Digi XBee RS-232 Adapter User manual

XBee®Drop-in Networking Accessories
User’s Guide
XBee RS-232 Adapter
XBee RS-485 Adapter
XBee Analog I/O Adapter
XBee Digital I/O Adapter
XBee USB Adapter
XStick
XBee Wall Router
Smart Energy Range Extender
XBee Smart Plug
XBee Sensors
www.digi.com 90000891_G

©2013 Digi International Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Digi, Digi International, the Digi logo, the Digi website, Etherios, Device Cloud by
Etherios, the Etherios logo, the Etherios website, ConnectPort, Watchport, XBee, and
XBee-PRO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digi International, Inc. in the
United States and other countries worldwide.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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, either 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.
This product could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are
periodically made to the information herein; these changes may be incorporated in new
editions of the publication.

Contents 3
Chapter 1 General information .............................................................5
About this guide...............................................................................................5
Additional product information and resources.................................................6
Hardware changes between 9-30V and 3.7-6V adapter models.....................7
Powering options for adapters.........................................................................7
Antenna considerations...................................................................................8
Product compatibility and differences among XBee RF protocols...................9
Compatibility..............................................................................................9
Product support and availability by XBee RF protocol...............................9
Network association ................................................................................11
Commissioning and identity behaviors....................................................13
Power levels of XBee radios....................................................................17
Duty cycle for XBee 868 module.............................................................20
Chapter 2 XBee RS-232 Adapter.........................................................21
Chapter 3 XBee RS-485 Adapter.........................................................24
Chapter 4 XBee Analog Adapter.........................................................28
Chapter 5 XBee Digital I/O Adapter....................................................36
Chapter 6 XBee USB Adapter .............................................................44
Chapter 7 XBee Sensor Adapter.........................................................46
Chapter 8 XStick ..................................................................................50
Chapter 9 XBee Wall Router
/Smart Energy Range Extender52
Chapter 10 XBee Smart Plug ................................................................56
Chapter 11 XBee Sensors .....................................................................61
Chapter 12 Configure XBee RF module settings................................64
Configuration with a ConnectPort X gateway................................................64
Configuration without a gateway ................................................................... 69
Chapter 13 Hardware specifications....................................................70
XBee Adapters ..............................................................................................70
XStick ............................................................................................................72
XBee Wall Router / Smart Energy Range Extender...................................... 74
Integrated sensors for XBee Wall Router................................................75
XBee Smart Plug...........................................................................................76
Integrated sensors for XBee Smart Plug.................................................77
XBee Sensors................................................................................................78
Integrated sensors for XBee Sensors......................................................78
Contents

Contents 4
Sleep Current ..........................................................................................79
Chapter 14 Safety statements...............................................................80

General information
5
This section includes information that applies to all
XBee®Drop-in Networking Accessories.
About this guideThis guide describes the features and functions of all
XBee Drop-in Networking Accessories for all XBee module protocols,
including adapters, routers, sensors, and associated products.
It includes connection and setup information, pinouts, configuration, data
retrieval, and LEDs and buttons.
Software programming for XBee Drop-in Networking Accessories is
covered on product pages within the Digi Developer Community Wiki; see
next page for more information and location of these pages.
Questions and technical support
For technical assistance with your product, contact Digi Technical Support
at: 877-912-3444 or make an online support request at:
http://www.digi.com/support/index.jsp
Chapter 1 General information

