SEP1.1 Installation

Question

Hi.

I'm trying to install the Smart Energy profile 1.1 on a Xbee ZB (ref: XBP24-Z7SIT-004)

I already change the firmware and the modem type XBP24-ZB to XBP24-SE.

What Certicom product certification I need to obtain and how can I configure the xbee device (to a smart appliance device for example) ?

Best Regards

Comments

Loading Smart Energy (SE) firmware on ZigBee (ZB) modules will give you the uncertified RF stack needed to work with Smart Energy applications. I say "uncertified", because in order to be a certified ZigBee Smart Energy product, certain testing must be done to ensure SEP compliance.

The Smart Energy application itself however is at the application level, which is higher up than the protocol-focused RF stack. In the case of Digi Smart Energy Gateways, they have created their own proprietary application called the Smart Energy Framework, which serves as the "glue" between the hardware at the Smart Energy network level and the Device Cloud where that data is pushed, then available for consumption by customer applications etc.

In order to replicate what the Digi ConnectPort X2e for Smart Energy Gateway is doing, you would not only need to program the necessary certificates and keys/install codes, but you will also need to create an application from which could take the various data within the ZCL, and format it in such a way that your application can display or use it.

Another possibility might be that you buy one of  Digi's Smart Energy gateways, upload a test certificate on the Gateway (using digi-se.appspot.com) and your Zigbee module (using the In-Premise Display Demo) then use the Smart Energy Framework already on the gateway to accomplish whatever task you wanted to develop an app around. Your app could then focus on polling the Device Cloud database with RESTful queries, to display whatever data you wanted (or setup a monitor to have it pushed to you).

Answer 1

All devices that operate in a ZigBee Smart Energy network must have a certificate installed that authenticates the device and allows it to securely join and communicate on the network. A certificate must be issued by the certificate authority (CA). Each certificate is tied to the 64-bit extended address of the device.
Currently there are two types of certificates issued by the CA.

*Production certificates are intended for use in deployed Smart Energy networks. Only devices which pass stringent testing and are officially certified may be configured with a production certificate.

*Test certificates may also be issued by the CA and are functionally equivalent to production certificates. However, a device configured with a test certificate will not be able to securely join and communicate on a production network. Test certificates are useful during development and test, for example when communicating with prototype devices that have not yet been certified, but should not be used in an actual deployment.

Standalone XBee modules, such as the XBP24-ZB and XBP24-SE, do not implement a specific Smart Energy device and so cannot be production certified directly but only as components in larger systems. In order for the standalone XBee to securely communicate on a Smart Energy network a test certificate will need to be obtained from a certificate authority and installed. Additional test certificates may also be necessary for other devices that are configured to join the Smart Energy network (you cannot mix test and production certficates on a Smart Energy network).

More details on certificates and how to program them onto modules can be found here:

https://digi-se.appspot.com/edocs/certificate/certificate.html#certificate

Comments

It's just for academic purpose.
I pretend to create a network with only 1 coordinator(a pc) and one smart appliance device.  And I dont want to connect with a Energy Company.
1.1-To act as a coordinator (responsible to create a network), can I use a standlone xbee? If the answer is yes:
1.1.1- I just need to use a test certification?
1.1.2- Can I connect others smart energy devices after?

1.2- Or I need to have a X2E-Z1C-W1-W or a X2E-Z1C-E1-W , right?

2-To act as a end device, a standlone xbee and a microcontroller is enough, right?

(I have a lot of doubts. Can I speak with some member of technical support on ***** or in other chat?)

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1.1 - Yes and no.  You will need to issue the commands to allow other devices to join the SE network.  Once joined, it can operate in standalone mode.
1.1.1 - Yes
1.1.2 - Yes, so long as they have test certificates

1.2 - Having a Smart Energy gateway  will save a lot time and effort as it will always be accessible on the Device Cloud for joining, certificate programming, etc..

2 - Yes, so long as the proper certificate and link keys are programmed.

You will need to contact Digi Technical Support regarding ***** or chat, that is not available on this forum.