dresden elektronik ConBee User manual

User Manual
ConBee
Document Version V1.2
2017-12-10

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 2 of 33
Table of contents
1. Overview .........................................................................................................................6
2. Applications.....................................................................................................................6
3. Features..........................................................................................................................6
3.1. Technical specification ...........................................................................................6
3.2. How does the USB Dongle work?...........................................................................7
4. Quick start.......................................................................................................................8
4.1. Content of delivery..................................................................................................8
4.2. Shipping Software ..................................................................................................8
4.3. Requirements.........................................................................................................8
4.3.1. Supported Operating Systems ....................................................................8
4.4. Driver installation....................................................................................................8
4.4.1. Windows.....................................................................................................9
4.4.2. Linux...........................................................................................................9
4.5. Using the USB Dongle with deCONZ application....................................................9
4.5.1. Windows.....................................................................................................9
4.5.2. Raspbian Linux.........................................................................................11
4.5.3. Ubuntu Linux.............................................................................................13
4.6. Phoscon App on mobile devices, laptops and PC.................................................16
4.6.1. Requirements............................................................................................16
4.6.2. Usage .......................................................................................................16
5. Installing custom firmware with GCFFlasher..................................................................17
5.1. Windows...............................................................................................................17
5.2. Raspbian Linux.....................................................................................................18
5.3. Ubuntu Linux........................................................................................................19
5.4. Notes on custom firmware....................................................................................20
5.5. Example with BitCatcher ......................................................................................20
5.5.1. Software....................................................................................................20
5.5.2. Firmware...................................................................................................20
5.6. EEPROM layout ...................................................................................................20
5.7. Fuse settings........................................................................................................21
6. Technical data...............................................................................................................21

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 3 of 33
6.1. Output power and channel settings ......................................................................23
7. Pin assignment..............................................................................................................24
8. Hardware modifications for development.......................................................................26
8.1. Assemble the program header .............................................................................26
8.2. Assemble the trace header...................................................................................27
8.3. Assemble the Serial Flash Memory......................................................................27
8.4. Assemble the User button ....................................................................................28
8.5. Assemble the status LEDs....................................................................................28
9. Radio certification..........................................................................................................29
9.1. United States (FCC).............................................................................................29
9.2. European Union (ETSI)........................................................................................30
9.3. Approved antenna list...........................................................................................30
10. Ordering information......................................................................................................31
11. Revision notes...............................................................................................................31
12. References....................................................................................................................32

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 4 of 33
Document history
Date
Version
Description
2016-06-15
1.0
Initial version
2016-09-30
1.1
Update deCONZ section for Ubuntu Linux
Update GCFFlasher section for Ubuntu Linux
Adding screenshots
2017-12-10
1.2
Update deCONZ installation for Windows, Ubuntu and Raspbian
Stretch.
Document deCONZ GUI and headless autostart.
Introduce Phoscon App as WebApp update.

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 5 of 33
Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Description
IEEE 802.15.4
Communication standard, applicable to low-rate Wireless Personal Area
Networks (WPAN)
CE
Consumer Electronics
ETSI
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
FCC
Federal Communications Commission
GPIO
Generals Purpose Input Output
JTAG
Joint Test Action Group, digital interface for debugging of embedded
devices, also known as IEEE 1149.1 standard interface
MAC
Medium (Media) Access Control
MCU, µC
Microcontroller Unit
OS
Operating System
RF
Radio Frequency
RPi
Raspberry Pi, a famous inexpensive single board computer in credit card
size
R&TTE
Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment
(Directive of the European Union)
U[S]ART
Universal [Synchronous/]Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter
ZigBee
Low-cost, low-power wireless mesh network standard. The ZigBee Alliance
is a group of companies that maintain and publish the ZigBee standard.
ZHA
ZigBee Home Automation profile
ZLL
ZigBee Light Link profile

