RFINSTEON vs. Zigbee: A Comprehensive Comparison
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This article provides a comparison between INSTEON and Zigbee technologies, highlighting their key differences and features.
About INSTEON
INSTEON is a technology that facilitates the networking of low-cost devices using a dual network approach, leveraging both powerline and radio frequency communication. All INSTEON devices function as peers, capable of transmitting, receiving, and repeating messages without relying on a master controller or complex routing software.
The strength of an INSTEON network increases with the number of devices, as each device repeats messages from others through simulcasting. The more devices present, the stronger the INSTEON signal becomes. INSTEON networks utilize a mesh topology and operate within the ISM frequency band.
About Zigbee
Zigbee is a low-rate Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) technology. A typical Zigbee network consists of a coordinator (one per network), Full Function Devices (FFDs) acting as routers, and Reduced Function Devices (RFDs), which are end devices but do not function as routers.
Zigbee employs the Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol to direct information between devices. It operates on the 2.4 GHz (Worldwide), 915 MHz (USA), and 868 MHz (Europe) frequency bands.
INSTEON vs. Zigbee: Key Differences
The following table summarizes the key differences between INSTEON and Zigbee technologies:
| Specifications | INSTEON | Zigbee |
|---|---|---|
| Media | Operates using both powerline and radio frequency | Operates using only Radio Frequency (RF) |
| Network Topology | Full mesh type | Partial routed mesh, partial star |
| Message Propagation | Using simulcasting | Using routing of messages based on AODV routing protocol |
| Message Type | Backwards and forwards compatible | Specific to revision level and profile |
| Device Types | Peers | Divided into FFDs and RFDs, requires one network coordinator per network |
| Network Installation | Automatic, no separate network enrollment required | Requires network enrollment as part of the installation procedure |
| Radio Modulation | Uses FSK radios in one band per market (915 MHz) | Uses DSSS in two bands per market |
| Frequency Range | 915 MHz | 2.4GHz, 868 MHz, and 915MHz |
| Data Rate | 38.4 Kbps instantaneous at 915MHz | 20Kbps instantaneous at 868MHz, 40Kbps instantaneous at 915MHz, 250Kbps instantaneous at 2.4GHz |
| Powerline | Available (supports 131.65KHz carrier with BPSK modulation) | Not available |
| Powerline Data Rate | 1034 bps user data, 1440bps standard message payload, 1698bps extended message payload | Not supported |
| X10 Compliance | Supports | Do not support |
| Addressing | 24 bit pre-assigned | 64 bit IEEE address/16 bit short address (65536 devices) |
| Powerline Phase Bridging | RF/Hardware | Not supported |
| Message Length | 15 or 33 bytes variable, 128 byte max. |
