Last updated: August 31, 2025 | Reading time: 5 minutes

Building a Better Zigbee Motion Sensor: My August 2025 Project Update

Table of Contents

Project Overview

Zigbee Motion Sensor Development

This month has been incredibly productive for my DIY zigbee motion sensor project. As someone passionate about home automation and IoT development, I’ve made significant progress on both the hardware and software fronts. The journey from concept to prototype has been both challenging and rewarding, with valuable lessons learned about pcb design sensor integration, and system optimization.

Hardware Revisions

  • Prototype Challenges: Received and tested the first prototype, identifying several areas for improvement
  • PCB Design Update: Upgrading from 2-layer to 4-layer board design for better signal integrity and power distribution
  • Battery Holder Relocation: Moving the battery holder to the top of the board for improved accessibility and user experience
  • Jig Rework: Addressing pogo pin placement issues in the testing jig for more reliable connections

Development Experience

  • Windsurf AI Integration: Enhanced my development workflow using Windsurf AI for coding assistance
  • Soldering Insights: Gained valuable experience with fine-pitch soldering techniques

Server Infrastructure Upgrades

TrueNAS & Docker Optimization

  • Migrated from Docker on a virtual machine to native Docker on TrueNAS for better performance and resource utilization
  • Streamlined container management and deployment processes

Backup System Enhancement

  • Redesigned backup architecture with Backblaze B2
  • Implemented more efficient data transfer and storage strategies
  • Planning to create detailed tutorials on this setup in the future

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of a 4-layer PCB for a Zigbee motion sensor?

A 4-layer PCB offers better signal integrity, reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI), and improved power distribution compared to a 2-layer design. This is particularly important for wireless devices like Zigbee sensors where signal quality directly impacts performance and battery life.

Why migrate from Docker on VM to native Docker on TrueNAS?

Running Docker natively on TrueNAS Scale eliminates the overhead of a virtual machine, resulting in better resource utilization, improved performance, and simpler container management. This setup also makes it easier to manage storage and networking configurations.

How does Backblaze B2 compare to other backup solutions?

Backblaze B2 offers competitive pricing, high reliability, and seamless integration with tools like Rclone and Duplicati. It’s particularly cost-effective for long-term data retention and provides excellent data durability with 99.999999999% (11 nines) annual durability.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, I’m focusing on:

  1. Prototype Refinement: Implementing the 4-layer PCB design and testing the new battery holder placement
  2. Documentation: Creating detailed tutorials on my TrueNAS and Backblaze B2 setup
  3. Performance Testing: Benchmarking the motion sensor’s battery life and detection accuracy
  4. Community Engagement: Sharing my progress through blog posts and project documentation

Balancing full-time work with these passion projects remains challenging but incredibly rewarding. The progress made this month has been particularly encouraging, and I’m excited to share more updates soon!

Have you worked with Zigbee devices or TrueNAS before? What challenges have you faced with your home automation projects? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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