Best 2-way config - xbee series 1

Question

I've been using xbee series 1 devices to collect data using python libraries to read up to 4 analog inputs on D0-D3 in transparent mode. The central device is running on a raspberry pi and collects data, averages it out, and sends to data logger web services (like xively, thingspeak, rest services, etc)

Now I would like to do the same but occasionally, based on some data read in, I would like to send a value out to a digital pin on any one of my dozen xbee radios.

Of the examples I see here, they mostly describe one-to-one MYxDL cross communication.

I've read that API mode is best for this. I've been trying the python-xbee libraries on google code but can't come up with a definitive config. (I'm using the new x-ctu, btw, love it).

I can control some LEDs on a digital pin and I can collect the data from the analog inputs but I can't seem to do both reliably. Sometimes it almost works but it seems there's a wait/buffer or something which means the LED pin high/low signals respond in an unreliable way. AND, sometimes the system seems to be waiting forever for the .wait_read_frame() to get a hit.

Is there a definitive approach to configuring for what I would expect is a common use case:

* central coordinator
* a dozen or so endpoints
* central coordinator busy collecting input from all radios (and sending out to data logger web services)
* some data can states can invoke a DIO change on a specific remote radio

Any references or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris.

Comments

My configs (not the answer):

Coordinator (VR=10EC), all default except:
ID=1111
CE=1
AP=2
DH=0
DL=0
MY=0

Endpoints (VR=10EC), all default except:
ID=1111
CE=0
AP=0
DH=0
DL=0
MY=1D, 17, etc, other unique numbers
D0=2 (voltage divider sensors on D0-D3)
D1=2
D2=2
D3=2
D4=4 - LED turns on/off


Please correct the error of my ways...

---

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

So is no one having any success with 2-way communication with series 1 xbee radios?

Comments

I continue to try to find info about how to have reliable 2 way communications with series 1 radios; a central coordinator collecting sensor data from many radios, analyzing the data and then sending out to specific radios to actuators.

Is it possible with series 1 radios and if so, where the guide?

Thanks,
Chris.

Answer 2

I've been able to do this with I/O line passing, between two units.

The profiles for the base and remote units are given here:

The base unit profile is this:

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<data>
  <profile>
    <description_file>xb24_15_4_10ed.xml</description_file>
    <settings>
      <setting command="CH">C</setting>
      <setting command="ID">3</setting>
      <setting command="DH">0</setting>
      <setting command="DL">5678</setting>
      <setting command="MY">1234</setting>
      <setting command="MM">0</setting>
      <setting command="RR">0</setting>
      <setting command="RN">0</setting>
      <setting command="NT">19</setting>
      <setting command="NO">0</setting>
      <setting command="CE">0</setting>
      <setting command="SC">1FFE</setting>
      <setting command="SD">4</setting>
      <setting command="A1">0</setting>
      <setting command="A2">0</setting>
      <setting command="EE">0</setting>
      <setting command="KY"></setting>
      <setting command="NI">BASE</setting>
      <setting command="PL">4</setting>
      <setting command="CA">2C</setting>
      <setting command="SM">0</setting>
      <setting command="ST">1388</setting>
      <setting command="SP">0</setting>
      <setting command="DP">3E8</setting>
      <setting command="SO">0</setting>
      <setting command="BD">3</setting>
      <setting command="NB">0</setting>
      <setting command="RO">3</setting>
      <setting command="AP">0</setting>
      <setting command="D8">0</setting>
      <setting command="D7">1</setting>
      <setting command="D6">0</setting>
      <setting command="D5">1</setting>
      <setting command="D4">0</setting>
      <setting command="D3">3</setting>
      <setting command="D2">3</setting>
      <setting command="D1">4</setting>
      <setting command="D0">4</setting>
      <setting command="PR">FF</setting>
      <setting command="IU">1</setting>
      <setting command="IT">1</setting>
      <setting command="IC">0</setting>
      <setting command="IR">32</setting>
      <setting command="P0">1</setting>
      <setting command="P1">0</setting>
      <setting command="PT">FF</setting>
      <setting command="RP">28</setting>
      <setting command="IA">FFFF</setting>
      <setting command="T0">64</setting>
      <setting command="T1">64</setting>
      <setting command="T2">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T3">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T4">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T5">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T6">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T7">FF</setting>
      <setting command="DD">10000</setting>
      <setting command="CT">64</setting>
      <setting command="GT">3E8</setting>
      <setting command="CC">2B</setting>
    </settings>
  </profile>
</data>

