Digi XBee XTC User manual

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTC DigiMesh
Radio Frequency (RF) Module
User Guide

Revision history—90001480
Revision Date Description
B May 2016 Removed Australian certification information. Added the UARTdata rate to
the performance specifications table. Added digital outputs to the physical
specifications table. Revised the cyclic sleep current numbers. Added the HS
command. Removed the indoor range specification.
C May 2018 Added note on range estimation. Changed ICto ISED.
D June 2019 Added FCC publication 996369 related information.
E November
2019
Removed all references to the CONFIG line.
F January
2020
Added IFETEL certifications.
Trademarks and copyright
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States and other countries worldwide. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the
property of their respective owners.
© 2018 Digi International Inc. All rights reserved.
Disclaimers
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Digi International. Digi provides this document “as is,” without warranty of
any kind, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of fitness or
merchantability for a particular purpose. Digi may make improvements and/or changes in this manual
or in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this manual at any time.
Warranty
To view product warranty information, go to the following website:
www.digi.com/howtobuy/terms
Customer support
Gather support information: Before contacting Digi technical support for help, gather the following
information:
Product name and model
Product serial number (s)
Firmware version
Operating system/browser (if applicable)
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 2

Logs (from time of reported issue)
Trace (if possible)
Description of issue
Steps to reproduce
Contact Digi technical support: Digi offers multiple technical support plans and service packages.
Contact us at +1 952.912.3444 or visit us at www.digi.com/support.
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XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 3

Contents
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User
Guide
Applicable firmware 10
Technical specifications
Performance specifications 12
Power requirements 12
Cyclic sleep current (mA, average) 13
Networking and security specifications 13
General specifications 13
Regulatory conformity summary 15
Hardware
Mechanical drawings 17
Pin signals 18
Recommended pin connections 20
Modes
Transparent and API operating modes 22
Transparent operating mode 22
API operating mode 22
Receive mode 22
Transmit mode 23
Command mode 23
Enter Command mode 23
Troubleshooting 24
Send AT commands 24
Response to AT commands 25
Apply command changes 25
Make command changes permanent 25
Exit Command mode 25
Operation
Serial interface 28
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 4

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 5
UART data flow 28
Serial flow control 28
Networking methods
The MAC and PHY layers 31
64-bit addresses 31
Make a unicast transmission 32
Delivery methods 32
Point to Point / Point to Multipoint (P2MP) 32
Repeater/directed broadcast 32
DigiMesh networking 33
AT commands
Addressing commands 38
CI (Cluster ID) 38
DH (Destination Address High) 38
DL (Destination Address Low) 38
NI (Node Identifier) 38
NO (Network Discovery Options) 39
NT (Network Discovery Back-off) 39
SH (Serial Number High) 40
SL (Serial Number Low) 40
TO (Transmit Options) 40
Command mode options 41
CC (Command Character) 41
CT (Command Mode Timeout) 41
GT (Guard Times) 41
Diagnostic commands 42
%H (MAC Unicast One Hop Time) 42
%V (Board Voltage) 42
%8 (MAC Broadcast One Hop Time) 42
BC (Bytes Transmitted) 42
DB (Last Packet RSSI) 43
EA (MAC ACK Failure Count) 43
ER (Receive Count Error) 43
GD (Good Packets Received) 44
RC (RSSI for channel) 44
R# (Reset Number) 44
TR (Transmit Error Count) 45
UA (Unicasts Attempted Count) 45
Firmware commands 45
CK (Configuration CRC) 45
DD (Device Type Identifier) 45
NP (Maximum Packet Payload Bytes) 46
HS (Hardware Series) 46
HV (Hardware Version) 46
VL (Firmware Version - Verbose) 46
VR (Firmware Version) 46
I/O settings commands 47
CD (GP02 Configuration) 47
CS (GP01 Configuration) 47
RP (RSSI PWM Timer) 48

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 6
RT (GPI1 Configuration) 48
I/O diagnostic commands 48
TP (Board Temperature) 48
MAC/PHY commands 49
HP (Preamble ID) 49
ID (Network ID) 49
MT(Broadcast Multi-Transmits) 49
PL (TX Power Level) 49
RR (Unicast Mac Retries) 50
Network commands 50
BH (Broadcast Hops) 50
CE (Routing / Messaging Mode) 51
MR (Mesh Unicast Retries) 51
NH (Network Hops) 51
NN (Network Delay Slots) 52
Security commands 52
EE (Encryption Enable) 52
KY (AES Encryption Key) 52
Serial interfacing commands 53
AO (API Options) 53
AP (API Enable) 53
BD (Baud Rate) 54
FT (Flow Control Threshold) 54
NB (Parity) 55
RB (Packetization Threshold) 55
RO (Packetization Timeout) 55
SB (Stop Bits) 56
Special commands 56
AC (Apply Changes) 56
CN (Exit Command Mode) 56
FR (Software Reset) 56
RE (Restore Defaults) 57
WR (Write) 57
R1 (Restored Compiled) 57
Operate in API mode
API mode overview 59
API frame specifications 59
Calculate and verify checksums 61
Escaped characters in API frames 62
API frames
API frame exchanges 64
AT commands 64
Transmit and Receive RF data 64
Remote AT commands 64
Device Registration 65
Code to support future API frames 65
AT Command frame - 0x08 66
AT Command - Queue Parameter Value frame - 0x09 67
Legacy TX Request frame - 0x00 68
Transmit Request frame - 0x10 69

