How a BEEs network works

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How a BEEs network works

BEEs talk to each other via our sub-GigaHz radio protocol called ‘BeeTalk’. BEETalk protocol (patent pending) is:

  • secure – we use a cryptographic Hash algorithms to protect the radio packet against “Man on the middle”
  • smart – discovers the network and choose the best path
  • with mesh support – every node of the network can act as router for BEEs in the coverage area
  • robust – up to 100mt outdoor and 20mt indoor with standard obstacles (walls, doors)

GateBEE is the coordinator of the network; it’s responsible of the following tasks:

  • choosing the suitable radio channel and security settings
  • coordinating all the radio messaging between the BEEs avoiding collisions
  • bridging the BEEs network to the Hive (the cloud) using a real-time publish/subscribe mechanism.

Consider an installation in which 1 GateBEE, 3 WireBEE and 2 SenseBEE are placed like in the following picture:

BEEs_network_1

Once installed, the GateBEE starts broadcasting on the radio channel it’s presence. In the picture below the aqua circle represents the coverage area of the GateBEE.

BEEs_network_2

Here you can see that:

  • BEEs 1 and 2 are in direct radio coverage with the GateBEE and then they setup a radio link
  • BEEs 3, 4 and 5 aren’t in coverage with the GateBEE.

Thanks to BeeTalk protocol BEE 3, that is in the coverage area of BEE 1, starts listening the radio channel and choose this node as router for it’s messages.

BEEs_network_3

In the same way BEEs 4 and 5 automatically discovers that BEE 3 is linked and then use it as router for their messages to and from the GateBEE.

BEEs_network_4

This mechanism can be extending up to 7 hops bringing the maximum distances between a BEE and the GateBEE of up to 500 meters!

This type of network, known as Mesh network, is automatically supported by BeeTalk and all the BEEs build their path to the GateBEE automatically. This process of auto-discovery if done automatically also if you change the network topology (e.g. move the BEEs if different places) without the need of any configuration!