Digi Digi XBee SX User manual

XBee Radio Frequency (RF) Modems
XBee-PRO SX RF Modem
User Guide

Revision history— 90001577
Revision Date Description
A August 2016 Baseline release of the document.
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XBee RF Modems User Guide 2

Contents
XBee RF Modems User Guide
Applicable firmware and hardware 5
Regulatory approvals 5
General XBee RFModem specifications 5
Power requirements 5
Communication interface specifications 6
Physical properties 7
XBee-PRO SX RF Modem specifications 7
Networking specifications 7
Performance specifications 8
Hardware
Front view (RS-232/RS-485 variant) 10
Power connector 10
RS-232/RS-485 serial port 10
RJ-45 pin signals 11
Front view (Analog/Digital I/O variant) 12
Analog and Digital I/O ports 12
Power connector 12
Phoenix 10-pin connector signals 12
Back view (all variants) 13
RSSI LEDs 14
I/O and associate LEDs 14
USB Mini-B port 14
DIP switch 14
Reset and Commissioning buttons 14
Antenna Port 14
Getting started with the XBee RF Modem
Kit requirements 16
System requirements 16
Additional requirements 16
Identify the kit contents 16
Connect to the USB port 16
Connect to the RS-232 port 17
Configure the device using XCTU 18
Discover local XBee RF Modems 18
Configure a network 21
XBee RF Modems User Guide 3

XBee RF Modems User Guide 4
Operation
Commissioning Pushbutton behavior 24
XBee-PRO SX RF Modem 24
Interfacing protocols 24
RS-232 operation 25
RS-485 (2-wire) half-duplex operation 26
RS-485 (4-wire) full-duplex operation 27
RS-485 connection guidelines 27
Analog input single-ended voltage operation 28
Analog input current loop operation 28
Analog input differential voltage operation 28
Digital input operation 29
Digital sinking driver output operation 29
Configure analog and digital modes 29
Analog and digital I/O sampling 31
Certifications
FCC (United States) 34
FCC Part 15 Class B 34
Labeling requirements (FCC 15.19) 34
Modifications (FCC 15.21) 34
XBee RF Modem approved antennas (30 dBm maximum RF power) 35
Industry Canada (IC) 40
RF Exposure 40
ACMA (Australia) 40
Power requirements 40
Troubleshooting
Reset the XBee RF Modem 42

XBee RF Modems User Guide
The XBee RF Modem is an enclosed, compact solution that includes an XBee RF Module and supports
communication with systems using RS-232, RS-485, USB, analog input, and digital I/O interfaces. The
modem's on-board XBee RF module transmits and receives data from other devices on the same
wireless network, allowing you to easily make your existing wired systems wireless.
This user guide does not provide a comprehensive description of the XBee modules—it only covers the
interfaces and instructions of the XBee RF Modem. For an extensive guide on use of the XBee RF
Module being used on your modem, see the appropriate user guide listed below:
nXBee-PRO SX Module: XBee/XBee-PRO SX RF Module User Guide
Applicable firmware and hardware
This manual supports the firmware for the following modems:
nXBee-PRO SX RF Modem: 0x900X
It supports the following hardware:
nXBee RS-232/RS-485 RF Modem
nXBee Analog/Digital I/O RF Modem
Regulatory approvals
The following table provides the device's regulatory approvals. See Certifications for important
information.
Country Modem Approval
United States XBee-PRO SX RF Modem Contains FCC ID: MCQ-XBPSX
Canada XBee-PRO SX RF Modem Contains IC: 1846A-XBPSX
Australia XBee-PRO SX RF Modem RCM
General XBee RFModem specifications
Power requirements
The following table provides the device's power requirements.
XBee RF Modems User Guide 5