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 7
Explicit Addressing Command frame - 0x11 72
Remote AT Command Request frame - 0x17 75
AT Command Response frame - 0x88 76
Modem Status frame - 0x8A 77
Transmit Status frame - 0x8B 78
Legacy TX Status frame - 0x89 79
Route Information Packet frame - 0x8D 80
Aggregate Addressing Update frame - 0x8E 83
Legacy RX Indicator frame - 0x80 85
RX Indicator frame - 0x90 87
Explicit Rx Indicator frame - 0x91 88
Node Identification Indicator frame - 0x95 90
Remote Command Response frame - 0x97 93
Work with networked devices
Network commissioning and diagnostics 97
Local configuration 97
Remote configuration 97
Send a remote command 97
Apply changes on remote devices 97
Remote command response 97
Establish and maintain network links 98
Build aggregate routes 98
DigiMesh routing examples 98
Replace nodes 99
Test links in a network - loopback cluster 99
Test links between adjacent devices 100
Example 101
RSSI indicators 102
Discover all the devices on a network 102
Trace route option 103
NACK messages 104
Regulatory information
FCC (United States) 106
OEM labeling requirements 106
FCC notices 106
RF exposure statement 108
FCC antenna certifications 108
XBee-PRO XTC antenna options 109
XBee XTC antenna options 114
FCC publication 996369 related information 119
ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) 121
Labeling requirements 121
Transmitters for detachable antennas 121
Detachable antennas 121
IFETEL (Mexico) 122
OEM labeling requirements 122

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 8
PCB design and manufacturing
Recommended footprint and keepout 124
Design notes 126
Host board design 126
Improve antenna performance 127
RF pad version 127
Recommended solder reflow cycle 128
Flux and cleaning 129
Rework 129

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh
RF Module User Guide
The XBee/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF module provides a radio frequency (RF) solution for
the reliable delivery of critical data between remote devices. It is a 30 dBm (1 Watt) long-range
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) device. We also offer a low power version of this module that
offers transmit power adjustable up to 13 dBm.
The XTC module uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) agility to avoid interference by
hopping to a new frequency on every packet transmission or re-transmission. Its transmit power is
software adjustable up to 30 dBm, which is the maximum output power allowable by governments
that use 900 MHz as a license-free band. The XTC module is approved for use in the United States and
Canada.
The XTC transfers a standard asynchronous serial data stream, operates within the ISM 900 MHz
frequency band and offers two RF data rates of 10 kb/s and 125 kb/s.
As the name suggests, the XTC is over-the-air compatible with Digi's XTend module. The XTC is not a
drop-in replacement for the XTend. If you require form factor compatibility, you must use the XTend vB
RF Module.
For new applications, we recommend that you use the XBee/XBee-Pro SX module. It uses the same
hardware as the XTC but we optimize the firmware for the best range and interference immunity.
However, it is not over-the-air compatible with the XTend.
Applicable firmware 10
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 9

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide Applicable firmware
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 10
Applicable firmware
This manual supports the following firmware:
n0x800x for XTC DigiMesh

Technical specifications
The following tables provide the device's technical specifications.
WARNING! When operating at 1 W power output, observe a minimum separation distance
of 6 ft (2 m) between devices. Transmitting in close proximity of other devices can damage
the device's front end.
Performance specifications 12
Power requirements 12
Networking and security specifications 13
General specifications 13
Regulatory conformity summary 15
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 11

Technical specifications Performance specifications
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 12
Performance specifications
The following table describes the performance specifications for the devices.
Note Range figure estimates are based on free-air terrain with limited sources of interference. Actual
range will vary based on transmitting power, orientation of transmitter and receiver, height of
transmitting antenna, height of receiving antenna, weather conditions, interference sources in the
area, and terrain between receiver and transmitter, including indoor and outdoor structures such as
walls, trees, buildings, hills, and mountains.
Specification XBee XTC XBee-PRO XTC
Frequency range ISM 902 to 928 MHz
RF data rate (software selectable) 10 kb/s to 125 kb/s
Transmit power (software selectable) Up to 13 dBm Up to 30 dBm1
Channels 10 hopping sequences share 50 frequencies
Available channel frequencies 50
UARTdata rate (software selectable) 1200 - 230400 b/s
Receiver sensitivity 10 kb/s -110 dBm
125 kb/s -100 dBm
Outdoor range (line of sight) 10 kb/s Up to 5 miles up to 40 miles2
125 kb/s Up to 1.5 miles Up to 7 miles
Power requirements
The following table describes the power requirements for the XTC RF Module.
Specification XBee XTC XBee-PRO XTC
Supply voltage 2.4 to 3.6 VDC, 3.3 V typical 2.6 to 3.6 VDC, 3.3 V typical
Receive current VCC = 3.3 V 40 mA 40 mA
Transmit current VCC = 3.3 V 55 mA @ 13 dBm 900 mA @ 30 dBm
VCC = 3.3 V 45 mA @ 10 dBm 640 mA @ 27 dBm
VCC = 3.3 V 35 mA @ 0 dBm 350 mA @ 21.5 dBm
130 dBm typical at 3.3 V and above. Maximum transmit power will reduce at lower voltages. See PL (TX Power
Level) for more information on adjustable power levels.
2Estimated based on a 9 mile range test with dipole antennas.

