Wireless Home Security and Automation System Utilizing ZigBee based Multi-hop Communication

Nowadays, smart home using wireless communication is replacing the wired system which was very messy and difficult to setup. However, the existing wireless smart home system only can cover up to a certain range of area that is limited by the range of wireless module being used. This paper introduces the conceptual understanding and strategy of ZigBee IEEE 802.15.4 standard to be deployed in smart home environment. ZigBee technology offers a multi-hop communication capability for data transfer. Multi-hop communication will provide unlimited range of communication for the system as long as there are intermediate nodes that will pass the data from one node to another until it reaches the destination. Prototype systems of home security and automation are built utilizing Zigbee based sensor network to present an insight for its practical implementation in smart home concept.