XBee Stops Arduino Code with XBee Shield when using sleep mode

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I am using the Arduino XBee shield with my Ardunio Uno to interconnect to my XBee Pro S2 module.

When I put the XBee to sleep (via Pin 9 on the XBee module) the Arduino stops running (the code stops executing). The problem is obvious in that you can not then use the controller nor bring the XBee out of sleep mode (via the Arduino).

It appears that it has something to do with the ICSP (SPI) connection between the Arduino and the Shield. I can only fathom that the Arduino must be waiting for SPI communications from the shield (which is inactive while the XBee is sleeping).

I was hoping to use the shield but unless there is a way to resolve this issue I guess I will have to resort to hard-wiring between the XBee and the Arduino (bypassing ICSP).

It does seem odd to me that the XBee shield would not allow/support sleep mode.

This is not a new issue. I found the following but no solutions was offered:

http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=27363.0

2

A bit more investigation on my part has found that when the XBee goes to sleep it pulls down the RESET pin on the ICSP connection. This has the effect of pressing and holding the reset button on the Arduino. This results in the Arduino halting operations.

So, one solution is to physically remove the ICSP reset pin on the Arduino Uno header. I was wondering if there are any other possible solutions.

3

Cut the reset connection to the Xbee, drive it from another pin.

4

I removed the 1k (R3) resister. Achieved the desired result.