Viconics VWZS Integration Guide - Manual (Page 5)

5
About Viconics Wireless Mesh Networks
The Viconics wireless card (VWG-APP-1000) and related network able wireless controllers series operate using
ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4 physical layer for communication.
General characteristics of the wireless physical communication layer are:

Uses a wireless physical layer of 2.4GHz with a data rates of 250 kbps
 Yields high throughput and low latency
 Automatic multiple topologies configuration: star, peer-to-peer, mesh

Fully handshake protocol for transfer reliability
 Range typical indoor through 4 gypsum wall partitions: 60 feet / 18M typical (up to 150 feet / 46 M based
on environment)
IEEE 802.15.4 along with ZigBee Networks and Application Support Layer provide:

Low cost installation deployment
 Ease of implementation
 Reliable data transfer

Short range operation
 Very low power consumption

Appropriate levels of security
The JACE with the wireless communication card acts as network coordinator device for the
IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee network used with the Viconics wireless controllers.
Many network specific features of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard are not covered in detail in this
paper. However, these are necessary for the efficient operation of a ZigBee network. These
features of the network physical layer include receiver energy detection, link quality indication
and clear channel assessment. Both contention-based and contention-free channel access
methods are supported with a maximum packet size of 128 bytes, which includes a variable
payload up to 104 bytes. Also employed are 64-bit IEEE and 16-bit short addressing,
supporting over 65,000 nodes per network. All those properties of the physical layer are used
and employed by the Viconics mesh network but are hidden to the installed / user for ease of
configuration and commissioning of the network database.
A “recommended” typical maximum of:

30 network able controllers can be supported by a single JACE2.

50 network able controllers can be supported by a single JACE6.
Database creation and configuration is easily made using the Workbench environment.
The theoretical maximum of number of controllers supported by a single Jace is dependent on
the resources available for the WirelessTstatNetwork driver Jar file and the extent of
integration added to the station itself. When additional functions and services are added to the
station, the available resources for the driver will be less. Once you have configured the
station for the wireless network and all other features (graphics, services, histories, alarms,
etc.), you should monitor the resources so that they do not exceed the recommended limits for
each specific platform.
Wireless Card Installation
Please refer to the “Jace2 Wireless Communication Card
Installation-Exx
” manual supplied with the VWG-APP-1000
communication card for detailed information on the wireless
communication card installation inside a JACE controller.