Getting physical projects to talk to the Internet can be tricky. Students making Networked Objects have always had tons of choices, but each with a significant downside:
- Embedded Ethernet modules like the XPort and Wiznet Shields cost about $40 and tether your project to a thick cable.
- Embedded WiFi modules like the WiPort and MatchPort cost $70 – $120 and require extensive manual configuration each time they change networks
- Cell phone modules start at around $150 – $270, require intricate plug converters, a detailed setup and of course a SIM card and data services
- Bluetooth connections require an individually paired base station like a laptop or cell phone within less than 30 feet, and frequently don’t even stay in that pairing
Now each of these methods has an upside too. Ethernet is fast and reliable, WiFi easily found, cell modules can connect from anywhere and Bluetooth has a zippy data rate and a smart-looking logo. But I’ve always thought it would be great if you could just attach a microcontroller to a cheap radio and hit the Internet wirelessly with a simple URL. No thick cable, no tricky setup, no IP address management, no encryption configuration, no data plan and no pairing.
The ZigBee* Internet Gateway I’m developing at ITP aims to accomplish just that. Students link their radio to the Gateway, then simply print a URL to the serial port and wait for the results to come back from the Internet. Each radio costs as little as $19. Using Digi’s ConnectPort X2 as a base, I’m developing code in Python that processes these requests in a way that’s simple and open to everyone. This afternoon I installed a beta test unit for my Networked Objects class to try out. Right now it supports HTTP and HTTPS requests, with plans to expand to email, FTP and XBee I/O direct formats if there’s a demand for that. I’ve started a basic documentation page for the ITP community and will publish the Gateway code when it comes out of beta.
ITPers who are interested in testing should contact me.
Hii..
I’m a student working on developing Zigbee to IP bridge and viceversa..I’m trying to implement it on linux system.What I understand is that I need to have both the IP and Zigbee stacks on the system.TCP/IP stack is present in linux system but Zigbee stack isn’t there.So how can I go about it?
Zigbee stacks are provided by TI,Microchip and so on..But can I use them to develop bridge in the system?(what I assumed is that those stacks can’t be used as they are microcontroller specificI have a CC2430dk kit..How can I proceed with my project?
Looking forward for your suggetions..
With Regards,
Swaroopa.
You could take a look at ZigBuzz.
I’ve got a brand-new Connectport x4 here at home that I am starting to experiment with and would love to have this type of generic ‘Internet Gateway’ ability for the personal networked-objects learning/research/experiments I am working on.
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Assuming what you’ve developed on the x2 is compatible on the x4, any chance you could post the code to your blog? (Might it be a worthwhile thing to ‘project-ize’ it via googlecode or github or sourceforge etc?)
Thanks!
Michael
Yes, it should run fine on an X4 and yes we are working to get it robust and open source. There’s a project going at ITP right now that will have code ready to share possibly sometime over the summer or in the fall.
I just came across the Xig gateway project on Google code – http://code.google.com/p/xig/
I see its not exactly brand new (the first commit was in July, most recent in October). But, having not seen it until today, its new to me, so I’m excited!
Are more updates in the works?
Michael
Yup, still in development. Expect to see some more in the next month or so.
Ok, we’ve waited over a month with baited breath. Any updates?
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Yes! There are updates! Make sure to try out the latest XIG release here:
http://code.google.com/p/xig/downloads/list
Jordan