XBee RF Modems User Guide General XBee RFModem specifications
XBee RF Modems User Guide 6
Specification Condition Value
Supply voltage range 7-30 VDC
Typical supply voltage 12 V
Receive current VCC = 12 V 20 mA
Transmit current VCC = 12 V 300 mA
Sleep current VCC = 12 V 5 mA
Communication interface specifications
The following table provides the device's communication interface specifications.
Specification Condition Value
USB interface baud rate (software selectable) 1200 - 921600 b/s
RS-232 interface baud rate (software selectable) 1200 - 230400 b/s
RS-485 interface baud rate (software selectable) 1200 - 921600 b/s
Analog inputs
Absolute voltage rating (each pin) Maximum: 11 V
Minimum: -0.5 V
Operating input range (observe the absolute voltage
ratings shown above)
Single-ended
voltage mode
0 - 10 VDC
Current loop mode 4 - 20 mA
Differential
voltage mode
± 4 VDC
Input impedance Single-ended
voltage mode
13300 Ω
Current loop mode 120 Ω
Differential
voltage mode
~1 MΩ
Resolution 10 bits
Accuracy Temperature =
25°C
0.5%
Digital inputs
Input type Non-inverting Schmitt
trigger gate
Positive-going switching threshold 2.5 V
Negative-going switching threshold 1 V

XBee RF Modems User Guide XBee-PRO SX RF Modem specifications
XBee RF Modems User Guide 7
Specification Condition Value
Absolute voltage rating (each pin) Maximum: 31 V
Minimum: -0.5 V
Input impedance ~1 MΩ
Digital outputs
Output type Open collector sinking
driver
Maximum sink current 200 mA
Maximum supply voltage for external pull-up resistor 31 V
Resistor pull-ups (switch selectable) 10 kΩ pulled up to 3.3
VDC
Physical properties
The following table provides the device's physical properties.
Specification Value
Size 4.500" x 2.750" x 1.125" (11.4 cm x 7.0 cm x 2.9 cm)
Weight TBD
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Compliant
Data connection Female RJ-45, 10-pin screw terminal, USB Mini-B
Antenna impedance 50 Ω unbalanced
Maximum input RF level at antenna port 6 dBm
Operating temperature -40°C -85°C (industrial)
XBee-PRO SX RF Modem specifications
Networking specifications
The following table provides the XBee-PRO SX RF Modem's networking and security specifications.
Specification Value
Modulation Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK)
Spreading
technology
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)

XBee RF Modems User Guide XBee-PRO SX RF Modem specifications
XBee RF Modems User Guide 8
Specification Value
Supported network
topologies (software
selectable)
Peer-to-peer (master/slave relationship not required), point-to-point/point-
to-multipoint, mesh
Encryption Optional 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) cipher block chaining
(CBC) Encryption. Use the EE command to enable encryption. Use the KY
command to set the encryption key.
Performance specifications
The following table provides the performance specifications for the XBee-PRO SX RF Modem.
Specification Condition Value
Frequency range ISM 902 to 928 MHz
RF data rate (Software selectable) Low data rate 10 kb/s
Middle data rate 110 kb/s
High data rate 250 kb/s
Transmit power (software selectable) Up to 30 dBm
Rural range line of sight Low data rate Up to 105 km (65 mi)1
Urban range line of sight Low data rate Up to 18 km (11 mi)2
Receiver sensitivity Low data rate -113 dBm
Middle data rate -106 dBm
High data rate -103 dBm
Receiver IF selectivity Low data rate ± 250 kHz 40 dB
Low data rate ± 500 kHz 50 dB
Middle data rate ± 250 kHz 30 dB
Middle data rate ± 500 kHz 40 dB
High data rate ± 500 kHz 30 dB
High data rate ± 1000 kHz 45 dB
Receiver RF selectivity Below 900 MHz and above 930 MHz > 50 dB
1We estimate rural ranges based on a 14.5 km (9 mi) range test with dipole antennas.
2Range estimated assuming the urban noise floor is approximately 15 dB higher than rural. The actual range
depends on the setup and level of interference in your location.

