From 1100562e29f6476448b656dbddd4cf22505523f6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Mitja Felicijan Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2024 14:59:14 +0100 Subject: Move back to JBMAFP --- .../posts/2013-10-24-wireless-sensor-networks.md | 54 ++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 54 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/posts/2013-10-24-wireless-sensor-networks.md (limited to 'content/posts/2013-10-24-wireless-sensor-networks.md') diff --git a/content/posts/2013-10-24-wireless-sensor-networks.md b/content/posts/2013-10-24-wireless-sensor-networks.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..67dc688 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/2013-10-24-wireless-sensor-networks.md @@ -0,0 +1,54 @@ +--- +title: Wireless sensor networks +url: /wireless-sensor-networks.html +date: 2013-10-24T12:00:00+02:00 +type: post +draft: false +--- + +Zigbee networks have this wonderful capability to self-heal, which means they +can reorder connections between them if one of them is inoperable. This works +our of the box when you deploy them. But you have to have in mind that achieving +this is not as easy as you would think. None of it is plug&play. So to make +your life a bit easier, here are some pointers which, I hope, will help you. + +- Be careful when you are ordering your equipment abroad. There are many rules + and regulations you need to comply before you get your Xbee radios. What they + do is they wait until you prove that you won’t use the technology for some + kind of evil take over control of the world project :). For this, they have + EAR (Export Administration Regulations) which basically means “This product + may require a license to export from the United States.”. +- I don’t know if this applies for every country, but when we purchased our Xbee + radios from Mouser, this was mandatory! What we needed to do was to print out + a form and write information about our company and send them a copy via + email. With this document, we proved that we are a legitimate company. +- When you complete your purchase and send all the documentation, you are not + clear yet. Then customs will take it from there :). There will be some + additional costs. Before purchasing, make sure you have as much information + about costs as possible. Because it can get costly in the end. +- I suggest you use companies from your country. You can seriously cut your + costs. Here in Slovenia, the best option so far as I know is Farnell. And + based on my personal experience, they rock! All I need to say! +- Make plans when ordering larger quantities. Do not, I say, do not make your + orders in December! :) Believe me! You will have problems with stock they can + provide for you. So, we were forced to buy some things from Mouser, which was + extremely painful because of all the regulations you need to obey when + importing goods from the USA. +- Make sure that firmware version on your Xbee radios is exactly the same! Do + not get creative!!! I propose using templates. You can get template by + exporting settings/profile in X-CTU application. Make sure you have enabled + “Upgrade firmware” so you can be sure each radio has the same firmware. +- And again: make plans! Plan everything! In months advanced! You will thank me + later :) +- Test, test, test. Wireless networks can be tricky. + +If you are serious, I suggest you buy this book, Building Wireless Sensor +Networks. You will get a glimpse of how networks work in lumens terms. It is a +good starting point for everybody who wants to build wireless networks. + +**Additional resources:** + +- http://www.digi.com/aboutus/export/generalexportinfo +- http://doresearch.stanford.edu/research-scholarship/export-controls/export-controlled-or-embargoed-countries-entities-and-persons +- http://www.bis.doc.gov/licensing/exportingbasics.htm + -- cgit v1.2.3