Technical specifications Networking and security specifications
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 13
Cyclic sleep current (mA, average)
Sleep mode Cycle time RF data rate Cyclic sleep current (mA, average)
SM = 8 16 seconds BR = 0 0.65
BR = 1 0.23
SM = 7 8 seconds BR = 0 1.13
BR = 1 0.31
SM = 6 4 seconds BR = 0 2.06
BR = 1 0.46
SM = 5 2 seconds BR = 0 3.77
BR = 1 0.77
SM = 4 1 second BR = 0 6.68
BR = 1 1.36
Networking and security specifications
The following table describes the networking and security specifications for the devices.
Specification Value
Frequency 902-928 MHz, 915-928 MHz for the International variant
Spread spectrum Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Modulation Frequency Shift Keying (FSK/GFSK)
Supported network
topologies
Peer-to-peer (master/slave relationship not required), point-to-point, and
point-to-multipoint
Channel capacity 10 hop sequences share 50 frequencies
Encryption 128-bit AES CBC encryption
The EE command enables and disables encryption and sets the encryption
key
General specifications
The following table describes the general specifications for the devices.
Specification Value
Dimensions 3.38 x 2.21 x 0.32 cm (1.33 x 0.87 x 0.125 in)
Weight 3 g

Technical specifications General specifications
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 14
Specification Value
RoHS Compliant
Manufacturing ISO 9001:2000 registered standards
Connector 37 castellated SMT pads
Antenna connector options U.FL or RF pad
Antenna impedance 50 Ω unbalanced
Maximum input RF level at antenna port 6 dBm
Operating temperature -40 °C to 85 °C
Digital outputs Two (2) output lines

Technical specifications Regulatory conformity summary
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 15
Regulatory conformity summary
This table describes the agency approvals for the devices.
Country XBee XTC XBee-PROXTC
United States FCC ID: MCQ-XBSX FCC ID: MCQ-XBPSX
Canada IC: 1846A-XBSX IC: 1846A-XBPSX
Australia RCM RCM
Mexico RCPDIXB19-1819 RCPDIXB19-2288

Hardware
Mechanical drawings 17
Pin signals 18
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 16

Hardware Mechanical drawings
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 17
Mechanical drawings
The following images show the XTC mechanical drawings. The XTC has the same form factor as other
Digi surface-mount (SMT) XBee devices, except there is an additional copper ground pad on the
bottom.

Hardware Pin signals
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 18
Pin signals
The following table describes the pin signals. Low-asserted signals have a horizontal line over the
signal name.
Pin Designation I/O Function
1 GND - Ground
2 VCC I Power supply
3 DOUT O UART Data Out
4 DIN I UART Data In

Hardware Pin signals
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 19
Pin Designation I/O Function
5 GPO2/RX LED O General Purpose Output / RX LED
6 RESET I Module reset
7 RSSI O RX Signal Strength Indicator
8 - Disabled
9 Reserved NC Do not connect
10 SLEEP (DTR) I Pin Sleep Control Line
11 GND - Ground
12 - Disabled
13 GND - Ground
14 - Disabled
15 - Disabled
16 - Disabled
17 - Disabled
18 Reserved NC Do not connect
19 Reserved NC Do not connect
20 Reserved NC Do not connect
21 Reserved NC Do not connect
22 GND - Ground
23 Reserved NC Do not connect
24 - Disabled
25 GPO1/CTS /RS-485
TX_EN
O General Purpose Output / Clear-to-Send Flow Control / RS-485
Transmit Enable
26 ON/SLEEP O Module sleep status indicator
27 Reserved NC Do not connect
28 TX _PWR O Transmit power
29 RTS I Request-to-Send Flow Control
30 - Disabled
31 - Disabled
32 - Disabled

Hardware Pin signals
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) DigiMesh RF Module User Guide 20
Pin Designation I/O Function
33 Reserved NC
34 Reserved NC
35 GND - Ground
36 RF I/O RF I/O for RF pad variant
37 NC NC
38 GND - Ground pad for heat transfer to host PCB
Note If you integrate the XTC RF Module with a host PC board, leave all lines you do not use
disconnected (floating).
Recommended pin connections
The only required pin connections are VCC, GND, DOUT and DIN. To support serial firmware updates,
you should connect VCC, GND, DOUT, DIN, RTS, and SLEEP (DTR).