I have an XBee (XB24-API-001) node streaming bytes and a node (XStick) printing received bytes to a terminal. Changing each nodes channel results in the expected behaviour. However, bytes sent on channel 21 can be received on channel 13 if the nodes are close to each other, this transfer fails when the nodes separate more than a few tens of cm.
I intended to have multiple sensors and dongles pairs, each broadcasting to all PANID but using different channels. This now seems compromised.
Has anyone else come across this behaviour? Can I be sure that cross talk will not happen at a given distance or greater or should I also different each data link by PANID too?
bytes sent on channel 21 can be received on channel 13 if the nodes are close to each other, this transfer fails when the nodes separate more than a few tens of cm.
This is due to front end overload (receiver) which forces a signal through the channel selection filters. The only real cure is to have enough physical separation between the units so that the 'out of channel' signal is not too strong.
I have had a 1mW XBee stop my wireless mouse from working (bluetooth) when it was within about 20cm of the rmouse receiver.
You will need to determine the separation distance required experimentally.
Having a different PANID would help in not receiving the wrong channel but it another XBee (or any 3.4GHz x-mitter) is too close then it could prevent reception of the desired channel.