Using Digi XBee dev kit with netvox devices

Hi.

I have got XBee module (http://www.digi.com/products/wireless/p … p#overview) with both USB and serial adapters and I’m trying to use them with Netvox zigbee devices.

I have currently tryed with those end-devices:

http://www.netvox.com.tw/Z-303A.asp

http://www.netvox.com.tw/Z-B02.asp

and

http://www.netvox.com.tw/Z-B01%20ZigBee … tector.asp

I’m pressing self-introduction button on Netvox devices but I won’t get any data coming to my XBee module. Either through usb or serial.

I couldn’t find any way to discover those devices in X-CTU either.

Are there some special configuration I should take a look at? Or maybe some other recommendations?

Thank you.

The XBee modules you linked to do NOT run the ZigBee protocol so will not talk to those other ZigBee devices. They are running the basic 802.15.4 protocol layer. You need the modules and firmware that runs ZigBee on the 802.15.4.

For full ZigBee compatibility use the Series 2 XBee modules with ZigBee firmware. These are the modules required:

http://www.digi.com/products/wireless/z … p#overview

The Netvox seems to use Texas Instruments Z-100 modules. And TI’s ZigBee stack. Their stack has a different heritage than does Digi’s. This is why there is a Digi XBee series 1 vs. series 2- where the latter uses Ember’s chip/stack.

It’s a brave new world- seeking cross-vendor interoperability with the ZigBee profiles!

Very slow to come- 802.15.4 has been in high volume production for many years but the ZigBee consortium has been very slow, unlike Z-Wave, to get standardization and true certified interoperability for home automation profiles.

You’ll need to bone up on the HA profile of ZigBee and you probably have to pay $ to join the consortium to work on cross-vendor interoperability, and get a copy of the HA specs under NDA.

If you can, I’d stick with all-NetVox products. Or be brave.

Are they sold in the US? At a viable price?

I’m working on this too: Netvox Zigbee home automation equipment ↔ XBee Series 2.

I’ll let you know how I get on.

Joe.

I’m working on the same issue. I’m already using the Xbee Series 2 and XStick as HA coordinator and have successfully joined and executed operations on third party HA Profile certified devices. Here are my settings on XB24-ZB firmware:

  • ZS = 2

  • EE = 1

  • EO = 2

  • KY = 5A6967426565416C6C69616E63653039 (the one defined in

the HA profile)

  • NK = 0

  • API Enable = 2

  • API Output Mode = 1

My issue is that netvox devices do not join with this configuration.

Could you tell me, where is the “self-introduction” button of the motion detector - I’ve pressed all possible buttons on my devices without success.

Do you know if these device have some predefined channel or do they scan that network when they are triggered to join?

Joe, have you achieved any results?

I’m going to reply myself :slight_smile:

These settings work for Netvox devices, too. It’s just the trick with resetting the devices that must be done:

  1. unplug/unbattery the device

  2. hold the reset button pressed and power the device on, the network light blinks constantly

  3. release reset button

  4. unplug the device

  5. replug the device - it will try to join the network if it does the network light will set a constant light.

That’s interesting… will give those XBee settings a go. Thanks for the info! There doesn’t seem to be much ZigBee HA profile end devices on the market yet. Lots of vapour. Apart from Netvox is there anyone else with ZigBee HA end devices ready to sell today (free from subscriptions and large bundles). Ideally 230V AC friendly.

Adhoco have one certified HA device - Adhoco.S1 - it hosts On/Off Light and On/Off Light Switch HA Profile devices.

@mara: I verified that I can associate a Netvox Z-800 power outlet device with a XBee Series 2 module running ZigBee Coordinator API mode firmware version 2170 using the settings you posted above. Thanks for sharing that.

If you don’t mind me asking, where did you get your netvox devices? I found their page searching for smoke detectors that would also report via zigbee and I’d like to purchase a few to try them out, but for the life of me I can’t figure out how.

I wrote their contact address this morning, so hopefully they’ll hit me back soon despite the time difference between Taiwan and California.

I also see that control4 makes zigBee HA devices, and I can at least see them for sale on eBay, but their stuff seems higher end than I want.

The kit I have (just a few switching devices) were obtained from them directly. I didn’t place the order myself, but I do believe it was a little difficult (involving money transfer etc). They don’t seem geared for small orders just yet. However, there isn’t much else on the market as far as I can tell.

Thank you for replying. I wrote them and didn’t hear back,but I’ll try again in the middle of the week.

Anyone have any updates regarding Netvox device availability in the US? It seams like all ZigBee HA ‘products’ are simply vapor-ware…

disregard

@cakers: can you provide a link to a shopping cart system where I can purchase single quantities of any of those devices, free of subscriptions or contracts?

Control4 is super low volume, small market.

There a zillions of 802.15.4 modules in use in the world and No. America. Very few use ZigBee.

Hence the XBee series 1 (non-Zigbee)

If/until the utilities market in the US truly goes to load-shedding (meter to appliance), ZigBee won’t find use much.

Z-wave (Zensys, now sold to xxx), tried ZigBee-like proprietary meshing for home automation for consumers. It had some major brand names adopt it for products. But I believe it, like X10, is a small niche market and so we see the Z-wave product guys discontinuing their lines leaving a lot of ill-will behind.

Meanwhile, high volumes of 802.15.4 modules are being sold, and use various thin network layers.

The IEEE 802.15.5 (that’s .5) is an open meshing standard, unlike Z-wave or ZigBee. But it’s yet to catch on.

I seems that some of you got your netvox devices working with zigbee devices.

I got new Zigbee devices (TI CC2530). Here’s the manual for it http://min.us/mAorv6wcVC1kZ . As you can see I can’t set EE, EO, ZS, KY, etc values. Basically I can only change PAN Id. Do you know where should I begin if I want to connect these with netvox devices. Do I need to write firmware manually using ias,gcc,etc?

How did you set up yours?

Regards,

oll

Hi,

Thank your for the information you’ve posted. I am currently trying to connect some netvox devices with an xbee dongle, i’ve followed the configuration for the xbee device, but unfortunately I can’t see anything in the terminal, and the netvox device doesn’t connect (no light after the second replugging).

Does anyone have the complete modem configuration ? I think that the PAN ID may be wrong (currently set to 0, default value).

Best regards,

Sebastien

Hi Mara,

Will you please let me know where did you set these firmware parameters? I am using Digi connect4 gateway (which is ZB PRO compatible) and trying to interface with Netvox devices (Non Xbee) and device discovery on gateway is failing to recognize netvox zigbee devices.

Thanks in advance

Hah! How did you guys get the netvox stuff? They never wrote me back