I followed the instructions of changing the node identifier (same for both) and baud rate (38400 to match my ublox gps) for each xbee with the X-CTU application. I did notice that upon reading the modems, XCTU found that my devices were the XBP09-DM, (the ones in manual says they are XBP09-DP) In the terminal i also used the +++ command on each model and got a responce of OK for both. I then connected everything up started the ground-station, choose serial port and baud rate, and then connected the other to the ardupilot (making sure i did not connect signal cable till after power up). But I did not get any responce or flashing lights from either modem.
I then tried the range test with XCTU and did not get any responce either.
I then downloaded the latest firmware and followed all the above steps with same result.
Is there anything that I am doing wrong?
Do I need to change some other settings,
Which function set am I supposed to use for each model?
Is it a problem that I am using the digimesh xbee and not just the normal ones?
Thanks if anyone can help me
Replies
So i am abit ashamed to mention the cause of all my problems, but i figured its better to share so everyone can know I got it solved. It was frustrating as I practically tried everything to try get these to work
But the problem was... a bad solder joint since I decided to re-solder all the connections on my adafruit adaptor as a last resort. I got radios are working fine now
Thanks again for everyone's help and suggestions and apologies for some of the silly questions I might of had
After testing and using 3 Xbee's for a year, I missed the XBP09-DM model type, displayed when good comms were detected. I was so happy that it worked, I didn't read the full message, just stopped reading at "OK", All 3 units display same message.
I also set RO- Packetization Timeout to (4)
I use a 4 digit NI- Node Identifier (XXXX)
I use ArduStation mounted on RC tx in field, and Jordi's LabView Ground Station in car recording a log file.
UAV has a modified wire antenna unit, I removed wire antenna and added a normal SMA connector with a 3 db dipole antenna.
ArduStation has a unmodified wire antenna unit inside.
PC GCS, I added a wire antenna to a RSMA unit (both are connected, but no antenna is connected to RSMA) Xbee sits on car roof that acts as a decent ground plain.
I get good performance from all 3 units.
Only problem is when UAV unit gets bricked,
I added 200ms startup delay and changed "+++" preamble to "---", but have not field tested this configuration, works on bench well.
My de-bricking process:
1. Connect Xbee with FTDI to USB port, run XCTU
2. In PC Settings, Select your USB comm port, set Baud rate to 9600
3. In Modem Configuration, select XBP09-DP not XBP09-DM
4. Click "Write" button, XCTU will detect modem type, and start to update firmware, and return Xbee to default configuration.
5. Reset your custom setup (Node ID (XXXX), Baud rate (38400) , etc.
6. in PC Settings, set to your selected Baud rate, click Test/Query
7. XCTU displays "Comms with modem OK" message with misnomer "Modem Type XBP09-DM", and firmware version 1002
Good luck.
Just got my Xbee's recently... and I set it up, according to the manual... and it seems to work well...
Seems that I have DM's too... but I managed to set serial data from the air...
-Teejay