RFLoRa vs. Zigbee: A Comprehensive Comparison
lora
zigbee
wireless communication
network architecture
protocol stack
Advertisement
This article explores the differences between LoRa and Zigbee, two popular wireless communication technologies. We’ll delve into their specifications, network architectures, protocol stacks, and applications to help you understand which technology is best suited for your needs.
Specifications
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of LoRa and Zigbee specifications:
| Specifications | LoRa | Zigbee |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency Bands | 863 to 870 MHz, 902 to 928 MHz, 779 to 787 MHz | 868MHz, 915 MHz, 2450 MHz |
| Coverage Distance | 2-5 Km (urban areas), 15 Km (suburban areas) | 10 to 100 meters |
| Power Consumption | Lower compared to Zigbee | Low |
| Modulation Technique | LoRa modulation (CSS modulation), FSK or GFSK | BPSK, OQPSK modulation. Also uses DSSS to convert bits to chips. |
| Data Rate | 0.3 to 22 Kbps (LoRa), 100 Kbps (using GFSK) | 20 kbps (868 MHz), 40Kbps (915 MHz), 250 kbps (2450 MHz) |
| Network Architecture | See image below | See image below |
| Frame Structure | See image below | See image below |
| Protocol Stack | See image below | See image below |
| Physical Layer | Uses modulation as mentioned above, incorporates error correction, adds preamble for synchronization, uses PHY header CRC and frame CRC. | Two physical layers: 868/915 Mhz (BPSK, raised cosine), 2450 MHz (OQPSK, half sine wave) |
| Applications | Wide Area Network | LR-WPAN (Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Network) |
| Advantages/Disadvantages | ||
| Standard/Alliance | IEEE 802.15.4g, LoRa Alliance | IEEE 802.15.4 (PHY/MAC), Zigbee Alliance (network, security, application) |
Network Architecture
LoRa Network Architecture
LoRa networks consist of LoRa Gateways, servers, and end devices.
Zigbee Network Architecture
Zigbee networks consist of a coordinator, routers, and end devices.
Frame Structure
LoRa Frame Structure
Zigbee Frame Structure
Protocol Stack
LoRa Protocol Stack
The LoRa protocol stack includes RF, PHY, MAC, and application layers.
Zigbee Protocol Stack
The Zigbee protocol stack includes RF, PHY, MAC, network, security, and application layers.
