Evaluation kit checks out ZigBee signal strength

Z-Point Products has made its ZigBee USB Dongles available in a special wireless signal-strength evaluation kit. The kit offers users who are interested or curious about ZigBee a low-cost means to evaluate its suitability for their needs. 'One of the most common questions that we hear from customers regarding ZigBee is 'will it work for my application?'', reports Brian Empey, CEO of Techsol and CTO of Z-Point Products.

'Our clients have interesting challenges to solve'.

'They want to know if a ZigBee switch in the house will be able to turn off the lights in the stable (that their client's daughter left on) 400 feet away from the house'.

'We can't answer that from our office'.

'But now we offer a tool that lets them test it out themselves'.

The ZigBee Wireless Evaluation Kit comes as a set of three wireless devices plus software for Windows or Linux computers.

One ZigBee USB dongle plugs into a PC in one location.

Another plugs into a laptop that can be carried around.

And the third is simply a co-ordinator that is installed nearby.

As the user walks around with the laptop, the screen shows the strength of the signal that it is receiving plus the strength that the other user receives.

In addition, there is an 'instant messaging box' that lets them communicate with each other.

This feature was added at the request of building automation customers who want to test the suitability of ZigBee for operation between floors of buildings.

Now users can test the viability of ZigBee wireless as a communications mechanism through different media, over different distances, or any other test that is relevant to their particular challenges.

This kit, based on the same ZigBee Dongle that was demonstrated at Light Fair 2006 in May and hailed by the ZigBee Alliance as the world's first Zigbee product, is available for only $345.

Z-Point Products is taking orders now for deliveries starting in October.