Hardware
Front view (RS-232/RS-485 variant) 10
Front view (Analog/Digital I/O variant) 12
Back view (all variants) 13
XBee RF Modems User Guide 9

Hardware Front view (RS-232/RS-485 variant)
XBee RF Modems User Guide 10
Front view (RS-232/RS-485 variant)
Number Function
1 RS-232/RS-485 serial port
2 Power connector
Power connector
7 - 30 VDC power connector
RS-232/RS-485 serial port
CAUTION! The RJ-45 port is only for RS-232/RS-485 connections. If you plug in any
Power over Ethernet (PoE) connection, it will damage the port.
Female RJ-45

Hardware Front view (RS-232/RS-485 variant) XBee RF Modems User Guide 11
RJ-45 pin signals
The following table describes the pin signals of the RJ-45 connector. Low-asserted signals are distinguished with a horizontal line over the signal name.
For more information on how to use the RS-232 and/or RS-485 functions on the modem, see Interfacing protocols.
Pin
RS-232
name RS-232 description
RS-485 2 wire
name RS-485 2 wire description
RS-485 4 wire
name RS-485 4 wire description
1 RXD Received data
Serial data exiting the RF
modem
Data- Negative data line
Serial data to and from the RF
modem
TX- Transmit negative data line
Serial data sent from the RF
modem
2CTS Clear-to-Send flow control Data+ Positive data line
Serial data to and from the RF
modem
TX+ Transmit positive data line
Serial data sent from the RF
modem
3 TXD Transmitted data
Serial data entering into the RF
modem
Not used RX+ Receive positive data line
Serial data received by the RF
modem
4 GND
5 GND
6RTS Request-to-Send flow control Not used RX- Receive negative data line
Serial data received by the RF
modem
7 DSR/DCD Data-Set-Ready/Data-Carrier-
Detect
Not used
8DTR Data-Terminal-Ready Not used

Hardware Front view (Analog/Digital I/O variant)
XBee RF Modems User Guide 12
Front view (Analog/Digital I/O variant)
Number Function
1 Analog and digital I/O ports
2 Power connector
Analog and Digital I/O ports
Phoenix 10-pin connector.
Power connector
7-30 VDC power connector.
Phoenix 10-pin connector signals
The following table describes the pin signals of the Phoenix 10-pin connector.
For more information on how to use the Analog and/or Digital functions on the modem, see
Interfacing protocols.
Note We recommend disconnecting the analog and digital lines when the modem is not powered.

Hardware Back view (all variants)
XBee RF Modems User Guide 13
Pin Name Function
1 Analog input 1 Single-ended voltage input
Current loop input
Differential voltage pair 1 positive terminal
2 Analog input 2 Single-ended voltage input
Current loop input
Differential voltage pair 1 negative terminal
3 Analog input 3 Single-ended voltage input
Current loop input
Differential voltage pair 2 positive terminal
4 Analog input 4 Single-ended voltage input
Current loop input
Differential voltage pair 2 negative terminal
5 Digital I/O 1 Digital input
Sinking driver output
6 Digital I/O 2 Digital input
Sinking driver output
7 Digital I/O 3 Digital input
Sinking driver output
8 Digital I/O 4 Digital input
Sinking driver output
9 GND
10 12 VDC out +12 VDC 50 mA max power out
Back view (all variants)

Hardware Back view (all variants)
XBee RF Modems User Guide 14
RSSI LEDs
RSSI LEDs indicate the amount of fade margin present in an active wireless link. Fade margin is the
difference between the incoming signal strength and the modem's receiver sensitivity.
3 LEDs ON = Very Strong Signal (> 30 dB fade margin)
2 LEDs ON = Strong Signal (> 20 dB fade margin)
1 LED ON = Moderate Signal (> 10 dB fade margin)
0 LEDs ON = Weak Signal (< 10 dB fade margin)
I/O and associate LEDs
LEDs indicate RF modem activity as follows:
Top LED (Yellow) = Serial Data Out
Middle LED (Green) = Serial Data In
Bottom LED (Red) = Associate Indicator (blinks when associated)
USB Mini-B port
The USB Mini-B is to serve as a configuration port. Note that when the USB is plugged in, all RS-232
and RS-485 communications on the RS-232/RS-485 variant are disabled.
DIP switch
For the RS-232/RS-485 variant, these switches control the 120 Ω termination for the receiving
differential pairs in the RS-485 mode. If the switch is in the up position, the RX termination is enabled.
Switch 1 is for 2-wire termination and Switch 2 is for 4-wire termination. Do not enable these switches
in RS-232 mode.
For the Analog/Digital I/O variant, these switches control pull-up outputs on pins 5 and 6 of the 10-pin
header. When the switch is in the up position, a 10 kΩ pull-up to 3.3 V is enabled.
If any other voltage besides 3.3V is desired, an external pull-up is required. Do not enable these
switches when digital inputs are desired.
Reset and Commissioning buttons
The top button is the Reset Button. The reset button resets, or re-boots the XBee RF Modem.
The bottom button is the commissioning push button. It provides a variety of simple functions to aid in
deploying devices in a network. See Commissioning Pushbutton behavior for information on how to
use this.
Antenna Port
The antenna port is a 50 Ω RF signal connector for connecting to an external antenna. The connector
type is RPSMA (Reverse Polarity SMA) female. The connector has threads on the outside of a barrel
and a male center conductor.

