Suitable XBee module

[Thomas Sprinkmeier]

I'm looking at getting XBee modules for the Pebble shield.

Is this one suitable?

http://au.farnell.com/maxstream/xb24-bcit-004/module-zigbee-xbee-znet-2-5-1mw/dp/1546391?Ntt=1546391

or one of these:

http://www.littlebirdelectronics.com/products/xbee-1mw-chip-antenna
http://www.littlebirdelectronics.com/products/xbee-2mw-series-2-5-chip-antenna

(there's a note on the second one:
"""Please Note: Series 1 and Series 2.5 XBee modules have the same
pin-out. However, Series 1 modules cannot communicate with new Series
2.5 modules."""
any thoughts on 1 vs 2.5?)

I assume the "Chip Antenna" is the one I want (i.e. one where I don't
have to buy xexternal antennas, adapters etc to make it work).


Thomas

[Trent Lloyd]

Personally I have some Series 2.5, 2mW chip antenna units.

These ones you linked to;
http://www.littlebirdelectronics.com/products/xbee-2mw-series-2-5-chip-antenna

Wire antenna would be OK too, no idea if the range is better or not.

Trent

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[Mitch Davis]

On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 12:11 PM, Thomas Sprinkmeier
<thomas.sp...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm looking at getting XBee modules for the Pebble shield.
>

> I assume the "Chip Antenna" is the one I want (i.e. one where I don't
> have to buy xexternal antennas, adapters etc to make it work).

Are the wire antenna variants ok too? Do they work any better than
the chip variants?

Mitch.

[Luke Weston]

They are all electrically compatible and have the same pinout - so you
can get any kind you want and it will work in terms of plugging it
into the board.

Other than that, there are three things to consider: (a) You choose
whatever kind of antenna you consider appropriate, and (b) you must
have the same "series" of XBee modules on either end of your XBee
communications link or it won't work. I'm not sure which series is
"better"; and (c) you can choose different levels of RF power, 1 or 2
mW for the standard devices, or the 50 mW XBee Pro for extra long
distance links.

Therefore, I strongly recommend that everybody who wants to purchase
an XBee module buy the same series device, and everyone who wants to
order a kit of components including an xbee module (i.e. LCA delegates
who want to have a hardware kit provided) be given the same series
XBee module, so that they're all the same and mesh networking
experiments are possible.

I *think* the wire antenna has slightly better range than the chip
antenna. Either your chip antenna or your wire antenna are both self-
contained, plug and play solutions - with no external antenna
required.

To be honest, I don't have much experience with XBee modules. Talk to
Andy, or Sam Sabey - they're pretty experienced with them.

[Thomas Sprinkmeier]

> Therefore, I strongly recommend that everybody who wants to purchase
> an XBee module buy the same series device, and everyone who wants to
> order a kit of components including an xbee module (i.e. LCA delegates
> who want to have a hardware kit provided) be given the same series
> XBee module, so that they're all the same and mesh networking
> experiments are possible.

OK, so quick show of hands, 1 or 2.5?


Thomas

[Trent Lloyd]

I reckon 2.5 series, 2mW, chip antenna would be a good way to go - and
reasonably cheap.

Trent

[Thomas Sprinkmeier]

>> OK, so quick show of hands, 1 or 2.5?
>
> I reckon 2.5 series, 2mW, chip antenna would be a good way to go - and
> reasonably cheap.

got my vote too, though I'm a noob at this and easily led (or so I'm told).

There's a rundown of the different versions here:

http://www.littlebirdelectronics.com/products/xbee-explorer-regulated


Thomas

[andyg (geekscape)]

hi All,

On Nov 4, 12:11 pm, Thomas Sprinkmeier <thomas.sprinkme...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Is this one suitable?
> http://au.farnell.com/maxstream/xb24-bcit-004/module-zigbee-xbee-znet...

Yes (but not from Farnell !). I recommend Series 2.5 in preference to
Series 1, because you can use newer firmware on Series 2.5.
Hopefully, all of the existing Zigbee modules will be able to be
flashed with 6LowPan firmware, when the Zigbee Alliance moves in that
direction (fairly likely in 2010). I'd anticipate that it is more
likely that the newer Zigbee modules have a greater chance of being
supported with new firmware. However, this is just speculation (with
some research behind it).

