I need some help here. I'm currently doing my final paper and I need to use xBees in my project.
The university gave us 3 brand new Arduino Unos and 3 xBee shields, but the xBees they gave were already used on another project.
When trying to setup using X-CTU, nothing happens. I've checked the jumpers, the connection, the operating system, cables and power, removed the microcontroler but X-CTU is not able to do a sample query, neither do terminal.
I've tested many combinations of Arduinos, Shields and Xbees, is it possible that they are broken? What should I do?
Another question: What the led on the xBeed shield means? With 2 xBees the led blinks, with the other one, the led does not blink at all.
I've tested many combinations of Arduinos, Shields and Xbees, is it possible that they are broken?
Broken? Unlikely? Bricked? Possible. Google XBee brick (or unbrick XBee).
What the led on the xBeed shield means?
On which shield? My shields have 3 LEDs - transmit, receive, and associate.
With 2 xBees the led blinks, with the other one, the led does not blink at all.
Sounds like you are talking about the associate LED. It blinks at different speeds. One indicates that the XBee is working, and trying to pair with another. Another speed indicates that the XBee is working and is paired. The speed differences are rather subtle.
but the xBees they gave were already used on another project.
What kind of XBees are they? Series 1 or Series 2/2.5? How you configure them depends on what type they are. Can you at least read the current configuration? If not, the XBee might be bricked.
This is a tough problem because you can't get directly to the XBee. The only way to talk USB through that particular shield to the XBee is to remove the processor and since you said they were brand new, you probably can't pull the processor. If you can pull the 328, look online for instructions on how to do this. Many of the instructions related to this are for the series 1 XBee and won't completely apply for you, but you should be able to get it to respond to "+++".
Failing that, hunt around for one of the usb adapter boards for the XBee. You may find someone that has one and you can use it to set the radios up. Also, somewhere out there is code that will hang the arduino up in a loop so you can talk to the XBee without the arduino responding. I saw it on this forum, but can't find it now