Renesas, AND TR unveil ZigBee smart energy design kits

Based on Renesas' M16C/6B single chip ZigBee silicon, the AND TR design kits are designed to provide optimum rf performance and have been tested for interoperability at ZigBee Smart Energy interoperability events. The design kits include 'TestZED' modules that can be used in product prototyping and are pre-programmed with the Renesas ZigBee Pro stack, as well as the Smart Energy 1.1 profile – although other profiles are available on request. The modules are controlled via HyperTerminal commands. In the kit, the Test ZED module is designed to interoperate with the bundled pc TestZED software and can function as either a ZigBee Coordinator or router, depending on how it is initialised. According to Renesas, the software gives users greater visibility of network communications and enables direct testing of the ZigBee profile – as well as their developed application through the reading/writing to the individual attributes of the profile's clusters. As a result, the companies say scenarios can be quickly set up and tested. The M16C/6B single chip solution features a 16bit cpu with an IEEE802.15.4 compliant 2.4GHz transceiver, up to 256kB of on chip Flash coupled with 20kB ram and 8kB of data flash and peripherals such as a 4channel DMA, multiple timers, three channels of serial I/O and 8channel 10bit a/d converter. Andy Harding, senior manager of Smart Energy Segment Marketing at Renesas Electronics Europe, said: "The AND TR modules and design kits are not only designed specifically for the markets at which they are targeted, but are also backed up by a strong design services company able to provide dedicated support and guidance for end customers trying to get to grips with the challenges of communications and networking. Whilst the European Union and individual governments target ambitious roll outs of smart metering across the EU, AND TR has the expertise to turn this goal into reality and is already actively supporting a number of our customers in technology trials." The kits are targeted primarily at the European smart metering market and also support building automation and home appliance applications through the optional home automation profile.