Digi XBee User manual

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

Revision history—90001476
Revision Date Description
ADecember
2015
Baseline release of the document.
B January
2016
Removed a section on shutdown mode, which does not apply to this device.
Removed a duplicate drawing. Removed pending comment on US and
Canadian certifications.
C May 2016 Removed the indoor range specification. Added Australian certification
information. Updated several specifications. Added the HS command.
Updated cyclic sleep current numbers. Updated the dimensions.
D May 2018 Added note on range estimation. Changed ICto ISED.
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property of their respective owners.
© 2018 Digi International Inc. All rights reserved.
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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.
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www.digi.com/howtobuy/terms
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XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 2

Contents
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide
llApplicable firmware 8
Technical specifications
Performance specifications 10
Power requirements 10
Cyclic sleep current (mA, average) 11
Networking and security specifications 11
General specifications 11
Regulatory conformity summary 12
Hardware
Mechanical drawings 14
Pin signals 15
Recommended pin connections 17
Modes
Transparent and API operating modes 19
Transparent operating mode 19
API operating mode 19
Additional modes 19
Command mode 19
Binary Command mode 19
Idle mode 19
Receive mode 20
Sleep modes 20
Transmit mode 20
Enter Command mode 20
Send AT commands 20
Exit Command mode 21
Enter Binary Command mode 21
Exit Binary Command mode 21
Binary Command mode FAQs 21
Sleep modes 22
Pin Sleep (SM = 1) 23
Serial Port Sleep (SM = 2) 24
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 3

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 4
Cyclic Sleep Mode (SM = 4-8) 24
Operation
Serial interface 27
UART data flow 27
Serial data 27
Flow control 27
Data In (DIN) buffer and flow control 28
Data Out (DO) buffer and flow control 29
Configure the XTC RF Module
Configure the device using XCTU 31
Program the XTC RF Module
Programming examples 32
Connect the device to a PC 32
Modify a device address 32
Restore device defaults 33
Send binary commands 33
Query binary commands 34
Commands
Command mode options 37
AT (Guard Time After) 37
BT (Guard Time Before) 38
CC (Command Sequence Character) 38
CF (Number Base) 38
CN (Exit Command Mode) 39
CT (Command Mode Timeout) 39
E0 (Echo Off) 40
E1 (Echo On) 40
Diagnostic commands 40
%V (Board Voltage) 40
DB command 41
GD (Receive Good Count) 41
HV (Hardware Version) 42
RC (Ambient Power - Single Channel) 42
RE (Restore Defaults) 42
RM (Ambient Power) 44
RP (RSSI PWM Timer) 44
SH (Serial Number High) 45
SL (Serial Number Low) 45
TP (Board Temperature) 46
TR command 46
VL (Firmware Version - Verbose) 47
VR (Firmware Version - Short) 47
WA (Active Warning Numbers) 47
WN (Warning Data) 48
WS (Sticky Warning Numbers) 49

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 5
HS (Hardware Series) 50
MAC/PHY commands 50
AM (Auto-set MY) 50
DT (Destination Address) 50
HP (Preamble ID) 51
ID (Network ID) 51
MK command 52
MT (Multi-transmit) 52
MY (Source Address) 53
RN (Delay Slots) 53
RR command 54
TT (Streaming Limit) 54
RF interfacing commands 55
BR (RF Data Rate) 55
FS (Forced Synch Time) 55
MD (RF Mode) 56
PB (Polling Begin Address) 56
PD command 57
PE (Polling End Address) 57
PK command 58
PL command 59
TX (Transmit Only) 59
Security commands 60
KY command 60
Serial interfacing commands 61
API Enable 61
BD (Interface Data Rate) 61
CD (GP02 Configuration) 63
CS (GP01 Configuration) 63
FL (Software Flow Control) 64
FT command 64
NB command 65
RB (Packetization Threshold) 65
RO (Packetization Timeout) 66
RT (GPI1 Configuration) 66
SB command 67
Sleep commands 67
FH (Force Wakeup Initializer) 67
HT (Time before Wake-up Initializer) 68
LH (Wakeup Initializer Timer) 68
PW (Pin Wakeup) 69
SM (Sleep Mode) 69
ST command 70
Special commands 70
WR (Write) 71
API operation
API mode overview 73
API frame specifications 73
Calculate and verify checksums 75
Escaped characters in API frames 76