and for the remote unit, the profile is:

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<data>
  <profile>
    <description_file>xb24_15_4_10ed.xml</description_file>
    <settings>
      <setting command="CH">C</setting>
      <setting command="ID">3</setting>
      <setting command="DH">0</setting>
      <setting command="DL">1234</setting>
      <setting command="MY">5678</setting>
      <setting command="MM">0</setting>
      <setting command="RR">0</setting>
      <setting command="RN">0</setting>
      <setting command="NT">19</setting>
      <setting command="NO">0</setting>
      <setting command="CE">0</setting>
      <setting command="SC">1FFE</setting>
      <setting command="SD">4</setting>
      <setting command="A1">0</setting>
      <setting command="A2">0</setting>
      <setting command="EE">0</setting>
      <setting command="KY"></setting>
      <setting command="NI">REMOTE</setting>
      <setting command="PL">4</setting>
      <setting command="CA">2C</setting>
      <setting command="SM">0</setting>
      <setting command="ST">1388</setting>
      <setting command="SP">0</setting>
      <setting command="DP">3E8</setting>
      <setting command="SO">0</setting>
      <setting command="BD">3</setting>
      <setting command="NB">0</setting>
      <setting command="RO">3</setting>
      <setting command="AP">0</setting>
      <setting command="D8">0</setting>
      <setting command="D7">1</setting>
      <setting command="D6">0</setting>
      <setting command="D5">1</setting>
      <setting command="D4">0</setting>
      <setting command="D3">5</setting>
      <setting command="D2">5</setting>
      <setting command="D1">3</setting>
      <setting command="D0">3</setting>
      <setting command="PR">FF</setting>
      <setting command="IU">1</setting>
      <setting command="IT">2</setting>
      <setting command="IC">FF</setting>
      <setting command="IR">32</setting>
      <setting command="P0">1</setting>
      <setting command="P1">0</setting>
      <setting command="PT">FF</setting>
      <setting command="RP">28</setting>
      <setting command="IA">FFFF</setting>
      <setting command="T0">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T1">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T2">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T3">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T4">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T5">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T6">FF</setting>
      <setting command="T7">FF</setting>
      <setting command="DD">10000</setting>
      <setting command="CT">64</setting>
      <setting command="GT">3E8</setting>
      <setting command="CC">2B</setting>
    </settings>
  </profile>
</data>

Comments

Thank you, Andrew, for your response.

I have also had success with this approach of communicating between 2 xbee series 1 radios.  I think of it as cross communication where the MY and the DL are crossing over, and the communication is only between 2 radios.  Sadly, it is not what I am looking for.

My set up would have a coordinator (CE set to 1, MY set to 0) and multiple remotes; perhaps 30-40 (CE=0, MY=<unique number>, D1-D3=2, D4=4or5).

I'm using a Raspberry pi and running python.  I'm using the coordinator to collect data from my remote xbees (working fine) but every once in a while I want to be able to send data out to a given remote radio to change a pin's state (like just turn on an LED). Seems it should be simple, but I cannot find any definitive info about how to do that.

My setup kinda works. I can receive data and I can send data, but the send part is very flakey; the changes are received by the remote radios very inconsistently as if there's some kind of interference or too much sending, not enough time for receiving?  I just don't know.

Again, thank you for your help,
Chris.