Intermittent Dropouts Observed at 4 feet with XBEE Pro Series 1

tryit

My project uses a pair of XBEE Pro Series-1 modules. One sends serial data at 115200 baud and the other receives. Data string is 20 ascii characters.

For troubleshooting purposes, the modules are only 4 feet apart. All functions correctly, but if I cover one of the XBEE modules with my hand without touching any parts, I get intermittent data dropouts (meaning the receiver fails to receive data). If I move away my hand, all functions normally. The spec for range states 300 feet indoor, 1 mile outdoor.

Could a degradation in XBEE performance be caused by my wireless router and/or Apple TV devices (3 total)?

Any XBEE setting or other tip to prevent or reduce these dropouts?

tryit

I opened a thread in Digi's forum for those interested in tracking this. So far, the dropouts are very intermittent, so I'm able to reconcile this in software. But sometimes these dropouts occur back-to-back for several samples and then it becomes a problem.

http://www.digi.com/support/forum/53194/intermittent-dropouts-observed-at-feet-with-xbee-pro-series

kwinn

For intermittent problems I check the power supply first, followed by poor connections and solder joints. If you have a second receiver you could use it to try to determine if the problem is with the transmitter or receiver.

Chris Savage

I'm not saying this is the case here, but I have seen transceivers that are too close to each other have issues due to the receiver amp getting overpowered. I haven't confirmed this happens on XBee modules, however in the past with older analog systems it was very common. But being radio based I would still move them apart some more to see if things improve.

Publison

I have noticed that the 2.4 Ghz Bind and Fly aircraft need to be separated by at least 6-8', otherwise they do not connect.

Chris Savage

Probably signal saturation.

Publison

My thought was the same close proximity was affecting the OP's modules.