How to connect a Xbee into a network

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1

Any links for step by step information on how to do configure the following:

I wish to have one master Xbee which will be connected to a PC, which is receiving data from two other Xbee modules. These two modules will be taking data reading from two different circuits and send them to the master.

First XBEE ======================\

sending data } Master Xbee-- connected to PC

Second XBEE ===================/

Hope the diagram helps :slight_smile:

2

There has been a number of recent XBee threads in the Wireless/RF sub-forum. In a few of these (analog transfers) there are links posted to tutorials on how to do simple things with XBees include ones to some nice tutorials at Digi Int. Look through those threads and go read the tutorials. Then go back and read the XBee document for the details of what the tutorials are doing.

What you what to do is about as simple as it gets with Series 1 XBees and there is lots of info on how.

3

Can any won provide any links?

4

As Waltr said…

The Digi OEM/user manual provides an overview of networking alternatives.

Xbee Series 2 are Zigbee only. The Zigbee network layer uses IEEE 802.15.4 as the radio low level “MAC and PHY” layers. Zigbee is not prudent for simple networks.

Xbee series 1 are non-Zigbee. That is a good thing for this issue.

Series 1 can use the following and more

  • master node is an IEEE 802.15.4 standards compliant PAN Coordinator. This is a star topology.

  • Digi International’s own alternative to Zigbee, called DigiConnect. SImple, good. If you need a mesh network where some network nodes need relays to reach the network egress node.

  • Simple peer to peer topology. Any node can transmit data knowing the 64 bit address of some other node. Digi calls this DH and DL. The 64 bit address of a node is given by the manufacturer, much like ethernet controllers’ MAC addresses. With this, the “master” node is any that you chose, There is no PAN coordinator needed. I’d use this option for a simple 3 node system with no relay (routing) nodes.

Be aware of the company “Maxstream”. They designed the XBee Series 1 and later Digi International acquired them.

So you need to read up a bit on network concepts, alternatives, etc.

http://www.digi.com/support/getasset?fn=90000982&tp=3

and Google for some intro’s on IEEE 802.15.4 protocols.