I’m hoping you can help…
I would like to hook up an Arduino (any kind) with an XBee transmitter shield but still be able to send commands to the unit from my PC connected via USB.
Is this possible ?
Should I consider another option to talk to the Arduino from my PC without the USB ? If so, can anyone recommend a way for my PC to talk to the XBee on the Arduino ? Any PC hardware I can use to do this ?
I need a simple method to send a simple stream of bytes to the device from my PC. I’m a software developer by day so this side of things is not too difficult for me, its more the hardware I’m struggling to research. 
I’m totally new to this Arduino stuff, but I have a project in mind and I think I can learn quite quickly.
Many thanks !!!
I am so new to this Xbee that I just completed my first Xbee project. 1. Get an Xbee retail kit from sparkfun. 2. Solder the pins on the Xbee shield. 3. Follow this link http://bildr.org/2011/04/arduino-xbee-wireless/.
- Copy the LED example on the bottom of that page and upload it to your arduino, Hint i used a freeduino, but I believe any arduino will work that such as UNO, Dum, Leonardo, Mega ect…Check http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Hardware for the arduino website, you can go from there. I uploaded the code without the shield attached or xbee attached as well. 5. Attach the shield the attach the xbee to the shield and then power the arduino using a walwart or 9v battery with adapter to power the arduino. 6. Attach the 2nd xbee module to the explorer board (included with kit) and plug it in to the board and the laptop using a mini b usb cable. 7. the computer will try to find the drivers, which mine did automatically, if not you can download those too, very easily. 8. start the “serial monitor” on the arduino software (IDE 1.0)(this is a tab on the arduino software) this is what i used: and press the letter “a” on your keyboard, hit enter. Look under the shield and you should see the little led on the arduino of your choice light up, then press “b” hit enter and you should see it turn off.
I had just completed this exercise, so i know it works right out of the box. And no, I am not an EE or someone that will get you more complicated info, just someone that would like to pass on some good faith.
Techdetect
Xbee Series 1 and Series 2 Setup Guide.
http://examples.digi.com/category/get-started/
http://examples.digi.com/get-started/co … ith-x-ctu/
I have worked with Xbee Series 2B Pro modules.
Each works in both directions as a transceiver.
You can communicate with
Arduino + Xbee via any Xbee Shield
PC + Xbee via any Xbee USB Explorer
Multiple Xbees can communicate with each other in a mesh network.
Its very flexible.