Continue to Site

Welcome to EDAboard.com

Welcome to our site! EDAboard.com is an international Electronics Discussion Forum focused on EDA software, circuits, schematics, books, theory, papers, asic, pld, 8051, DSP, Network, RF, Analog Design, PCB, Service Manuals... and a whole lot more! To participate you need to register. Registration is free. Click here to register now.

Register Log in

EWN - XBee User Guides, Setup Tools, Tips & Tricks

Status
Not open for further replies.
This paper is intended to assist with setting up a wireless network with the best possible communication between ZigBee devices (such as the Mio R-4) and ZigBee access points (APs) - ZXR-ZGW Gateways and ZXR-ZRP Repeaters.

**broken link removed**
 

If you have an Arduino project where the dev board is stuck inside a machine, or attached to the rafters or is inaccessable in some other way, a wireless programming/debugging link will save you tons of time. This tutorial is an extension on Rob's version. In this tutorial, no extra firmware or hardware (other than a capacitor) is necessary. Just use the default bootloader. I use a 'classic' Arduino but of course this can be easily adapted to any version or clone.

Wireless Arduino programming/serial link
 

The most basic way to communicate using the XBee modems is point to point. That means one modem communicating with another modem. Serial data goes in one XBee, is transmitted wirelessly, and goes out the other & vice versa.

If you just want a wireless link - between two microcontrollers, computers, Arduinos, etc. then start here!


XBee Radios - Basic point-to-point communication setup
 

What's cooler than a robot? A robot with a wireless network adapter! The XBEE wireless radio modules from Maxstream are a quick, inexpensive, and easy way to implement a wireless serial interface between two devices. They are practically a drop in replacement for a TTL-level serial cable. They have a low (~ 50mA) current consumption, and long range (rated at 300ft line of sight, but I have at least full speed coverage throughout a two-story house).

**broken link removed**
 

A DIY example of an xBee explorer:

Xbees are some of the most powerful wireless modules you can find and they’re also very easy to configure and use. The only thing is they cost about Rs.1000 to Rs.2500 depending on the range and other parameters. If you’re like me and only bought the modules without the breakout boards or forgot to buy it, then you have to make the modules breadboard friendly to use it. I’ve made a PCB which converts the 2.0mm spacing of the pins of xbee to the normal DIP spacing of 2.54mm.


Configuring and Using XBEE Series 1 Wireless Modules
 

The Arduino Xbee shield allows your Arduino board to communicate wirelessly using Zigbee. It was developed in collaboration with Libelium. This documentation describes the use of the shield with the XBee 802.15.4 module (sometimes called "Series 1" to distinguish them from the Series 2 modules, although "Series 1" doesn't appear in the official name or product description). For the XBee ZNet 2.5 ("Series 2") modules, see this configuration guide.



**broken link removed**
 

XBee radios are currently in active development and new features are being added regularly. MaxStream sells several Development Kits that include interface boards and cables for loading firmware upgrades. These interface boards will not connect directly to an XBee that has been soldered to a breakout board (as shown here), and are rather costly if your only purpose is to upgrade the firmware.

The following example demonstrates how to build a bare-bones circuit for loading firmware and configurations to the XBee radio without the need for custom interface boards. It is based upon information from this MaxStream schematic and has been tested successfully at 9600 baud.



Upgrading Firmware for XBee Radios
 


Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Part and Inventory Search

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Back
Top