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 6 of 33
1. Overview
The ConBee is the platform independent USB Dongle that turns your host into a full
functional wireless node which can be seamlessly integrated into ZigBee networks. This will
enhance the application range of your host with monitoring and controlling ZigBee networks.
ZigBee compatible devices are available from a lot of manufacturers.
This USB Dongle contains a powerful radio module with integrated power amplifier and low
noise amplifier. Together with the assembled onboard chip antenna which has been
optimally tuned ensures a superior RF performance.
The ConBee is shipped with a bootloader application for simple firmware uploads and
updates.
The ZigBee firmware is interfaced by a program called deCONZ which runs on Windows and
Linux and is responsible for ZigBee network control and monitoring.
2. Applications
The ConBee is designed to handle ZigBee 3.0, ZigBee Light Link (ZLL) and ZigBee Home
Automation (ZHA) applications in connection with the ZigBee firmware and software
deCONZ. A more detailed description of the ZLL standard, the features, benefits and
available certified products can be found on the official alliance website [1].
It is also possible to use a custom firmware for wireless applications. Follow the instructions
in Section 5 and Section 10 for detailed instructions on software installation and customer
modifications.
Note: Please note that depending on the modifications the radio certification and
compliance may become invalid. Please get in contact with us to advise you
for a custom FCC certified and/or compliant design.
3. Features
The ConBee contains the features listed below. Figure 1 illustrates the feature parts in a
detailed view.
3.1. Technical specification
Slim size: 70.7 x 23.0 x 8.3 mm
Supply voltage: USB powered 5.0V / DC
Onboard 2.4 GHz ZigBee radio module ‘deRFmega256-23M12’
Application interfaces: USB

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 7 of 33
Figure 1: ConBee in detail
3.2. How does the USB Dongle work?
The functional parts of the ConBee are shown in a schematic overview in Figure 2.
The USB Dongle will be supplied by the USB 5.0 V domain. Therefore the USB power supply
must be sufficient to support the additional load. An onboard low-drop-out voltage regulator
generates a stable 3.3 V voltage to supply the radio module on the USB Dongle.
The onboard placed radio module deRFmega256-23M12 by dresden elektronik contains an
8-bit AVR microcontroller with an integrated low-power 2.4 GHz transceiver for ZigBee and
IEEE 802.15.4 applications. The ConBee is shipped with bootloader software and pre-
installed ZigBee firmware. Each USB Dongle contains a world-wide unique identifier, named
MAC-ID. It consists of an 8 byte address, including the vendor ID and product ID. The MAC-
ID is stored in the MCU internal EEPROM.
Radio module
Chip antenna
USB connector
Flash (n.a.)
LEDs (n.a.)
FTDI
UART (n.a.)
JTAG (n.a.)
Button (n.a.)
n.a.: not assembled

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 8 of 33
The RF output signal of the 2.4 GHz radio module is routed to the assembled onboard chip
antenna.
Figure 2: Block Diagram
4. Quick start
This section describes in short steps a fast start-up of the ConBee to control and monitor a
ZigBee network.
4.1. Content of delivery
One shipped USB Dongle package contains the following:
1x ConBee - USB Dongle
1x Instruction leaflet
4.2. Shipping Software
The ConBee is shipped with bootloader software and pre-installed ZigBee firmware.
4.3. Requirements
The ConBee needs a dedicated USB port with up to 500mA current supply and works on
desktop PCs, laptops and the Single Board Computer Raspberry Pi 1, 2 and 3.
4.3.1. Supported Operating Systems
Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10
Canonical Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS
Raspberry Pi Raspbian Jessie and Stretch
Note: Raspbian Wheezy is no longer supported.
4.4. Driver installation
On most platforms the necessary USB COM port drivers by FTDI will be installed
automatically when you plug in the USB Dongle. You can also download and install the FTDI
drivers manuallyfrom http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm
USB
UART
deRFmega256-23M12
FTDI
Chip Ant.
LDO
VUSB
4.5V to 5.5V
RFOUT2
VOUT
3.3V

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 9 of 33
4.4.1. Windows
Plug in the ConBee USB Dongle into a free USB port. On Windows the drivers will be
installed automatically if you have activated automatic driver installation. A window will pop
up where you can select automatic driver installation.
4.4.2. Linux
No further driver installation is needed. All common Linux distributions include the necessary
COM port drivers.
4.5. Using the USB Dongle with deCONZ application
The deCONZ
1
application allows the configuration, operation, monitoring and maintenance of
ZigBee networks.
4.5.1. Windows
1. Download and install the deCONZ software from:
https://www.dresden-elektronik.de/funktechnik/products/software/pc/deconz
Important: The next step will bring up a windows firewall warning. This happens because
deCONZ runs a webserver to provide the Phoscon App and is using an
Internet discovery mechanism so that the browser can find the Phoscon App.
For proper operation it’s required to confirm the firewall exception.
2. Start the deCONZ application from the start menu.
3. If necessary a firmware update request will be shown.
Proceed by clicking on Update Firmware button.
1
See https://www.dresden-elektronik.de/funktechnik/products/software/pc-software/deconz

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 10 of 33
4. deCONZ automatically connects to the ConBee USB Dongle and a blue coordinator node
with address 0x0000 appears.
5. Click the Phoscon App button to open the browser based control software.

