Re: best *current* home automation book? need to cram subject urgently

["Jim" <camdenguy@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

hi martin-

just started looking at ZigBee - hadn't heard of it before, and could
be quite useful for me.

Since you've just had the chance to learn a bit more about it, could
you try to provide me with info where you know it, please?

I understand from what I've read that it's meant to be a wireless
standard 'perfect for home automation', particularly for sensor
technology ie relatively low bandwidth (wikipedia says that it ranges
from 20kbps to 250kbps (at 2.4 Ghz band) depending on the frequency
used. I've forgotten my physics here... why not just run it at 2.4Ghz
and get over 1200% bandwidth increase from 20kbps? Does the range fall
off at higher frequencies?)

However, even at 20kbps, that's plenty bandwidth for a lot more than
sensors (video and music excluded- hell, isn't the voice data we hear
on the phone 9.6kbps?).

The 'mesh' cluster concept is pretty cool. kind of like a mini Internet
in your home :).

What about ZigBee security, though? sensors can be used in security
situations. Would ZigBee not be recommended in these cases?
Furthermore, <with paranoia hat on> if ZigBee devices are that easy to
battery change, would it not be very easy to tamper with them? </hat
off>

Do you have a site for your company? or a site for any ZigBee
suppliers? are the products actually out yet?