Emre Çerçi, Yaser Dalveren
A Propagation Study of XBee P2P Links for Short-Range IoT Applications in Outdoor Environments at 868 MHz
On the other hand, the selection of an appropriate packet loss, and indoor/outdoor attenuation models.
wireless communication technology remains a Research in [22] investigates the impact of transmission
significant challenge in the context of outdoor IoT range on ZigBee quality parameters in both indoor and
applications [9]. Zigbee could be one the promising open-area settings. The work in [23] presents a
technologies (protocols) based on the IEEE 802.15.4 comprehensive performance analysis of XBee modules
standard, designed for low-power, low-data-rate, and under various conditions, including static and moving
short-range applications. Zigbee operates primarily in obstacles, packet load variation, and measurements. In
the 2.4 GHz ISM band globally, with additional support [24], an extensive comparison of encrypted and
for 868 MHz in Europe and 915 MHz in North America unencrypted ZigBee communication is conducted
[10]. Moreover, it supports multiple network topologies, through real-world indoor and outdoor testbeds. The
including star, tree, and mesh. XBee modules are widely study in [25] evaluates the performance of the XBee
used hardware implementations that simplify wireless module under various conditions in both indoor and
communication by offering plug-and-play solutions, and outdoor environments to determine signal strength. In
they are particularly effective in point-to-point (P2P) [26], three propagation models are assessed using RSSI-
communication when configured with 802.15.4 based field measurements with LoRa and ZigBee
firmware, while also supporting Zigbee protocol for technologies in vegetated outdoor areas. Similarly,
mesh networking [11], [12]. Compared to other [27]compares the various vegetation propagation
technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IQRF, Zigbee models against empirical path loss measurements in
may offer lower power consumption and cost, moderate open fields. The study in [28] investigates ZigBee link
communication range, and enhanced scalability. While efficiency on sloped agricultural terrain, where elevation
Wi-Fi provides higher data throughput and broader blocks communication between nodes. Addressing
coverage at the cost of increased power usage, BLE excels communication reliability in precision agriculture, [29]
in ultra-low power scenarios but is limited in network highlights the challenges posed by ZigBee-based netorks
complexity [13], [14]. IQRF, a less mainstream yet in such environments. Lastly, the research in [30]
versatile technology, provides robust mesh networking investigates the extended range capabilities of ZigBee
with extended range and ultra-low power consumption technology and its suitability for Smart Meter networks
[15], positioning it closer to Zigbee in terms of in varying environmental conditions.
application suitability for IoT contexts. On the other hand, research addressing outdoor
For the effective deployment of short-range wireless propagation analysis of XBee-based P2P links operating
communication systems in practical scenarios, it is at 868 MHz remains very limited in the literature [31],
essential to accurately predict coverage performance. In [32]. The study presented in [31] presents a protocol for
particular, XBee modules can be used for low-power, timed and reliable communication over off-the-shelf
low-data-rate, and short-range IoT applications. To this wireless technologies. The protocol is implemented and
end, it can be configured for P2P communication over the evaluated using both commercial cellular networks and
868 MHz ISM band, offering a lightweight alternative to self-deployed XBee modules operating at 868 MHz. It is
more complex networking protocols such as Zigbee mesh demonstrated that XBee 868 MHz modules offer a cost-
networking [16]. However, a reliable estimation of the effective and flexible solution for long-range
coverage area requires a thorough understanding of communication with deterministic performance. The
propagation impairments affecting P2P wireless links. results also validate the effectiveness of using XBee 868
Among these impairments, path loss (𝑃𝐿) is recognized MHz in ensuring timely and reliable data transmission.
as the most significant factor influencing the quality and This then makes it highly suitable for industrial and
reliability of wireless links [17]. It is well known that 𝑃𝐿 mission-critical applications with strict latency and
is highly sensitive to environmental factors, and thus, reliability demands. In [32], the deployment of a wireless
selecting an accurate path loss model is crucial for sensor network using XBee 868 MHz modules is
efficient system deployment [18]. investigated. It highlights their potential as a robust
In the literature, extensive studies have examined the alternative to 2.4 GHz solutions, which often experience
propagation characteristics of Zigbee-based networks at interference and limited range. Through real-world
2.4 GHz in short-range outdoor environments [19], [20], experimentation across university buildings, the study
[21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30]. The shows that XBee 868 MHz modules can achieve reliable
work in [19] analyzes Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) long-range communication (up to 300 meters) with low
performance in forests and bean agriculture areas, packet loss, even in challenging outdoor conditions.
focusing on Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)- These findings underline the suitability of XBee 868 MHz
based power prediction models and identifying the most for applications requiring stable and energy-efficient
suitable one for such applications. In [20], the authors wireless links in environments where 2.4 GHz networks
examine outdoor propagation modeling in WSNs, may be unreliable.
particularly the effect of distance, obstacles, and topology Therefore, despite the widespread use of short-range IoT
on RSSI and path loss in various conditions. The study in technologies and numerous studies on Zigbee-based
[21] evaluates wireless transmission between Arduino- networks at 2.4 GHz, there remains a significant gap in
based nodes using XBee modules, assessing RSSI levels, the literature regarding the performance of XBee-based
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