General information
6
Additional product information and resources
Product data sheets, user’s guides, and product manuals
Locate more information, including datasheets, XBee product manuals,
ConnectPort X gateway product information, etc. on these pages:
http://www.digi.com/products/wirelessdropinnetworking/
www.digi.com/din/docs
Software development resources
Digi provides several resources to help you get started developing software
solutions in Python:
Digi Developer Community Wiki
The Digi Developer Community Wiki is a place to learn about developing
solutions using Digi's communications portfolio, software and services,
including Python, Device Cloud by Etherios™, Etherios DIA, and more.
http://www.digi.com/wiki/developer/index.php/Main_Page
Each product’s chapter shows the link to the Wiki page for programming
the product. For an index page for all XBee Drop-in Networking
Accessories, go to:
http://www.digi.com/wiki/developer/index.php/Category:Drop-
in_Networking_Products
Digi Python Custom Development Environment page
Python is a dynamic, object-oriented language for developing software
applications, from simple programs to complex embedded applications.
Python functions can be used to obtain data from attached and integrated
sensors on XBee Drop-in Networking Accessories. Find this page at:
http://www.digi.com/technology/drop-in-networking/python.jsp
Digi Python Programming Guide
This guide introduces the Python programming language by showing how
to create and run a simple Python program. It reviews Python modules,
particularly modules with Digi-specific behavior. It describes how to load
and run Python programs onto Digi devices, either through the command-
line or web user interfaces, and how to run several sample Python
programs. Find this guide at the Digi Python Wiki page--in the Start Here
section, click the link titled Digi Python Programmer's Guide
http://www.digi.com/wiki/developer/index.php/Python_Wiki
Python Support Forum on digi.com
Find answers to common questions and exchange ideas and examples
with other members of the Digi Python development community at:
http://www.digi.com/support/forum/forum.jspa?forumID=104

General information
7
Hardware changes between 9-30V and 3.7-6V adapter models
XBee Adapters have undergone some hardware changes since first being
launched. Most of the these changes are minor and will have no impact on
your application. However, one important difference relates to supply
voltage.
Originally, XBee Adapters were designed to accept 9-30VDC. In an effort to
improve battery performance, this voltage range has been changed to
3.7-6 VDC.
Power supplies used on 9-30VDC XBee Adapters will not work with
3.7-6VDC XBee Adapters, and vice versa. Your XBee Adapter’s proper
voltage is printed next to its power port.
Plugging in a power supply with the incorrect voltage will damage your
device and void your warranty.
Several other changes have been implemented in the 3.7-6VDC
XBee Adapter models, including an improved screw-lock connector for
XBee RS-485, XBee Digital I/O, and XBee Analog I/O Adapters, and
external antennas for XBee-PRO Adapters. Contact Technical Support for
more details.
Powering options for adapters
Some Drop-in Networking Accessories; including the XBee Sensor, XBee
Smart Plug and XBee Wall Router all have necessary powering options
included.
XBee Adapter products can be powered by an external power supply or
batteries, purchased separately. To determine how to power your XBee
Adapter, please refer to the specification printed on the side of the
enclosure, close to the power port:
For additional information, see "Power requirements" on page 70.
Specification Power Options
3.7 to 6 VDC Power supply: must be rated 3.7 to 6 VDC.
Digi part number for 5V power supply: XA-ACC-PS5-NR
Battery: uses custom lithium battery pack; Digi part number: XA-ACC-CS-L
Battery amp hours: 1650 mAH. Replacement batteries available for purchase; contact
Digi at 952-912-3444.
9 to 30 VDC Power supply: must be rated 9 to 30 VDC.;
Digi part number for 9V power supply: XA-ACC-PS
Battery: uses quantity 3 of 1.5V “N-Cell” alkaline batteries
(input power is automatically down-converted).
Can use standard, off-the-shelf, batteries, or Digi part number: XA-ACC-BATT
To install batteries, insert a screwdriver in the slots in the side of the adapter case and
twist to snap off the cover. Insert the batteries following the polarity diagram on the
board.

General information
8
Warranty exception for batteries
Some XBee Drop-in Networking Accessories ship with alkaline batteries
that must be replaced by the user when discharged.
Lithium batteries must be installed or replaced by qualified service
personnel.
Alkaline and lithium batteries are not covered under the terms and
conditions of the Digi warranty.
Antenna considerations
Products with external antennas should be mounted with the antenna
oriented vertically to maximize the range.
Products with external antennas use RPSMA antenna connectors.
Products without external antennas can be mounted in any orientation.

