What is a Zigbee Mesh Network?
Zigbee is a wireless protocol that allows devices to talk to each other in a self-healing mesh. It uses 2.4 GHz (same as Wi-Fi), so it's critical to design your system to avoid interference and signal gaps.
- Coordinator – the "brain" of the system (e.g., TRO.Y 2 and Helen). Only one per system. Must be centrally placed.
- Routers – mains-powered devices that relay signals and extend range (e.g., motors with constant power, smart plugs).
- End Devices – battery-powered Zigbee shades. These talk to a router and do not relay signal.
Channel Selection & Wi-Fi Conflicts
Zigbee lives in the same frequency band as Wi-Fi. Choosing the wrong Zigbee channel can result in dropped signals, slow commands, and flaky performance.
- Tools to use: Wi-Spy or any Wi-Fi Analyzer
- Goal: Pick a Zigbee channel that doesn’t overlap with heavy Wi-Fi traffic (like channels 1, 6, or 11)
⚠️: Tip: If the site has mesh Wi-Fi, or another Zigbee system (3rd Party Control Systems / Lighting Systems), check for access points in every room — this will help avoid interference when placing routers and the coordinator.
New Construction Tips
- Hardwire whenever possible! If the home is still being built, run Cat5/6 to the shades. This allows use of 485 motors or low-voltage Zigbee motors with reliable power and data.
- Plan for router placement during the blueprint phase — show power at each router location.
- Keep all Zigbee devices away from wireless routers, access points, and large metal appliances.
Placement Goals:
- Coordinator: centrally located in the building (not in a rack in the corner)
⚠️: The wire length from the TRO.Y Helen Port to the Helen Coordinator should not exceed 50' - Routers: every 15-20' or less, depending on walls, furniture, and shade density.
- Don’t place routers behind TVs or inside cabinets.
New Construction/Remodel - Zigbee Mesh Example ~2500 sq ft Home
This layout shows a ~2500 sq ft home, ideal for new construction or remodels where wiring can be run for a Zigbee mesh network including the Helen Coordinator, Low Voltage Zigbee Shades with built-in routers, and additional routers.
Shade Layout:
The green lines across the floor plan represent 47 Zigbee shades throughout the home. These may be a mix of Low Voltage and WireFree motors depending on the installation requirements and available wiring paths.
Routing Design:
Solid red circles indicate router nodes (such as Low Voltage shades or Zigbee plugs) forming a Zigbee mesh with minimum of 3 hops to the Helen Coordinator. These leverage the routing capabilities built into Low Voltage Zigbee motors.
Red outlined circles show where additional routers would be needed if using WireFree motors, while still maintaining a reliable 3-hop path back to the Coordinator.
WiFi Design:
Blue filled circles mark planned WiFi access point locations. Blue outlined circles suggest optional expansion areas to ensure strong wireless coverage and help avoid Zigbee interference zones.
Retrofit Project Tips
- Use a Wi-Fi analyzer to find where Zigbee traffic will be most reliable.
- Find constant power sources for routers (e.g., powered Zigbee motors, smart plugs or outlets).
- Again — place routers every 25 feet or closer. You may need more in brick or concrete-walled homes.
Quick Checks:
- Coordinator can "see" at least 2 routers with –65 dBm SILQ.
- Every shade is within 2 to 3 hops from a router.
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No Zigbee routers are sitting next to a Wi-Fi access point.
Retrofit - Zigbee Mesh Example – Wireless Shades ~2500 sq ft home
This floor plan illustrates a retrofit installation using WireFree Zigbee shades, where running new wires is not feasible. The Helen Coordinator is placed in the Media Closet alongside the TRO.Y gateway.
Shade Layout:
The green lines indicate the locations of 47 Zigbee wireless shades installed throughout the home. These shades rely entirely on wireless mesh routing for communication.
Routing Challenges:
This example shows how shades on the far end of the house must make multiple hops to reach the Coordinator. When the Coordinator is not centrally located, the system may experience reduced reliability, slower response times, or devices dropping off the network.
Even if a router is physically close to a shade, if it’s part of a path that exceeds 3 hops to the Coordinator, it can still cause communication issues.
WiFi Design:
Blue filled circles represent current WiFi access points. Blue outlined circles indicate potential spots to improve coverage or reduce interference with Zigbee communication.
Example Floor plan: Good vs. Bad Design
Use the image above to compare correct coordinator and router placements. Good design = solid coverage, minimal hops, and separation from Wi-Fi.
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