Gas meter

The Trilliant Networks' MeshReader gas meter communication module, the NCZL401 gas access point, provides an affordable solution to the delivery of an advanced gas metering solution for residential AMI applications. When used in combination with Trilliant Networks' wireless mesh system, this ANSI standards-based integrated interval recorder provides an affordable solution delivery of interval meter data to internal systems.

The NCZL401 can be used in conjunction with any of the popular mechanical meter types including diaphragm, rotary and turbine gas meters as well as gas volume connectors. It is compatible with almost all American Meters, conforms to ANSI C12.19 and C12.22, and is fully configurable, programmable and readable via a wireless network. The gas MeshReader module also provides storage for up to one year of hourly data reads.

Digital home networking technology

LG Electronics' HomNet digital home networking technology is now ZigBee-enabled for controlling and automating home energy efficiency, security and appliances. It offers a variety of digital living conveniences, such as the ability to check and control appliances and home automation devices throughout the house, connecting household systems and appliances via a range of networking standards. ZigBee is supported via the embedded Ember EM250 ZigBee system-on-chip, an 802.15.4/ZigBee-compliant semiconductor system that integrates a programmable microprocessor, RF radio, network protocol stack and memory into a tiny, single-chip solution (7 mm on a side). This SoC provides dramatic reductions in component size, cost and power consumption. Due to its high sensitivity, the Ember EM250 also provides increased range.

Single-chip platform

A single-chip platform solution based on the ZigBee specification is available from Freescale Semiconductor. The MC1322x platform features exceptional performance and supports battery life of up to 20 years, doubling the expectations for current ZigBee solutions. It is available in a platform in package (PiP) solution that integrates the essential components of a ZigBee application within a single package, thereby reducing component count and system cost. The package contains a 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) capable of running up to 26 MHz, a fully compliant IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver, balun and RF matching components, and virtually eliminates the need for external RF components. The MC1322x platform also features a TurboLink technology mode, engineered to increase data rates by up to 2 Mbps between nodes.

Ethernet gateway

The ZigBee/Ethernet gateway from MeshNetics serves as a bridge between ZigBee-based wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and IP-based enterprise networks. At the heart of the product is the ZigBit 802.15.4/ZigBee module, based on the latest Atmel chipset, which includes the ATmega 1281 MCU and the new Atmel AT86RF230 RF transceiver. The AT86RF230 boasts -101 dBm of Rx sensitivity and up to +3 dBm of Tx power. The ZigBee/Ethernet gateway comes bundled with comprehensive commissioning tools to allow users to easily set up the gateway and start managing the WSN via Ethernet.

Modules with I/O capability

The LPR2400/ER family of low-cost, low-power 802.15.4 modules from Cirronet has been enhanced with I/O capabilities. It includes analog and digital inputs and outputs (I/O) to provide multifaceted sensor monitoring functions, with the same low cost and low-power consumption of Cirronet's family of ZigBee OEM modules. Its point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and router-relay capabilities provide connections with up to 1,000 nodes without the complexity of mesh networking. Firmware enables easy user access to the I/O over the serial port and remote module capabilities that automatically report readings based on user-settable timers and interrupts. Users can even set threshold levels that when exceeded, will send messages to the base station alerting of the exception condition.

Wireless sensor network node

The Moteiv Tmote Mini is a wireless sensor network node, or mote, that supports the ZigBee specification and is packaged in an industry-standard miniSDIO form factor. Combining a Texas Instruments MSP430 microcontroller with a TI/Chipcon CC2420 low-power radio, it can be integrated into cell phones, PDAs, and other mobile products. The Tmote Mini comes in a standard configuration that has -25 dBm to 0 dBm of RF output, and the Tmote Mini Plus that has an integrated power amplifier for a +20 dBm RF boost. Both configurations offer multiple interfaces for UART, SPI, I2C, and 1-wire as well as eight ADC signal inputs and two DAC output channels. Either version can have an antenna connected through the exposed leads, or via a U.FL connector for use with off-the-shelf components.

ZigBee protocol stack

A variant of the Airbee wireless ZNS 2006 ZigBee protocol stack, based on the Atmel AVR microcontroller for ZigBee applications, is available. ZigBee platform certification is under way. Having a certified protocol stack on the AVR solution ensures interoperability with other ZigBee products. OEMs developing with Airbee's ZNS 2006 protocol stack software and Atmel's AVR hardware solution can be confident that their products are interoperable with other ZigBee-certified platforms, thereby allowing a single, solid network for the monitoring and collection of data for all applications on the network. Plans are under way to integrate and bundle Atmel's hardware solution, Airbee's ZNS 2006 ZigBee certified protocol stack and Airbee's ZNS Pro ZigBee protocol stack.

ZigBee module

The XBee series 2 ZigBee module with full mesh networking capabilities has been added to the MaxStream line of ZigBee products. In addition to full self-discovery/self-healing mesh networking, this product supports coordinators, routers and end devices, as well as low-power sleep modes. Based on the Ember EM250 SoC, the XBee series 2 features a 16-bit microprocessor, 128 kb flash memory, and four different antenna options (chip antenna, wire whip, UFL connector, and RPSMA connector).

Wireless microcontrollers

The Jennic JN513x family of second-generation wireless microcontrollers has been designed to realize a sub $3 price target in 100k+ units for IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee wireless technology. It features improvements over the JN5121 family including an extended range and a robust modem architecture that provides 97 dB receive sensitivity, +3 dbm transmit power, and 400 nA deep sleep current consumption. Available memory has been increased to 192k ROM and 96k RAM. The on-chip ROM includes the world's first IEEE 802.15.4 version B media access protocol layer, provision for a range of external serial EEPROM devices, over-the-air download, hardware abstraction layers, and a simple serial interface.