Nuts & Volts

Robot
■ FIGURE 2
Zigbee
RFD or FFD
End
Device
End
Device
RFD
End
Device
End
Device
250 foot
range
RFD
RFD
Starr Link
82 April 2006
Starr Link
Zigbee FFD
250 foot range
Router
FFD
Starr Link
250 foot range
Starr Link
250 foot range
End
Device
Zigbee
RFD or FFD
Starr Link
PANC
Mesh Link
Mesh Link
250 foot
range
Robot
Zigbee FFD
RS232
Mesh Link
Starr Link
Greater than 250 foot range
Router
Router
Mesh Link
FFD
FFD
PANC
250 foot
range
250 foot range
Starr Link
RS232
PC
Mesh Link
Mesh Link
End
Device
Mesh Link
End
Device
250 foot range
250 foot range
Mesh Link
Zigbee
RFD or FFD
PC
Robot
RFD
range and communication
path redundancy.
For the first time, the
Mesh topology requires the
use of the Router Node. This
node’s function is to connect
together, into a ‘mesh’ all
three types of Nodes, allowing
the network to spread
across a larger physical area
and to allow for multiple
communication paths. This
function provides for
increased range so you are no
longer limited to 250 feet, but
to the distance of the furthest
connected node. Wow. It also
provides for redundancy in
communication. For instance,
if a device were to drop out or
its path to a specific router
were blocked, an alternative
path might be found.
Imagine having
‘router nodes’
scattered around
your office, home,
or yard for the
sole purpose of
‘mesh’ topology
and providing a
network for your
robot to wander
around in. Perfect
FFD
for your robotic
lawn mower and
vacuum cleaner.
In addition,
Zigbee nodes
establish the network
automatically
or connect to
the network automatically;
there is
nothing to do
Router except switch on
the robot or robots
and communication
will be estab-
FFD
lished. Similarly,
if using a mesh
Router
Mesh Link
■ FIGURE 3
topology, robots
may be switched
on or off at will
and the network
will be created.
In the grand
scheme of things,