Everyone knows that imp modules use WiFi for their Internet connectivity — the imp005 has Ethernet too — but what about local networking? It’s no secret that Electric Imp’s engineers are working up WLAN-level imp-to-imp communication, but if you can’t wait for that — or you just want try out an alternative to WiFi — how about ZigBee?
ZigBee is a mesh networking technology originally developed for home-automation applications, where it’s widely supported. Chip maker Digi International supports ZigBee through its XBee Series 2 raft of radio modules, and now both network tech and hardware type are supported by the imp.
The new XBee library allows any imp to communicate with both directly connected and remote XBee modules using AT mode, which treats the wireless link as an über UART. However, IoT developers will really want to cut straight to XBee’s API mode, which provides a full interface for interacting with local and remote XBees, and provides tools to interoperate with ZigBee devices from other vendors.
All you need to get started are a couple of XBee Series 2 (S2) modules like the one pictured above. We also recommend board adapters to allow the modules to be slotted into standard solderless breadboards. A USB XBee programmer board is a must-have handy accessory that allows you to apply different XBee firmware packs for each of ZigBee’s three standard device types — Coordinator, Router and End Device — but especially to enable API mode.
The new XBee library shows just how well the Electric Imp Platform is able to support broad technology standards and help customers and developers create great Internet of Things products and projects with a high level of interoperability.
Tony Smith,
Senior Tech Writer,
Electric Imp