User`s guide

PICDEM

™

DEMONSTRATION KIT

USER’S GUIDE

Chapter 2. Getting Started with the PICDEM™ Z Demonstration Kit

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The PICDEM Z Demonstration Kit can be used with a variety of Microchip software pro-

tocol stacks or it can be used to develop proprietary protocol stacks. Microchip software

protocol stacks are available as a free download, including source code, from the

Microchip website: http://www.microchip.com/wireless/.

The PICDEM Z Demonstration Kit assumes that the user is familiar with Microchip PIC

microcontrollers and development tools such as MPLAB IDE. There is a wealth of get-

ting started information on the Microchip website http://www.microchip.com/. Select the

Design>Getting Started

links for more information about microcontrollers and develop-

ment tools.

Topics covered in this chapter include:

• Microchip ZigBee-2006 Residential Stack Protocol

• Microchip MiWi™ Protocol

• Microchip MiWi P2P Protocol

2.2 MICROCHIP ZIGBEE-2006 RESIDENTIAL STACK PROTOCOL

The ZigBee protocol is a wireless network protocol specifically designed for low data

rate, low-cost wireless sensors and control networks. It is based on the IEEE 802.15.4

global standard ensuring interoperability and reliable communication. ZigBee protocol

supports star, cluster and mesh wireless network topologies making it well suited for

short range and low-power applications. The Microchip ZigBee-2006 protocol is certi-

fied to run on the PIC18 and PIC24 families of Microchip PIC microcontrollers and the

MRF24J40 2.4 GHz RF Transceiver.

The software stack is available on the PICDEM Z CD-ROM. Check the Microchip web

site for the latest revision at http://www.microchip.com/wireless/. Once the software

stack is installed, the source code and documentation are available at:

C:\Microchip Solutions\ZigBee2006Res\

The PICDEM Z Demonstration Kit is preprogrammed with a ZigBee protocol demo pro-

gram. Please refer to the “Getting Started: Running the ZigBee-2006 Demo” document

located in the directory: C:\Microchip Solutions\ZigBee2006Res\

Complete documentation is available in application note AN1232, “Microchip

ZigBee-2006 Residential Stack Protocol” (DS01232).