I’m not sure which to get…
I’ll just be playing with wireless interfacing between different AVRs and with my computer.
Probably get some XBee modules and a Xbee USB Explorer then??
Hmm…what’s the difference between bluetooth and xbees then?
Excuse my noobness 
Thanks in advance.
IMO
XBee, as one of many vendors of IEEE 802.15.4 modules, are a simple “modem” like way to communicate point to point or among multiple radios. You also have the option of ZigBee mesh routing if you need it. The XBee series 1 is intended for non-ZigBee applications, these being more common in small projects, as compared to XBee series 2.
Bluetooth for serial port based (UART) communications is much more expensive and less flexible.
I can elaborate for pages, but hopefully this gives you a start to do your reading.
If all you want to do is a wireless mesh network, you could go with a proprietary protocol instead (usually cheaper and much more simple to implement).
RF Digital has some new modules based on the Nordic nRF24LE1: http://www.semiconductorstore.com/cart/ … duct=42879
I am an apps engineer focusing on wireless, and I see a lot of similar questions about the difference between Bluetooth and other protocols.
If you have other questions, I love talking about this stuff.
Good luck.
I’ll just be playing with wireless interfacing between different AVRs and with my computer.
The XBee series 1 (multipoint) will be far simpler than a ZigBee mesh (though with more limitations on range). Assuming all the modules can be within range, using a multipoint module means that each module sends to every other. When sending to a “specific” module, all you are really doing is telling the other non-recipient modules to ignore the message. Mesh systems like ZigBee will repeat messages such that two units which cannot communicate with each other, but can communicate with a common node can relay through that node for greater range.
The XBee series 1 starter kit is $100 and includes two modules plus one serial and one USB interface board. I use the USB interface board plus an XBee “Pro” (the high powered module) as a “base station” on my Linux server. That communicates with some custom controllers in my home automation system. You need to account for periodic data loss, but if designed right, the XBee series 1 can be very reliabile.
you can just purchase XBees and a little PC board to provide USB or serial interface to a PC to configure it, to save $. Don’t have to have a starter / dev kit.
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … ts_id=8276
no mesh needed unless you are doing something sophisticated.
proprietary mesh protocol is fine if you don’t need to count on support long term, versus 802.15.5 (yes, .5, not .4) or ZigBee.
You can just purchase XBees and a little PC board to provide USB or serial interface to a PC to configure it, to save $. Don’t have to have a starter / dev kit.
Great point. The SFE XBee Explorer USB plus appropriate module would certainly do the trick as a base station. The real point is that mesh is much more difficult than multipoint. You only want to use it if there is a compelling reason.