Python with Arduino LESSON 15: Configuring and Using the Xbee Radios

This lesson describes how to program the Xbee Series 1 radios. It will work with either the standard Series 1 (S1) or the Series 1 Pro models. The Pro radios are higher power and will give greater range, but they cost more. The radios are configured using X-CTU software, which can be downloaded here.  The video gives step by step instructions on how to configure and use the radios to communicate wirelessly over the serial port. Lesson 14 gives information on the hardware needed. Lessons 1-13 sill show you how to communicate between Python and Arduino if you need to get caught up on basic serial communication and interfacing arduino and python. The techniques provided in the video above, however, should work for just about any arduino project where you want to communicate between two arduinos, an arduino and PC, or between two PCs.

Python with Arduino Lesson 14: Introduction to Xbee Radios and Wireless Communication

In the video lesson above, we introduce our next series of lessons, which will step you through using Xbee radios to allow your arduino projects to wirelessly communicate with your PC. The good news is that you already know how to communicate between your Arduino and the PC over the serial cable based on our previous lessons. Using Xbee radios is very similar, you just remove the cable. You are still communicating over the serial ports, so the coding remains virtually unchanged . . . you just have to configure and connect the radios. In order to do these lessons, you will need a pair of Series 1 (S1) Xbee Radios (you will need two). If you want longer range, and are willing to pay more, you can get the Seris 1 (S1) Xbee Pro Radios.

To program the radios, you will need a SparkFun USB Explorer.

The final equipment you need will be an Xbee Shield. The shield allows you to plug the Xbee radio into the Arduino.