Getting started with the XBee RF Modem
Kit requirements 16
Identify the kit contents 16
Connect to the USB port 16
Connect to the RS-232 port 17
Configure the device using XCTU 18
Configure a network 21
XBee RF Modems User Guide 15

Getting started with the XBee RF Modem Kit requirements
XBee RF Modems User Guide 16
Kit requirements
System requirements
The software mentioned in this guide is compatible with the following operating systems:
nWindows Vista or higher (32-bit or 64-bit versions)
nMac OS X v10.6 and higher versions (64-bit version only)
nLinux with KDE or GNOME window managers (32-bit or 64-bit versions)
Additional requirements
This guide assumes the use of at least two XBee RF Modems. It also assumes that you ordered two
accessories kits along with the modems.
Identify the kit contents
If you ordered the accessories kit, it should include the following:
Mini USB cable
Power supply
RPSMA antenna
DB9 to RJ45 adapter
RJ45 cable
This guide describes connecting and interacting with the USB and the RS-232 ports on the XBee RF
Modem. If you want to connect to the RS-485 protocol, see Interfacing protocols.
Connect to the USB port
In order to properly connect the modem for this guide:

Getting started with the XBee RF Modem Connect to the RS-232 port
XBee RF Modems User Guide 17
1. Connect the antenna to the RPSMA connector on the XBee RF Modem.
2. Plug the 12 V power supply into the power jack.
3. Connect the mini USB cable from a PC to the USB port on the RF Modem.
Connect to the RS-232 port
In order to properly connect the modem for this guide:
1. Connect the antenna to the RPSMA connector on the XBee RF Modem.
2. Plug the 12 V power supply into the power jack.
3. Connect the DB9 to RJ45 adapter to the serial port on your PC.
4. Connect the RJ45 cable from the adapter to the RJ45 port on the RF Modem.

Getting started with the XBee RF Modem Configure the device using XCTU
XBee RF Modems User Guide 18
Configure the device using XCTU
XBee Configuration and Test Utility (XCTU) is a multi-platform program that enables users to interact
with Digi radio frequency (RF) devices through a graphical interface. The application includes built-in
tools that make it easy to set up, configure, and test Digi RF devices.
For full support of the XBee RF Modem, you must use XCTU version 6.3.0 or higher.
For instructions on downloading and using XCTU, see the XCTU User Guide.
Discover local XBee RF Modems
XCTU can discover radio modules that are connected directly to your computer. You can use the
discovery tool if you do not know the serial configuration of your XBee RF Modem, do not know the
port it is connected to, or want to add multiple modules at once.
1. Click the Discover radio modules button on the XCTUtoolbar. The Discover radio
modules dialog box opens.

Getting started with the XBee RF Modem Configure the device using XCTU
XBee RF Modems User Guide 19
2. Select the serial ports you would like to scan for radio modules. Click Next.

Getting started with the XBee RF Modem Configure the device using XCTU
XBee RF Modems User Guide 20
3. Select any port parameters you would like to include in the search process.
Note XCTU displays estimated discovery time in the Set port parameters dialog. Adding more
port parameters to the search increases discovery time.
Note If you want to use flow control, you must configure it at this point.