Hi
I want to interface a microcontroller and zigbee transceiver for home automation project.

When i browsed through atmel's website. I found the following models in which they are already interfaced and available in a chip format.

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/8266S.pdf
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/doc8226.pdf

The atmel's web page for the wireless chips is
http://www.atmel.com/products/zigbee/default.asp?family_id=676&source=main_nav

But i dont know what is the difference between these 2.

Which is better for my project?

The first one is cheaper than the second.

Also i would like to know if the chip itself contains the antenna in the above 2 cases or should we attach an antenna separately?

If there is some other better chip available for this kindly let me know.

Thanks..

 

You might have better responses to this question in the Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers forum.

 

you might want to check out newmicros.com they have a micro that is interfaced with a zigbee as well as the computer dongle for the zigbee.

 

Hello,

I moved it to the Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers forum.
Here it will get more attention.

Bertus

 

How many units are you building? Are you planning on doing a custom PCB
layout? Have you done an RF PCB layout?

It looks like the second datasheet has a module that can be purchased
with an antenna connector and balun. If you are going to do your RF
layout I would start with an Atmel reference design for whichever device
you choose.

If you are not going to need a lot of radios you are probably better off with
a system-on-a-chip like a MaxStream XBee. They are $23 each and are very easy
to use. The O'Reilly book Making Things Talk has a lot of examples.
The XBees have a uC + radio + antenna in a single module and can be
used without an additional uC.

If you decide you want an Atmel uC + XBee I make an Arduino compatible board
with an XBee. See http://wiblocks.luciani.org/ZB1/index.html
I also have software examples on the site.

(* jcl *)