Xbee, S1: Trouble at 115200 Baud [SOLVED]

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I am using one of THESE at one end, with a S1 2.4G Xbee, and at the other end, I am using one of THESE, with another Xbee. both Xbees communicate fine at 9600 Baud, but fail to communicate at 115200, that is needed for DCC++.

DCC++ works fine via direct serial, and the Xbee modules have been tested to work at 9600.

Any ideas?

~Travis

2

Just change the 115200 to 9600 in the controller and the base station sketches. The comment says "up to 115200", so you can pick whatever baud rate you want.

Cheers,
/dev

3

So what talks to JMRI? Because serial is point-to-point, a third thing needs a network or another serial port to join the party. I still don't know why the JMRI speed is imposed on the Xbee.

This is why we like a system diagram or the code when you ask a question... Without the whole picture, I guessed the wrong thing.

Cheers,
/dev

4

I can control my locomotive with my computer (and JMRI) from anywhere in the house.

Sounds cool. Any pictures or a blog?

5

Too big maybe?

6

travis_farmer:
what is the max?

Restrictions: maximum total size 1 MB, maximum individual size 1 MB

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1381269_10100512145912702_1282683493_n.jpg attached.

1381269_10100512145912702_1282683493_n.jpg linked...

1381269_10100512145912702_1282683493_n.jpg
1381269_10100512145912702_1282683493_n.jpg960×540 36.4 KB

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travis_farmer:
what gives, my attachment didn't pass security???

Try a generic filename like "1.jpg".

9

travis_farmer:
BTW, what was the Mount Rushmore pic from?

Can't remember. It was on this computer and a reasonable size.

is that what the server says I uploaded?

No.

10

travis_farmer:
with a few configuration changes, and an Ethernet shield connected to my WiFi router, I can now connect wirelessly through my WiFi :smiley: I can control my locomotive with my computer (and JMRI) from anywhere in the house. very cool 8)

~Travis

Hi Travis, I am in the same project as you but instead of Zigbee I use a 868MHz board called HC-12 to communicate between the DCCpp_UNO on the Arduino and a handheld controller: DCC++ Throttle
This unit communicates at 115200 baud rate.
However for power savings purposes I intend lowering the baud rate; that is why I would like to know:

  1. did you manage to get JMRI to communicate at lower rates then 115200?
  2. how you set up the ethernetshield hardware and software on the Arduino with the DCCpp_UNO program.

Thank you for your help!
Erik

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travis_farmer:

  1. no, i never did. turns out the Xbee is unstable at 115200, and JMRI can only communicate with DCC++ at 115200.

(.....)

if i recall, my DCC++ system was an Arduino MEGA2560, with a (unknown brand) Ethernet shield (W5100 chipset?) stacked on top of it. i then connected a pair of BTS7960 based "IBT_2" motor drivers from eBay. i think the Eagle CAD diagram (very basic) is still on my GITHUB, as is my last running copy of the DCC++ code. i hope that helps, if even a little bit :smiley:

(...)

~Travis

Travis, thanks for replying. I found your contributions in Trainnoard forum; there is a reply by UK Steve (DCC++ Software - JMRI | Page 6 | TrainBoard.com - The Internet's Original stating that the baudrate for JMRI comms is set in the Arduino sketch (DCCpp I presume). However you contradict him?

I found your drawing with 2x BTS7960, I use those too; very interesting contribution, I will experiment with your setup (the ethernetcard I have one lying here too).

Thks,
Erik