Connecting XBee to Arduino

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
#1

Hey,

I have ordered a couple of brand new XBee modules from Digi. They are brand new and Sparkfun and other distributors still do not have them in stock.

These are the XBee's: http://www.digi.com/products/wireless/zigbee-mesh/xbee-zb-module.jsp#overview (I have the Pro Version)

I also have an XBee shield from sparkfun: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9588

And an adapter kit from Adafruit: http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=126

Whenever I tried plugging the XBee's in to either of these shields, they do not communicate. On the Sparkfun shield, whenever I plug in the XBee's, it blinks the pin 13 LED on board the Arduino continuously. No data is being sent. Also, to make sure my code is in order, I also have Series 1 XBee's which work perfectly on the shields and adapter kits.

What is the problem? Is there a solution?

Thanks! All help will be much appreciated!

#2

We have had exactly the same experience. We are using Arduino UNO, sparkfun xbee shield and xbee 2.4 (both pro and non Pro) Here is what we found.

If we flash the xbee to conform to ZIGBEE protocols then the Arduino will not boot, but just got caught in an endless loop trying to boot (the 3 LED flashes is the boot sequence). However if we flash the xbee to use the ZNET protocols, then everything worked. Further checking found that it was the reset pin from the xbee shield to the UNO that caused the problem. I just removed the pin and now everything works. Dont know what the difference in the xbee firmware that caused the problem in the first place. Using older Arduino boards (pre UNO) also workd!

#3

How do you flash the XBee module to ZNET Protocol? After flashing with ZNET Protocols, everything worked fine with the shield and Arduino UNO?

Thanks!

#4

You have to use a USB interface board for xbee and use the X-CTU windows program from digi to flash and configure the xbee. My xbees are xbee series 2. You choose the modem type of XB24-B not XB24-ZB and the firmware any of the ZNET firmware modules that suit your application.

#5

I tried what you had said but it does not work for me. I think I have a different XBee Module than you, because mine just came out recently and they are basically brand new. But your advice was really helpful as well.

If you know how to connect the XBee that I have, any help will be appreciated!

#6

Well I like the look of those modems. :)

Might get myself a couple rather than the older XBee Pro modules - ordering direct from digi is pretty cheap too.

Were yours these?: http://store.digi.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=2315 But possibly with a different antenna type...

Unfortunately I have no insight to offer as to why yours might not be working. I know I have had various issues with my series 1 units with me not programming them correctly. I will monitor this thread with interest :D

Mowcius

#7

Yes that is the XBee that I purchased... And yes it has a different antenna type.

Any help will be much appreciated!

#8

I got the XBee’s to communicate with each other with no fail.

I will be posting a tutorial on how to connect these XBee’s together on my blog: http://practical-embedded-hacks.blogspot.com/

(I haven’t updated my blog lately but I will be posting a tutorial very soon)

They are the newly designed XBee’s with improved sleep mode and consumes much less power than previous versions. Also, they have a 2 mile range and it costs about $20 - $30 less than the previous versions with the same range.

The XBee’s that I am using can be found here: http://www.digi.com/products/wireless/zigbee-mesh/xbee-zb-module.jsp#overview

#9

I got the XBee's to communicate with each other with no fail.

Hmm, was it something simple? ;)

They are the newly designed XBee's with improved sleep mode and consumes much less power than previous versions. Also, they have a 2 mile range and it costs about $20 - $30 less than the previous versions with the same range.

Yeah you can't buy them in the UK yet but I have sorted that :D

They do look better :)

#10

I am having the same problem too (LED blinking continuously) with my series 1 xbee. Any insights will be appreciated.

thanks!

#11

I am having the same problem too (LED blinking continuously) with my series 1 xbee.

Since the XBees don't have LEDs, this is impossible.

What LED is really blinking? When? Is there some reason it shouldn't be blinking?

#12

Since the XBees don't have LEDs, this is impossible.

What LED is really blinking? When? Is there some reason it shouldn't be blinking?

Ah! Sorry for not being clear. My configuration is Arduino + Xbee shield + xbee series 1.

My setup is:

Arduino -> xbee shield -> xbee (sender) ------ xbee (receiver) -> laptop

After a few seconds (reboot + approximately 30 seconds), the LED (pin 13) of Arduino starts blinking continuously (2 or 3 times per second) until I turn it off.

This setup worked for a short while yesterday. So I am puzzled.

thanks!

#13

Some progress. Turns out that the cheap 9v battery that I was using was occasionally delivering 5V or less which is triggering a reset. My lesson: It pays to use a good power source.

#14

iRagDoll, having a few issues. What was the problem you had using them? How did you resolve it. XBees are always confusing.

I have set both up to the same PAN ID (tried 0 too) and the other settings all as what I think I want them all as but they don't want to communicate. They do look pretty beasty with the antennas on them.

Mowcius

#15

Right, got them working.

2 miles... mmm... ;)

#16