If ZigBee/TinyOS feels like an overkill one’d go for SimpliciTI
Texas Instruments has released v1.0.0 of the SimpliciTI network protocol, a proprietary low-power radio frequency (RF) protocol targeting simple, small RF networks (less than 100 nodes). SimpliciTI network protocol (see structure) was designed to ease implementation with minimal MCU resource requirements. It runs out-of-the-box on TI’s MSP430 ultra-low-power MCU and CC110x/CC2500 RF transceivers and is provided as source code under a free license, without royalties. Developers are encouraged to adapt the protocol to their own specific application needs. A new release with power management embedded in the stack is due in Q4 2007.
Hardware? The new TI eZ430-RF2500 platform combines 16-MHz 16-bit MSP430F2274 microcontroller with CC2500 RF transceiver chip on a removable target board. This development tool is designed for low-cost, low-power, and low-speed sensor and control applications. The CC2500’s packet handling support is limited to CRC checking, which is adequate for many applications, as are the 64-byte FIFOs. This radio chip has a range of configuration options, including different operating frequencies in the 2.4-GHz band.
The eZ430-RF2500, claimed the world’s smallest low-power wireless development tool is priced at $49, it includes a USB emulator to program and debug your application in-system and two wireless target boards.
