Certified MAC Software is Now Available to 802.15.4/ZigBee Developers as True Open Source

Bellevue, WA – May 30, 2007 - MeshNetics, an award-winning wireless sensor technology provider and 802.15.4/ZigBee expert, today announced the release of its IEEE802.15.4 Medium Access Control (MAC) software, OpenMAC, as true open source. This free to download software stack—ideally suited to jump start development of basic wireless applications—is an IEEE802.15.4 solution fully certified in accordance to ZigBee Alliance guidelines. Interoperability of MeshNetics OpenMAC and certified MAC software from other vendors has been confirmed by a leading test house, National Technical Systems (NTS).

The MAC layer forms the foundation of the ZigBee networking stack, and provides support to peer-to-peer and star network topologies. OpenMAC has been ported to several AVR-based platforms, including MeshNetics' own ZigBit OEM Module and development board and Atmel's RF Accessory (RZ502) and Demonstration (RZ200) Kits. It is supplied complete with code samples and device drivers for each of the supported platforms.

“We released our 802.15.4 MAC software through open source in response to the growing interest towards 802.15.4/ZigBee applications among the AVR community,” said Alexey Rybakov, Director of MeshNetics’ ZigBit Business Unit. “Being part of our commercial ZigBee stack, OpenMAC is fully certified, which ensures interoperability with other platforms. But most importantly, the free MAC software significantly lowers entry barrier to developers working to implement wire replacement applications worldwide.”

MeshNetics OpenMAC offers multiple benefits to these developers. For users who do not require full ZigBee Stack functionality, MeshNetics OpenMAC enables development of custom Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) applications around MeshNetics ZigBit modules and other AVR-based platforms. Advanced users can take advantage of open source to modify OpenMAC internals to suit specific application needs. Thoroughly documented sample applications help jump start application development on top of the MAC layer. MeshNetics OpenMAC is now available for download on sourceforge.net. Please visit /opensource/mac/ for more information.

Additionally MeshNetics offers easy-to-use tools to evaluate the ZigBit 802.15.4/ZigBee module and develop module-based wireless solutions. The MeshNetics Evaluation Kit allows users to assess range performance and power consumption of modules in the field. On top of this functionality, the Development Kit enables developers to write custom embedded applications using convenient API. Each kit includes evaluation boards with sensors, accessories, software and documentation.