General information
9
Product compatibility and differences among XBee RF protocols
XBee Drop-in Networking Accessories contain an XBee or XBee-PRO
module, an RF module that performs the wireless communications for your
product. Certain RF module behaviors vary by XBee RF protocol. This
section describes those differences and how they affect product operation.
Compatibility Drop-in Networking Accessories that use a particular XBee RF protocol are
compatible with other products of the same XBee RF protocol only. XBee
ZB products will only work with other XBee ZB products, XBee 802.15.4
products with other XBee 802.15.4 products, and so on. This applies to
gateways as well: ConnectPort X gateway products with an XBee ZB
module are compatible with other such gateways, 802.15.4 gateways with
other such gateways, and so on. Users must standardize on one XBee RF
protocol series for operability.
Product support and availability by XBee RF protocol
Product availability varies by XBee RF protocol. The table shows the XBee
Drop-in Networking Accessories available for each XBee platform.
XBee-PRO 868 availability
XBee-PRO 868 adapters are available for use in Europe only. Please see
the XBee-PRO 868 OEM RF Modules Product Manual from more
information.
Product / Protocol XBee
ZB XBee
ZNet2.5aXBee
802.15.4
XBee
Smart
Energy
XBee
868
XBee
DigiMesh
900
XBee
DigiMesh
2.4
XBee RS-232 Adapter   
XBee RS-485 Adapter   
XBee Analog Adapter   
XBee Digital I/O Adapter   
XBee USB Adapter 

XStick 
XBee Wall Router 
XBee Smart Energy
Range Extender 
XBee Smart Plug 
XBee Sensors 
a. New customer deployments should not use the ZNet 2.5 protocol. Instead, use the ZigBee-certified ZB protocol.
ZNet, an older protocol based on a “Designed for ZigBee” stack, should only be used where required for
compatibility with previously deployed ZNet 2.5 products.

General information
10
Firmware Updates The following table illustrates firmware update options by adapter type.
ZB Adapters allow OTA (Over The Air) firmware updates. The firmware for
other adapter types must be updated locally.
Idle Current and Sleep Current - XBee and XBee-PRO
The following tables list the average expected idle and sleep currents for
XBee adapters, based on type and network protocol. The first table shows
XBee current values, the second table shows XBee-PRO current values.
Adapter Firmware Update?
USB Adapter Allowed
XStick Allowed
RS-232 Adapter Allowed
RS-485 Adapter Not Allowed
Analog Adapter Not Allowed
Digital I/O Adapter Not Allowed
XBee Wall Router Allowed with programming cable
XBee Smart Energy
Range Extender Allowed with programming cable
XBee Smart Plug Allowed with programming cable
Product / Protocol XBee
ZB XBee 802.15.4
XBee
Smart
Energy
XBee
868
XBee
DigiMesh
900
XBee
DigiMesh
2.4
XBee RS-232 Adapter 72mA idle
230μA sleep
XBee RS-485 Adapter 56mA idle
76μA sleep
XBee Analog Adapter
XBee Digital I/O Adapter 61mA idle
81μA sleep
XBee USB Adapter
XStick
XBee Wall Router
XBee Smart Energy
Range Extender
XBee Smart Plug
XBee Sensors

