Digi XBee ZigBee S2C User manual

XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit
Radio Frequency (RF) Module
Getting Started Guide

Revision history—90001526
Revision Date Description
A August2016 Initial release.
B June 2017 Modified regulatory and certification information as required by RED
(Radio Equipment Directive).
C May 2018 Updated the SMTinsertion picture. Added a warning to never insert or
remove the XBee device while the power is on.
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property of their respective owners.
© 2018 Digi International Inc. All rights reserved.
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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.
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www.digi.com/howtobuy/terms
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XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 2

Contents
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide
Set up your XBee devices
Before you begin 7
Verify XBee RF module kit contents 7
Gather required materials 8
Step 1: Assemble the hardware 9
How to unplug an XBee module 10
Step 2: Download and install XCTU 10
Install XCTU - Windows 11
Install XCTU - Linux 11
Install XCTU - OSX 11
Optional: Install XCTU updates 12
Step 3: Set up your first wireless connection 12
Add XBee modules to XCTU 12
Configure the first two XBee modules in transparent mode 15
Check the network 17
Send messages through XCTU 17
Step 4: Create a mesh network 19
Connect a loopback jumper to an XBee module 19
Set up a third XBee module to create a mesh network 20
Step 5: Use API mode to talk to XBee modules 23
Configure an XBee module in APImode 23
Send an API Tx frame from an XBee module to another module 23
Do more with your XBee devices
Update the firmware of your XBee modules 30
Configure remote XBee modules 30
Set up and perform a range test 32
Configure the XBee modules for a range test 32
Perform a range test 33
Troubleshooting
Cannot find the serial port for the module 38
Cannot identify XBee modules 38
Cannot install device driver 38
Potential cause 38
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 3

XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 4
Resolution 39
Use LEDs to identify XBee modules 39
Resolution 39
No remote devices to select for a range test 39
Check cables 39
Check that the XBee module is fully seated in the XBee development board 39
Check the XBee module orientation 39
Check that the XBee modules are in the same network 40
Restore default settings 40
Port in use 40
Potential cause 40
Resolution 40
XCTU cannot discover devices 41
Check the configuration of your USB serial converter 41
Check cables 41
Check that the XBee module is fully seated in the XBee development board 41
Check the XBee module orientation 41
Check that the XBee modules are in the same network 41
Check driver installation 41
Check if the modules are sleeping 42
Check the loopback jumper 42
XCTUcannot discover remote devices 43
Potential cause 43
Resolution 43
XCTUcannot discover remote devices for a range test 43
Potential cause 43
Resolution 43
XCTU installation error 43
Potential cause 43
Resolution 43
Regulatory information
Europe (CE) 45
Maximum power and frequency specifications 45

XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide
The XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit modules support low-cost, low-power, peer-to-peer or wireless mesh
networks. The XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kits provide reliable delivery of data between remote devices.
This guide shows you how to set up an XBee mesh network using the DigiMesh protocol, send data
between devices, and adjust device settings.
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 5

Set up your XBee devices
Before you begin 7
Step 1: Assemble the hardware 9
Step 2: Download and install XCTU 10
Step 3: Set up your first wireless connection 12
Step 4: Create a mesh network 19
Step 5: Use API mode to talk to XBee modules 23
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 6

Set up your XBee devices Before you begin
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 7
Before you begin
To get started with your XBee RF module development kit, verify that your kit has all of the
components and that you meet the system requirements.
Verify XBee RF module kit contents
Your XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kitmodule development kit contains the following components:
Qty. Part
1 XBee SMT Grove Development Board
2 XBee TH Grove Development Boards
1 XBee DigiMesh S2C SMT module (PCB Antenna)

