I just got the Wireless Xbee and it doesn't communicate with the microkopter boards. I have it all installed right, and when I put it into the computer it goes to Com 8. Both the TX and RX have power lights. The TX on the C8 was flashing now its solid green. Same with the USB board at the computer end. Are there drivers I need for it? I have the drivers installed so that the wired USB board works and communicates.
Just by way of background, Dave: 1. Which OS are you running? 2. Which COM port were you using with MK Tool/MK USB adapter? 3. How do you have the Xbee unit connected to the C8? Thanks Andy
Win XP it uses com port 6 for the MK USB adapter wired connection. I have the Xbee connected to the navigation board exactly like I plug the MK USB adpater board in. I make sure the side with the red wire plugs into the navigation header on the right side. The connector that goes to the wireless board on the C8 was already plugged in when I got but I reseated it and it still doesn't work. They both light up and blink at first but then nothing. I've tried rebooting the computer and it doesn't help. I checked that it is using FTDI 2.8.24 driver for both the wired and wireless boards.
When I unplug the wireless board at the computer and plug it back in it will flash red for a quick second and the green board will start blinking but then goes solid green. I even tried switching the antennas thinking that maybe one is for the TX and one is specific for the RX
just to make sure you have it wired correctly can you post some photos? this link my help too! http://www.mikrokopter.us/MKDocs/ZigXbeeNS.pdf
I have my SD card at work, can't take pics tonight. Weird thing is that the wired USB board doesn't work after I try wireless unless I reboot the computer.
you might also need to try this download xctu connect your usb xbee execute test/query go to modem config execute read open on the right soft version and choose the 1002 or the older one select on the left xbee09DP execute write this should end as an error message, that s ok, go back to page one select 9600 come back to modem config execute write don t forget to 1 come back for both to 57600 on the page one in xctu 2 open you computer s com port to 57600
Dave: Thanks for the information re: connections. That all sounds correct. BTW: The antennae are the same for TX and RX. When you start up MKTool, (a) have you unplugged the MK USB adapter from your computer and (b) have you told MK Tool to use COM 8? (A second order question is which COM port is MK Tool actually using?) Where I'm heading is to try and determine whether MK Tool is the issue and the XBee are working fine.... Andy.
On the C8 end the black connector is going to Ground, the red connector is going to 5V, and then 2 more black cables going to RX and TX. RTS and CTS are open. When I plug it into the navigation board the other end has the red wire on the lower right port. The red 5 volt wire goes to the lower right port on the other connector which is plugged into the navigation board on the right most pin. Then I have the black cable right above the red wire going to TX. The black wire in the upper left position goes back to RX. The black wire (2nd from the upper left) goes back to ground.
Sounds like those connections are ok. I'll wait to hear back re: which COM port MK Tool is actually using... Andy.
I have not told it to use any specific port. I just plug it in and watch where it goes in device manager. It goes to Com 6 for the wired USB connection, Com 8 for the wireless.
That's showing which COM port the OS is assigning in the Device Manager....so the question is which COM port is MK Tool actually using? MK -> Settings -> Update/Terminal window (I think that's what it's called) and then look down the lower left-hand corner. Thanks Andy.
XCTU is software that the xbee use to communicate between each other found here http://www.digi.com/support/productdetail?pid=3352&type=utilities
When I hook it back up wireless and go to device manager into advanced settings for Com8. It says com port number in the pull down window was 1. I changed it to match com 8. That didn't change anything even after a reboot. I then tried to change the port number to com 6 but it says its in use but I have no other usb devices plugged in. Nothing else is plugged into the laptop. I even tried turning off my wireless network connection and that didn't make any difference
try downloading that xctu software your com port should auto select it. You may have to change your braud rate in that software to match the xbee from your bird and the one from your laptop
Dave, where did you buy the Xbee setup? Reason I ask is that the boards that the XBees mount to can be of different brands. The lights you get will differ by brand. Just changed my post and am going to make an assumption that you bought the most current version from QC. These are special brand called the Xbee 3DR Radio. Not to be confused with the brand from Digi International. The lights for these should be: green LED blinking - searching for another radio green LED solid - link is established with another radio red LED flashing - transmitting data red LED solid - in firmware update mode