What: ZigBee motherboard platform to aid rapid development of different ZigBee devices.
Why: Need for a reliable platform to increase speed of PhD research in the area.
How: 2.4GHz ZigBee RF section with inverted-F PCB antenna, based on CC2420 in conjunction with MSP430 microcontroller and Li-Poly battery system (including PCM, charge circuit and gas gauge). Primary on-board interface comprises of a joystick and LED’s.

What: PIR board with temperature and light sensors.
Why: Sensor-board used for analysing external environment for Telemedicine purposes.
How: Sensitive analogue PIR element and photodiode feeding into MSP430 ADC’s via conditioning circuitry. Dallas 1-wire temperature sensor used for thermal level detection and 4Mb of SPI Flash memory dedicated to data logging.

What: 3-axis accelerometer based system with audio channel.
Why: Sensor-board for analysing human movement for Telemedicine purposes.
How: ST MEMS inertial sensor, filtering and MSP430 with 4Mb of SPI Flash memory. Audio channel based around CML codec with electret microphone.

What: Audio logging & spectral analysis unit.
Why: Used for audio sample characterisation and matching - research purposes.
How: Sensitive analogue front end amplifier with programmable gain control feeding into MSP430 ADC.

What: Mother and sensor board debug platform.
Why: Facilitate rapid programming and debugging for mother and sensor board combinations.
How: Provision for USB, SPI, JTAG and other interfaces (such as joystick & LED’s) – caters for dual processors.

What: ZigBee-Wifi unit with data logging capability.
Why: Acts as a gateway between ZigBee, Ethernet and Wifi networks.
How: Rabbit Ethernet module interfaced to ZigBee RF section via a central microcontroller. Also includes an SD card reader for data logging, backup power source, prototyping section, USB and various other on-board interfaces.

What: Miniature wireless ZigBee emergency button.
Why: Integrates with existing telemedicine system to provide alert functionality.
How: 2.4GHz ZigBee RF section based around CC2420, ultra-low power design using MSP430, power-up on button press.