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If you´re searching for an RF communication module with a long range, you´re on the right address. More precisely said – 40 km at line-of-sight outdoor, or 550m indoor.
XBee technology enables to transfer data from various sources, mainly in industry – for example data from various sensors, controlling of technology and similar. XBee-PRO 868 from DIGI International (Maxstream) uses SRD G3 868 MHz band (869,525 MHz) and has a software selectable output power in the 1 – 315mW range.
Relatively high maximum output power provides to the module a very long range. This enables to use it in applications with long distances between particular points. XBee_PRO can be connected to your application via a standard 3.3V CMOS UART with 1.2 to 230.4 Kbps data rate. Various XBee modules from Digi International feature common footprint, that´s why they´re mutually exchangeable this adaptable to your application requirements. XBee-PRO 868 features 128 bit AES encryption and a 64 bitovou adress (network ID). They are usable for Point-to-Multipoint/Star or also Peer-to-peer topologies. An advantage is also an easy use – no further configuration is necessary.
Available are multiple versions, type XBP08-DPSIT-024 has an RPSMA connector. Thanks to it, the module can be connected to various antennas.
Detailed information will provide you the XBP08-DPSIT-024 datasheet, overview of XBee-PRO 868 modules, as well as XBee/RF family comparison from company Digi International.
With XBee-PRO 868 you have 40 km within reach - [Link]
Related Posts
Stephanie @ planetstephanie.net writes:
The red circle ‘red alert light’ is wired to the XBee’s RSSI so when the XBee receives a wireless command, the red light comes on for a few seconds.
The white gridded rectangle is the DHT22 sensor (temperature and humidity). I felt it would ‘blend in’ enough that it should be mounted right up front for all to see. The little black hole to the right of the DHT22 is for the light sensor.
Why is there a light sensor? Why not? Also: because I had an extra one laying around.
The screen display is mostly self-evident. Time, day, date. Heat/Cool. Run/Hold/Override. Target temp (small) and actual temp (large). Fan status (on/auto) and humidity.
Thermostat Three - [Link]
A Wireless XBee Pan/Tilt Servo System For Cameras. It uses a pair of XBee modules to build a simple wireless interface which will be used with PIC 18LF4520′s to control a servo based pan and tilt system which can move my camera 45 degrees in any direction, left-right-forward-backwards.
Wireless XBee Pan/Tilt System - [Link]
Ivan Sergeev writes:
The Wireless Power Meter is a simplistic ATmega88p and ZigBee/XBee based true V-I power meter. AC voltage measurement is made from the rectified signal of a step-down transformer, and current measurement is made with the pass-through Allegro ACS712 Hall-Effect sensor.
Wireless Power Meter - [Link]
Ivan Sergeev writes:
This project was used as a wireless light dimmer, but in principle can be used to dim resistive loads and wirelessly turn on/off loads. The current code includes a routine to dim a light bulb in a “heartbeat” pattern, with the heartbeat frequency remotely adjustable.
The top left of the schematic shows the wall outlet (US 120VAC) being stepped down with a small transformer, then full rectified and regulated. This powers the entire board from the wall. The top right shows a microcontroller, ATmega48, its programming header, and a UART connection to the microcontroller (for debugging). The bottom right shows the XBee and its basic voltage regulation (it’s 3.3V), as well as an LED that indicates when the XBee is connected.
Wireless TRIAC dimmer - [Link]
Chris @ PyroElectro.com writes:
Searching for a reliable wireless solution for your project can be a real pain if you’re not familiar with current wireless standards, data rates and reliability. The Xbee Modules that we will use in this article are widely available, use a very reliable wireless transmission protocol and have sufficient datarates for most hobby projects.
This article will show you how to build a basic wireless input and output system in the form of a single transmitter and single receiver. Communication will be one way to keep things simple with two xbee modules being used for the wireless link. In the end, a small trimpot will control the movement of a servo motor.
Xbee Wireless Servo Control - [Link]
RF networking is getting huge these days. With new RF nodes being developed on what seems like a monthly schedule. This means new and established companies are getting in the game. I’m pretty sure that everybody knows of Digi international (manufacturers of Xbee RF nodes) and regard them to be the current King of RF networking, BUT with ninja-like progress companies like Synapse Wireless have snuck up on them and started offering superior products. Syanpse nodes have the ability to wirelessly program Arduino UNOs at distances of >250ft without hardware mods or painful configuration processes. The nodes are both a network module and user-programmable microcontroller in one and on top of that they have to ability to do self-healing mesh networking. Their specs seem to outdo xbees on many levels, which begs the question, Synapse Wireless where have you been all my life??? 
There’s a New SheRifF in Town and Their Name is Synapse Wireless - [Link]
Light Switch XBee: Example Project by Rob Faludi. [via]
Just finished documenting the latest example project. The Light Switch XBee is a wireless wall switch that can control lamps, fans, motors or your homemade robot using Digi’s XBee radio. It’s a model for almost any digital input device you’d like to build. If it goes on and off, you can make it wireless using this example as your guide!
Light Switch XBee: Example Project - [Link]
Custom Controller V2. Patrick writes – [via]
Hello adafruit industries. My name is Patrick McCabe and I am a 17 year old senior in high school. I was on the second ”show and tell” of yours. I showed off my custom controller I made. I made it so I can provide input to my robots and get information returned. It contains a LCD, Xbee transceiver, custom LCD Arduino micro-controller backpack, 3 button inputs, a potentiometer, and a Wii Nunchuck circuit board with joystick. The buttons will allow navigation through the menu system and sending simple commands within the menu. The Wii Nunchuck will allow for manual control of a robot by using either the joystick or through tilting action read by the accelerometer. The potentiometer will allow variables like speed to be adjusted on a robot.
Custom Controller V2 - [Link]
Digi Launches Wi-Fi Version of Popular XBee Module, we’re checking this out shortly! [via]
Digi International (NASDAQ: DGII) today introduced the XBee® Wi-Fi, an embedded module that enables industry leading low power, serial-to-Wi-Fi networking in the popular XBee form factor. Because of the XBee’s common footprint and application programming interface (API), customers can now create a single board design for wireless products that supports 802.15.4, ZigBee, ZigBee Smart Energy, 2.4 GHz, 900 and 868 MHz, Wi-Fi and proprietary DigiMesh protocols.
“XBee modules offer developers tremendous flexibility and are extremely easy to use,” said Larry Kraft, senior vice president of global sales and marketing, Digi International. “By adding a low-power Wi-Fi module to the XBee product family we give customers the fastest and most flexible way to get Wi-Fi up and running on their systems.”
Ideal for energy management, wireless sensor networks and intelligent asset management, the XBee Wi-Fi offers 802.11 b/g/n networking and flexible SPI and UART serial interfaces. Because the module includes the 802.11 b/g/n physical layer, baseband MAC and TCP/IP stack, developers can add Wi-Fi to their products simply by connecting to the XBee Wi-Fi’s serial port. The XBee Wi-Fi is fully tested at manufacture and comes with modular certification for the U.S., E.U., Canada and a number of other countries, further reducing the time to market, development expense and design complexity.
Digi Launches Wi-Fi Version of Popular XBee Module - [Link]
