Interfacing RF4CE with Z-Stack

Hi Andrew,

The ZigBee RF4CE (RemoTI) and ZigBee WSN (Z-stack) stacks are both built on the same MAC and are running on the same hardware (CC2530) like you said.  However, the network layers are different and interoperability between RemoTI and Z-stack nodes are not possible.  That said, in theory, it is possible to implement a device with dual stack capabilities so talk to "both sides" by merging the two network layers onto one device. You'd need detailed knowledge of the inner workings of the stacks to accomplish this though.

Thanks,
Stig

Thank you Stig for your thoughts.

Forgive me I am newbie in this area.  By MAC I guess you mean Data Link Layer (and physical) ie both built on  IEEE 802.15.4?

This is a research activity and so, despite the challange and time I may still (potentially) be able to do it and I think combining z-stack and rf4ce on the same device could be quite interesting.   The vision (misguided or otherwise) is the integration WSN with RF4CE targets having in mind some of predictions for the long term future of RF4CE.

I am sure at this stage, this question implies a gross over-simplification, but when you say INTERNAL knowledge of these two stacks / apis would be required, from your experience of the stacks do you get the impression that it would be possible to load the two stacks (api? framework/middleware software) in, then write something to run between these (albeit at a low level) or that one would be faced with writing a new framework that supported and managed communication on both stacks, using internal knwoledge / modules ?

Thank you again for taking the time to read my thread and I appologise that the thoughts and questions are as yet not particularly well formed.

Hi Andrew,

Correct, by MAC layer I mean the data link and phy built on IEEE 802.15.4.  My internal knowledge comment is related to understanding the buffer mgmt, scheduling, internal MAC level APIs etc. From your first post, it seems like you would want to develop a remote controller type application that can talk to a RF4CE network and a ZigBee WSN in a time multiplexed fashion. To accomplish this, at a high level, you need to write software on top of the MAC layer that will route packets to/from the RemoTI or Z-Stack network layer sdepending on the mode of operation.

Thanks,
Stig

Can any one recommend an 802.15.4 direct and Zigbee starting pacakage, eg motes, usb base station, software etc that would help a newbie start the learning curve?

I have good software skills, mid to low level code, but not much true hardware experience and not done truely embeded real-time software development, though I probably understand the concepts.

Many thanks.  Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks Stig for your earlier thoughts.

I have an additional question.  Perhaps someone can advise me.

I have considered above the possibility of a multi-stack function on CC2530, but I have another interest.  I understand that as well the CERC profile supporting the implementation of vendor specific command sets, RF4CE supports the implementation of complete additional/alternative profiles.

Can any one advise whether at least in principle the pc RF4CE target simulation provided by RemoTI CC2530 Development Kit might support the design and implementation or at least the simulation of such additional/alternative profiles.

This is a new area to me, so I hope my question has made sense.  I may of course have some misconceptions.

Kind Regards

Andrew