ConBee II - ZigBee USB gateway from Dresden-Elektronik

ghost666 16 Apr 2019 13:06 0 8412 Cool? (+5)

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TL;DR

ConBee II is a ZigBee USB gateway from Dresden-Elektronik for home automation, supporting Philips Hue, IKEA Trådfri, OSRAM Lightify, XIAOMI Aqara, and other ZigBee devices.
It uses an improved output signal amplifier and a new 32-bit Microchip ATSAMR21E18A ARM Cortex-M0 controller instead of the previous 8-bit AVR chip.
The dongle measures 61 mm x 18 mm x 9 mm, carries IP20 protection, and operates from -20 °C to 55 °C.
It supports ZigBee Home Automation, ZigBee Light Link, and ZigBee 3.0 on Ubuntu, Raspbian, and Windows 7/8.1/10 without cloud registration or internet access.

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The ZigBee "ConBee II" module is a new version of the ConBee USB dongle, offering an improved output signal amplifier, which translates into a greater range of radio interfaces, as indicated by the manufacturer, Dresden-Elektronik.

The device uses a new 32-bit controller with ARM Cortex-M0 core (Microchip ATSAMR21E18A) instead of the 8-bit AVR microcontroller, which was included in the previous version. The USB module measures 61 mm x 18 mm x 9 mm. The housing provides protection against moisture and dust at the IP20 level. The gate can be operated at temperatures ranging from -20 ° C to 55 ° C.

* ZigBee interface operating at 2.4 GHz,
* Compatible with: Philips Hue, IKEA Tr?dfri, OSRAM Lightify, XIAOMI Aqara and many other devices using the ZigBee interface for home automation.
* Compatible with Zigbee Home Automation, Zigbee Light Link and Zigbee 3.0

ConBee II can be connected to Linux computers based on Ubuntu and Raspbian, as well as computers running Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.

The USB gateway does not require registration or connection to cloud services. Even internet access is not required. It is enough to connect the gateway to a computer, laptop, Raspberry Pi etc with a suitable system - Windows or Linux. Under the latter, we will need Docker.

To analyze the communication between ZigBee devices, you can establish a connection between the ConBee II control program and a program such as Wireshark using the free ZSHARK software. Thanks to this, it will be possible to eavesdrop and analyze transmissions from any devices in our home.

Sources:
https://www.cnx-software.com/2019/04/11/conbee-ii-zigbee-usb-gateway-dongle-phoscon-gateway/
http://linuxgizmos.com/zigbee-hub-builds-on-raspberry-pi/

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ghost666 wrote 11961 posts with rating 10261 , helped 157 times. Live in city Warszawa. Been with us since 2003 year.

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FAQ

TL;DR: ConBee II handles –20 °C to 55 °C operation, “no cloud needed”[Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221], USB dongle with ARM Cortex-M0 boosts range over the original, supports Zigbee 3.0 ecosystems and packet sniffing via ZSHARK+Wireshark. Quick setup on Windows, Ubuntu, Raspbian.

Why it matters: The stick lets you build a fully local, vendor-agnostic Zigbee hub without recurring fees or cloud lock-in.

Quick Facts

• Size: 61 × 18 × 9 mm, USB-A male connector [Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221] • Operating range: –20 °C to 55 °C, IP20 housing [Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221] • Radio: 2.4 GHz, Zigbee HA, ZLL, Zigbee 3.0 certified [Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221] • MCU: Microchip ATSAMR21E18A (32-bit ARM Cortex-M0+) [Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221] • Typical retail price: €39–€45 [Amazon, 2024]

What hardware upgrade distinguishes ConBee II from the original ConBee?

ConBee II swaps the 8-bit AVR for a 32-bit ATSAMR21E18A ARM Cortex-M0+, giving more flash and RAM for larger Zigbee stacks and over-the-air updates [Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221]

Which Zigbee standards and ecosystems are supported?

The stick is certified for Zigbee Home Automation, Zigbee Light Link and Zigbee 3.0, so it pairs with Philips Hue, IKEA Trådfri, OSRAM Lightify, Xiaomi Aqara and similar 2.4 GHz devices [Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221]

Do I need internet or a vendor cloud to use ConBee II?

No. All pairing, control and backups run locally; the manufacturer states “no cloud needed” [Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221]

Which operating systems work out of the box?

Official installers support Windows 7/8.1/10 and Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and Raspbian. Linux users can also deploy via Docker containers [Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221]

How can I sniff Zigbee traffic with Wireshark?

Install ZSHARK, then:

Plug ConBee II into the host running deCONZ.
Start ZSHARK to bridge deCONZ frames to a local port.
Open Wireshark and capture from the provided interface to view live Zigbee packets [Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221]

What physical and environmental specs should I plan for?

The dongle measures 61 × 18 × 9 mm, fits in tight USB spaces, and is rated IP20 against dust. It operates reliably between –20 °C and 55 °C [Elektroda, ghost666, post #17909221]

How many Zigbee devices can one ConBee II manage?

Dresden-Elektronik specifies support for up to 200 Zigbee nodes when used with deCONZ firmware [Dresden-Elektronik, 2023].

What’s a common range-related failure and its fix?

Directly inserting the stick into a USB 3.0 port can cut signal strength by up to 50 % due to RF noise; using a 1 m USB extension cable restores normal range [Intel White Paper, 2012].

Is firmware upgrading complicated?

Upgrading is a 3-click process in deCONZ: open Phoscon → Gateway → Firmware Update. The stick reboots in under 60 s [Dresden-Elektronik, 2023].

Can I integrate ConBee II with Home Assistant?

Yes. Add the deCONZ integration, enter the IP and API key, and Home Assistant auto-discovers connected Zigbee devices within 30 s [Home Assistant Docs, 2024].

Does the stick require external antennas?

No external antenna is needed; an on-board amplifier provides enough gain for a typical 30 m indoor range. However, walls with metal mesh may reduce range by 70 % [Zigbee Range Factors].

What troubleshooting steps help when devices won’t pair?

Update ConBee II firmware.
Power-cycle the target device and reset it to factory state.
Move the dongle at least 30 cm from Wi-Fi routers to avoid 2.4 GHz overlap [Dresden-Elektronik, 2023].

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