Bluetooth and ZigBee

[Xmen]

Hello,
I always get confused with this word. Some people are saying that both work as the same. I want to know What is ZigBee? Is it a type of bluetooth ? How does it works ? Any suggestion?? Do both support shared wireless personal-area networks?

[Gonzo]

Bluetooth and ZigBee have much in common. Both are types of IEEE 802.15 "wireless personal area networks-zone" or WPANs. The two run in the 2.4 GHz band for unlicensed frequency, and both use small form factors and low power.

ZigBee is generally classified as a low rate WPAN, and his closest Bluetooth. A good bit of energy was expended in analyzing whether ZigBee and Bluetooth are complementary or competing technologies, but after a look at both, we can see that they fall much lower on the side further spectrum. They are two different technologies with very different areas of application and ways to design for these applications. While ZigBee is focused on control and automation, the Bluetooth-based connectivity between laptops, PDAs and others, and most replacement cables in general. ZigBee uses low flow, low energy consumption, and works with small packet devices; Bluetooth uses a higher rate of data, a higher consumption of power, and working with large equipment package.

[Simond]

ZigBee protocols define a type of sensor network for residential and commercial applications, such as heating, cooling and lighting control. It combines IEEE 802.15.4, which defines the protocol for physical and MAC layers with network, security and layers of application software as specified by the ZigBee Alliance, a consortium of technology companies (see Zigbee starts his rise to power).
Bluetooth eliminates cables. Bluetooth, as you probably know, eliminates cabling between electronic products and accessories, such as between computers and printers or between phones and headsets. Bluetooth users with handhelds or laptops can share files, business cards and appointment calendar. Bluetooth is more oriented toward user mobility and eliminating short-distance cabling; ZigBee aims more for the large-scale automation and remote control.The range of a network of Bluetooth and Zigbee are 1 or 100 m according to the radio category, and up to 70 m, respectively.

[Bon-Z]

ZigBee networks can support a greater number of aircraft and a longer range between Bluetooth devices. Because of these differences, the technologies are not only geared toward different applications, they lack the capacity to expand to other applications. For example, for its applications, Bluetooth must rely on recharging the battery fairly frequently, while the goal of ZigBee is set for a user to be able to put a couple of batteries for equipment and forgotten for months or years. In the calendar of critical applications, ZigBee is designed to respond quickly, while Bluetooth is much longer and could prejudice the application. Thus, a user could easily use both technologies as a wireless solution in a pan to suit all types of applications within the network.
Bluetooth uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
ZigBee uses Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)