Example mesh application for mbed OS

This application is the simplest one to utilize our mesh networking stack. It just joins your device to the unsecure 6LoWPAN-ND network.

Setup

Download the application

mbed import mbed-os-example-mesh-minimal
cd mbed-os-example-mesh-minimal

Change the channel settings (optional)

See the file mbed_app.json for an example of defining an IEEE 802.15.4 channel to use.

Selecting optimal Nanostack configuration

If you want to optimize the flash usage, you need to select a proper configuration for Nanostack. The configuration depends mostly on the preferred use case.

See 6LoWPAN overview for the definition of star and mesh networks. These same principles apply also to Thread protocol.

Select the protocol the network is based on:

6LoWPAN-ND
Thread

Select the device role:

Mesh network. A router. (default)
Star network. Non routing device. Also known as a host, or sleepy host.

Modify your mbed_app.json file to tell which Nanostack build to choose and which configrations to use on mbed Mesh API.

An example of the mbed_app.json file:

...
        "mesh-type":{
            "help": "options are MESH_LOWPAN, MESH_THREAD",
            "value": "MESH_LOWPAN"
        }
    },
    "target_overrides": {
        "*": {
            "target.features_add": ["NANOSTACK", "LOWPAN_ROUTER", "COMMON_PAL"],
            "mbed-mesh-api.6lowpan-nd-device-type": "NET_6LOWPAN_ROUTER",
            "mbed-mesh-api.thread-device-type": "MESH_DEVICE_TYPE_THREAD_ROUTER",
            "mbed-mesh-api.heap-size": 32000,
            "mbed-trace.enable": false
        }
    }

The following tables show the values you should use in the mbed_app.json file for your devices in different networks.

For 6LoWPAN-ND based network use mesh-type: MESH_LOWPAN.
For Thread based network use mesh-type: MESH_THREAD.

mesh-type: MESH_LOWPAN

Device role	`target.features_add` value	`mbed-mesh-api.6lowpan-nd-device-type`
Mesh router (default)	LOWPAN_ROUTER	NET_6LOWPAN_ROUTER
Non routing device	LOWPAN_HOST	NET_6LOWPAN_HOST

mesh-type: MESH_THREAD

Device role	`target.features_add` value	`mbed-mesh-api.thread-device-type`
Mesh router (default)	THREAD_ROUTER	MESH_DEVICE_TYPE_THREAD_ROUTER
Non routing device	THREAD_END_DEVICE	MESH_DEVICE_TYPE_THREAD_SLEEPY_END_DEVICE

Note: You need to recompile your application after modifying the configurations by issuing the command mbed compile -c.

Requirements for hardware

The networking stack used in this example requires TLS functionality to be enabled on mbed TLS. On devices where hardware entropy is not present, TLS is disabled by default. This would result in compile time failures or linking failures.

To learn why entropy is required, read the TLS Porting guide.

Compile the application

mbed compile -m K64F -t GCC_ARM

A binary is generated at the end of the build process.

Connect the RF shield to the board

By default, we are using the Atmel AT86RF233 and it can be purchased here. Place the shield on top of your board and power it up.

Program the target

Drag and drop the binary to the target to program the application.

Update the firmware of the border router

This example supports the following two border routers:

k64f-border-router, 6LoWPAN only
mbed gateway

Read the instructions on updating the firmware of your mbed gateway working as 6LoWPAN here.

Both border routers support static and dynamic backhaul configuration. The static configuration is good for testing but the dynamic one works if your network infrastructure is supplying an IPv6 address. Make sure that you use the appropiate mode.

Remember to connect the Ethernet cable between the border router and your home/office router. Then power up the board.

Testing

As soon as both the border router and the target are up and running you can verify the correct behaviour. Open a serial console and see the IP address obtained by the device.

Note: This application uses the baud rate of 115200.

connected. IP = 2001:db8:a0b:12f0::1

You can use this IP address to ping from your PC and verify that the connection is working correctly.

Changing the radio driver (optional)

To run a 6LoWPAN-ND network, you need a working RF driver for Nanostack. This example uses the Atmel AT86RF233 by default.

To change the RF driver:

Uninstall the Atmel RF driver.
```
 mbed remove atmel-rf-driver
```
Install the new driver. (For example, for the FRDM-CR20A radio shield based on the MCR20A device.)
```
 mbed add mcr20a-rf-driver
```
Recompile your application.
```
 mbed compile -m K64F -t GCC_ARM
```

Note: Make sure that the mbed_app.json file is also updated to reflect the usage of a particular RF driver. For example,

      "radio-type":{
            "help": "options are ATMEL, MCR20",
            "value": "ATMEL"
        },

sanyaade-embedded-systems/mbed-os-example-mesh-minimal