I bought 2 XBee Pro modules, USB Explorer, USB mini cable, and XBee breakout board. I downloaded firmware version 10CD and did all the appropriate connections for the remote module with 3.3V and logic converter to hook up to my 5.0V uC. I’ve read so many step by step manuals and tried so many different setups. I even tried using hyperterminal. However, the radios always failed the Range Test and would only output garbage in both hyperterminal and modem terminal in X-CTU. I even tried converting the signals from 5V to 3.3V using diodes and resistors but still got more garbage. From what I heard, XBee is supposed to be really easy to set up with almost no additional setups needed if I just want a transparent connection. Transparent connection is really what I want but I’ve failed to figure out the problems. I’m not sure if I even got a defective modules. Before I consider returning the modules for them to check if they’re really defective, I would like to ask for help from you guys. I’ve spent almost a week now trying things out with no luck.
I’ve tried setting up the Pan ID to 3332, setting up the destination and source address and vice versa for both base and remote units, etc.
Oh yeah. Last night the base unit also started failing to read or write to the module. I would switch it with the remote module in the XBee USB Explorer and it would be fine. Is the base modem really messed up now? Give me an input please.
My project: Around last August of 2008 I was able to make a balancing robot using only an accelerometer (no gyro and no encoders). The robot was able to balance indefinitely but it jitters a little. Now I got a 5 DOF accelerometer/gyro and I’m thinking of using it with a uC to put in a remote controlled helicopter. -And that would explain why I got the XBee modules. My first uC was a Basic Stamp then I changed to ZBasic. I am also considering Arduino considering its compact design.
Please help me with my XBee problems. Thanks in Advance.
aludra_55:
I bought 2 XBee Pro modules, USB Explorer, USB mini cable, and XBee breakout board. I downloaded firmware version 10CD and did all the appropriate connections for the remote module with 3.3V and logic converter to hook up to my 5.0V uC. I’ve read so many step by step manuals and tried so many different setups. I even tried using hyperterminal. However, the radios always failed the Range Test and would only output garbage in both hyperterminal and modem terminal in X-CTU. I even tried converting the signals from 5V to 3.3V using diodes and resistors but still got more garbage. From what I heard, XBee is supposed to be really easy to set up with almost no additional setups needed if I just want a transparent connection. Transparent connection is really what I want but I’ve failed to figure out the problems. I’m not sure if I even got a defective modules. Before I consider returning the modules for them to check if they’re really defective, I would like to ask for help from you guys. I’ve spent almost a week now trying things out with no luck.
I’ve tried setting up the Pan ID to 3332, setting up the destination and source address and vice versa for both base and remote units, etc.
Oh yeah. Last night the base unit also started failing to read or write to the module. I would switch it with the remote module in the XBee USB Explorer and it would be fine. Is the base modem really messed up now? Give me an input please.
My project: Around last August of 2008 I was able to make a balancing robot using only an accelerometer (no gyro and no encoders). The robot was able to balance indefinitely but it jitters a little. Now I got a 5 DOF accelerometer/gyro and I’m thinking of using it with a uC to put in a remote controlled helicopter. -And that would explain why I got the XBee modules. My first uC was a Basic Stamp then I changed to ZBasic. I am also considering Arduino considering its compact design.
Please help me with my XBee problems. Thanks in Advance.
Do you mean that XCTU won’t talk to either radio? Of course, this is likely the wrong Baud rate setting in XCTU or the XBee. Or both. Last resort it to reset the XBee to factory defaults which is 9600Baud as I recall (check me).
Not sure what you’re using to go to RS232 or USB for XCTU.
I use the XBee USB Explorer to configure each modules. When I plug in the remote module, it works fine with X-CTU. I was able to Read, Write, and basically set it up. However, when I plug in the base module, I had to click on the API first then Test/Query. It would indicate "Communication with modem…OK… Modem type = Name unknown (ID = 4294967248656266)… Modem firmware version = ".
In other words, the firmware version is blank. I tried grounding the reset button but it didn’t work. I tried grounding the DTR and it didn’t work as well. It seems that the firmware was not uploaded properly and I cannot even “Read” what was in it. The Restore works but it restores to nothing.
I have a feeling that it’s a hardware defect. Any input would be great. I am thinking of just buying another module, but XBee Pro is kinda expensive considering it didn’t even work for me once!