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 11 of 33
6. Login with default password: delight
Note: The former WebApp (2013–2016) is still available and can be opened by clicking the
WebApp button, the default login is user: delight and password: delight.
Refer to the Quick Start Guide for further instructions how to use the Phoscon App [3].
4.5.2. Raspbian Linux
Open the terminal window by:
Menu / Accessories / Terminal
Type in the commands described in the following steps.

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 12 of 33
4.5.2.1. Download and install deCONZ
1. Download deCONZ:
$ wget http://www.dresden-elektronik.de/rpi/deconz/stable/deconz-
latest.deb
2. Install deCONZ:
Important: This step might print some errors due missing dependencies;
that’s expected and will be fixed afterwards in the step 3.
$ sudo dpkg -i deconz-latest.deb
3. Install missing dependencies:
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install -f
4.5.2.2. Start and run the application
7. If not already running start the desktop environment
$ startx
8. Start the deCONZ application via start menu
Menu / Programming /deCONZ
9. Click the Phoscon App button to open the browser based control software.

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 13 of 33
10. Login with default password: delight
Note: The former WebApp (2013–2016) is still available and can be opened by clicking the
WebApp button, the default login is user: delight and password: delight.
Refer to the Quick Start Guide for further instructions how to use the Phoscon App [3].
4.5.2.3. Autostart deCONZ GUI on boot
Use this if deCONZ GUI should be started automatically on each boot.
1. Enable deCONZ systemd GUI service
$ sudo systemctl enable deconz-gui
4.5.2.4. Autostart deCONZ headless on boot
Use this to start deCONZ on each boot in a headless environment, without a running X11 or
VNC server.
1. Enable deCONZ systemd headless service
$ sudo systemctl enable deconz
4.5.3. Ubuntu Linux
4.5.3.1. Download and install deCONZ
1. Download deCONZ for Ubuntu Linux from:
https://www.dresden-elektronik.de/funktechnik/products/software/pc/deconz
2. Open the terminal window with keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T
4. Install deCONZ package in terminal window:
Important: This step might print some errors due missing dependencies;
that’s expected and will be fixed afterwards in the step 3.
$ cd Downloads
$ sudo dpkg -i deconz-2.04.96-qt5.deb

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 14 of 33
5. Install missing dependencies:
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install -f
3. Start the deCONZ application by the search input.
4. deCONZ automatically connects to the ConBee USB Dongle. If a firmware update is
needed the following screen will be shown.

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 15 of 33
Proceed by clicking the Update Firmware button.
5. Do not disconnect the USB dongle during the update process.
6. After the update connection to the ConBee USB Dongle will be established automatically
and a blue coordinator node with address 0x0000 appears.
7. Click the Phoscon App button to open the browser based control software.

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 16 of 33
8. Login with default password: delight
Note: The former WebApp (2013–2016) is still available and can be opened by clicking the
WebApp button, the default login is user: delight and password: delight.
Refer to the Quick Start Guide for further instructions how to use the Phoscon App [3].
9. After restarting the operating system. The deCONZ application can be found and started
by the search input.
4.6. Phoscon App on mobile devices, laptops and PC
The browser based Phoscon App can be used on various devices to control a Wireless
Lighting System with the ConBee USB Dongle.
4.6.1. Requirements
1. A host system with connected ConBee USB Dongle.
2. The host system and mobile device must be in the same network, e.g. home network with
WiFi router.
4.6.2. Usage
1. Open the mobile device browser and navigate to http://dresden-elektronik.de/pwa

