8.3. Example 1: Simple Commissioning

One of the simplest commissioning techniques is that employed by the ZigBee Home Automation Application Profile. The installer of this network is expected to be either a home owner or a professional installer. Either way, the installer is definitely not expected to be computer expert. In the simplest case, the installer turns on the devices and they just work. In more complicated situations, pressing a few buttons does the trick.

As an example, assume I just bought a ZigBee system from The Home Depot. The “Porch Light” starter pack comes with two battery-operated switches, four lights, and a remote control (see Figure 8.3). The purpose of this simple home automation system is to turn on the front and back porch lights when I drive home (for safety), and then to turn them off automatically after I've left (for energy savings). The porch lights can also be turned on or off from either of the switches or from the remote. One switch is to be placed just inside the front door, and the other is placed in my bedroom. The next time I go to bed and realize that I didn't turn out the porch lights (again), pressing a bedside button solves the problem.