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Xbee for the prop? — Parallax Forums

Xbee for the prop?

vettezr1vettezr1 Posts: 77
edited 2010-09-30 12:34 in Propeller 1
Hi guys I am ready to start experimenting with the Xbee stuff but I am not sure what to order can anyone please recommend what parts/kits I should order to be able to run a wireless link from my laptop to my boebot???
If it comes in a kit with all the parts thats cool, I just don't want to order the wrong thing so whatever I will need to start using/learning about the xbee stuff
Thanks guys

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2010-09-29 07:49
    You need an xBee USB adapter board for the PC end of things and an adapter board for the Propeller end of things. If you plan to use the xBee with a Stamp or other 5V logic, you'll need the appropriate adapter board or this one instead.

    Along with the adapter boards, you'll need a pair of xBees. Get two Series 1 devices (look here for info). Which device depends on the distance you want vs. the power requirements. You also have a choice of antennas. Which one depends on space and mounting needs vs. range. I use the wire whip antennas, but they do stick up a little. The chip antenna is flat, but the wire whip gives a little better performance. You can also get an external antenna version for when you mount the xBee in a case and need to use an antenna mounted on the case separate from the xBee.
  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2010-09-29 09:01
    Nice thing about props and XBee is that they use the same 3.3 voltage. They do use a different pin spacing so you need some sort of adapter or breakout board. I use the breakout boards on www.sparkfun.com - they are pretty cheap - though you do have to solder in the 0.2mm sockets so you can plug them in or not.

    There is a very good XBee object in the OBEX that supports both transparent mode or the more sophisticated frame mode. Most of the time transparent mode is fine and any serial driver works great - you don't have to use the XBee object. These things are very easy to use.

    Oh, in my experience you are almost better off getting XBee PRO (the 65mW vs 1mW makes a big difference, especially indoors and the PRO has a more sensitive receiver). Get series 1.

    Also, Digi sells a nice development board kit (get the PRO version) that includes a USB and SERIAL/Battery testing board. They also have an XTU configuration program for free that is helpful. Also, there is a nice XBee chapter in the new "Programming and Customizing the Propeller Microcontroller" book. Hope this helps!
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-09-29 11:21
    The XBee chapter in the new "Programming and Customizing the Propeller Microcontroller" is available for download for free (probably a teaser for the book).
    Moreover on the wireless forum you'll find a lot of draft xbee documents from Parallax.

    Massimo
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2010-09-29 11:56
    The book chapter they're talking about is this:

    http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/books/PCMPMCh5.pdf

    There's also the Wireless forum hosted by Parallax that has some goodies on it already.

    http://forums.parallax.com/forumdisplay.php?f=77

    :)
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,407
    edited 2010-09-29 14:10
    ElectricAye wrote: »
    The book chapter they're talking about is this:

    http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/books/PCMPMCh5.pdf

    There's also the Wireless forum hosted by Parallax that has some goodies on it already.

    http://forums.parallax.com/forumdisplay.php?f=77

    :)

    The link provided above is a significant value to any Propeller/BASIC Stamp programmer who is getting started with XBee. We've produced a really well-designed 120-page tutorial that meets the poster's exact goals. In fact, this tutorial is going to be combined with an XBee Starter Kit that ships with everything in a single box.

    Please, please take a look at what we've developed for XBee.
  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2010-09-29 14:19
    For the adapter board you can use this:

    http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/xbee/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/642/Default.aspx

    Robert
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2010-09-29 14:23
    Ken Gracey (Parallax) wrote: »
    ...this tutorial is going to be combined with an XBee Starter Kit that ships with everything in a single box. ...

    That's great news. When will the starter kit be available? :)
  • Roger LeeRoger Lee Posts: 339
    edited 2010-09-29 14:30
    Ken Gracey (Parallax) wrote:
    In fact, this tutorial is going to be combined with an XBee Starter Kit that ships with everything in a single box.


    Great news indeed! I hate to put off an order, but I will for a while.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,407
    edited 2010-09-29 14:45
    Roger Lee wrote: »
    Great news indeed! I hate to put off an order, but I will for a while.

    This is the contents of the XBee Starter Kit:

    Stock code Quantity per Description

    Getting Started with XBee Series 1 Book PLUS the parts for the first five chapters:

    150-01030 6 RES,10K,5%,1/4W,CF,TH
    150-02210 10 RES,220,5%,1/4W,CF,TH
    200-01031 1 CAP-MF,0.01uF,5%,50V,RADIAL
    32400 1 XBEE USB Adapter
    32402 2 XBEE SIP Adapter
    32403 2 XBEE Adapter Board
    32404 3 XB24-ACI-001 XBee 1mW Chip Ant
    350-00001 3 LED-Green-T1 3/4
    350-00006 3 LED-Red - T1 3/4
    350-00007 3 LED-Yellow Diff-T1 3/4
    350-00029 1 Phototransitor, 850NM, T1 3/4
    400-00002 1 Tact Switch -LF
    900-00001 1 PIEZO Sound Generators - LF
    900-00005 1 Parallax Servo-S05/STD/FP - LF
    X00-00009 0 Label

    Price will be $149.99 or $179.99 but you'll be all set once you have the kit, whether Propeller or BS2. And if you're wondering about the cost of the components, it's minimal. Most of the expense is in the XBee modules, adapter baords, and documentation.

    Ken Gracey
  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2010-09-30 06:20
    As an add on to my last post:

    - Ken showed a link to the parallax Adapter board for XBee - this one, compared to the sparkfun one, has all the necessary accessories with it, is cheaper and made in the USA. (I'm switching next free shipping weekend!)

    - Also, I've had the best luck with the wire antenna version. Have been nervous about the chip version, but interested in knowing how others have done with it.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-09-30 06:35
    I have the usb adapter from Parallax and the adapter boards and they work perfectly.

    I decided to go for the chip antenna version, and up to now it is a great module.
    I used it on a sailing boat to send wind sensor data to a prop powered display.
    Obviously no distance or wall issues. Nonetheless the little modules are great, and the chip antenna space wise is more forgiving. Both units are enclosed in plastic boxes (reasonably water tight), so a whip antenna could have asked bigger boxes.

    Massimo
  • vettezr1vettezr1 Posts: 77
    edited 2010-09-30 12:34
    Guys awesome thank you getting my order out today

    ElectricAye thanks man,,, I just bought that book a few weeks ago its very nice but I wasnt quite sure what to buy since I should have mentioned(thanks Mike) that I plan on using them with the BS2 stuff as well
    I split all my stuff between the BS2 stuff and prop I just love that BS2 boards .. anyway thank you all, I bought the EB500 for my boe bot a while back but I could never really get it to do anyhting I want to be abel to start remote controlling my robots for override when they go crazy
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