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Step 4Time for some Modem Configuration
Let's start with a moment of caution. While this won't likely cause issue with your Xbee, sometimes things go wrong. If your computer doesn't complete the process and messes up during a modem configuration update, it can completely lock up your xbee. This is a rare issue, but can happen. So be careful. Close all unneeded programs. When changing settings, just focus on that. Don't mess with other stuff. It will help you to avoid mistakes, and errors.
Once you have the proper settings in PC settings, you can click over to the Modem Configuration. You will see a few different boxes of buttons. But for now lets focus on Modem Parameters, and Firmware.
To start, click Read. This should change the blank box to a list of options.
Now it's time to decide what we want to change. A common adjustment needs to be the baud rate. Say you want to use a Wii mote like I used with my Sumo Bot "Scrapper", you will need to make your baud rate faster. The wii mote works at a baud rate of 19200. So we will need to get the Xbee communicating at 19200.
If we scroll down the list of settings, we should find a Serial communication setting option. Digi has done a great job to make this simple. Click on the 9600 pull down. Pick your baud, and your set. If that is all you want to change, click the Write button that is next to the Read button we pushed earlier.
Once it writes the changes, you can go back to the PC settings tab, and Test/Query your xbee with the changes in settings. If you get the successful information pop up, your all set!
What if you what to change your channel? Why would you want to change the channel? In the case of the Robo Workshop held at SparkFun , we needed to run more than a half dozen robots all with xbees, in the same room. This is a prime example of when you should change your channel. Not to mention that sometimes a stray xbee command could send a battle bot wild. The Robo workshop brought out a competitor from Kansas that had similar command for his weapon, as I had for my Sumobot. It could have made for an interesting issue.
To change the channel, take a look down the same list that the baud was in. Find the (FILL IN THE BLANK). Click on the ID, and type in your channel of choice. Make sure to set all of your xbees to the same channel.
Once you have made your adjustments, simply click the Write button, next to the read button. It should take a moment, but if everything goes well, it should say,
Getting modem type .... OK
Modem's firmware not updated
Setting AT parameters .. OK
Write parameters.... Complete.
This pretty much covers the basics to changing the important settings on your xbee. It really is that simple.
Once you have the proper settings in PC settings, you can click over to the Modem Configuration. You will see a few different boxes of buttons. But for now lets focus on Modem Parameters, and Firmware.
To start, click Read. This should change the blank box to a list of options.
Now it's time to decide what we want to change. A common adjustment needs to be the baud rate. Say you want to use a Wii mote like I used with my Sumo Bot "Scrapper", you will need to make your baud rate faster. The wii mote works at a baud rate of 19200. So we will need to get the Xbee communicating at 19200.
If we scroll down the list of settings, we should find a Serial communication setting option. Digi has done a great job to make this simple. Click on the 9600 pull down. Pick your baud, and your set. If that is all you want to change, click the Write button that is next to the Read button we pushed earlier.
Once it writes the changes, you can go back to the PC settings tab, and Test/Query your xbee with the changes in settings. If you get the successful information pop up, your all set!
What if you what to change your channel? Why would you want to change the channel? In the case of the Robo Workshop held at SparkFun , we needed to run more than a half dozen robots all with xbees, in the same room. This is a prime example of when you should change your channel. Not to mention that sometimes a stray xbee command could send a battle bot wild. The Robo workshop brought out a competitor from Kansas that had similar command for his weapon, as I had for my Sumobot. It could have made for an interesting issue.
To change the channel, take a look down the same list that the baud was in. Find the (FILL IN THE BLANK). Click on the ID, and type in your channel of choice. Make sure to set all of your xbees to the same channel.
Once you have made your adjustments, simply click the Write button, next to the read button. It should take a moment, but if everything goes well, it should say,
Getting modem type .... OK
Modem's firmware not updated
Setting AT parameters .. OK
Write parameters.... Complete.
This pretty much covers the basics to changing the important settings on your xbee. It really is that simple.
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