System and method for mixed-mesh wireless networking

A mixed network communications device, comprising:

• a Wi-Fi transceiver and PCB;
• a ZigBee transceiver and PCB configured to communicate with a plurality of ZigBee end devices;
• and
• an antenna connector,
• the mixed network communications device being configured to:
• communicate with another mixed network communication device via the Wi-Fi transceiver and PCB and the antenna connector;
• communicate with a plurality of ZigBee end devices via the ZigBee transceiver and PCB and the antenna connector;
• self-configure as an Internet access point after finding a path to the Internet or scan the another mixed network communications device via WiFi to find the Internet access point;
• and
• self-configure as a ZigBee coordinator or a ZigBee gateway after identifying one or more of the plurality of ZigBee end devices that are connected to the mixed network communications device via ZigBee communication,
• wherein the mixed network communications device a separate device relative to the plurality of ZigBee end devices.

A mixed mesh networking method, comprising

• providing a plurality of Wi-Fi devices;
• providing a plurality of ZigBee end devices;
• and
• providing a mixed network communications device, including:
• a Wi-Fi transceiver and PCB to communicate with the plurality of Wi-Fi devices including another mixed network communications device;
• a ZigBee transceiver and PCB to communicate with the plurality of ZigBee end devices;
• and
• an antenna connector,
• the mixed network communications device self-configuring as an Internet access point after finding a path to the Internet or scan the another mixed network communications device via WiFi to find the Internet access point;
• the mixed network communications device self-configuring as a ZigBee coordinator or a ZigBee gateway after identifying one or more of the plurality of ZigBee end devices that are connected to the mixed network communications device via ZigBee communication,
• wherein the mixed network communications device is a separate device relative to the plurality of ZigBee end devices.