MeshDecoder: Real-time IEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee Analyzer Includes Graphical Network Views and Advanced Diagnostic Features

1. This version improves the Frontline FTS core to provide improved performance.

1. Users can now define separate filters for different Frame Display view sets.
2. Filters are now cached to improve performance.
3. The Control Window now has a "Speedometer" that shows the rate of decoding incoming frames.
4. Overall performance improvement to FTS engine.

1. Frontline is pleased to announce the release of a new feature for our communications analyzers which will provide copy protection along with the ability to move/park the software license. This feature will be included in the Serialtest®, Ethertest®, MeshDecoder™, and NetDecoder™ analyzers. The release of these analyzers with copy protection will occur in early September.
    
2. The Frontline copy protected software can be activated via the Internet, with manual browser activation or with manual activation via email request or a telephone call to Frontline. More detailed information on the license protection functionality and activation options is available in a separate document. (Installing, Activating, and Managing Frontline Test System (FTS) Products.

Frontline is pleased to announce the release of the latest version of the 802.15.4 and ZigBee® Communications Analyzer, MeshDecoderTM. MeshDecoder Version 7.11.12.0 includes updates to protocol decoders along with new analyzer features and functionality.

MeshDecoder now includes:

• A new graphical screen called "Network View"
• Decoding for the latest ZigBee releases
• "Right Click Filtering" in the Frame Display
• Enhancements to the Print Functionality

As a result of customer feedback, you will also notice in this version that Frontline has updated the tool bar Icons in most displays. Some icons have been changed to better represent their function. Please see the attached icon conversion chart for more information. We have simplified the communications data capture functionality in the Control and Frame Display Windows.

MeshDecoder's new Network View enables you to see a graphical representation of the active node layout, as sensed by the air sniffing device, along with statistics for those nodes. Statistics include communications traffic details and node specific information. Network View's selectable display views allow you to see Parent / Child Relationships along with conversation statistics on packets transmitted and received, bytes transmitted /received and more. You can even give each node a user-friendly name (such as light switch #7, thermostat #2, etc.). When the cursor is placed on a particular node, a window opens up with additional node specific information. See Network View.

Frontline has updated the 802.15.4 and ZigBee decoders with the current release feature set. A key feature in Frontline's decoding of ZigBee's Cluster Library was in providing the user the ability to see application related data such as temperature settings and on/off statuses. Frontline's presentation of the ZigBee communications assists in easily understanding what is being communicated along with powerful filtering which allows you to view only the information you want to view. When combined with the Network View, MeshDecoder becomes a powerful network diagnostic tool. See Protocol Decoding.

MeshDecoder can now capture communications traffic to a single file or to a series of files. By default, the analyzer comes ready to capture to a single file, but the file size selection and the capture to a series of files selection can be viewed by clicking on Options and then Systems Settings.

Control Window with New Save Functionality

The new print capability gives you options for printing out information in MeshDecoder's Frame Display.

Selecting options, as shown in the above screen shot of MeshDecoder's Frame Display Print feature, results in a print-out as illustrated in the Print Preview screen shot below. You can also choose an option so that the print-out includes the decode information for each Frame number.

As a reminder, the MeshDecoder Communications Analyzer is a passive network monitoring software which works through a USB ComProbe® supplied with the analyzer.

ZigBee and 802.15.4 technology moves quickly and Frontline is committed to doing everything possible to move just as quickly. Our goal is to keep customers armed with the tools they need to do leading edge development and testing. However, doing this means that we are not able to put all releases through a full test cycle. Therefore we use the status definitions shown below to classify each release. Customers are encouraged to choose the release which best meets their needs.

Production
Tested by Frontline and numerous customers. No known major bugs.

LEGACY products are kept active as a service convenience to customers who have not upgraded to Windows XP. These products are not guaranteed to operate at maximum efficiency and do not include tech support.

Pre-Release
Tested by Frontline (but not as extensively as production). Some customer testing might have taken place. It is common for pre-releases to be prepared for interoperability testing events that are sponsored by the ZigBee Alliance and attended by Frontline. It is also common for Frontline to recommend that customers use pre-releases as they tend to be very stable. Often, but not always, a pre-release will be reclassified as a production release once enough customer testing has taken place.

Beta
Limited testing by Frontline. Beta releases are typically prepared when fast response to customer requirements is needed to enable customers to move forward with development and testing.

Note
Multiple releases of software can be installed on the same machine. This allows you to experiment with different releases and take advantage of the latest features and decodes as soon as they become available.

For further information, please contact our sales department at (800) 359-8570 or +1 434-984-4500 or send email to Sales@fte.com.

More questions? Contact Frontline Technical Support.