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 6
API frames
RF Module Status frame - 0x8A 79
Transmit Request: 16-bit address frame - 0x01 80
Transmit Status frame - 0x89 82
Receive Packet: 16-bit address frame - 0x81 83
Network configurations
Network topologies 86
Point-to-point networks 86
Point-to-multipoint networks 86
Peer to peer networks 87
Addressing 88
Address recognition 89
Basic communications 89
Streaming mode (default) 89
Multi-transmit mode 90
Repeater mode 91
Polling mode (basic) 95
Acknowledged communications: Acknowledged mode 96
Acknowledged mode connection sequence 96
Polling mode (acknowledged) 97
Regulatory information
FCC (United States) 100
OEM labeling requirements 100
FCC notices 100
FCC antenna certifications 101
Antenna options 102
XBee XTC antenna options 107
ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) 112
Labeling requirements 112
Transmitters for detachable antennas 112
Detachable antennas 112
ACMA (Australia) 113
Power requirements 113
PCB design and manufacturing
Recommended footprint and keepout 115
Design notes 117
Host board design 117
Improve antenna performance 118
RF pad version 118
Recommended solder reflow cycle 119
Flux and cleaning 120
Rework 120

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) 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 Australia certified module is a separate variant.
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 for the United States and
Canada variant. The Australia variant offers two data rates of 10 kb/s and 105 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.
llApplicable firmware 8
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 7

XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide llApplicable firmware
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 8
llApplicable firmware
This manual supports the following firmware:
n0x200X for XTC Hopping

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 10
Power requirements 10
Networking and security specifications 11
General specifications 11
Regulatory conformity summary 12
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 9

Technical specifications Performance specifications
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 10
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 US/Canada
915 to 928 MHz Australia
RF data rate (software selectable) 10 kb/s to 125 kb/s US/Canada
10 kb/s to 105 kb/s Australia
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
Pin sleep current 2.5 µA 2.5 µA
130 dBm typical at 3.3 V and above. Maximum transmit power will reduce at lower voltages. See PL command
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) RF Module User Guide 11
Cyclic sleep current (mA, average)
Sleep mode Cycle time RF data rate Cyclic sleep current (mA, average)
SM = 8 16 seconds BR = 0 0.58
BR = 1 0.09
SM = 7 8 seconds BR = 0 1.13
BR = 1 0.18
SM = 6 4 seconds BR = 0 2.20
BR = 1 0.36
SM = 5 2 seconds BR = 0 4.16
BR = 1 0.72
SM = 4 1 second BR = 0 7.50
BR = 1 1.40
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 Encryption is disabled by default, to enable encryption use the KY
command to set a key.
International variants use 128-bit AES and North American variants use
256-bit AES encryption.
For more details see KY command.
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)

Technical specifications Regulatory conformity summary
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 12
Specification Value
Weight 3 g
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
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

Hardware
Mechanical drawings 14
Pin signals 15
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 13

Hardware Mechanical drawings
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 14
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) RF Module User Guide 15
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) RF Module User Guide 16
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/CMD I Request-to-Send Flow Control / Binary Command Control
30 - Disabled
31 - Disabled
32 CONFIG I Configuration

Hardware Pin signals
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 17
Pin Designation I/O Function
33 - Disabled
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).

