Multiplatform XBee Configurator

The most direct way to configure simple parameters on an XBee is to use the "AT" command set.  For more advance things, you have typically needed to download the XBee configuration tool, which inconveniently in some cases runs on Windows only.  Moltosenso is multiplatform tool that might be useful.  The base edition is free; features like scripting are available in the premium packages.

Moltosenso's description from their web page:

moltosenso Network Manager™ IRON is the cross-platform answer for the users of Digi International® X-CTU™. The same functionalities are now available on Microsoft Windows®, Linux® and Mac OS X™ operating systems.

Thanks to a snappy and totally free GUI, moltosenso Network Manager™ IRON is able to grant:

• get/set of the parameters of Digi International® modules plugged to the PC, both in API and AT mode;
• get/set of the parameters of Digi International® modules remotely addressable;
• an effective graphic test for RSSI parameter, especially tailored for XBEE™ modules;
• firmware upload (local and - where available - remote) for many supported Digi International® modules.

XBee thinks it's a Mouse on Windows...

Here's a problem I had when connecting the XBee to Windows:

• Plugged in xtremebee USB.
• Kept getting behavior as if the right mouse button was being pressed.
• APM could not connect over XBee link.
• Opening the "Devices and Printers" control panel showed that Windows 7 was thinking the xbee was a mouse.

I looked at various settings to see if there was a "this is not a mouse" button.  I didn't change anything, but it seems to have fixed things.

John Church figured out the problem and the cure:

• It happens when the APM side is powered up before the PC side.
• When the USB is attached, Windows sees data coming in over the serial link.
• Windows comes to the (stupid) conclusion "this must be a mouse!"
• Fix: power up the PC side USB XBee before powering up the APM.

xbee attempted unbricking and troubleshooting

xbee not working... contacted diydrones store, they recommended starting with unbricking procedure here.

Here's shakycam documentation of the procedure.  It's not working, so suspecting other xbee problem.

asd

Troubleshooting my xbee

Here's the system I've got:

https://store.diydrones.com/Xbee_Telemetry_kit_p/kt-telemetry-xbee.htm

It's got an XtreamBee Board, an   XtreamBee USB Adapter, a matched pair of xbee modules, and all the bits needed to get things set up.

It was working before:

http://eastbay-rc.blogspot.com/2011/10/first-test-of-apm-auto-mode-drone.html
http://eastbay-rc.blogspot.com/2011/10/xbee-apm-overview.html

And now it's not working.

symptom: The blue power light comes on on both sides, but the Rx/Tx lights don't come one, and the ground station can't make a connection.

I went ahead and fixed the problem I had where the xbee was soldered inside the socket.  You can see one of the pins has a glob of solder on the side.  It was obvious which pin it would be, as the connection for the socket had a "sucked in" look instead of a "dimpled hershey kiss" look, from where the solder had been pulled into the socket.  Heating the socket leg from the bottom allowed the xbee to be pulled out nicely.

  This allowed me to get both xbee modules attached to the PC and get this information, which seems to verify that the two xbee units are functional (at least in talking to the PC), and that the xbee pro unit is likewise functional.

Likewise, both xbee modules respond to +++ and AT commands from a terminal session.

So, I'm reasonably confident that those three pieces are OK.  What to do next?  How to verify the xtremebee board?



I'm going to solder some new headers onto the xbee remote carrier, although testing the continuity with a multimeter showed that the pins were all making contact.

I can't find anybody that's a real xbee guru to advise me on this.  If I ever get these working again, I am going to really study these things until I understand them really well.  My xbee skillz will be my ticket to fame and fortune!

xbee causing odd servo jittering in APM?

Here's an odd thing that happens in my office.  I haven't noticed it happening in the field.

• when powered up, the servos constantly jitter
• jittering seems to be going through the APM... note the period of time when APM is booting and jittering stops
• jittering associated with 900MHz xbee
• if the xbee is disconnected, no jittering
• if I ground the xbee by touching the antenna, jittering stops

I'm curious as to the cause of this; partly to see if there's a problem, fix, etc, but mostly to understand what's going on. The primary practical issue is that the jittering noise seemed to make people nervous as they were looking at the unit.

update:  It seems to be noise from the radio.  There are quite a few postings on this in the diydrones forum.  Applying a ferrite ring on the cable between APM and xbee seems to be the recommended fix.

XBee APM Overview

Got the XBee soldered and tested, but forgot to link to the video. Doing that now, and leaving this as a placeholder for all wisdom XBee.

ardupilot xbee module notes

External Refs, mostly on diydrones:

• Product Page
• Release announcement and useful comments
• Build Instructions
• Quick Ref and testing
• xbee 900 howto by Kuebler

Build Notes:

• coming soon!