ZigBee is a specification for a suite of high level communication protocols used to create personal area networks built from small, low-power digital radios.
ZigBee is based on an IEEE 802.15 standard. Though low-powered, ZigBee devices can transmit data over long distances by passing data through intermediate devices to reach more distant ones, creating a mesh network
ZigBee networks are secured by 128 bit symmetric encryption keys. In home automation applications, transmission distances range from 10 to 100 meters line-of-sight, depending on power output and environmental characteristics.
ZigBee is a low-cost, low-power, wireless mesh network standard. The low cost allows the technology to be widely deployed in wireless control and monitoring applications. Low power usage allows longer life with smaller batteries. Mesh networking provides high reliability and more extensive range. ZigBee chip vendors typically sell integrated radios and microcontrollers with between 60 KB and 256 KB flash memory.