Viconics VT7682S Application Guide - Manual (Page 8)

7
Wireless Communication Overview
The Viconics Wireless Central Manager and other related wireless controller family (VT7xxxXxxxxW) networkable
devices operate using ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4 physical layer for communication.
General characteristics of the wireless physical communication layer are:
· Wireless physical layer of 2.4GHz with a data rates of 250 kbps
· Yields high throughput and low latency
· Automatic multiple topologies configuration: star, peer-to-peer, mesh
· Fully handshake protocol for transfer reliability
· Range: 30 feet / 10M typical (up to 100 feet / 30 M based on environment)
IEEE 802.15.4 al
ong with ZigBee’s Network and Application Support Layer provide:
·
Low cost installation deployment
· Ease of implementation
· Reliable data transfer
· Short range operation
· Very low power consumption
· Appropriate levels of security
Many network specific features of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard are not covered in detail in this paper. However, these
are necessary for the efficient operation of a ZigBee network. The features of the network physical layer include
receiver energy detection, link quality indication and clear channel assessment. Both contention-based and contention-
free channel access methods are supported with a maximum packet size of 128 bytes, which includes a variable
payload up to 104 bytes. Also employed are 64-bit IEEE and 16-bit short addressing, supporting over 65,000 nodes per
network. All the properties of the physical layer are used and employed by the Viconics mesh network but are hidden to
the user for ease of configuration and commissioning of the network database.