Controlling Zigbee End Device

Bumblebee

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC2538, CC2530, Z-STACK

Hi TI,

What is the most efficient way to control a single zigbee end device (ZED)? (Say I want to set GPIO pin high/low). I have a very limited knowledge with MTO, node memory, etc. The current setup right now has about 1,000 nodes with single ZC using the old CC2530. We can only control it using grouping because of ZC lacks the memory. Any help will be much appreciated with our current firmware using the new CC2538.

over 9 years ago

0 YiKai Chen over 9 years ago

Guru 735695 points

1000 nodes? There must be some Zigbee routers in the network, right? According to my experiences, it's not possible to connect all 1000 nodes to a single coordinator. If you want to control GPIO on end device by unitcast, I suggest you to use ZAP-ZNP architecture. In this way, you can use a CPU with enough RAM and flash to act as ZAP so you can store all device information on ZAP.

0 Bumblebee over 9 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Expert 2575 points

It's what we currently have, but the data rate is very low. The ZEDs are configure to be always on, and it's more likely a one-way communication (just send data to ZC). Now, we want to add "control" of every node. We already deployed the nodes and cannot add ZAP-ZNP functionality. Otherwise, we will redo the whole thing. We're currently developing the new firmware right now for cc2538 since it has more memory. Any ideas controlling a single ZED in dense network?

0 YiKai Chen over 9 years ago in reply to Bumblebee

Guru 735695 points

if you already use ZAP-ZNP architecture and use low data rate, what's the problem to use unicast in your network?

0 Bumblebee over 9 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Expert 2575 points

If I use unicast in a very dense network, memory overflows.

0 YiKai Chen over 9 years ago in reply to Bumblebee

Guru 735695 points

What do you mean memory overflows?

0 Bumblebee over 9 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Expert 2575 points

The memory of node (table entries, etc) is not enough when ZC performs unicast - as what was explained to me by the previous developer. Does sending unicast will require route discovery first? I believe a route discovery will allocate memory by filling up the routing table right?

0 YiKai Chen over 9 years ago in reply to Bumblebee

Guru 735695 points

It depends on if the routing path exists when you send unicast to a device. If it doesn't exist, it would issue route request to find the new route and this is done by Z-Stack.

0 Bumblebee over 9 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Expert 2575 points

If say, the route does not exist, will this cause additional memory when route is added to the routing table? This is the concern I believe.

0 YiKai Chen over 9 years ago in reply to Bumblebee

Guru 735695 points

If the router doesn't exist, I don't think it's possible to add 1000 end device to a single coordinator. There is no enough RAM and FLASH on CC2530 or CC2538 to create 1000 nodes in association table of coordinator.

Zigbee & Thread

Zigbee & Thread forum

Controlling Zigbee End Device