PC to Arduino Uno communication via XBEE modules.

Projects General Guidance
1

Hey there,

I'm finding my feet with the XBEE modules and would like some help. I want to communicate between a PC and my Arduino Uno. I would like to know if a XBEE USB explorer dongle and a XBEE Shield would be able to do this. Also what series of XBEE would be suitable for basic sending and receiving of data within 100 metres.

Thanks, any help greatly appreciated. :grin:

2

I'm probably telling you things you already know but,

There is the book Wireless Sensor Networks by Robert Faludi. It certainly has all the information you need to get started, including which radios to buy. Depending on your computer/electronic skills you might be skipping over most of it but from your description it might be just the ticket for your project.

Otherwise the key points are:
Series 1 radios not compatible with Series 2 and more limited networking functions (more point to point).
Series 2 radios come in a Pro and regular version that are compatible and have fuller network functions.
Pro radios have more transmit power but of course also use more power.
Radios are 3.3volt, not five.
2mm pins so an adapter of some sort is needed for 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) hobbyist breadboard/ardiuno
USB to serial TTL converter needed to program radios via X-CTU.

The USB dongles and/or the arduino shield should take care of the power, USB, and 2mm pins. There are also breakout boards and things like the FTDI friend if you want to use a breadboard.

X-CTU is free (with registration) on digi's website.
For new projects the series 2 radios are probably the way to go. I haven't tested the range but you might have trouble with 100m indoors or even outdoors if not line-of-sight.

For more range you could either go with the PRO series radios or for Series 2 you can add more radios along the way. Series 2 allows radios to function as routers between nodes so adding radios between the farthest points might work if you have some use for more radios.

There are a bunch of different part numbers and they are not explained very well on the brochures. All things being equal in North America you probably want part XB24-Z7WIT-004 or the PRO at XBP24BZ7WIT-004. Outside of the N America I have no idea...

Good luck
Doug