[CALUG] CALUG Digest, Vol 20, Issue 15

[Bernard Karmilowicz]

Hi John:

> Is anyone in our group familiar with the relatively new 802.15.4 IEEE 
> standard? The commercial name of the platform is Zigbee. Because it is 
> new, many manufacturers have created hardware, but they are all 
> releasing DKs for software programmers.

Electronic Design Newsletter (EDN) ran two ZigBee-heavy feature articles 
over the last 9-months you may find interesting:

     http://www.edn.com/article/CA6497594.html
     http://www.edn.com/article/CA6576137.html



> I am in the HVAC business and would like to see an application 
> specifically designed for building/ lighting/ energy management and 
> controls- but since I am new to Linux, I was thinking this might be an 
> opportunity to assist the open source community with a way to get in 
> early.

Looks like others also thought applying ZigBee technology to 
Home/Building automation was worth pursuing:

     http://www.zigbee.org/imwp/idms/popups/pop_download.asp?contentID=12945
     http://www.zigbee.org/en/certification/certified_products_zse.asp
     http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS2476469877.html


ZigBuzz is an open-source Linux ZigBee protocol stack project, but 
development stalled:

     http://zigbuzz.sourceforge.net/en/index.html


RS-232 (and USB-based virtual COM port) ZigBee adapters provide a 
work-around for the lack of a ZigBee protocol stack for the Linux kernel:

         
http://www.digi.com/products/wireless/zigbee-mesh/xbee-series2-adapter.jsp



> Right now I'm thinking that open source could be at the forefront, 
> since the market will be driven by people buying the hardware, 
> installation, setup and monitoring.

It will be interesting to see if that pans-out given ZigBee technology 
is proprietary. A $3500/year royalty applies for commercial use.

The ZigBee Alliance *currently* allows royalty-free non-commercial use 
of the technology; IMO a smart move to attract schools/students to build 
and play with ZigBee devices and networks.

     http://www.zigbee.org/en/spec_download/download_request_ha.asp
     http://www.zigbee.org/en/resources/whitepapers1.asp


Sincerely,

- Bernie

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