15th Feb 2013

New Software Used:

• X-CTU Software (www.digi.com/support/productdetail?pid=3352)

For today's trial and errors, we will be finally working on the "Wireless" part of the project. The devices used for this part will be the Xbee module with the Xbee Shield. What is needed to be done is to set one of the modules as a Coordinator and the other as a Router/End Device. That is where the X-CTU software comes into play as it allows us to configure the setting on the Xbee module.

First up, we would like to connect the Xbee module to the PC. mount the Xbee module onto the Xbee Shield and the Xbee Shield to the Aduino UNO. Take precaution that you will need to remove the ATmega328 from the Arduino UNO. Best advice is to use a screwdriver and slowly pry it off the device. Next, make sure the 2-pin caps on the Xbee Shield are capping the USB side of the 2 out of the 3 pins. Now comes the part where one module receives while the other transmits.

On the X-CTU, under the 'PC settings' tab, set the Baud, Flow Control, Data Bits, Parity and Stop Bits similar to the settings on COM5 (The COM which your Arduino is connected to). Click the 'Test/Query' to see if the componens can communicate and are linked. Sometimes, the outcome would fail. So make sure to check the ATmega328 is out, the caps are capping the right pins, all connections are connected properly and for safe measure, press the 'reset' button on the Arduino UNO. Once successful, click the 'Modem Configuration' tab and under the 'Modem Parameter & Firmware', click 'read'. This will all the XCTU to read what modem is being used currently. Ours would be XB24-B.

Set the 'Function Set' to Coordinator for one of the module and Router/End Device for the other. Here, we are free to change the network settings to however we see fit.