General information
11
Network association
The Assc LED indicates the network association status for an
XBee Drop-in Networking Accessory in an XBee network.
XBee ZB / XBee ZNet 2.5
Products used in networks that use a coordinator for network association,
the Assoc LED indicates network association status as follows:
XBee SE Products used in Smart Energy networks, the Assoc LED indicates network
association status as follows:
Smart Energy Range Extender
The Smart Energy Range Extender’s Assoc LED indicates its join status;
once joined, it also indicates the status of its connection to the network’s
Coordinator.
Product / Protocol XBee-PRO
ZB XBee-PRO 802.15.4
XBee-PRO
Smart
Energy
XBee-PRO
868
XBee-PRO
DigiMesh
900
XBee-PRO
DigiMesh
2.4
XBee-PRO RS-232 Adapter 74mA idle
68μA sleep 75mA idle 287μA sleep
XBee-PRO RS-485 Adapter 69mA idle
78μA sleep 58mA idle 140μA sleep
XBee-PRO Analog Adapter
XBee-PRO Digital I/O
Adapter 57mA idle
108μA sleep 57mA idle 108μA sleep
XBee-PRO USB Adapter
XStick
XBee-PRO Wall Router
XBee-PRO Smart Energy
Range Extender
XBee-PRO Smart Plug
XBee-PRO Sensors
LED status Network association
On, solid green Not associated
On, blinking green Successfully joined
LED status Network association
On, solid green Successfully joined
On, blinking green Not joined, joining, or joined
but connection invalid

General information
12
XBee 802.15.4 / XBee 868
Products used in networks that do not use a coordinator for network
association are not set up to associate, but are configured with a default
PAN ID and destination address. To maintain LED consistency, on
power-up, these products immediately indicate association by blinking.
For more information regarding association options, see the product
manual for the XBee module in your product.
XBee DigiMesh 900 / XBee DigiMesh2.4
Products that have been configured in a synchronous sleep-compatible
mode use the Assc LED to indicate the status of the nodes synchronization
with the sleeping network. Products that are not configured for sleep use
the Assc LED to indicate that they are operating properly.
LED status Network association
On, solid green Joined, connection to
Coordinator is working
On, 3 sec blink Not joined, AI register
indicates why
On, 1 sec blink Trying to join
On, 1/4 sec blink Joined, but connection to
Coordinator is not working
Synchronous
Sleep
compatible? LED Status Meaning
No On, blinking green Product is powered and operating properly.
Yes On, solid green Product has not synchronized with the network or has
lost synchronization with the network.
Yes On, slow blinking green
(500 mSec blink time) Product is acting as the network sleep coordinator and is operating properly.
Yes On, fast blinking green
(250 mSec blink time) Product is properly synchronized with the network.

General information
13
Commissioning and identity behaviors
The Ident button, or, on some products, a combined Reset/Ident button,
performs multiple functions to identify and configure the product in an XBee
network. The location of this button is shown in each product’s chapter.
Button presses and actions for each XBee RF protocol vary as shown in
the following tables. These descriptions introduce XBee module concepts
and commands. For additional information on these concepts and
commands, see the product manual for your XBee module.
Consecutive button presses must occur within 800 milliseconds of each
other to perform the desired action.
Note: For more detailed descriptions and configuration information, see theCB
section in the relevant XBee/XBee-PRO OEM Product manual.
XBee SE
Button
press Network association Action
1 Associated If XBee module is asleep, wakes unit for 30 seconds.
Unassociated Start join process. Module will attempt to join a network three times before giving
up. AI reading will indicate either joining success (0x00) or reason for failure
(nonzero value). See AI command description for more detail.
2 Associated Broadcast a permit join message to the coordinator and all routers in the
network. Permit join persists on a module for NJ time. See NJ command
description for more detail.
Unassociated No action.
4 Associated Broadcasts a Leave notification to the network, then leaves the network.
Restores module to EEPROM configuration values, except for the XBee Smart
Energy Wall Router, which does not restore values.
Unassociated Restores module to EEPROM configuration values, except for the XBee Smart
Energy Wall Router, which does not restore values.

