Building Wireless Sensor Networks  (English, Paperback, Faludi Robert)

Get ready to create distributed sensor systems and intelligent interactive devices using the ZigBee wireless networking protocol and Series 2 XBee radios. By the time you're halfway through this fast-paced, hands-on guide, you'll have built a series of useful projects, including a complete ZigBee wireless network that delivers remotely sensed data.

Radio networking is creating revolutions in volcano monitoring, performance art, clean energy, and consumer electronics. As you follow the examples in each chapter, you'll learn how to tackle inspiring projects of your own. This practical guide is ideal for inventors, hackers, crafters, students, hobbyists, and scientists.

• Investigate an assortment of practical and intriguing project ideas
• Prep your ZigBee toolbox with an extensive shopping list of parts and programs
• Create a simple, working ZigBee network with XBee radios in less than two hours for under $100
• Use the Arduino open source electronics prototyping platform to build a series of increasingly complex projects
• Get familiar with XBee's API mode for creating sensor networks
• Build fully scalable sensing and actuation systems with inexpensive components
• Learn about power management, source routing, and other XBee technical nuances
• Make gateways that connect with neighboring networks, including the Internet

About the Author
Robert Faludi is an NYU Professor, SVA professor, and an expert consultant on commercial projects, including large-scale home energy monitoring. His work has appeared in The New York Times, CNet, Good Morning America, and elsewhere. He is a co-creator of the LilyPad XBee wearable radios, and Botanicalls, a system that allows thirsty plants to place phone calls for human help.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Ready

• Buying an XBee Radio
• Buying an Adapter
• Choosing a Terminal Program
• Summary

Chapter 2 Up and Running

• Radio Basics
• Introduction to ZigBee
• XBee Firmware Updates
• Configuring XBee
• Basic ZigBee Chat
• Success!

Chapter 3 Build a Better Doorbell

• ZigBee and Arduino
• Doorbell Projects

Chapter 4 Ins and Outs

• The Story of Data
• I/O Concepts
• Romantic Lighting Sensor

Chapter 5 API and a Sensor Network

• What’s an API?
• Protocols
• XBee API Protocol
• API Frame Types
• Simple Sensor Network
• Yay!

Chapter 6 Sleeping, Then Changing the World

• Sleep Mode
• Simple Sensor with Sleep Project
• Direct Actuation
• Direct Actuation Example
• Summary

Chapter 7 Over the Borders

• Gateways
• ConnectPorts
• Remote Management
• XBee Internet Gateway (XIG)
• Twitter Reader
• Moving Forward

Chapter 8 More to Love

• Advanced ZigBee
• Serial Flow Control
• Sharing Data
• Simple Sensor Network with Pachube
• The Future of ZigBee
• Next Steps for You

Appendix Resource Guide

• Arduino Resources
• Processing Resources
• Python Resources
• ZigBee Resources Online
• Recommended Books
• Sidewalk Telescopes
• Troubleshooting
• Reference Tables

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