6 Analyzing Data Traffic in Zigbee 3.0 Protocol

The Zigbee Alliance defines a set of standard device types. These device types specify the functionality of a device. This functionality is again dependent on independent functional entities called clusters. The cluster is a container of attributes, and can read/write through command/responses defined by Zigbee Device Profile (ZDP). The alliance also provides a Zigbee Cluster Library (ZCL) that acts as a repository for cluster functionality.

The packet capture was performed using the Wireshark/Zigbit sniffer for data transfer between various combinations of Zigbee device types. The following are the three Zigbee device types:
  • Zigbee coordinator/Zigbee combined interface – Device capable of controlling and monitoring other devices. In general, it is a mains-powered device like a personal computer.
  • Zigbee router/Zigbee lights – A lighting device that can be switched ON/OFF. Adjust the brightness and color of the light via the color commands.
  • Zigbee end device/Zigbee multisensor
The following are the two Zigbee network architectures:
  • Centralized network – Zigbee coordinator device can form a centralized network.
  • Distributed network – Zigbee router device can form a distributed network.
The packet capture focuses on the following scenarios:
  • Zigbee coordinator – Centralized network formation (Zigbee combined interface application). Commissioning and data exchange between Zigbee coordinator and Zigbee router (Zigbee extended color lights). For more details, refer to 6.2 Zigbee Coordinator.
  • Zigbee router – Extended lights application is commissioned to the existing Zigbee network formed by the Zigbee coordinator (combined interface or Zigbee router is capable of creating a new Zigbee distributed network (if there is no nearby network)). Here it is commissioned to the existing Zigbee centralized network formed by Zigbee coordinator/combined interface. For more details, refer to 6.3 Zigbee Router.
  • Zigbee end device – Joined to Zigbee coordinator (combined interface). After joining, the end device (multisensor/sensor device type) starts the ZCL attribute reporting of sensor data, such as temperature, occupancy, light and humidity after connecting to the network formed by the coordinator. For more details, refer to 6.4 Zigbee End Device.
  • Touchlink commissioning – In this application note, the commissioning process happens between Zigbee extended lights (router) and the color scene controller (end device). For more details, refer to 6.5 Touchlink Commissioning.