ZigBee repeater compatibility ?

Post by **xAPPO** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:48 pm

I know ZigBee is supposed to be a standard at the data transport level but has anyone any experience of using other manufacturers ZigBee repeaters alongside the Plugwise plugs ? Do they participate with the Plugwise network as repeaters ?

.. and the reverse - do the Plugwise plugs act as repeaters for any non Plugwise ZigBee devices ?

I would like to add some ZigBee PIR's to my network but it has taken a lot of Plugwise devices (20+) to get reasonable coverage of my home - even from room to room, because my walls are very thick stone. I have had to use Plugwise plugs simply as repeaters on both sides of a wall in places. so being able to utilise the network mesh between different manufacturers is much needed.

cheers Kevin

Post by **Willem4ever** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:11 pm

About the ZIgbee PIR's which ones do you have in mind ?

Post by **sebastiaan** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:31 pm

@xAPPO

Is there already an answer to your question? if yes im VERY intrested to know the answer as well.

Having the same problem here and need 1/2 of the network as repeater.

Hearing from you soon
Best regards Sebastiaan

Post by **xAPPO** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:06 pm

I don't have an answer yet - and unfortunately I don't yet have any other ZigBee devices to see if it works. I do hope that there is some compatibility across manufacturers though to allow the systems to mesh together. I do have a Digi X-Bee module I might be able to try but I suspect those might have inter operability issues.

It would be a very useful feature if the Source software could provide a topology map of how the Circles were meshing, and the quality of the paths between them. That would help me ensure there were as few single routes as possible, to increase reliability.

I have one segment of my network that works all day but fails at night. I am not sure quite why this is but it maybe that the ZigBee receiver is de-sensed when it's load is turned on.

K

PS Here's the PIR I was considering.... but battery life will be an issue.

http://tinyurl.com/yfhdv52

Post by **sebastiaan** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:52 pm

@xAPPO

Plugwise can have 64 plugs in 1 net ( i have 2 nets with a total of 100 plugs up and running )

If i understand you correct any zigbee device can do the routing correct?

question 1 : if a plug ISNT in the net can it do the routing anyway
question 2 : so if q1 is yes ya could use as much routers as needed and keep ya 64 plugs anyway. ( gee do ya understand what im asking lol )

Havent tried it yet but think i will try this tomorrow to see max range with plugs from 2 nets

grtz Sebastiaan

Post by **daromer** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:03 pm

64 you say? then you dont have the normal version. They told me that 64 was for companies and such and private persons have to stick with 32 or something.

Post by **j.hoekstra** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:20 pm

You can build a net with 64 plugs. The consumer-packages don contain so many plugs, but with the extension-packages you can grow your system up to 64 plugs.

There are packages for companies which contain 64 units, they can be rented and bought if I understand the webpage correctly.

Post by **jheerink** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:38 pm

No we started using 20 plugs but expanded over the time to 60 plugs which works fine. Started out with a standard box from the webstore (stick,C+, and 8 C's) and expanded by buying expansion boxxes (10 C's)