ESA Certified Alarm Technician Practice Exam

What wireless technology was developed to address the needs of low-cost, low-power wireless mesh networks?

1. Bluetooth

2. Zigbee

3. Wi-Fi

4. Infrared

The correct answer is: Zigbee

Zigbee is the correct response because it was specifically designed for low-cost, low-power wireless mesh networks. This technology is optimized for small data packets and short-range communication, making it ideal for applications such as home automation, industrial control, and sensor networks. Zigbee supports a large number of devices within a mesh topology, allowing them to communicate with one another efficiently while conserving energy. In contrast, Bluetooth is primarily intended for short-range data exchange between devices and is not optimized for the mesh networking capabilities required for many low-power applications. Wi-Fi, while it can support mesh networking, typically requires more power and is designed for higher data throughput, which is not suitable for low-cost, low-power scenarios. Infrared technology relies on line-of-sight communication and does not support mesh networking, limiting its applicability in many wireless communication situations. Thus, Zigbee stands out for its specific design for low-cost, low-power wireless mesh networks.