Choosing the right/best RF mesh transceiver for ZBasic's ZX-

[zbasicandy]

So far, the user input has been good, but adhering to the RF Design Criteria below are there any "low cost" modules that fit this design criteria?

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RF Design Criteria:
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<Complete Node = RF transceiver + PCB + "slave CPU" which includes Digital input(s) + Digital output(s) + Analog input(s) + host UART for communications.
Not included in cost: (Extra components needed per application --> antenna & interface conversion electronics)
(Per user requirements) Packaging/enclosure, sensor(s) e.g. switch/temp/humidity/light/sound/IR etc. and power supply extra.

#1. Low cost per "complete node". Less than $35 per "complete node" in small quantities of one.
#2. Transmission error checking.
#3. Mesh networking.
#4. Serial transceiver communications. <---- critical requirement.
#5. Low power consumption for the "remote/slave complete node" - for battery operation.
#6. Low cost of developing hardware/sofware for the mesh network.
#7. All "low level" RF commands are transparent - taken care of by the RF module.
#8. Transmission/reception encryption - for security.
#9. Digital input(s)/ digital output(s) / analog input(s) application user node interface to RF.
#10. Good wallboard/plasterboard RF penetration. For "whole house" remote node RF transmission/reception.
#11. FCC device approval "out of the box" <--- critical requirement.
#12. "Non RF Interference prone" e.g. must coexist with WiFi, cordless phones and other consumer electronics around the home.
#13. Easy to use application user interface with vendor software support.

[stevech]

ask me in a month after more testing of MaxStream and Helicomm and others.

Based on tests so far and prior experience, I'd say that one of the $20 (@1) modules like XBee mounted on a PCB with an RS232 driver would come in at $30 or so in low volume. Most all of the current vendors' products I've seen have one or two UARTs, I2C and SPI.

So far, the ZigBee 1.0 software for these is a no-cost add-on. You probably don't need an SDK ($2000 and up) for typical simple apps.

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By The Way, Hawking told me yesterday that they've slipped their 802.15.4 based home automation product to "Q4".

[zbasicandy]

I have looked long and hard at Maxtream's XBee aka Freescale module. Here is what I have come up with:

#1. No data encryption/security. It is not Zigbee without
"data encryption/security".
#2. They have not allowed access to the analog/digital
I/O as of yet. ... ?
Without the digital/analog I/O you would need a add another pre- precessor for the user application.
Using all the "real time processing" of a ZBasic microcontroller to manage only Zigbee is ludicrous.
#3. No Mesh. It is not Zigbee without "self healing mesh"
#4. Odd ball module footprint -> per previous discussion.
#5. The price is low but given the above short comings, the price rises way north of $30 per module.

Thanks for your input!


On another note ...
... Eaton's HomeHeartBeat (Home awareness Zigbee system) was suppose to ship last August and it is still not out on the market.

I believe Zigbee is becoming like Microchip's DSP. It took two years before it showed up in the market ... I call this "Silicon Valley Hype"

[stevech]

[zbasicandy]

I was just looking for the right/best RF mesh transceiver for use with ZBasic's microcontrollers.
It seems from this discussion that using some Zigbee modules with a ZBasic microcontroller is way off in the future due to many technical/manufacturing/engineering/cost associated with this overly hyped RF standard.

I will stand by what I said "Zigbee is not Zigbee without self healing mesh and data encryption. For those manufacturers who claim that this is not so, does not know the Zigbee standard and is only trying to make a fast buck on their deficient products.

I have narrowed my short list down to three vendors that
I can use with ZBasic's microcontrollers without "high CPU overhead" (Further testing is needed)
http://www.telegesis.com/ <-- Ember
http://www.dlpdesigtn.com/ <-- Freescale "193"
http://www.rfm.com/ <--- special 900 Mhz mesh.

[stevech]

Chill out Andy! Gee.

Typical small networks, like 10 or so nodes, don't need ZigBee - just use the the MAC API.

ZigBee is working - it's new. Two manufacturers' multi-node systems are in my office now. They work.


Chill.

let's drop this thread.

[zbasicandy]

If there is any other user "that did their homework properly" on the best
mesh solution please respond.