Routing Strategy Selection for Zigbee Mesh Networks

Based on IEEE 802.15.4 Low Rate-Wireless Personal Area Network (LR-WPAN) standard, the Zigbee standard has been proposed to interconnect simple, low rate and battery powered wireless devices. The deployment of Zigbee networks is expected to facilitate numerous applications such as Home-appliance networks, home healthcare, medical monitoring and environmental sensors. An effective routing scheme is more important for Zigbee mesh networks. In order to achieve effective routing in Zigbee Mesh networks, a Zigbee protocol module is realized using NS-2. The suitable routing for different data services in the Zigbee application layer and a best routing strategy for Zigbee mesh network are proposed. The simulation shows the selection of suitable routing for continuous data services and for bursting data services in the Zigbee application layer and the comparison of three routing strategies namely ERD (All packets Enable Route Discovery), SRD (All packets Suppress Route Discovery) and BOS (routing Based on Data Services) with respect to efficiency and overhead.