The EcoConnect is part of the EcoSmart suite of products by Telkonet. This device is a requirement when creating a wireless network of any ZigBee enabled EcoSmart products. The EcoConnect functions as a coordinator of a ZigBee Personal Area Network (PAN). The EcoConnect establishes the wireless channel and PAN identification that a group of EcoSmart products will join. Each EcoConnect device forms a reliable redundant mesh topology between all ZigBee enabled EcoSmart products within its wireless range. To simplify the network for large buildings, it is not necessary for the EcoConnect to connect to every device on its PAN but can rely on each device within its network to direct communications to the next device on the network. This type of communication is called mesh networking and provides a highly
reliable method for reaching many devices without the worry of direct signal strength. Because of this mesh topology, the EcoConnect and related EcoSmart products can function on very low wireless power. This allows the EcoSmart ZigBee network to co-exist with many other 2.4Ghz devices or even Wi-Fi services in the same building.