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Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: Admin on February 18, 2010, 04:41:41 AM

Title: ZigBee typical range?
Post by: Admin on February 18, 2010, 04:41:41 AM
I'm considering ZigBee for a project I'm working on.

Anyone know typical transmission range values for realistic operation?
(don't forget to mention which ZigBee device you used)
Title: Re: ZigBee typical range?
Post by: dunk on February 18, 2010, 07:31:39 AM
i've not used the XBee modules but these might be useful.

a post (by me) to Digi asking about 2.4GHz range:
http://forums.digi.com/support/forum/viewthread_thread,6878 (http://forums.digi.com/support/forum/viewthread_thread,6878)

a good page about various options for UAVs.
bear in mind a UAV will have better range than an equivalent ground based transceiver.
http://paparazzi.enac.fr/wiki/Modems (http://paparazzi.enac.fr/wiki/Modems)

bear in mind the 868MHz XBee sounds better than it is.
to comply with regulations at such a high power in countries allowing the 868MHz band the duty cycle is limited to 10%.
the way this is implemented, if you transmit constantly for 6 minutes the XBee switches off for the rest of the hour.

for the 2.4GHz band, you've already seen the range test of my RF modules.
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=6224.msg78066#msg78066 (http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=6224.msg78066#msg78066)
these are *not* XBees but advertised as having 1 mile range similar to the XBee Pros for the US market.
it's a real world test on flat ground, with typical non-directional patch antenna and both nodes close to ground level.


dunk.
Title: Re: ZigBee typical range?
Post by: madsci1016 on February 18, 2010, 11:40:27 PM

bear in mind the 868MHz XBee sounds better than it is.
to comply with regulations at such a high power in countries allowing the 868MHz band the duty cycle is limited to 10%.
the way this is implemented, if you transmit constantly for 6 minutes the XBee switches off for the rest of the hour.


This is only EU regulations. The US version transmits 100% of the time, as the 900Mhz spectrum is open access over here.
Title: Re: ZigBee typical range?
Post by: duste83 on February 19, 2010, 12:38:55 PM
If I remember correctly they have a range of 300ft but you can use the mesh network for greater distances.  I don't know how effective they are at that range.  I do have some documentation at home that I can email you.
Title: Re: ZigBee typical range?
Post by: duste83 on February 20, 2010, 07:52:20 AM
In urban areas the range is 100ft and in direct line of sight the range is 300ft (rated).
Title: Re: ZigBee typical range?
Post by: waltr on February 20, 2010, 08:42:09 AM
I have been using the Series 2 XBee modules with ZB firmware (v2x41). Their range is greatly dependent on the environment and what is between two units and which antenna is on the module.

With the wire antennas I have a good link from the basement (coordinator) through cider block walls and wood floors to the sunroom (router) about 40 feet away. From there to the garage (end device), 30 feet, is difficult as the garage has foil lined insulation, a metal door and window screens. The link is good if the module inside the garage is placed to avoid this shielding.
The next module (end device) is behind the garage, ~60 feet to the sunroom. Works well if the module is placed so the garage does not block the path otherwise I get a very marginal link. I plan to put a router high in the attic for a better path to the garage and the backyard.
I haven't tried to see what the open line of sight range can be.

Hope this is helpful.