configured with the 64-bit PAN ID of the network they want
to join, and they typically acquire the 16-bit PAN ID when they join a network.
Only enable CE on one device to avoid PANID conflicts and network problems.
Operating channels
Zigbee uses direct-sequence spread spectrum modulation and operates on a fixed channel. The
802.15.4 PHY defines 16 operating channels (channels 11 to 26) in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. XBee
modules support all 16 channels.
FCC regulations mandate lower power levels on channel 26, so if you fix your network to channel 26,
you will experience significantly less range on the devices.

Digi XBee 3 ZigBee Specifications

General

Brand	Digi
Model	XBee 3 ZigBee
Category	Control Unit
Language	English