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Zigbee Range Extender: Selection Guide, Benefits & Manufacturers

zigbee range extender wireless smart home rf

A Zigbee range extender enhances signal strength and network coverage, ensuring reliable connectivity for smart home devices. Selecting the right Zigbee repeater depends on range, power efficiency, and security. This guide covers how to select a Zigbee range extender, its benefits, and top manufacturers.

Zigbee-based wireless networks consist of a Zigbee coordinator, router, and end devices. It can support communication up to a distance coverage from 10 to 30 meters. Hence, to extend the Zigbee signal coverage, a range extender device is needed. As we know, “extender” is the term that refers to the device which extends the coverage of an RF signal or amplifies the electrical signal.

The other terms which are synonymous with extender are repeater, relay, and router. The device which extends the 2.4 GHz or 868/915 MHz Zigbee signal in the presence of a channel is referred to as a Zigbee range extender. This device will have an integrated RF power amplifier and LNA to increase the range of the device.

Selection Guide

The following Zigbee range extender specifications are considered during its selection:

  • Provision to develop custom application development
  • Easy connectivity options with WLAN, cellular
  • Transmit power of 8 dBm or 20 dBm
  • Receiver sensitivity of -102 dBm at 1% pER
  • Should support an Ethernet port with 10/100 Base-T PHY
  • Should support security protocols (SSL tunnels, WEP-40 and 104, WPA/WPA2)
  • Support for frequency range
  • Should support IEEE 802.15.4 specifications

Advantages of Zigbee Range Extender

Following are some of the benefits of a Zigbee range extender:

  1. A Zigbee range extender strengthens and expands the mesh network, ensuring reliable connectivity in large homes, offices, or outdoor areas.

  2. By relaying signals between devices, it helps create a self-healing network, reducing dead zones and ensuring consistent performance.

  3. Zigbee range extenders use minimal energy, making them cost-effective and ideal for battery-powered smart home devices.

  4. They improve communication between smart lights, sensors, locks, and other Zigbee devices, ensuring smooth automation and remote control.

  5. With AES-128 encryption and low bandwidth operation, Zigbee extenders offer secure and interference-resistant wireless communication.

Zigbee Range Extender Vendors, Manufacturers

  • Digi International Inc.
  • Texas Instruments
  • Anaren
  • Volutone Distributing Co.
  • Netvox technology co. ltd.

The SimpleLink CC-2592 Zigbee range extender from Texas Instruments boosts the range by 7 times. It supports a frequency range of 2.4 GHz.

Conclusion

A Zigbee range extender improves network stability and coverage, ensuring seamless communication among smart devices. Choosing a high-quality Zigbee repeater from trusted manufacturers enhances smart home performance.