How to Buy a ZigBee Coordinator

Zigbee is not a company but a group of companies selling new technology. Zigbee is like BlueTooth; it's a technology with wireless capability. The difference is that Zigbee utilizes radio waves. The Zigbee Coordinator is the kingpin of the Zigbee system. It "owns" the network and distributes signals to all of its network components. Buying a Zigbee Coordinator requires knowledge of the Zigbee technology and how it is coming onto the market.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Network needs

1. Evaluate your current network. Are there pieces that you would like to add? Does you network function the way you want it to?
2. Consider the use of radio. Are you knowledgeable about radio technology, and do you want to introduce this technology into your existing network?
3. Scan Zigbee forums. See what other users are saying about Zigbee technology.
4. Mull over install options. You'll most likely be looking to connect small appliances with specific functions. Think about how you can use Zigbee to facilitate this.
5. Read Zigbee info sheets online. Some companies or individuals offer their own overviews of how Zigbee usually works. These can be instructive when you're planning your purchase.

Buying your Zigbee Coordinator

6. Find online companies like Ember or Cirronet that sell Zigbee products. Browse the company websites to get more information about what is being offered.
7. Find out whether the Zigbee technology that you want is industrial or consumer-oriented. Zigbee has already entered the industrial market, but companies have been slow to offer consumer-oriented products. This can make a difference in what is available.
8. Get more information on Zigbee developer kits. Some companies offer these kits for sale online, but the coordinator may or may not be included. Do a little more research to see what components are included in a kit.
9. Ask for product-watch systems. Some companies may be willing to alert you when the Zigbee technology you're looking for is available or enters the market. As Zigbee is still growing, more products will be developed and introduced in the future.
10. Continue to monitor the company's product sites with attention to the specs of each product to see whether you can utilize that piece in your network.

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