I just received a couple of XBee pros’s (Series 2.5) I have connected them to Arduino’s with a Shield. The simple test programs were not working so I tried to diagnose using AT commands. When I send the XBee modules ‘+++’ to enter Command Mode they respond correctly with ‘OK’ but they will not respond to any AT commands after that. Is there something I need to be careful about?
thanks,
Mike.
There are time outs built in (guard times) so after you get the ‘OK’ you only have a few seconds to get the AT command string to the XBee. See section 2.2.4 of the data sheet. Also beware that the commands are case sensitive.
Start with simple query commands before trying to set anything.
OK I I downloaded X-CTU and I have successfully connected to both X-Bee’s through separate COM ports. AT commands work. All I want is to set them up as a transparent serial connection. (I thought that they would work out of the box that way.) Here are some of the AT command responses I am getting:
+++OK
atid
234
atdb
0
atnd
ERROR
atsc
1FFE
Any easy way for me to diagnose/set them up without reading the manual too much??? 
Ok, you are making progress.
Set the destination address parameters, DH & DL, to the Source address parameters, SH & SL, in the other XBee. This is covered in section 4.2.1 of the manual.
Leave the AP parameter = 0 which is AT transparent serial mode.
The two modules should now send serial data from one to the other. Read section 2.1.4 for info.
This seems to indicate that there isn't any Nodes to be Discovered. Where both XBees on the air (powered)?atnd
ERROR
Is one of your XBees running Coordinator Firmware? Section 4.1 of the manual describes the requirements for forming a Network. Like ZigBee it is the coordinator that forms the network and allows other nodes to join.
Leave the SC & ID parameter at their default values and see if the response to the ND command returns the ifo on the other node.
I’m Series-1 literate but not so for Series 2.
ERROR does not mean none-detected - that’s indicated by an empty list- two blank lines.
Perhaps it means the module isn’t configured correctly. Reset to factory defaults.
IIRC, some module modes prohibit use of the ND command.
Or indeed, does Series 2 support the ND command at all?
OK,
Thanks for the responses guys.
I set the Destination Addresses and still no go.
So I Restored the factory defaults. Set the destination Addresses, Wrote them flash (atwr). Still No Go.
To show my addressing:
XBee 1
+++OK
atDH
13A200
atdl
405C7F9A
atsh
13A200
atsl
403DDB59
XBee 2
+++OK
ATDH
13A200
ATDL
403DDB59
ATSH
13A200
ATSL
405C7F9A
I have both attached to my computer directly (via FTDI) and using X-CTU terminals to type Ascii data to transmit. but nothing is being transmitted wirelessly.
Here are some other AT Command responses:
atpl
4
atpm
1
atnd
ERROR
atdn
ERROR
atni
atdb
0
What do I try next?
Answer to question I post above!!
Is one of your XBees running Coordinator Firmware?
Section 4.1 of the manual describes the requirements for forming a Network. Like ZigBee it is the coordinator that forms the network and allows other nodes to join.
What is the Firmware version in each XBee?
This info is vital for us to use the correct document.
Both XBees are type XBP24-B Firmware Version 1247.
Where can I find out what that translates to in terms of Coordinator, Router, Endpoint?
I just figured out what type that firmware is from the X-CTU Modem Configuration Tab.
Firmware 1247 is a ‘ZNET 2.5 Router/End Device AT’
Now what?
Read section 4.1 in the document about forming a network.
Then Update the Firmware in one XBee to be a Coordinator. The instructions to do this is in the X-CTU manual and in some of of links in threads on this forum. You did download and read the X-CTU manual, right!
Under the Function Set in the Modem Configuration tab of X-CTU you have the choice of “ZNET 2.5 COORDINATOR API” or “ZNET 2.5 COORDINATOR AT”. For transparent mode use the the latter to run the coordinator in AT mode, firmware Version 1047.
FYI:
Under the Modem Configuration tab you can click “Read” and see all the the parameters. Many of these can be changed in this screen and then set in the XBee when you click “write”, just keep the “Always update firmware” box UN-checked. These parameters can also be saved under a profile which is a text file which can then be easily copy-pasted into the forum.
Waltr,
Thanks for your help.
You did download and read the X-CTU manual, right!
Download, yes:-)
I will follow your direction and let you know how things go.
Thanks again,
Mike.
Success!!!
thanks for your help guys!!!
Mike.
Alright.
Now you can take your time and read deeper into the Digi Docs to understand how they really work.
Have fun.