A xbee project(what do I need?)

Hi everyone,
I want to make a project that control a robot wirelessly, and I decide to use xbees.
But I never use it before, it seems xbee can't directly embedded on an arduino, do I need some adapter or breadboard or something like that?

Can someone tell me what exactly I need and give me the link to buy them?

Many thanks.

When you want a board that plugs directly into an Arduino the term used is "shield". A search for 'Arduino xbee shield' should turn up all sorts of possibilities.

If you don't need it to plug directly into an Arduino but want the essential support circuitry and an easy way to connect to the signals the term used is "breakout board". A search for 'xbee breakout board' should turn up plenty of choices.

johnwasser:
When you want a board that plugs directly into an Arduino the term used is "shield". A search for 'Arduino xbee shield' should turn up all sorts of possibilities.

If you don't need it to plug directly into an Arduino but want the essential support circuitry and an easy way to connect to the signals the term used is "breakout board". A search for 'xbee breakout board' should turn up plenty of choices.

Thanks for your advise, I need one to connect to the arduino and another to the PC,so that I can communicate the arduino with the PC wirelessly by using xbees. Sorry I'm a newbie and could you tell me which type I need?

Going by what you have said I think this is what you need. SparkFun XBee 3 Wireless Kit - KIT-15936 - SparkFun Electronics

Mark

cyclegadget:
Going by what you have said I think this is what you need. SparkFun XBee 3 Wireless Kit - KIT-15936 - SparkFun Electronics

He's right. That's exactly what you need. Two XBee's, a shield for the Arduino, and a USB-to-XBee adapter for the PC.

Thank you very much, I have ordered one.

Here is a video show how to use the Xbee in this case with 2 Aruinos. http://www.element14.com/community/videos/1910

Here is the video index that would be good for the beginner. http://www.element14.com/community/groups/arduino

cyclegadget:
Here is a video show how to use the Xbee in this case with 2 Aruinos. http://www.element14.com/community/videos/1910

Here is the video index that would be good for the beginner. http://www.element14.com/community/groups/arduino

Thanks for your help, http://radionics.rs-online.com/web/p/zigbee-ieee-802154/0436389/ Can this fulfil my requirement as I can't order on sparkfun. (can only on Farnell and Radionics)

If I want to buy these separately, what exactly do I need? Could you give me the links to buy them?(on Farnell or Radionics) Thank you very much! :slight_smile:

yss31610165:
Thanks for your help, http://radionics.rs-online.com/web/p/zigbee-ieee-802154/0436389/ Can this fulfil my requirement as I can't order on sparkfun. (can only on Farnell and Radionics)

The link you provided is not what you want to connect to an Arduino. I looked over the Radionics site and did not find a kit that has what you need. They do have Xbee transmitters and receivers but, not the parts to connect directly to the Arduino.

Can you state what country you live in? Maybe someone from your area can give you the best place to look.

Mark

cyclegadget:
The link you provided is not what you want to connect to an Arduino. I looked over the Radionics site and did not find a kit that has what you need. They do have Xbee transmitters and receivers but, not the parts to connect directly to the Arduino.

Can you state what country you live in? Maybe someone from your area can give you the best place to look.

Mark

Can I use this shield to connect to my Arduino, http://ie.farnell.com/arduino/a000021/board-arduino-xbee-shield-w-o-module/dp/1848697
and buy the link provided above?

yss31610165:

cyclegadget:
The link you provided is not what you want to connect to an Arduino. I looked over the Radionics site and did not find a kit that has what you need. They do have Xbee transmitters and receivers but, not the parts to connect directly to the Arduino.

Can you state what country you live in? Maybe someone from your area can give you the best place to look.

Mark

Can I use this shield to connect to my Arduino, http://ie.farnell.com/arduino/a000021/board-arduino-xbee-shield-w-o-module/dp/1848697
and buy the link provided above?

The farnell link shows what MIGHT be the shield you need for the Arduino. You will still need 2 Xbee's and some way to connect to the computer. I would like to help you more but, I am not 100% certain on what parts you need from Farnell and I don't want to cost you extra money if I am wrong.

Mark

Thank you Mark,could you have a look at this:http://ie.farnell.com/digi-international/xa-a14-ce1p/adapter-xbeepro-2-5-802-15-4/dp/1690793 will this be suitable to act as a adapter to the computer?

cyclegadget:

yss31610165:

cyclegadget:
The link you provided is not what you want to connect to an Arduino. I looked over the Radionics site and did not find a kit that has what you need. They do have Xbee transmitters and receivers but, not the parts to connect directly to the Arduino.

Can you state what country you live in? Maybe someone from your area can give you the best place to look.

Mark

Can I use this shield to connect to my Arduino, http://ie.farnell.com/arduino/a000021/board-arduino-xbee-shield-w-o-module/dp/1848697
and buy the link provided above?

The farnell link shows what MIGHT be the shield you need for the Arduino. You will still need 2 Xbee's and some way to connect to the computer. I would like to help you more but, I am not 100% certain on what parts you need from Farnell and I don't want to cost you extra money if I am wrong.

Mark

yss31610165:
Thank you Mark,could you have a look at this:http://ie.farnell.com/digi-international/xa-a14-ce1p/adapter-xbeepro-2-5-802-15-4/dp/1690793 will this be suitable to act as a adapter to the computer?

Here a important spec from that page.

Description
ADAPTER, XBEEPRO 2.5, 802.15.4
Accessory Type:USB Adapter

The unit is designed to wirelessly connect to the xbee and go to the computer through usb.
The Xbee is set to 802.15.4 Connectivity so, they both match.

  1. That usb unit will provide connection to your PC.

  2. You will then need 1 of these: http://ie.farnell.com/digi-international/xb24-bcit-004/module-zigbee-xbee-znet-2-5-1mw/dp/1546391?crosssellid=1546391&crosssell=true&in_merch=true&

  3. You will also need the shield that you found: http://ie.farnell.com/arduino/a000021/board-arduino-xbee-shield-w-o-module/dp/1848697?crosssellid=1848697&crosssell=true&in_merch=true&

With those three things you should be good to go.
I would like to say that depending on what you are trying to do you might want to look into a Wixel. It is cheaper but, is not as strong as a Xbee. It runs a lower frequency. "I think"
Here it is what you would need to run those instead: Pololu - Wixel Shield for Arduino + Wixel Pair + USB cable

Here is a post on the Wixel: http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php/topic,64891.0.html