Test of 6LoWPAN in a city
In the first step you need an 6LoWPAN evaluation kit with its two main and RF adapter boards and sensors plus one USB dongle. The USB dongle you connect to your laptop.
The source code of the main boards will run as node and router in same time. In wireless networks, nodes may need to relay messages from others to reach their destination. On Contiki routers can be battery-operated with radio duty cycling mechanism which allows the radio module to sleep between each relayed message.
If you plug two AA batteries to your main boards and move away from the USB dongle, then main board in the middle will start to route the data of the other main board. Please reduce the power level, because with 11 dbm in free field you will cover kilometres. If the first test is fine and routing runs well, you can increase the power level to maximum and put your laptop on the roof of a high building and jump in your car or bicycle. If the distance is too high, your connection will be lost. Then you move backward and place one of the boards at a save place (e.g. on a tree) and start to travel again.
Test with 6LoWPAN router
The main board on the tree will run as a router and still transmit the measured temperature. With the second main board you move further as long the connection is lost again and your laptop will receive the temperature data from two different places. And if you own further main boards or already designed an own PCB with sensors you can put the second router on a tree again.
If the long range test is finished you can go ahead to design your own PCBs. If the form factor of the mentioned radio module is fine for your application and if you like the antenna on the PCB an own application with a cheap radio approval would be a simple task.
Parts for the 6LoWPAN test listed here
If you still not sure which evaluation kit or wireless technology to select and why, then do not hesitate to drop an email to harald.naumann (at) gsm-modem.de