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Propeller with Xbee — Parallax Forums

Propeller with Xbee

markustermarkuster Posts: 184
edited 2014-02-04 14:57 in Propeller 1
Hi


I need to send data from TWO XBee 900HP Modules to ONE XBee 900HP
module. (Product ID 32411)

I want to use Propeller microcontrollers for this purpose, in other words, one Propeller
with one Xbee.


But I need to be sure about this:


1---I need to be sure if the Propeller works fine with the XBee 900HP


2---Please could you confirm which other items I need to add?
Antennas, adaptors or something like that ?


3--Do you know if I can transmit dato from five XBee 900HP to
just only one XBee 900HP

Thanks,

Comments

  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-02-04 07:50
    markuster wrote: »
    1---I need to be sure if the Propeller works fine with the XBee 900HP

    I haven't used this particular XBee version but I've used several others including a 900MHz XSC and yes, they can be used with the Propeller. Both the Prop and XBees use 3.3V logic. No logic level shifting required.
    markuster wrote: »
    2---Please could you confirm which other items I need to add?
    Antennas, adaptors or something like that ?

    You should be able to power the XBee from the same 3.3V supply as the Propeller as long as the regulator can supply enough current for both boards (which is very likely).

    If you don't need to regulate power (and I doubt you do), you just need an adapter board and an antenna.

    Be careful when you solder the 2mm header to the board. Some 2mm female headers can easily fill up with solder.
    markuster wrote: »
    3--Do you know if I can transmit dato from five XBee 900HP to
    just only one XBee 900HP

    Thanks,

    I'm not 100% positive but I'm am over 99% sure you can do this. The XBees I used allow the destination to be easily changed. You can identify the destination with a serial number of the other XBee or you can use a "broadcast" destination that will transmit to all XBee with the same PAN address (one of the settings). Besides the serial number and broadcast mode, I think there's a way to assign some sort of ID of your own to a XBee. I just use the serial number since that's the way I learned to do it first.

    While the adapter board is all that is needed to use a XBee with a Propeller, it's very convenient to have a board to allow the PC and XBee to communicate directly. This makes it much easier to configure the XBee. One board like this would should work. You'll need an adapter board for each XBee but you only need on USB board. I think the USB board can also act as an adapter board but I'm not positive about this. The documentation will probably let you know if the USB board will work as an adapter board (I'd be surprised if it won't).
  • electromanjelectromanj Posts: 270
    edited 2014-02-04 08:50
    The 900 HP's work great with the Propeller. As Duane said, you can set up a PAN and choose the destination of each radio. If you download the latest version of X-CTU http://www.digi.com/support/productdetail?pid=3352&osvid=57&type=utilities you can set the local radio to API mode and read/change the settings on the remote units. Have fun!
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,664
    edited 2014-02-04 14:57
    I agree about the value of a USB adapter board (Parallax #32400). It will allow you to connect the XBee directly to the PC so that you can use the X-CTU configuration program, and also so that you can use X-CTU or any old terminal program to experiment directly with the XBee AT command set. The #32400 powers the XBee directly from the USB port.

    The ordinary adapter board (#32403) will connect the XBee to the Propeller. As to the power supply, the XBee-HP demands up to 300mA at 3.3V during transmissions and 30mA during receive when not asleep. The FAN2500 3.3V regulator on the #32400 can supply 100mA continuous, and up to 1A peak. Your own supplies with have to meet that same level of demand.

    Out of the box, each XBee-HP module comes set to AT broadcast mode (destination address, DL=$0000FFFF). Other parameters come with default values too. That means that if you connect one XBee to a propeller via the adapter board, and start sending ascii data to its serial port at 9600 baud, you should be able to see that data appear on the screen of a computer connected to another XBee on the USB adapter board. No configuration at all necessary for that first step.
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