Is the XBEE-Pro 868MHz OEM RF Module (XBP08-DPUIT-024) compatible with the XBEE Low Power Zigbee Mod,Wire Ant (XB24-Z7WIT-004) i'm new to wireless networking and i want to make sure i buy the right components.
Perhaps some one could guide me into where i could look for the right information. ive checked the datasheets - its all greek to me....
What's your applications? Why are you using 868Mhz solution?
pls specify it !!
i have a weather station that ive almost completed. My next stage is to set it up in a remote area which is litrally on top of a mountain peak 38 - 39 Km's away (according to google earth). it has direct visual line of site at 2300m above sea level (my house is about 1500m abaove sea level). I want to be able to recieve data (weather updates) from my weather station - and or possibly send data or instructions to it. any guidence and or suggestions would be well apreciated.
39 kms - nu-uh! Very unlikely any of these little radios we use at going to go that
distance. The 2.4 Ghz XBee Pros are good for maybe 100m normally, and dropping
to 868 will get you maybe 2X or 3X the distance. More with high-gain directional
antennas, of course.
39 kms sounds like it would require some high-powered "licensed" devices, rather
than low-power ISM band devices. Maybe ham radio, and 100 watts, but I'm guessing
here.
It is too long for normal ISM band solution. I suggest using the GSM/GPRS module for 38km communication.
But from weather sensor to GSM/GPRS module, that is the last mile solution, can deploy the 868MHz RF module.
Thanks guys for all the advice. i'm still a bit confused with regards to the specs on the Xbees. according to the datasheets the XBEE Low Power Zigbee Mod,Wire Ant (XB24-Z7WIT-004) can transmit up to 120m outdoor with direct line of sight, while the XBEE-Pro 868MHz OEM RF Module (XBP08-DPUIT-024) is spec'ed at up to 40km outdoor direct line of sight with dipole antenna.
PS - i have since learned that the series1 xbees and series2 xbees dont talk to each other.
XBEE-Pro 868MHz OEM RF Module (XBP08-DPUIT-024) specs
XBEE Low Power Zigbee Mod,Wire Ant (XB24-Z7WIT-004) specs
Well, unbelievably, I can't even find the appropriate page for the standard 2.4 Ghz
XBee Pro, but this page says 2 miles, and it says 40m for the basic XBee.
What I found in actual practice is the usable range was more like 100m with 1/4
wave whip for the XBee Pro, and a bare 10m for the XBee. All I can say is, this is RF,
and "your mileage may vary". Don't be too surprised if you're disappointed.
A little out of the "Normal" but a laser with suitable optics... as long as it isn't in a commercial planes flight path or landing path.. would fill the bill. Assuming that the weather isn't interfering with the laser...
The real issue here is that although quoting those figures doesn't make them or their use legal in all countries. Frequently the output spectrum of those transmitters isn't clean enough to prevent it from interfering with other services in range of the antenna. When the antenna is close to the ground.. It can't send very far but when on top of a mountain it can send to any unit that can "See" it on that mountain top But a low power Laser Diode is inexpensive... They're frequently thrown away as part of CD burners and although invisible to the Human Eye the Infrared Laser is quite visible to a video camera.. I apologize for not answering sooner but I've had surgery on my left hand... I'm Slowed a bit..
Doc
When I need longer range, I use an ethernet board and feed it into one of the long range, weatherproof WiFi modules from Ubiquiti (http://www.ubnt.com/). They are well built and have great software but are not that expensive. (see http://www.wifi-stock.com/products/ubnt.html) Check out the cheaper Nanobridge and Bullet range.
Not quite the price point of a Zigbee but not over the top in terms of cost either. To get the range that you are after you will have to fork out a bit more anyway.
Awesome stuff! - my imagination is running away with me! thanks
I want to be able to recieve data (weather updates) from my weather station - and or possibly send data or instructions to it.
Something like "Turn up the heat!". Let us know how that works out.
more like send weather updates every 30 min instead of every 15 min or get battery strength status ect. will certainly let you know how it works out, but for now am still prototyping it with low range, low powered Xbees. (have to find time to do my day job and spend time with my wife too 