Mesh network module for large plants

Iju

Expert 1985 points

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC1352P, SIMPLELINK-CC13X2-26X2-SDK

Hi,

We have a requirement to implement wireless mesh network with the following specification:

Expected number of nodes - 1000 nos
Expected area - 700 to 1000 acres
Average distance between nodes - 12 to 15 m
Frequency of data packets - On-start, periodic, instantaneous
No. of parameters to be send - 20

Since the no of nodes are large, we are planning to use clustering approach (20 clusters or so, each cluster is of 50 nodes each.) The coordinator node has GSM, through which the data shall be uploaded to the cloud.

Based on the above requirement, please clarify the following points:

Which wireless mesh technology is best suited for this scenario (Like zigbee, thread, 6LoWPAN etc).
Since we use multiple clusters, how is channel routing handled in the suggested wireless stack
Is it possible to use this solution as a add-on card
What are the security options supported by the suggested stack

Thank you.

Ijaz

over 5 years ago

0 YiKai Chen over 5 years ago

Guru 735685 points

1. I would suggest you to use Zigbee which is much more mature from my point of view for now.

2. Zigbee supports CSMA/CA and you can use different channels for different clusters in your setup.

3. What do you mean add-on card ?

4. You can refer to white paper: What's Newin Zigbee3.0.

0 Iju over 5 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Expert 1985 points

Hi,

Thank you for your replay.

We have a main MCU unit which controls the actual device functionality. We would like to use this zigbee module as an add on card to the existing MCU unit.

is there any such solution available, ie, a zigbee module which shall be interfaced with another application processor.

Regards,

Ijaz

0 YiKai Chen over 5 years ago in reply to Iju

Guru 735685 points

Yes, you can use ZAP (stands for Zigbee application processor which should be your MCU) and ZNP (stands for Zigbee network processor which uses TI Zigbee chip) to make it.

0 Iju over 5 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Expert 1985 points

Thank you.

To clarify further, having 20 clusters in area of 700 acres, does the stack (ZNP) take care of channel routing ?

could please clarify the technique used for the same.

ijaz

0 YiKai Chen over 5 years ago in reply to Iju

Guru 735685 points

Channel can be controlled by your application and ZNP would handle routing automatically.

0 Iju over 5 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Expert 1985 points

Is there any application note available in which zigbee module connected to a host MCU. please share if any.

Thank you.

Ijaz

0 YiKai Chen over 5 years ago in reply to Iju

Guru 735685 points

ZAP-ZNP uses MT command for communicating which you can refer to

0 Ryan Brown1 over 5 years ago in reply to Iju

TI__Guru**** 216717 points

Hi lju,

I recommend you consider evaluating the ZIGBEE-LINUX-SENSOR-TO-CLOUD solution as a host MCU example. If each cluster can be a star network which does not require mesh routing then you can also consider 15.4-Stack and the TI-15.4-STACK-GATEWAY-LINUX-SDK. I also recommend that you refer to TIRex for further resources as well as the TI security overview page.

Regards,
Ryan

0 YiKai Chen over 5 years ago in reply to Ryan Brown1

Guru 735685 points

I suggest you can also use Z-ZTOOL to get familiar with ZAP-ZNP interface and MT commands. You can refer to

0 Iju over 5 years ago in reply to Ryan Brown1

Expert 1985 points

Hi Ryan,

We do not have the flexibility to use Linux host. We have decided to drop external MCU architecture, instead planning to use wireless MCU as the main controller ( CC1352P ). Can you please clarify the following points.

Does it support low power modes like sleep mode, standby etc.
I understand that CC1352P supports third party stacks. If we plan to use Wi-SUN stack, how can we integrate the same with CC13x2 and CC26x2 SDK. How does that work.
if we need concurrent operation of Bluetooth Low Energy + Zigbee, what would be memory usage for protocols and library functions. This is just to make sure we have enough memory remaining for application development. Please clarify
is this 352KB of in-system Programmable Flash, excluded of wireless protocols and library functions. That is all of 352 kb available for application program ?

Regards.

Iju

0 YiKai Chen over 5 years ago in reply to Iju

Guru 735685 points

1. Yes. it supports low power mode.

2. Couldn't understand you question well.

3. TI DMM support BLE+Zigbee. You can find DMM examples for CC1352P here . You can refer to DMM documents here and DMM SimpleLink Academy here.

4. No, 352KB of in-system Programmable Flash needs to include wireless protocols and library functions.

0 Ryan Brown1 over 5 years ago in reply to Iju

TI__Guru**** 216717 points

Hi lju,

Some device roles, for example a ZC or ZR, need to be always on in order to efficiently route packets sent along the network. But ZEDs are allowed to enter sleep/LPM: http://www.ti.com/lit/swra625
You would need to contact the third party or reference their documentation to understand which SIMPLELINK-CC13X2-26X2-SDK version is used and if porting is possible. I know Contiki-NG is quite common: https://github.com/contiki-ng/contiki-ng/wiki/Platform-srf06-cc26xx
Here is a link to the DMM Examples User's Guide: http://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?node=ANJs4AXGwTa.sH7rWl.BvQ__pTTHBmu__LATEST
This link advises on how you can determine the project build size: http://dev.ti.com/tirex/content/simplelink_cc13x2_26x2_sdk_4_10_00_78/docs/zigbee/html/zigbee/network_configuration.html#determining-project-build-size

Regards,
Ryan

0 Iju over 5 years ago in reply to Ryan Brown1

Expert 1985 points

Hi Ryan,

Thank you very much. We shall check.

A couple of more clarifications.

Regarding certifications, is SimpleLink CC13x2 and CC26x2, EMI/EMC (and any other regulatory certification ) certified solution ?
We may also require PWM for driving motors. I understand none of the multiprotocol 2.4 GHz wireless MCU with integrated power amplifier supports PWM. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

Regards,

Iju

0 YiKai Chen over 5 years ago in reply to Iju

Guru 735685 points

1. EMI/EMC should be certified by product.

2. If the native PWM output of CC13x2 and CC26x2 is not enough to drive your motors, you would need to add external chip or circuit to do it.

Zigbee & Thread

Zigbee & Thread forum

Mesh network module for large plants