Coordinator functionality

The functionality of the Coordinator application is described as follows:

  • The Coordinator is responsible for initially forming the network. It manages other devices that can join the network via the Trust center functionality. It distributes security materials to those devices that are allowed to join. The Coordinator supports the mandatory clusters and features of the Base Device as defined in the ZigBee Base Device Behavior Specification.

  • The Coordinator also supports the On/Off Cluster as a client for demonstrating the “Finding and Binding” functionality.

  • The serial commands issued from a terminal program control the Coordinator. The terminal program runs on a PC connected to the Zigbee device through a USB connection. The Coordinator application is configured to communicate with the following configuration:

    • Baud rate = 115200

    • Data = 8 bits

    • Stop = 1 bit

    • Parity = None

    • Flow control = None The serial interface is not case-sensitive. For a summary of the serial interface, refer to Summary of Serial Interface Commands.

Forming a network

A network can be formed from a factory-new Coordinator (Network Steering while not on a network) as follows:

  1. Enter the form on the serial interface. The Coordinator then starts a network.

  2. Using a ZigBee packet sniffer (running separately on a USB Dongle), validates the user regarding network status. The periodic “link status” messages must be present on the operational channel. This step is optional.

Parent topic:Coordinator functionality

Allowing other nodes to join (Network Steering)

Once a network has been formed, it must be opened to allow other devices to join it, referred to as Network Steering while on a network. To initiate Network Steering, perform the following steps:

  1. Enter the steer on the serial interface (Dongle or Carrier Board).

  2. Then, the Coordinator broadcasts a Management Permit Join Request to the network to open the “permit join” window for 180 seconds.

  3. The Network Steering process (for devices not on a network) can now be triggered on the devices that are to join the network.

Parent topic:Coordinator functionality

Operating the device (Coordinator)

The operational functionality of this device in this demonstration is provided by the On/Off cluster. Enter the toggle in the serial interface (Carrier Board) to send an OnOff Toggle command to the bound device (in the Binding table).

Parent topic:Coordinator functionality

Rejoining a network (Coordinator)

As a Coordinator, when this device is restarted in a state that is not factory-new, it resumes operation in its previous state. All applications, bindings, groups, and network parameters are preserved in non-volatile memory.

Parent topic:Coordinator functionality

Performing a factory reset (Coordinator)

The Coordinator can be returned to its factory-new state, which erases all persistent data except the outgoing network frame counter.

To perform a factory reset, enter the following command on the serial interface:

factory reset

Parent topic:Coordinator functionality

Summary of serial interface commands

The serial port connection to the Coordinator application is set up with the following configuration settings:

  • Baud rate = 115200

  • Data = 8 bits

  • Stop = 1 bit

  • Parity = None

The serial commands are not case-sensitive.

Serial command

Action

toggle

Sends an On/Off Toggle command to bound devices

steer

Triggers Network Steering for a device on the network

form

Triggers network formation for a device not on a network

find

Triggers Finding and Binding as an initiator

factory reset

Factory resets the device, erasing persistent data

soft reset

Triggers a software reset (no loss of data)

Parent topic:Coordinator functionality

Parent topic:Running the demonstration examples