1 mW goes nearly the whole length of my home (lengthwise) and if you
have a Zigbee module acting as a router in the middle of the house, it
should all be fine. However, I would recommend 2 mW, because it
doesn't cost much more (but will consume more power for battery
operated nodes).

I've also used 50 mW and (for those who know my neighborhood) that
reaches from my home, almost to the train line (I've stood next to the
train tracks, which are elevated and received messages from my
lounge).

So, my starting point is 2 mW ... and consider 1 mW if you are power
consumption sensitive ... or 50 mW if you are range sensitive.

All of the above is just with "chip antennae" modules.

Note: The Farnell Series 2.5, 1 mW, chip antennae is AUS$59.35 and
from Sparkfun it is AUS$25.05 (or for 2 mW AUS$28.33). And, from
LittleBirdElectronics, it is AUS$36.57 for the 2 mW.

http://www.littlebirdelectronics.com/products/xbee-2mw-series-2-5-wire-antenna

... so, I wouldn't buy from Farnell !

> or one of these:
> http://www.littlebirdelectronics.com/products/xbee-1mw-chip-antennahttp://www.littlebirdelectronics.com/products/xbee-2mw-series-2-5-chi...

The LittleBirdElectronics links above are for "Series 1", which is not
the same as "Series 2.5" ... so, you aren't comparing apples-and-
apples.

I find it easier to search on SparkFun (with AUS$ prices turned
on) ... and then use the SparkFun SKU number to search on
LittleBirdElectronics to find the same thing.

> any thoughts on 1 vs 2.5?)

Series 1 works fine (SamS uses it a lot), as does Series 2.5 (I use it
a lot). Due to pin compatibility, we swap modules in-and-out of our
hardware a lot, to compare the differences. Of course, Series 1 does
not talk to Series 2.5 (as stated everywhere). I have got Series 2.5
with different power levels talking to each other with no problems.

I'm tending to do everything with Series 2.5, to take advantage of
newer firmware (and reputedly better power output and protocol).

On the various forums, for quite a while, people weren't
distinguishing whether they were using Series 1 or Series 2.5, so it
was quite confusing following the advice, especially about which
firmware to run and how to configure. Under Series 2.5 there are a
couple of different firmware options (not just Coordinator versus
Router versus End-point).

So, I assume that if someone doesn't explicitly state "Series 2.5",
that they are probably talking about "Series 1".

Similarly, if a web page offering a Zigbee module doesn't explicitly
state "Series 2.5", assume "Series 1" (of course, they may be trying
to get rid of the older hardware ... and often at a cheaper price,
which looks attractive, until you find it doesn't work with your
Series 2.5 modules).

If Zigbee modules doesn't explicitly state "Series 2" on the top of
them, then assume "Series 1" (see LittleBirdElectronics pictures in
the above links ... there is a reason they are cheaper !).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

With Zigbee Pro, the Digi / MaxStream modules are about 3 mm longer
(at the bottom) ... so be careful about the form factor of your
packaging, e.g. putting the bottom of a "non-Pro" module hard-up
against a barrier ... and then finding a Pro module won't fit !

> I assume the "Chip Antenna" is the one I want (i.e. one where I don't
> have to buy xexternal antennas, adapters etc to make it work).

For the Pebble ... Yes.

The Chip Antennae range is surprisingly good ... and if small, tight
packaging is more important than range ... then, go for it. I'd
suggest looking at using higher power, before using a bigger antennae
(unless battery life is a consideration). You can also get a "Wire
antennae" which is about 1 inch long and comes with the Zigbee module
(I assume the range is better than the Chip Antennae) ...

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8695
# Series 2.5, 2 mW, Wire antennae AUS $28.33

If range is your prime concern then, using a Zigbee module with an
RPSMA connector and paying AUS$10 for a compatible antennae is the way
to go. By that stage, you are probably thinking about going really
long distances or punching through several thick walls ... in a single
hop. You probably should consider 900 Mhz (rather than 2.4 Ghz) and
100 mW !!!

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9087
# Note: This is Series 1.

> OK, so quick show of hands, 1 or 2.5?

I suggest Series 2.5, 2 mW, Chip Antennae ... good compromise between
cost, power and range.

cheers andyg (@geekscape)