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 17 of 33
Important: Albeit the Phoscon App is initially received from the dresden elektronik server,
all communication between the Phoscon App and deCONZ / ConBee happens
in your local network (LAN or Wi-Fi) only. The Phoscon App is not cloud based
and works even without Internet.
2. Select the related ConBee, if it is not detected a gateway search will be started
3. Login with default password: delight
Save the page as bookmark in the browser for a faster access.
Note: A full copy of the App is available on the host device running deCONZ. If you know
the IP address of the host you can open it by navigating to http://<ip-address>/pwa
5. Installing custom firmware with GCFFlasher
GCFFlasher is a command line tool which can be used to update the USB Dongle without
additional programming hardware. It is also used by deCONZ to update the ZigBee firmware.
The GCFFlasher communicates with the USB Dongle bootloader via COM port interface.
Note 1: GCFFlasher accepts firmware files in binary file format (.bin) and in dresden
elektronik proprietary GCF file format. There is no EEPROM programming
support within GCFFlasher. EEPROM programming must be done within your
application code. Please note that modifying the EEPROM may cause
irreversibly damage to your USB Dongle. Use with care. GCFFlasher also
provides the option ‘-r’ to power cycle the target device.
Note 2: It is not possible to perform the update while running the deCONZ application.
Therefore it is necessary to close the deCONZ application before updating the
firmware with GCFFlasher.
Note 3: For help on the GCFFlasher options run: GCFFlasher -h
5.1. Windows
1. Download GCFFlasher (Windows) from:
https://www.dresden-elektronik.de/funktechnik/service/downloads/software
2. Unzip the package and double click the GCFFlasherCommandline.bat file. A command
prompt will open and output a list of all connected devices.
3. Put the firmware file in the same folder as GCFFlasher.exe
4. To upload the firmware, invoke GCFFlasher from the command prompt as follows:

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 18 of 33
GCFFlasher –d <device> -f <YourApplication.bin[.GCF]>
For example:
GCFFlasher –d 0 –f deCONZ_0x26030500.bin.GCF
Note: You can list the devices with: GCFFlasher –l
5.2. Raspbian Linux
Install and execute GCFFlasher in a terminal window as described in the following steps.
1. Open a terminal with keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T
2. Download GCFFlasher:
$ wget http://www.dresden-
elektronik.de/rpi/gcfflasher/gcfflasher-latest.deb
3. Install GCFFlasher:
$ sudo dpkg -i gcfflasher-latest.deb
Important: This step might print some errors due missing dependencies;
that’s expected and will be fixed afterwards in the next step.
4. Install missing dependencies:
$ sudo apt update

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 19 of 33
$ sudo apt install -f
5. Upload firmware, invoke GCFFlasher with superuser rights as follows:
$ sudo GCFFlasher –d <device> -f <YourApplication.bin[.GCF]>
For example:
$ sudo GCFFlasher –d 0 –f deCONZ_0x26190500.bin.GCF
Note: You can list all devices with: $ sudo GCFFlasher –l
5.3. Ubuntu Linux
Install and execute GCFFlasher in a terminal window as described in the following steps.
1. Download GCFFlasher for Ubuntu Linux from:
https://www.dresden-elektronik.de/funktechnik/service/downloads/software
2. Open a terminal with keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T
3. Install GCFFlasher:
$ cd Downloads
$ sudo dpkg -i gcfflasher-2.08.deb
Important: This step might print some errors due missing dependencies;
that’s expected and will be fixed afterwards in the next step.
6. Install missing dependencies:
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install -f
7. Upload firmware, invoke GCFFlasher with superuser rights as follows:
$ sudo GCFFlasher –d <device> -f <YourApplication.bin[.GCF]>
For example:
$ sudo GCFFlasher –d 0 –f deCONZ_0x26090500.bin.GCF

User Manual
Version 1.2
2017-12-10
ConBee –USB Dongle
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Page 20 of 33
Note: You can list all devices with: $ sudo GCFFlasher –l
5.4. Notes on custom firmware
When using the JTAG interface, do not modify sensitive EEPROM areas like Bootloader
control section, ZigBee firmware settings, NV-section containing i.e. MAC address, unless
you are absolutely sure what you are doing. See section 5.6 for details of sensitive
EEPROM areas.
Please also note that dresden elektronik will neither provide firmware images of the
bootloader nor support restoring the bootloader or EEPROM once overwritten.
5.5. Example with BitCatcher
BitCatcher is a software tool for analyzing wireless transmissions in ZigBee based networks
and allows the monitoring of complex network structures as well as observe data flows and
runtime performance in detail without additional effort.
Note: BitCatcher is only available in a legacy version and will no longer be supported by
Luxoft. It is compatible only up to Windows 7.
5.5.1. Software
1. Download and install the Luxoft BitCatcher ZigBee Network Analyzer from:
http://www.luxoft.com/embedded-systems-development/bitcatcher
5.5.2. Firmware
1. Download the BitCatcher firmware for ConBee from:
https://www.dresden-elektronik.de/funktechnik/service/downloads/software/
2. Execute the steps of section 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 depending on your operating system.
5.6. EEPROM layout
The radio module contained on the ConBee uses the following sensitive EEPROM sections.
If developing custom firmware, please do not modify the sections already used.