XBee Explorer Serial Help

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

I am trying to set up my Xbee modules using an Xbee Explorer Serial, SparkFun XBee Explorer Serial - WRL-13225 - SparkFun Electronics. I currently have it attached to the computer using a serial to usb cable because I do not have a serial port on my computer. Will this still work or do I have to connect to it a serial port using this device? And what drivers do I need to install if this will work?

2

Or just any help at all using the Xbee Explorer Serial would be appreciated, I can only find stuff for the Xbee Explorer Serial and would like to avoid having to buy that if I can make this work, thanks in advance for any advice.

3

I use usb to serial with no issues.

Download XCTU from the digi site this will allow you to setup and read the xbee's.

4

I've done that, the problem I'm having is figuring out which drivers to install to use with the xbee explorer serial, any ideas with that?

5

Depends on what you require the xbee's to do.

The best way I found to get started with xbee was to program them in at mode, I have series 2 modules that I have programmed as xb24-b, you will need to program one as a coordinator and the other as an end device.

If you have a couple of explorer boards you will be able to send information between them in the terminal part of xctu.

6

I think there's a miscommunication on the problem. I'm having trouble getting the com port set up so I can initially set up the Xbees. I'm using the xbee explorer serial instead of the usb and have a serial to usb cable connected to the computer. I'm not sure which driver I need to download to connect it to the computer so I can see the com port in the XCTU program. Sorry about he confusion.

7

I can't remember ever downloading a driver for my usb to serial adapter, I've got three different ones here and they all work.

I plug my adapter in then open up XCTU, the first tab is pc settings, there will be a list of available com ports, normally the last one is my adapter

8

Hi James,

If I understood you correctly, it looks like you need to install the FTDI drivers for the USB to Serial adapter that lives in the Explorer. Just google "Driver FTDI VCP"

Hope this works!

Adrian

9

Sounds like its the FTDI driver that is missing. I had the same problem initially -- my computer wasnt recognizing the Explorer, but once I installed the FTDI driver it was fine.