Join us for a two-day hands-on workshop on the hottest new wireless standard, IEEE 802.15.4, the basis for the ZigBee wireless networking standard. ZigBee and 802.15.4 promise low power consumption for low-bandwidth applications – in some cases exceeding battery shelf life! Presented from the viewpoint of a consulting embedded systems engineer, this tutorial will introduce you to the theory and networking structure of 802.15.4 and ZigBee as well as the practical integration of this network into embedded systems. You will receive your own hardware (see description below) and will program your own IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee applications during this workshop. This workshop is targeted for the embedded systems engineer (hardware and/or software) and managers.

Level: Intermediate / Advanced

Prerequisites: knowledge of embedded systems concepts and development, including rudimentary C language coding.

Topics to be covered:

The IEEE 802.15.4 Standard – the basics

A comparison: Bluetooth vs ZigBee

What is required to create a ZigBee – certified device

What alternatives exist for low-power networking applications

An example of an 802.15.4 device with the Freescale chipset

Programming examples:

• Simple MAC

• Full 802.15.4 MAC

• ZigBee stack

Development of point-to-point and star topology simple networks

Development of a full ZigBee network

Discussion of the physical and network layers (the RF link)

Introduction to the Freescale Codewarrior and BeeKit development tools

Modules and custom chips: Build vs. Buy

…And much more!

Cost:  $649 member, $749 non-member, good until Oct 26.  Late reg is $699 member, $799 non-member until reg ends on November 5.  “Due to the development hardware being supplied, a limited number of on-site registrations will be available.  Please register by November 5 to guarantee your space. Your registration includes lunch and coffee breaks.

Participants will receive a TADA ZigBee development system, 30-day evaluation versions of all development software, a hardcopy of the slides presented and a CD of the code examples presented. Bring your laptop (XP or Vista)!

The hardware provided consists of a two Panasonic PAN802154 modules with battery packs, the TADA development board for the Panasonic modules, and a USB cable. The development system runs on the Windows (XP / Vista) operating system. Computer requirements: 300Mb free disk space, CD or DVD drive, USB port. Power will be provided for your laptop so be sure and bring your charger / AC adapter.

Speaker Bio:

Charles Lord, P.E., is a consulting engineer with over 25 years of experience in the embedded systems, RF, military, and medical device / pharmaceutical fields. He is a frequent speaker for IEEE and quality / regulatory meetings and conferences. His company, Triangle Advanced Design and Automation, is based in Cary, NC.

ZigBee is a registered trademark of the ZigBee Alliance. See http://www.zigbee.org/ for more information.

Course Fee Schedule:

For more information or to register, please see the website at:

Registration is closed for this course.  We have met our capacity for this course.  If you have any questions, please call the IEEE office at 781-245-5405.

Copyright © 2008 IEEE Boston Section. All rights reserved.
Maintained by R M Stelting

Updated Tuesday November 06, 2007