Development and performance analysis of a ZigBee and LoRa-based smart building sensor network

Abstract

A wireless sensor network employing ZigBee and LoRa (Long Range) communication protocols for integration into smart building energy management systems is presented in this article. The design and implementation details are provided, and the performance parameters of the communication network are defined and analyzed based on the test results obtained from different configurations. The developed embedded system can be used in smart environments so that the room temperature, humidity, lighting systems, and so on can be automatically monitored and controlled. By customizing the embedded code, a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) applications can be introduced owing to their scalability. Taking advantage of the complementing low-power and long-range features of ZigBee and LoRa communication technologies, a system comprising an end device, a multi-protocol gateway, and a central data collector (CDC) unit is developed. The end device collects temperature and humidity as well as light intensity data using low-power sensors and sends the data to the gateway via the LoRa wireless transceiver module. The gateway was designed as an intermediate device that allows data exchange between the LoRa and ZigBee transceiver modules. It receives sensor data from the end device via LoRa and sends them to the CDC unit via a ZigBee-based XBee S2 commercial wireless transceiver module. Sensor data are monitored in the CDC unit by using an open-source IoT software platform. A commercial STM32 integrated circuit (IC) was used as a microcontroller unit for the end device and gateway. Performance parameters such as communication range and throughput data were studied for both the ZigBee and LoRa wireless transceiver modules.

Hybrid Architectures to Improve Coverage in Remote Areas and Incorporate Long-Range LPWAN Multi-Hop IoT Strategies

“…In these cases, it would be possible to implement a network that follows the philosophy of Figure 3a, where the ZigBee nodes would be forming a subnet within the same enclosure without wall obstacles and are interconnected by LoRa links, longer range and more robust to obstacles. Within the same smart buildings ecosystem, there are other proposals such as [28], where the inverse strategy is presented, that is, the interconnection with the end nodes is formed by LoRa links, while the ZigBee links implement the connection with the central data collector and the IP network. In this way, the BR of the ZigBee technology is used in the final stretch of the network, as well as its greater security thanks to the AES 128 [29] encryption algorithm.…”

Data security in smart devices: Advancement, constraints and future recommendations

“…In some case scenarios, the application layer will use plain HTTP for cloud-to-host transactions, such as using HTTP to process signals in a system with wearable devices and then sending the data to the cloud via the Wi-Fi module for storage via HTTP. The module uses ZigBee to communicate with the remote terminal unit [10][11][12]. The data is sent to the cloud via a tiny number of HTTP queries.…”

Novel approach to energy consumption estimation in smart homes: application of data mining and optimization techniques

“…A smart building is a structure that efficiently utilizes various fundamental elements, such as its design, systems, and management services, to create a cost-effective and suitable environment. Within the intelligent infrastructure, numerous habitual and involuntary actions carried out by residents are automated by smart systems, resulting in time and labor cost savings (Ali and Zorlu Partal, 2022). Smart homes are comprised of many interconnected communication networks that interface with the primary electrical equipment and services.…”