Protocol Stack

One of the features of IEEE802.15.4 is that it can establish various network topologies. It determines the most appropriate network topology according to the purpose and configures the firmware.
topology

When building point-to-point or star type networks, it is better to use API of IEEE802.15.4 directly to create the application as it does not require any complicated procedures such as routing. This way, you can simplify the system and optimize the performance.

When building tree or mesh type networks, however, a huge amount of development man-hours will be required to create the functions using API of IEEE802.15.4 as it requires you to manage the network connection status of each node and conduct the routing.

A protocol stack is software that initializes a network and conducts the routing, and with the use of prepared API, a developer can proceed with development more efficiently. Taking advantage of a protocol stack will help you complete the communications procedures with high function and high quality at lower development cost.

TOCOS Wireless Engine offers several options of communications protocols available according to the request of a customer. User application is to be created using API defined with C language. The blue box in the figure below is hardware and the rest are firmware. Firmware will be stored in rewritable flash ROM built in TOCOS Wireless Engine.

stack_fig
Each protocol stack can be switched by rewriting the firmware. (* More than one protocol stack cannot be used at the same time with one Wireless Engine.)

The trend of standardization such as ZigBee is always changing, but TOCOS Wireless Engine is equipped with sufficient functions and performance that can respond to those changes.

ZigBee PRO Protocol Stack

It is the latest version of ZigBee protocol stacks established by ZigBee Alliance. It can establish a mesh network. It supports Smart Energy (SE) profile and Home Automation (HA) profile. * To use ZigBee protocol stack for a commercial purpose, you need to become a member of ZigBee Alliance.

JenNet Protocol Stack

It is an original, light-weight, easy-to-use wireless communications protocol stack. It can establish star, tree, and linear network topologies. It provides sophisticated routing functions. The protocol stack is provided for free of license.

JenNet-IP Protocol Stack

It is a communications protocol to allow IPv6 packets to be sent to and received from over IEEE802.15.4 based networks. It is a mixture of JenNet and 6LoWPAN. It enables the Internet of Things. TOCOS Wireless Engine plans to support it shortly.

* Tokyo Cosmos Electric is a member of ZigBee Alliance and ZigBee Sig Japan.

Others

6LoWPAN

6LoWPAN (IPv6 over Low power Wireless Personal Area Networks) is a communications protocol established by IETF to allow IPv6 packets to be sent to and received from over IEEE802.15.4 based networks. 6LoWPAN reads six-low-pan. 6LoWPAN enables the Internet of Things in cooperation with wired communications, WiFi, and Bluetooth. 6LoWPAN is adopted in ZigBee IP, the next generation ZigBee standard. JenNet-IP has also adopted 6LoWPAN.

RF4CE

RF4CE (Radio Frequency for Consumer Electronics) is a communications protocol for wireless remote control (RF remote control) that the RF4CE Consortium set up by home appliances manufacturers has established.

ISA100.11a

It is a communications protocol for an industrial use that operates on IEEE802.15.4.

WirelessHART

It is a communications protocol for an industrial use that operates on IEEE802.15.4.

Related Information

What is ZigBee?

Related Products

ZigBee/IEEE802.15.4 Module