Xbee as rs232 replacement

Wireless & IoT
1

This seems simple enough, but I have not had much luck in finding someone else who has done this. I want to replace a standard rs232 cable with an Xbee (or similar solution). The connection is from a PC to a CNC Machining Center in a tool room.

The connection is currently a 9pin connector to a 25 pin connector. I looked at the adapter type boards sold here and elsewhere and could not find one that fit the bill exactly, but would something like this work? http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9111

I can provide power at each end without problem. My goal is strictly to avoid running serial cables all over the place.

2

standard XBee firmware (best if XBee series 1) does transparent serial port extension via 802.15.4.

Digi sells the XBee in a metal box with RS232/DB9.

There are dozens of other ethernet and wireless RS232 black boxes for sale.

To DIY, simple get a pair of XBees on the PC board you need for, say RS232 rather than TTL. Config properly and it’s plug and play.