Programming the XBEE

You are here:
Estimated reading time: 1 min

The Xbee is often used for controlling droids or exchange informations between arduinos.
There are 2 ways two program the XBEE.
The first needs the official XBEE Dongle from Sparkfun (WRL-11697) that costs ~25USD.
The second one only needs an Arduino (Uno) and 4 Jumper Wires.

This programing scenario is for setting up the XBEE for the Marcduino system.
Be aware that you might need other settings if you’re setting it up for another environment.

The Xbee is replaceable with an ESP32/8266: ESP as XBEE replacement

Programming with XBEE Dongle

Needed components:

XBEE (in this case the 6SB XB2B-WFST-001)
XBEE Dongle from Sparkfun (WRL-11697)

XCTU Software:
https://www.digi.com/products/embedded-systems/digi-xbee/digi-xbee-tools/xctu

Connection

Just plug the XBEE on the Dongle and connect it to an USB Port

Programming with Arduino (Uno)

Needed components:

XBEE (in this case the 6SB XB2B-WFST-001)
Arduino (Uno)

XCTU Software:
https://www.digi.com/products/embedded-systems/digi-xbee/digi-xbee-tools/xctu

Connection

Connections:

  1. Tx (pin2)of XBee -> Tx of Arduino board
  2. Rx(pin3) of Xbee -> Rx of Arduino board
  3. Gnd(pin10) of Xbee -> GND of Arduino board
  4. Vcc (Pin1) of Xbee -> 3.3v of Arduino board

Programming with XCTU

Download the XCTU software and install it. After downloading and installing the XCTU software, open it and make sure your XBee module is properly connected.

Start the XCTU Software

When the XBEE is connected click on the Xbee with + Symbol in the upper left corner and the XBEE should show up. If not klick the icon (Xbee with magnifying lens) next to it to search for comports, select then the right comport and go on and add the XBEE.

XBEE Add Device

After the software found your XBEE simply klick it in the left list and it’s settings should open in the right column.

Select the Xbee on the left

For the Marcduinosetup you need to make 5 settings:

Change the 5 settings that are marked green
Detailed View

Make this five modifications:

  • Change Infrastructure Mode to SoftAP (default is STA)
  • Change SSID (Networkname) to whatever you want
  • Change IP Protocol to TCP (default is UDP)
  • Setup WPA2 password encryption.
  • Enter the Password you want for the XBEE WiFi (8-64 characters with WPA2)

    When you’re done click on the Write Icon (the one with a pen) at the top and you’re done.

Additional Info:
In the R2 Touch app you need to make two changes in the settings:
Change the Receiver IP to 192.168.1.10
Change the Receiver Port to 9750

Tags:
Was this article helpful?
Dislike 0 3 of 3 found this article helpful.
Views: 2179
Previous: Audio Mixer (3 to 1)
Next: Body Logics Controller

Related articles