Set up your XBee devices Before you begin
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 8
Qty. Part
2 XBee DigiMesh S2C Through-Hole module (Wire
Antenna)
3 Micro USB cables
2 XBee stickers
Gather required materials
To complete the steps in this guide, you need the following items:
Item Description
Computer One of the following operating systems:
nWindows Vista/7/8 (32-bit or 64-bit versions)
nMac OS X v10.6 and higher versions (64-bit only)
nLinux with KDE or GNOME window managers (32-bit or 64-bit versions)
System requirements:
nHDD space: 500 MB minimum, 1 GB recommended
nRAM memory: 2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended
nCPU: Dual-core processor minimum, Quad-core processor recommended
USB ports:
nThree available USB ports for the XBee/XBee-PRO DigiMesh 2.4 development kit
Note Only one computer is required to follow along with the steps in this guide.
However, you can use two or more computers—one for each XBee module. For range
testing, we recommend a laptop.
XCTU
software
Version 6.1.3 or later. See Download and install XCTU.
USB
drivers
Windows Vista and later: USB drivers automatically install through plug-and-play.

Set up your XBee devices Step 1: Assemble the hardware
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 9
Step 1: Assemble the hardware
This kit includes three XBee Grove Development Boards. For more information about this hardware,
see the XBee Grove Development Board documentation.
To assemble the XBee module:
1. Attach the XBee modules to the XBee Grove Development Boards.
2. Connect the USB cables to the XBee Grove Development Boards.
Make sure the board is NOT powered by either the micro USB or a battery when you
plug in the XBee module.
3. Plug the XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit modules into the XBee Grove Development Board.
XBee TH modules have a flat edge and a more angular/diagonal edge. Match that footprint
with the white lines on your board and carefully insert it, taking care not to bend any of the
pins.
For XBee SMT modules, align all XBee pins with the spring header and carefully push the
module until it is hooked to the board.
WARNING! Never insert or remove the XBee device while the power is on!

Set up your XBee devices Step 2: Download and install XCTU
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 10
4. After you plug the XBee module into the board, connect the board to your computer using the
micro USB cables provided.
5. Ensure the loopback jumper is in the UART position.
How to unplug an XBee module
To disconnect your XBee module from the XBee Grove Development Board:
1. Disconnect the micro USB cable (or the battery) from the board so it is not powered.
2. Remove the XBee module from the board socket, taking care not to bend any of the pins.
Make sure the board is not powered when you remove the XBee module.
Step 2: Download and install XCTU
This section contains download and install instructions based on operating system. XCTU is
compatible with Linux, OSX, and Windows. It may be necessary to configure your system prior to
installing XCTU for the first time.
If you get stuck, see XCTU installation error.

Set up your XBee devices Step 2: Download and install XCTU
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 11
Install XCTU - Windows
Follow the steps below to download and install XCTU on your computer.
1. Go to www.digi.com/xctu.
2. Click Download XCTU.
3. Under Utilities, click the Windows installer link.
4. When the file has finished downloading, run the executable file and follow the steps in the XCTU
Setup Wizard. A “What’s new” dialog appears when installation is complete.
Install XCTU - Linux
By default, access to the serial and USB ports in Linux is restricted to root and dialout group users. To
access your XBee devices and use XCTU to communicate with them, your Linux user must belong to
this group.
To add your Linux user to the dialout group:
1. Open a terminal console.
2. Execute this following command, where <user> is the user you want to add to the dialout
group.:
sudo usermod -a -G dialout <user>
3. Log out and log in again with your user in the system.
Then download and install XCTU:
1. Go to www.digi.com/xctu.
2. Click Download XCTU.
3. Under Utilities, click the Linux installer link.
4. When the file has finished downloading, run the executable file and follow the steps in the XCTU
Setup Wizard. A “What’s new” dialog appears when installation is complete.
Install XCTU - OSX
OSX version 10.8 (Mountain Lion) and greater only allows you to install applications downloaded from
the Apple Store. To install XCTU, you must temporarily disable this setting.
Follow these steps to enable installation of "unsigned" software:
1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and choose System Preferences.
2. Click the Security & Privacy icon.
3. To edit security settings, click the padlock icon in the bottom left of the window.
4. Enter your Mac credentials and click Unlock. The Allow applications downloaded from dialog
appears.
5. Click the Anywhere radio button and, in the confirmation window, click Allow From
Anywhere.
Note We recommend you set this option back to Mac App Store or Mac App Store and identified

