Linux/CC2538DK: Configuring a node as a coordinator

Garv Sharma

Prodigy 70 points

Part Number: CC2538DK

Tool/software: Linux

Hello,

I am new to ZigBee.

I am using cc2538 with Contiki.

Now, Contiki uses Rime communication stack. Is that much different from Zigbee protocol stack?

Anyway, I want to send a packet from one node to another node and later establish a network of nodes for IoT application. I tried sending a packet using Rime (using example-mesh.c, if it helps) but it timed out.

Now, is it because the nodes are not part of a network, as I have not configured any node as a coordinator? If so, I want to know how can I configure a node as a coordinator or end device in Contiki.

Thanks.

over 6 years ago

0 YiKai Chen over 6 years ago

Guru 735455 points

Contiki is 6LowPAN which is IPv6 solution but Z-Stack is not. If you use Contiki, you should set up a edge router and make a device to join to send packets. You can refer to which shows you how to setup a basic Contiki edge router and sensor node.

0 Garv Sharma over 6 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Prodigy 70 points

So, are you suggesting that with Contiki, I should use 6LowPAN for my IoT application, not ZigBee?

0 Garv Sharma over 6 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Prodigy 70 points

Also, what do you mean when you say Contiki is 6LowPAN, it supports both Zigbee and 6LowPAN.

0 YiKai Chen over 6 years ago in reply to Garv Sharma

Guru 735455 points

Contiki and Zigbee are two different things. Can you specify which one you want to use?

0 Garv Sharma over 6 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Prodigy 70 points

I want to use Zigbee to form a network and send packets b/w the nodes. And I will have to configure the same in my code. Contiki is just what I'm writing my code in. If otherwise, I can do it using IAR or CCS.
I don't think my environment has anything to do with Zigbee. It's a choice b/w Zigbee and 6LowPAN and I want to program my node for Zigbee coordinator.
Now may be you guide me.

0 YiKai Chen over 6 years ago in reply to Garv Sharma

Guru 735455 points

Your descriptions is very unclear to me. If you just need to communicate between two nodes, I would suggest you to use Zigbee.

0 Garv Sharma over 6 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Prodigy 70 points

Yes, I tried that. But since there was no coordinator to form a network, assign a PAN ID and reply to eacon requests from nodes, none of the nodes was able to send/receive a packet. So, I want to know how can i configure my node as a coordinator.

0 YiKai Chen over 6 years ago in reply to Garv Sharma

Guru 735455 points

Each example of Z-Stack for CC2538 can be configured as coordinator so you can use SampleLight to configure it as Coordinator from IAR.

0 Garv Sharma over 6 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Prodigy 70 points

Hi, thanks for above.

I plugged my cc2538 (using SmartRf06) to my PC but neither Z-tool nor XCTU of Digi Electronics recognizes my radio device.

In XCTU it does see a device connected to COM port but no radio.

What can be the problem? Is there any other method to configure my Zigbee?

0 YiKai Chen over 6 years ago in reply to Garv Sharma

Guru 735455 points

What FW do you run on CC2538?

Zigbee & Thread

Zigbee & Thread forum

Linux/CC2538DK: Configuring a node as a coordinator