RFBluetooth Mesh vs. Zigbee Mesh: Key Differences
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This article compares Bluetooth Mesh and Zigbee Mesh technologies, highlighting their differences across various parameters.
Introduction:
Network topologies can be categorized as point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint, whether the system is wired or wireless. Devices or nodes communicate within these topologies for data transfer and other functions. Both Bluetooth Mesh and Zigbee Mesh employ a mesh topology, enabling data exchange with any device within the network’s coverage range.
If the intended receiving node is beyond the sending node’s direct range, the data can be relayed or routed through intermediary nodes until it reaches its destination. However, BLE Mesh and Zigbee utilize different relaying/routing approaches.
Bluetooth Mesh specifications were released in 2017 by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). It is compatible with all BLE versions back to 4.0. BLE Mesh is designed for extended range and a broader range of IoT applications.
In a BLE Mesh network, devices are referred to as “nodes.” These nodes communicate with each other through advertising and scanning states to relay messages, unlike traditional Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices that connect directly. Different types of nodes exist within a BLE Mesh network, each with specific functions, such as relay nodes, low-power nodes, friend nodes, and proxy nodes.
Zigbee Mesh network specifications are defined in the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard. This standard outlines the physical (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layers, as well as the radio frequency channels to be used. A Zigbee network consists of coordinators, routers, and end devices. Zigbee Mesh offers a larger coverage area and operates in different frequency bands, including 2.4 GHz, 868 MHz, and 915 MHz, supporting data rates up to 250 Kbps.
Difference between BLE Mesh and Zigbee Mesh
The following table provides a comparative overview of the differences between BLE Mesh and Zigbee Mesh technologies:
| Parameters | Bluetooth Mesh | Zigbee Mesh |
|---|---|---|
| Specification | Published by Bluetooth SIG | Published by IEEE under 802.15.4-2003 standard |
| Frequency | 2.4 GHz | 868 MHz, 900-928 MHz, and 2.4 GHz |
| Coverage Range | 10 to 100 m | 3.2 Km or less for each hop during transmission |
| Data Rate | 250 Kbps | 20 Kbps, 40 Kbps, 250 Kbps |
| Number of Nodes | 32767 | 65000 |
| Routing | Managed flooding | Full routing |
| Complexity | High | Low |
| Power Consumption | Medium | Very low |
| Network Devices | Relay, low power, friend, proxy nodes | Coordinator, Router, End Devices |
| Security | AES-CCM with 128-bit keys | AES encryption |
| Applications | Monitor/control apps (lighting, etc.) | Home automation, IoT applications |