Set up your XBee devices Step 3: Set up your first wireless connection
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 12
developers once you have finished installing XCTU.
Download and install XCTU:
1. Go to www.digi.com/xctu.
2. Click Download XCTU.
3. Under Utilities, click the OSX installer link.
4. When the file has finished downloading, unzip and run the executable file and follow the steps
in the XCTU Setup Wizard. A “What’s new” dialog appears when installation is complete.
Optional: Install XCTU updates
When you start XCTU, you may be notified about software updates. You should always run the latest
version of XCTU.
1. When a new version is available, a popup window appears in the bottom-right corner of XCTU.
2. Click on that window and follow the prompts to install the XCTU update.
You can also do the following:
nCheck for updates and manually update the tool by clicking Help > Check for XCTU Updates.
nCheck the XCTU version by clicking Help > About XCTU.
For more information about XCTU, see the XCTU walkthrough.
Step 3: Set up your first wireless connection
This section shows you how to configure two XBee modules in AT (transparent) mode. The XBee
module passes information along exactly as it receives it. All serial data received by the XBee module
is sent wirelessly to a remote destination XBee module.
If you get stuck, see Troubleshooting.
Add XBee modules to XCTU
These instructions show you how to add two XBee modules to XCTU. However, you can use these
instructions to add any number of XBee modules.
1. Connect two XBee modules to your computer using the USB cables.
Tip Connect the two shorter range XBee modules instead of the longer range XBee-PRO
modules. This makes it easier to set up a mesh network. See Assemble the hardware.
2. Launch XCTU.
3. Click the Configuration working modes button .
4. Click the Discover radio modules button .
5. In the Discover radio devices dialog, select the serial ports where you want to look for XBee
modules, and click Next.
6. In the Set port parameters window, maintain the default values and click Finish.
As XCTU locates radio modules, they appear in the Discovering radio modules dialog box.

Set up your XBee devices Step 3: Set up your first wireless connection
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 13
7. Click Add selected devices once the discovery process has finished.
You should see something similar to the following example in the Radio Modules section:
8. Click Finish.

Set up your XBee devices Step 3: Set up your first wireless connection
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 14
Optional: Add a radio module
1. Click the Add a radio module specifying the port settings button .
2. In the Add radio device dialog, select the COM port for the device you want to add.
3. Click Finish.
Note An Action Required pop-up may appear requesting you to reset the device. Press the Reset
button on the Grove Development Board.
XBee TH Grove Development Board
XBee SMT Grove Development Board

Set up your XBee devices Step 3: Set up your first wireless connection
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 15
Note The function, port number and the MAC address that are displayed for your modules do not need
to match those shown in the graphic.
Configure the first two XBee modules in transparent mode
To transmit data wirelessly between your XBee modules, configure them to be in the same network.
Tip To locate an XBee module, select it in XCTU and click the Read radio settings button . The Rx
and Tx LED lights on its development board blink green and yellow.
1. Set up the first XBee module (XBEE_A):
a. Select the first XBee module.
b. Click the Load default firmware settings button .
Tip In the following steps, type parameter initials in the Search box to quickly find
a parameter, as shown in the following example:
c. Configure the following parameters:
ID:D161
DH: 0013A200
DL: SL of XBEE_B (Enter the last eight characters of the MAC address for XBEE_B.
Or select XBEE_Band find its SL value.)
NI:XBEE_A
PL: 0
d. Click the Write radio settings button .

Set up your XBee devices Step 3: Set up your first wireless connection
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 16
2. Set up the second XBee module (XBEE_B):
a. Select the second XBee module.
b. Click the Load default firmware settings button .
c. Configure the following parameters:
ID:D161
DH: 0013A200
DL: SL of XBEE_A (Enter the last eight characters of the MAC address for XBEE_A.
Or select XBEE_Aand find its SL value.)
NI:XBEE_B
PL: 0
d. Click the Write radio settings button .
After you write the radio settings for the XBee modules, their names appear in the Radio
Modules area.
3. For more information about the parameters, see the following table:
Parameter XBEE_A XBEE_B Effect
ID D161 D161 Defines the network that a radio will attach to. This must be
the same for all devices in your network.
DH 0013A200 0013A200 Defines the destination address (high part) for the message.
DL SL of
XBEE_B
SL of
XBEE_A
Defines the destination address (low part) for the message.
The value of this setting is the SL (Serial Number Low) of the
other module.
NI XBEE_A XBEE_B Defines the node identifier.
Note The default NI value is a blank space. Delete the space
when you change the value.
PL 0 0 Defines the transmitter output power level. When you are
creating a mesh network, set this parameter to the lowest
value (0) to help reduce the distance between the two devices.

