The Z-network - page 2

All Z-devices have a connector for a "Z-wire", in addition to any radios or other comm channels they may have.

A Z-wire is a single wire bus, which, with power and ground as well, can connect and power any number of Z-devices. It runs a simple bidirectional protocol, handled internally by the Z-OS and Z-send function. It is similar to Ethernet.

I will make the assumption that Z-devices without radios (BT, WiFi, etc) will be very common, as they are slightly cheaper, and would use less power.

Thus the Z-wire is the minimum way to connect a number of Z-devices. A host with just one standard digital i/o pin available can connect to a Z-wire, which can then connect to any number of other Z-devices along that single Z-wire. This is the minimum network.

Then all the Z-devices along that wire can communicate amongst themselves.