weatherbox:bumblebee:mesh_network

=== Mesh Network Set up (Many-To-One) ===

  • Configure all three remote devices
    • add all three XBees (Coordinator, relay and router)
    • update the firmware of each module
      • Function Set: DigiMesh 2.4 TH PRO
      • Firmware Version: Newest value
    • Configuring the first device (Coordinator)
      • First click the default parameter setting
      • Then change these parameters
        • ID: 7FFF
        • NI: SENDER
        • API: API enabled [1]
        • IMPORTANT: there is already an empty space in NI, so be sure to delete that before naming module
    • Configuring the second device (can be the router or relay XBee)
      • Click the default parameter to reset parameters
      • Change parameters to:
        • ID: 7FF
        • NI: Relay_1
        • API: Transparent Mode [0] ( or you can do 1, we just left it at 0)
    • Write the radio settings
    • Configure the third device exactly the same as the second device. Setting NI as Relay_2
    • Disconnect both the relay and router XBees and put them into their own power supply (we used two laptops)
      • Each module should be plugged into their own power supply by now
      • Radio modules should only contain the coordinator now
    • Using the laptop that has the coordinator, select the coordinator, and click the “discover the radio nodes in the same network
    • add all selected devices (relay and router Xbees) in the discovering remote devices

=== Testing the XBees Communications ===

  • Using the laptop containing the coordinator (API 1 XBee or SENDER):
    • Wirelessly connect to Relay_1 and Relay_2
    • Place laptop at one end of hallway
  • Using the laptop contained the router (Relay_1):
    • Open up XCTU program
    • Place laptop in between SENDER and Relay_2:
  • Using the laptop contained the second router (Relay_2):
    • Start up XCTU
    • Place laptop past Relay_1
  • After finishing the placement of the three XBees communicate from Relay_2 by creating packets
    • Relay_1 should receive the packets as ASCII values
    • SENDER should receive the packet as ASCII values and also the address of Relay_2
  • After verifying that all 3 Xbees are communicating start a range test with SENDER computer
    • In range test, select sender address and Relay_2 address
    • Increase distance as far as possible

=== Testing with PCB ===

  • Place Relay_1 XBee on PCB
  • Connect PCB to battery
  • Same configuration of XBees similar to above where starting from beginning it will be: Sender→Relay_1→Relay_2
  • Start by sending packets from Relay_2 and see if Sender is receiving packets
  • Start range test with Sender computer
  • Complete range test

References:

Authors

Contributing authors:

fsonoda lcorpuz

Created by lcorpuz on 2021/04/02 22:42.

  • weatherbox/bumblebee/mesh_network.txt
  • Last modified: 2021/09/19 21:59
  • (external edit)