Modes
The XTC RF Module is in Receive Mode when it is not transmitting data. The device shifts into the
other modes of operation under the following conditions:
nTransmit mode (Serial data in the serial receive buffer is ready to be packetized)
nSleep mode
nCommand Mode (Command mode sequence is issued (not available when using the SPI port))
Transparent and API operating modes 19
Additional modes 19
Sleep modes 22
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 18

Modes Transparent and API operating modes
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 19
Transparent and API operating modes
The firmware operates in several different modes. Two top-level modes establish how the device
communicates with other devices through its serial interface: Transparent operating mode and API
operating mode.
Transparent operating mode
Devices operate in this mode by default. The device acts as a serial line replacement when it is in
Transparent operating mode. The device queues all UART data it receives through the DIN pin for RF
transmission. When a device receives RF data, it sends the data out through the DOUT pin. You can set
the configuration parameters using the AT Command interface.
API operating mode
API operating mode is an alternative to Transparent mode. API mode is a frame-based protocol that
allows you to direct data on a packet basis. It can be particularly useful in large networks where you
need control over the operation of the radio network or when you need to know which node a data
packet originated from. The device communicates UART data in packets, also known as API frames.
This mode allows for structured communications with serial devices. It is helpful in managing larger
networks and is more appropriate for performing tasks such as collecting data from multiple locations
or controlling multiple devices remotely.
For more information, see API frame specifications.
Additional modes
In addition to the serial communication modes, several modes apply to how to configure devices and
how devices communicate with each other.
Command mode
Command mode is a state in which the firmware interprets incoming characters as commands.
Command mode allows you to modify the device’s firmware using parameters you can set using AT
commands. When you want to read or set any setting of the device, you have to send it an AT
command. Every AT command starts with the letters "AT" followed by the two characters that identify
the command the device sends and then by some optional configuration values. For more details, see
Enter Command mode.
Binary Command mode
Binary Command mode allows you to configure a device at a faster rate than AT commands will allow.
Using binary commands to send and receive parameter values is the fastest way to change the
operating parameters of the device. Use binary commands to:
nSample signal strength and/or error counts;
nChange device addresses and channels for polling systems when a quick response is necessary.
For more details, see Enter Binary Command mode and DB command.
Idle mode
When not receiving or transmitting data, the device is in Idle mode. During Idle mode, the device
listens for valid data on the serial port.

Modes Additional modes
XBee®/XBee-PRO XTend Compatible (XTC) RF Module User Guide 20
Receive mode
If a destination node receives a valid RF packet, the destination node transfers the data to its serial
transmit buffer. For the serial interface to report receive data on the RF network, that data must
meet the following criteria:
nID match
nChannel match
nAddress match
Sleep modes
Sleep Modes enable the device to enter states of low-power consumption when not in use. The device
support three software sleep modes:
nPin Sleep: the host controls this
nSerial Port Sleep: wakes when it detects serial port activity
nCyclic Sleep: wakes when it detects RF activity
For more information, see Sleep modes.
Transmit mode
When the device receives serial data and is ready to packetize it, the device exits Idle mode and
attempts to transmit the serial data.
Enter Command mode
There are two ways to enter Command mode:
1. To get a device to switch into this mode, you must issue a unique string of text in a special way:
+++ (default). When the device sees a full second of silence in the data stream followed by the
string +++ (without Enter or Return) and another full second of silence, it knows to stop
sending data through and start accepting commands locally.
Do not press Return or Enter after typing +++ because it will interrupt the guard time silence
and prevent you from entering Command mode.
2. Assert (low) the CONFIG pin. Turn the power going to the device off and back on.
The device sends the letters OK followed by a carriage return out of the UART to indicate that it
entered Command mode.
You can customize the guard times and timeout in the device’s configuration settings. See CC
(Command Sequence Character), BT (Guard Time Before) and AT (Guard Time After).
Send AT commands
Once the device enters Command mode, use the syntax in the following figure to send AT commands.
Every AT command starts with the letters AT, which stands for "attention." The AT is followed by two
characters that indicate which command is being issued, then by some optional configuration values.
To read a parameter value stored in the device’s register, omit the parameter field.