AVR-Chat

I had a chat with MaxStream about the XBee modules (they were very 
helpful). To clarify the question of sleep mode:

Me: I was looking at the XBee/Pro manual and it seems the Zigbee modules 
don't support sleep mode?
MS: That is correct. The XBee's do not yet support a sleep mode when 
using the ZigBee firmware. If you are using the 802.15.4 firmware with 
the XBee's, sleep mode is supported in that case.
Me: Would I be right in saying that if I want mesh networking (i.e. 
Zigbee rather than 15.4) and battery powered sensor nodes, then XBee is 
not suitable?
MS: Not yet, that's correct. We expect to have a solution that will 
provide mesh networking with sleep mode for end nodes (for your battery 
powered sensor nodes in that case) very soon (in the next 30 - 60 days).

I also asked MaxStream and Zigbee Alliance about licensing and 
membership fees. The ZA response:

"If you are going to use ZigBee specification building 
commercial sensor modules around MaxStream's XBee modules then we answer is "yes" you have to be a member of the ZigBee.

You can then develop a ZigBee product with no additional license fees imposed by the ZigBee Alliance unless you want to market your product under the ZigBee name. With other words, if you don't call you product a ZigBee device, you do not have to undergo any other certification and licensing. However, we recommend that you go through a no-harm test program to ensure that other networks will not harm you and vice-versa."

MaxStream's final word on the subject:

"You asked if there was any licensing fee for use of the ZigBee XBee 
modules. There is only a licensing fee to the ZigBee Alliance if you use 
the word “ZigBee” in your marketing of your product. For more 
information about that, you will have to contact the ZigBee Alliance."


I'm not sure whether or not it's necessary to use the Zigbee 
specification to build a Zigbee sensor network around XBee modules - if 
it is then I in principle have to pay $3500 for use of the spec.

Mark



stevech11 wrote:
> Remember, use of the ZigBee network layer is optional in all these
> 802.15.4 modules. Without ZigBee it's like using Ethernet without IP -
> you can address packets by the MAC address.
>
> The current (about to change) ZigBee standard says that end-nodes
> (network leaf) can sleep. Routers cannot sleep. This is a big issue
> for the new standard.
>
> --- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, dlc@... wrote:
>   
>>   I don't think that you read the manual correctly.  Unless you want
>>     
> some
>   
>> other kind of sleep mode.  To quote from the "Sleep" section of the XBee
>> manual:
>>
>> "Sleep Modes enable the RF module to enter states of low-power
>>     
>