General information
14
XBee ZB / XBee ZNet 2.5
Button
press Network association Action
1 Associated If XBee module is asleep, wakes unit for 30 seconds. Sends a Node Identification
broadcast transmission. All devices that receive this transmission will blink their
Associate LED rapidly for 1 second. All API devices that receive this
transmission will send a Node Identification frame out their UART (universal
asynchronous receiver/transmitter) (API ID 0x95).
Unassociated If XBee module is asleep, wakes unit for 30 seconds, then blinks the AI code, a
numeric error code on the Assc LED indicating the cause of join failure.
1 blink: Scan found no networks (PANs) to join.
2 blinks: Scan found no valid PANs based on current settings for
SC (Scan Channel) and ID (PAN ID).
3 blinks: Valid coordinator or routers were found, but they are not allowing
joining, because the permit join or NJ command expired.
7 blinks: Network joining attempt failed.
10 blinks: Coordinator Start attempt failed.
2 Associated Depends on the setting for the permit join (NJ) command for the XBee module.
If the XBee module’s NJ command setting is less than 255, two button presses
temporarily enable joining on the XBee module and on the entire XBee network
for 1 minute.
If joining is permanently enabled on a module (NJ = 255), joining remains
permanently enabled, and two button presses have no effect.
4 Associated/
Unassociated XBee module leaves PAN, if associated, and issues a factory reset to restore default parameters in the XBee module.
For XBee ZNet 2.5, the default PAN ID is 0x234.
For XBee ZB, the default PAN ID is 0 (join any network).
4,
followed
by reset
Associated/
Unassociated XBee module restores to EEPROM values

General information
15
XBee 802.15.4
Button
press Network association Action
1 Associated Cannot wake module, but causes module to remain awake for 30 seconds if
pressed when the module is awake.
Sends a Node Identification broadcast transmission. All devices that receive this
transmission will blink their Associate LED rapidly for 1 second.
Unassociated Blinks a numeric error code returned by the ATAI (Association Indication)
command on the Assc LED. The AI code indicates the cause of the join failure.
See the 802.15.4 XBee module’s Product Manual for descriptions of these
codes.
1 blink: Active scan timeout.
2 blinks: Active scan found no PANs.
3 blinks: Active scan found PAN, but the Coordinator Allow Association bit is not
set.
4 blinks: Active scan found a PAN, but Coordinator and End Device are not
configured to support beacons.
5 blinks: Active scan found a PAN, but Coordinator ID (PAN ID) value does not
match the ID of the End Device.
6 blinks: Active Scan found a PAN, but Coordinator CH (Channel) value does
not match the CH of the End Device.
7 blinks: Energy scan timeout.
8 blinks: Coordinator start request failed.
9 blinks: Coordinator could not start due to invalid parameters.
10 blinks: Coordinator Realignment is in progress.
11 blinks: Association request not sent.
12 blinks: Association request timed out - no reply was received.
13 blinks: Association request had an invalid parameter.
14 blinks: Association request channel access failure - Request was not
transmitted - CCA failure.
15 blinks: Remote Coordinator did not send an ACK after Association Request
was sent.
16 blinks: Remote Coordinator did not reply to the Association Request, but an
ACK was received after sending the request.
17 blinks: [reserved].
18 blinks: Sync-Loss - Lost synchronization with a beaconing coordinator.
19 blinks: Disassociated - No longer associated to coordinator.
2 Associated Not supported.
4 Associated/
Unassociated Performs an ATRE command to reset the parameters in the XBee module.
4,
followed
by reset
Associated/
Unassociated XBee module restores to EEPROM values

