16-bit PAN ID

The 16-bit PAN ID is used as a MAC layer addressing field in all RF data transmissions between devices in a network. However, due to the limited addressing space of the 16-bit PAN ID (65,535 possibilities), there is a possibility that multiple Zigbee networks (within range of each other) could use the same 16-bit PAN ID. To resolve potential 16-bit PAN ID conflicts, the Zigbee Alliance created a 64-bit PAN ID.