Xbee / ZBee ZB Questions

Wireless & IoT
1

Hello,

I work on little project to automate part of my home.

My idea is to have Arduino board + XBee to command various devices in house.

It’s ok when the devices is self crafted, the problem come when i want to connect some store devices ( like ZigBee Light Switches, ZigBee poweroutlets, dimeers etc … ) I spend last weak read all over internet for ZigBee, Xbee etc, etc …

But from all what I read 50% says it’s impossible other 48% says its hard to do and other 2% says it’s easy like 10 min …

So I’m here to ask for some summarized answer + some documents or tutorials or examples if it is possible and how can i make it possible.

Basically I want to be able to connect ZigBee HA devies to my XBee network + To be able to connect custom made XBee devices.

So the main question is : IS IT POSSIBLE ?

Q2: If it is possible what kind of XBee module must use ( for coordinator ) + From where i can download Coordinator API Firmware. I mean there are so many modules out there - XBP24-AUI, XBP24-BCIT, XB24CZ7UIS-004 and so on and so on ( Link to the market I Use [Link

Q3: What must coordinator settings must be ?

Q4: From all that I read all ZigBee HA devices from different vendors can be use ? Is that correct ?

If there is some kind of tutorial for XBee <=> ZigBee HA devices connections pls share.

Thx!](LPWAN Modules | Communication and Interface Modules | Online shop - Comet Electronics)

2

That’s no little project!!

First, since this is DIY, decide if you NEED ZigBee or just 802.15.4. XBee Series 1 (non-zibbee) or series 2 (zigbee only).

Zigbee is a huge complication - mesh networking. Be sure you need it, vs. several alternatives, including use of a simple star network, multiple access XBees for multiple stars, or use Digi’s free Digimesh - a better Zigbee for systems that don’t need to interoperate.

Now as to using purchased light switches, etc., that’s the issue: They’re all not zigBee, not 802.15.4. They’re z-wave. Tiny few zigbee light/power controls. Quite expensive. As are Z-wave devices.

UL / EU safety certs - important. If your house burns down and the insurance company finds a way to blame your DIY, you’re hosed. Beware.

Read the forum at HomeSeer.com. Read. Read. Then ask a few questions of them.

3

Q2: If it is possible what kind of XBee module must use ( for coordinator ) + From where i can download Coordinator API Firmware.

Use X-CTU downloaded from Digi Int.

They are also the one to contact about using their modules (XBee) to interface with other ZigBee devices.