General information
16
XBee DigiMesh 900 / XBee DigiMesh2.4
Waking DigiMesh 2.4 XBee modules
When attempting to wake an XBee DigiMesh2.4 module from sleep, it is
necessary to hold down the commissioning button for up to 2 seconds
before the module will wake up.
XBee 868
Button
press
Sleep
Configuration
and Synch
Status
Action
1 Not configured for
sleep Immediately sends a Node Identification broadcast transmission. All devices that receive this transmission will blink their Associate LED
rapidly for 1 second. All API devices that receive this transmission
will send a Node Identification frame out their UART (API ID 0x95)
1 Configured for sleep Wakes the module for 30 seconds, or until the entire network goes
to sleep. Queues a Node Identification broadcast transmission to be
sent at the beginning of the next network wake cycle. All devices
that receive this transmission will blink their Associate LED rapidly
for 1 second. All API devices that receive this transmission will send
a Node Identification frame out their UART (API ID 0x95).
2 Not configured for
sleep Not supported.
2 Configured for sleep Causes a node which is configured with sleeping router nomination
enabled to immediately nominate itself as the network sleep
coordinator. For more information on this action, see the description
of the ATSO sleep options command in the XBee module’s Product
Manual.
4 Either Issues an ATRE command to restore module parameters to default
values.
4, followed
by reset Either XBee module restores to EEPROM values
Button
Press Action
1 Immediately sends a Node Identification broadcast transmission. All
devices that receive this transmission will blink their Associate LED
rapidly for 1 second. All API devices that receive this transmission will
send a Node Identification frame out their UART (API ID 0x95).
2 Not supported.
4 Issues an ATRE command to restore module parameters to default
values.
4,
followed
by reset
XBee module restores to EEPROM values.

General information
17
Power levels of XBee radios
The transmit power level (PL setting) varies among XBee RF protocols.
XBee ZB / XBee ZNet 2.5
XBee module
XBee-PRO module
XBee-PRO ZB and ZNet 2.5 modules have a fixed power level that cannot
be changed.
XBee-PRO modules for RS-485 and RS-232 adapters have the following
transmit power level (PL setting):
Power Level Conducted
power in dBm
Lowest (0) -8 dBm
Low (1) -4 dBm
Medium (2) -2dBm
High (3) 0 dBm
Maximum (4) +2dBm
Product variant Fixedconducted
power in dBm
North American +17 dBm
International +10 dBm
Setting Transmit power
in dBm
Lowest (0) +9 dBm
Low (1) +12 dBm
Medium (2) +14 dBm
High (3) +16 dBm
Maximum (4) 18 dBm

General information
18
XBee 802.15.4
XBee module
XBee-PRO module
XBee DigiMesh 900 Output power is always: 17 dBm.
XBee 868
Power Level Conducted
Power in dBm
Lowest (0) -10 dBm
Low (1) -6 dBm
Medium (2) -4 dBm
High (3) -2 dBm
Maximum (4) 0 dBm
Power Level North American
variant International variant
Lowest (0) +10 dBm -3 dBm
Low (1) +12 dBm -3 dBm
Medium (2) +14 dBm +2 dBm
High (3) +16 dBm +8 dBm
Maximum (4) +18 dBm +10 dBm
Power Level Conducted
Power in dBm
Lowest (0) 0 dBm
Low (1) +13.7 dBm
Medium (2) +20 dBma
a. These products are currently set to not
exceed this power setting:
XBee RS-232 Adapter,
XBee RS-485 Adapter,
XBee Analog I/O Adapter,
XBee Digital I/O Adapter.
High (3) +22 dBmb
b. XBee USB Adapter is currently set to
not exceed this power setting.
Maximum (4) +25 dBm

General information
19
XBee DigiMesh 2.4
XBee module
XBee-PRO module
Power Level Conducted
Power in dBm
Lowest (0) -7 dBm
Low (1) -1.7 dBm
Medium (2) -0.77 dBm
High (3) +0.62 dBm
Maximum (4) +1.42 dBm
Power Level North American
variant International variant
Lowest (0) +10 dBm -3 dBm
Low (1) +12 dBm -3 dBm
Medium (2) +14 dBm +2 dBm
High (3) +16 dBm +8 dBm
Maximum (4) +18 dBm +10 dBm

General information
20
Duty cycle for XBee 868 module
The XBee 868 module has constraints regarding the amount of data it can
transmit during a given time period. The duty cycle of this module is 10%
averaged over the period of 1 hour. This means that if the next
transmission will push the running average duty cycle over the 10% limit,
the module will not transmit until enough time has elapsed to stay under the
duty cycle. Because of heat restraints of the module, a 10% duty cycle over
the period of 1 second will be enforced after the measured temperature of
the module rises above 60°C.