Set up your XBee devices Step 3: Set up your first wireless connection
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 17
Check the network
Once both XBee modules are configured, use XCTU to check that they are in the same network and
can see each other.
1. Click the Discover radio nodes in the same network button of XBEE_A.
The device searches for devices in the same network.
When the discovery process is finished, XCTU lists discovered devices found within the network
in the Discovering remote devices dialog.
2. Click Cancel. There is no need to add the remote device that has been discovered.
Send messages through XCTU
Use the XCTU console to have your two XBee modules send messages to each other.
1. Switch both XBee modules to the consoles working mode .
2. Open a serial connection for each XBee.
a. Select XBEE_A and click .
b. Select XBEE_B and click .

Set up your XBee devices Step 3: Set up your first wireless connection
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 18
3. Click the Detach view button to see both consoles at the same time.
a. In the Console log area for XBEE_A, type "Hello XBEE_B!"
b. In the Console log area for XBEE_B, type "Hello XBEE_A!"
The message of the sender is in blue font, and the message of the receiver is in red font.
4. Close the window for XBEE_B.
5. Keep the serial connections open for both XBee modules.
Tip If the two XBeemodules are unable to talk to each other:
nVerify that you accurately configured the parameters. See Configure the first two XBee
modules in transparent mode.
nVerify that the CH (Operating Channel) and ID (Network Identifier) are the same for both XBee
modules.

Set up your XBee devices Step 4: Create a mesh network
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 19
Step 4: Create a mesh network
This section describes how to add a third XBee module to create a mesh network. Establish a mesh
network any time you want to create a network that is larger than the range of each individual device.
In these instructions, you first connect a loopback jumper to an XBee module in preparation for
testing your network.
If you get stuck, see Troubleshooting.
Connect a loopback jumper to an XBee module
Connecting a loopback jumper to an XBee module lets you send a message to another XBee module
and have the message loop back to the sender.
1. Connect the loopback jumper on XBEE_B so it bridges the pin marked "loopback" and the
middle pin on its development board.
2. In the XBEE_A console, click the Clear session button to clear your previous conversation.
3. Type "Hello!"
Each character loops back in the XBEE_A console log, which indicates that XBEE_Asuccessfully
sent the message to XBEE_B.
You are now ready to use the loopback jumper to help you test a mesh network consisting of
three XBee modules.

Set up your XBee devices Step 4: Create a mesh network
XBee S2C DigiMesh 2.4 Kit Getting Started Guide 20
Set up a third XBee module to create a mesh network
To create a mesh network, move XBEE_B away from XBEE_A until communication is lost. Then, add
XBEE_C to relay messages between XBEE_A and XBEE_B. The network automatically adjusts and
redirects communications when a pathway becomes available.
1. Move XBEE_B out of range of XBEE_A:
a. Disconnect XBEE_B from your computer and remove it from XCTU by clicking the
Remove the list of remote modules button .
b. Connect XBEE_B to a power supply (or laptop or portable battery) and move it away
from XBEE_A until it is out of range.
The approximate indoor range is 100 ft (30 m), and the approximate outdoor range
is 300 ft. (90 km).
c. Make sure the loopback jumper is connected to XBEE_B. See Connect the loopback
jumper.
d. In the XBEE_A console, click to clear your previous conversation with XBEE_B.
e. Type "Are you out of range?" In the illustration below, the message does not loop
back, which means XBEE_B did not receive it and it is out of range of XBEE_A.
f. If the message loops back, move XBEE_B farther away until it no longer loops back.