Research on ZigBee technology and a sample application on the transmission of biomedical signals

In this thesis, ZigBee technology which is used for data transmission in wireless sensor networks was introduced and a sample application about ZigBee based biomedical signals transmission was done. The lack of Turkish resources on ZigBee technology has motivated us to prepare this thesis. As an exemplary application, the transmission of biomedical signals from temperature and heart rate pulse sensors to a remote central unit over a ZigBee based wireless network was performed. In the first part of the study, a comprehensive review of ZigBee technology was done. Fundamentals of ZigBee concept, ZigBee network structure, ZigBee protocols, application and ZigBee based networks were compared with other existing network technologies showing ZigBee advantages and disadvantages were examined. In the second part of the study, ZigBee modules, biomedical sensors and other equipments used in the sample application were introduced. The ZigBee modules used was XBee 2mw Cable Antenna Serial2 (ZigBee Mash) modules manufactured by Digi Company. The LM35 analogue temperature sensor was used for the temperature signal while the sensor manufactured by Sparkfun was used for the heart rate pulse signal. The signals from these two sensors were processed by the microprocessor and transmitted wirelessly to the remote receiver ZigBee module, which served as the network coordinator. Signs received from the receiver coordinator ZigBee module were printed on the screen via the console. In the last part of the study, all configurable parameters of the modules are examined to show the ease and flexibility of wireless networking with ZigBee modules.