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invent with the Propeller microcontroller

 

 

Propeller Platform XBee Module

 

 

GG

DIGI

 

Propeller Platform XBee Module Kit

Connect an XBee module to your Propeller Platform

Features:

  • Connects with the Propeller Platform from Gangster Gadget
  • 4 Status LEDs for VDD, RSSI, ON/Sleep and Association.
  • Jumpers to connect:
    • 3.3 V from the Propeller Platform to VDD on the XBee module
    • P4 - /CTS
    • P5 - /RTS
    • P6 - Din
    • P7- Dout
  • User prototyping area
  • XBee reset button
  • PCB footprint for additional supply capacitor

Soldering required, kit comprises:

  • 1 x Printed Circuit Board
  • 2 x 10-way Xbee sockets
  • 1 x 100 nF cap
  • 4 x 220 Ohm Resistors
  • 4 x low-current LEDs
  • 5 x jumpers
  • 1 x 2-row 5-way male header
  • 2 x single-row 20-way hearder strips

Please note, parts of the RevA PCB silkscreen are missing so take care with orientation of the XBee!

GGPPXB

Note - XBees sold separately

 

 

Propeller Platform XBee Module Simple Schematic

Propeller Platform XBee Module Full Schematic

Propeller Platform XBee Module PCB CAD Files

ggppxb_pcb

 

 
 

One way to get started with the Propeller Platform XBee module.

You will need:

 

GGPPXB Propeller Platform USBXBee

USB cableXBee

  • Propeller Platform XBee
  • Propeller Platform USB
  • Parallax XBEE USB ADAPTER
  • PC/Laptop & USB cable
  • 2 XBees
  • Power supply or battery pack

 

Download and install the X-CTU software from Digi International here.

Without plugging in an XBee connect the XBEE USB ADAPTER to the PC. Start the X-CTU software and you should see a window like this showing the XBEE USB ADAPTER as a USB Serial port.

Close the X-CTU program and unplug the XBEE USB ADAPTER.

X-CTU1

Fit one of the XBees to the XBEE USB ADAPTER, reconnect to the PC and start the X-CTU program again.

Click on the Test / Query button and a window will open showing the XBee firmware number.

Unplug the XBEE USB ADAPTER and repeat the Test / Query modem test with the other XBee.

 

X-CTU2

 
 

Loopback Testing

 

Plug together the Propeller Platform XBee Module and the Propeller Platform USB.

Fit two jumpers to the Propeller Platform XBee Module :

  • 1 - 10 (3.3 V to VDD)
  • 6 - 7 (XBee Dout to XBee Din)

Now fit an XBee.

Take care the XBee pins are correctly aligned and the XBee is in the correct orientation!

 
XBee Module jumpers
 

Connect a power supply or battery pack to the Propeller Platform+XB and switch on. You will see these LEDs:

  • VDD ON (power supplied to VDD)
  • RSSI OFF
  • On/Sleep ON (XBee is awake)
  • Assoc Flashing
 

Connect the XBee USB adapter to the PC and start X-CTU.

Select the Range Test tab and click the Start button to begin the range testing. You should see a string of characters being transmitted and received.

The remote XBee with its Dout connected to it's Din provides the loopback. Note the transmit and receive LEDs on the USB adapter and the RSSI LED on the Propeller Platform XBee Module.

So the XBees - and whatever is connected to them - can now talk to each other!

Try your own loopback test using the Parallax Serial Terminal.

 
 

 

Propeller Platform XB module transmiting

 

Turn off the Propeller Platform+XB and refit the XBee module jumpers like this:

VDD remains connected but now the XBee Din is connected to Propeller port P6 and the XBee Dout is connected to P7.

Start the Propeller tool and load this simple SPIN program into the Propeller Platform EEPROM.

 

 

Connect the XBee USB to your PC and fire-up a serial terminal. Power up or reset the Propeller Platform +XB

and see the data transmitted from the Propeller Platform+XB:

 

Press and hold the XBee reset button for a few seconds; although the Propeller is sending data to the XBee the transmission stops whilst the XBee is reset..

 

 

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PropLAB_code PropLAB_codePropLAB_code

Comments welcome by email to T-O-N-Y-A-T-S-P-I-N-V-E-N-T- D-O-T-C-O-D-O-T-U-K