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What type and where to buy xBee modules from. — Parallax Forums

What type and where to buy xBee modules from.

noobmunchernoobmuncher Posts: 124
edited 2008-07-21 14:17 in General Discussion
Hello, I am looking into buying a pair of xBee modules to communicate between my computer and my BS2 and eventually, potentially a network connecting several BS2s. So my question is where is the best place to buy the modules (preferably not pro purely because the others are cheaper) and also the components i need to connect them to my pc and my BS2. Preassembled stuff would be great.

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2008-07-18 00:09
    Have you tried DigiKey? I think SparkFun Electronics also carries them. They use a non-standard pin spacing and SparkFun also sells a socket/adapter (which they call a breakout board). Selmaware used to sell adapters for the BS2, but now just sells the PCBs. Check their website for schematics. The xBee is a 3.3V device and can't be directly connected to a BS2 (5V device) or to a PC. I bought a USB serial adapter from FTDI (from their webstore). This has a USB connector on one end and wires on the other end, uses 3.3V logic levels and provides 5V from the USB to power the xBee. I basically used one of those and a breakout board from SparkFun and just connected the Tx, Rx, CTS, DTR, and power/ground lines to the appropriate pins on the xBee.
  • sylvie369sylvie369 Posts: 1,622
    edited 2008-07-18 16:39
    I've bought them from Digikey recently. I received an XBee Pro from them just last week. There was a small (1-1/2 week) delay in shipping as it wasn't in stock when I ordered, but it did come without any undue waiting.

    Sparkfun has the regular XBees in stock right now, except for the one with the wire antenna.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2008-07-18 17:18
    Mike,

    Your choice of CTS and DTR intrigues me. What led you to this particular combination instead of, say, CTS and RTS (for handshaking) or RTS and DTR (for reconfiguring the XBee)?

    Thanks,
    -Phil

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    'Still some PropSTICK Kit bare PCBs left!
  • noobmunchernoobmuncher Posts: 124
    edited 2008-07-18 18:04
    Whats the purpose of the wire anntena ones anyhow? I would assume it either etends the range or allows you to extend the rang, is this correct? Thanks for the information by the way. This relates to another post of mine in robotics " robo house" i actually just ordered some new parts a few minutes ago. I bought a BS1 project board, it is so cheap and useful i couldn`t pass it up! I also am beginning the process of networking my rover and the stationary "brain" for the house.
  • DgswanerDgswaner Posts: 795
    edited 2008-07-18 19:52
    The antenna serves the same purpose as any antenna. it's what gives it the 1 mile range, so by extending it's range I'm not sure if you mean past the mile. or just in general extends the range past what it would be with out it.

    I would agree with everyone else. get them from digi key or spark fun but definitively get the carrier board from Selmaware, it take the hassle out of connecting them. they also incorporate LED's so it's easy to tell if your sending and receiving.

    before you order I'd consider your project, is it going to be enclosed or in the open, there are 3 versions of the pro that I know of, Wire antenna, Chip antenna and one with a mini BNC connector to connect an external antenna. I have a project in an enclosure and I wish I would have know an external antenna was an option. and i prefer the chip antenna to the wire, the wire antenna gets bent and it's just a matter of time before it breaks.

    I was able to buy just 2 X-bee pro modules and get them working. you won't need the board to configure them. unless you want to set them up for the mesh network or to a PC.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "A complex design is the sign of an inferior designer." - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster

    DGSwaner
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2008-07-18 19:57
    Here's the datasheet: www.ftdichip.com/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_TTL232R3V3.pdf.

    I did use RTS / CTS after all, sorry. It's been so long since I actually wired it up that I got things mixed up.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2008-07-18 20:47
    Mike Green said...
    I did use RTS / CTS after all
    I'm relieved! That's the way I connected my XBee daughterboard, and I was afraid I had overlooked something vital.

    Thanks, Mike!

    -Phil

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    'Still some PropSTICK Kit bare PCBs left!
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,666
    edited 2008-07-19 15:35
    Also be aware that there are two incompatible versions of XBee sold by Digikey and others. There is a newer version which will be labeled "series 2" or "ZNet" in the description, and an XB24-B... part number. But most of the code you will find here and for the Stamp will be for the older version, which will have an XB24-A... part number. Again, the two are different hardware and different firmware and probably what you want to order is the -A version.

    The newer -B version has certain advantages if you plan to set up a self-organizing mesh network, but it won't give you point to point communication out of the box. It requires a coordinator to start the network, and to get a coordinator, you have to reflash the firmware.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Tracy Allen
    www.emesystems.com
  • sylvie369sylvie369 Posts: 1,622
    edited 2008-07-21 14:17
    At Sparkfun the two incompatible versions are labelled "XBee" and "XBee Series 2.5".

    At Digikey and Mouser·they're labelled "XBee" and "XBee Series 2".
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