I’m working on a project that is supposed to send/receive data/commands between a micro-controller (MSP430) and a host (PC) using XBEE modules. The MSP430 will obtain some digital data from another chip and then use the XBEE to send these numbers to another XBEE connected to the PC using the XBEE USB Explorer. Then, I would like to Use LabView in order to get and display these data. Also, I want to send a signal from the computer back to the micro-controller in order to perform additional tasks (e.g. switch on/off).
Now, I’m working on testing the XBEE by sending characters from the micro-controller to the PC and display them using X-CTU program. But, I’m really not that experienced with XBEE, so is there any C/C++ header files that can simplify my tasks, (For example, change the mode to command mode and send commands to the XBEE to set the address of the destination)?
Since the XBEE is operating in transparent mode by default, if I just connect the MSP430 to Din ( the UART pin of XBEE) and connect VCC with ground, and then program the MSP430 to send random characters to that pin Din, will I receive these characters directly at the other XBEE module that is connected to the PC and thus be displayed on the X-CTU terminal?
what if I want to send a package of data, (not one character at a time), what should I do to perform that?
Is there any simple LabView explanation on how to connect such a module and deal with it?
Config. them in the 802.15.4 mode, with the destination address of each being the other end’s MAC address. Disable the coordinator mode and disable association-required. Now you have a peer to peer network. Any XBee can address data to any other. No “coordinator”, no forced “Star” topology.
Now Digi has, in their 802.15.4 firmware, support for configuring the XBee’s A/D and I/O pins to “replicate” across the wireless. So without needing another microprocessor, you can get A/D samples sent to the distant XBee which will then send them to the serial port and on to a PC. No new code. They have the same thing for digital bits (parallel bits) replicated to the same pins on the distant XBee. And vice-versa. They call this the “virtual wire”.
But you can get more elaborate if you wire up your own microprocessor to the logic level (3.3V) serial I/O of the XBee. And the same on the PC end, but via RS232 instead of logic level. Now, you config. the XBees to simply “extend” the PC’s serial port to the distant XBee and that onward to your microprocessor. And vice-versa. This is a “wireless UART extension”.
So, lots of options. Keep It Simple, as a novice. Work from the simple to the complex, stepwise.
I have tested two XBEE modules using X-CTU terminal, i.e. I was able to establish the connection between them and display sent/received characters in both PC’s, to which both modules were connected. Then, I looked at the XBEE manual and I noticed that XBEE operates in transparent mode by default, i.e. the module will act like a serial line replacement and whatever received in DIN pin is queued for RF transmission and whatever is in Dout is being sent if RF data is received.
The question is: what are the NECESSARY pins that need to be connected to the MSP430 and if I program the MSP430 to send arbitrary characters to input pin DI ( the XBEE is in transparent mode) will I be able to get these charecters to the other XBEE module that are connected to the PC and thus display them using X-CTU software?
How can I send more than one character at time, i.e. send package of data each time instead of a one by one character transmission?
alabodib:
I have tested two XBEE modules using X-CTU terminal, i.e. I was able to establish the connection between them and display sent/received characters in both PC’s, to which both modules were connected. Then, I looked at the XBEE manual and I noticed that XBEE operates in transparent mode by default, i.e. the module will act like a serial line replacement and whatever received in DIN pin is queued for RF transmission and whatever is in Dout is being sent if RF data is received.
The question is: what are the NECESSARY pins that need to be connected to the MSP430 and if I program the MSP430 to send arbitrary characters to input pin DI ( the XBEE is in transparent mode) will I be able to get these charecters to the other XBEE module that are connected to the PC and thus display them using X-CTU software?
How can I send more than one character at time, i.e. send package of data each time instead of a one by one character transmission?
You'll have to do more reading. You use XCTU or whatever to set certain AT command registers so as to enable the A/D or digital I/O functions for the virtual wire functions. Then do the "reverse" on the other XBee. It'll take some study and trial and error on your part. Not a 5 minute thing.