Can't communicate with my XBee's over serial

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AlexK
 
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Can't communicate with my XBee's over serial

Post by AlexK »

I bought a few Xbee modules from Digi and some of the adapters from adafruit. They respond to +++ with 'OK' but they're silent when I issue AT commands. I'm on a Mac using the FTDI usb cable from Adafruit. The only serial program that I've been able to use to communicate with them is the Arduino IDE serial interface. ZTerm, screen both don't work.

Help?

adafruit
 
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Re: Can't communicate with my XBee's over serial

Post by adafruit »

can you try XCTU? its windows...but it does work best!

AlexK
 
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Re: Can't communicate with my XBee's over serial

Post by AlexK »

I've been reading about it and would like to try it, but I only have a Mac.

adafruit
 
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Re: Can't communicate with my XBee's over serial

Post by adafruit »

well, use the arduino IDE then...

AlexK
 
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Re: Can't communicate with my XBee's over serial

Post by AlexK »

I've been using the Arduino IDE but the only thing I can get the XBee to reply to is +++. Any AT commands don't get a reply.

AlexK
 
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Re: Can't communicate with my XBee's over serial

Post by AlexK »

Maybe the topic of this thread should have read "Can't get my Xbee to respond to anything but +++", is it possible to change it? Should I repost with a new topic?

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dude
 
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Try this OS X compatible alternative to XCTU

Post by dude »

If you get an "OK" reply from your "+++" then the baud rate is OK. It's very odd that you are not getting a reply to a subsequent "AT". What terminal program are you using?

There is a mode called "API" mode that is different from the normal AT mode, but I am surprised that it would be the issue.

I wrote a python program to access XBee parameters from Mac's under OS X. If it works, you'll at least be able to verify that the problem is not the firmware. You can try it from here http://www.dudek.org/blog/180 .

If you are stuck your best bet is probably to re-flash the firmware using the XCTU program that only runs on Windows (yes, I know you are NOT a Windows person).
Last edited by dude on Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

AlexK
 
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Re: Can't communicate with my XBee's over serial

Post by AlexK »

Thanks very much for the reply, dude.

I'm using the Arduino IDE serial monitor to issue commands to the serial port (I couldn't get any other terminal emulator to work). I think maybe the AT commands are not registering because the Arduino IDE serial monitor doesn't send a line break when you hit send.

I'm going to try tonight with your Python program, I'll let you know how I make out...

AlexK
 
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Re: Can't communicate with my XBee's over serial

Post by AlexK »

UPDATE:

I was able to communicate with the XBee using my macbook at work, still don't know what's up with the one at home.

ieeej
 
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Re: Can't communicate with my XBee's over serial

Post by ieeej »

On both of your machines... Are you using Leopard or Snow Leopard?

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