Modern devices no longer need to be isolated. Recent advances in wireless mesh networks have created the potential for a massively interconnected world of easy information sharing. Cheap communications, high reliability, unique addressing, small size, efficiency, standardization, broadcast options and routing features combine to enable exciting new interactions. Developers of toys, wearables, performance devices, portables, network objects and sensor arrays can take advantage of radio mesh networking to design more interesting, better informed and more complex behaviors for their projects. This course explores devices that connect with and respond to each other. The technical focus will be on 802.15.4/ZigBee wireless mesh networks. Interconnections with other platforms and devices will be examined as needed. Students will gain an expertise in all functions of the ZigBee system to facilitate smart and novel behaviors in their projects. Through a series of accessible weekly exercises, students will build skills and explore the challenges and delights of mutual connectivity. As a final project, the class will construct an dynamic device network. Most labs and projects involve group work, so students should be ready to collaborate extensively as they experiment on the cutting edge of device interaction.

1. Collaborative Mesh Networking Syllabus v.1.04

• XBee_Terminal.pde for Processing
• XBee Analog Duplex Sender.pde for Arduino
• Metronome Reader for Arduino -- sample code for Coordination Project
• Metronome for Arduino (in case you are curious how the base unit works)
• XBee I/O Reader Library example (a work in progress) by Dan Shiffman & Rob Faludi (older version is here).
• XBee API code for Arduino (another work in progress) by Rob Faludi

• Class Presentations
• Student Documentation
• Preorder Page
• Faludi XBee Page
• ZigBee Alliance
• XBee Product Manual