ECE497 Project: XBee

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thumb‎ Embedded Linux Class by Mark A. Yoder


Team members: Stephen Shinn, Matt Moravec, Josh Dugan.

Executive Summary

The XBee project involves taking two series-one XBee modules and interfacing them with the various sensors that have been documented in our ECE497 group. Our goal is to create wiki pages which expand on the sensors to include sample wireless communication documentation and source code.

Right now the various sensors have been documented and are working. We've received the XBee modules and soldered them as required. So far we've been able to send a receive messages from an XBee connected to a Windows PC to one connected to a Bone, and vice versa. We've started development on C code which is used to send and receive commands on the Bone. When finished, we'll have a library of methods for communication.

Our next step is to move to Bone-to-Bone communication and to be able to control our sensors wirelessly from one Bone to the other.

In conclusion, we're using XBee modules to communicate from one Bone to another. A protocol is in development and will be used for controlling sensors wirelessly.

Installation Instructions

Hardware

The very first step is to solder your XBee module, see the instructions here. Once the module is assembled, you may wire-up the XBee module to the BeagleBone's serial ports. The table below describes how to hook up the module to UART2 on the Bone:

XBee Bone
GND Ground, port 1
3V 3.3V, port 3
TX RX, port 22
RX TX, port 21

The image below shows the configuration:

<PIC>

Software

Our git repo for this project is available here: github.com/duganje/ECE497_XBEE. To begin, download the C file which houses our communication methods. You are now able to send data wirelessly using the SendXbee() and ReceiveXbee() functions. Repeat this procedure on a separate BeagleBone and use the same functions to receive and reply data.

User Instructions

TO DO: How to use the send and receive functions. Include screenshots.

Highlights

Here is where you brag about what your project can do.

Include a YouTube demo.

Theory of Operation

The main theory of operation is based on Linux's use of files. With an XBee connected to the Bone's UART, sent and received messages are written to the ttyO2 file. Our code uses this and reads the file to receive a message and writes to the file to send a message. Any XBee's on the same network wil receive the message and we can do anything we want with it.

Milestones

  • Monday, 10/29 - XBee hardware received. (done)
  • Thursday, 11/1 - XBee Bones are connected and commands can be sent. (done)
  • Monday, 11/5 - Initial sensor implementation.
  • Thursday, 11/8 - Package language implemented between Bones.
  • Sunday, 11/11 - YouTube demo uploaded.
  • Monday, 11/12 - All documentation complete.
  • Tuesday, 11/13 - Presentation day; PowerPoint complete.

Work Breakdown

Completed Work

  • Soldering XBee's - Matt Moravec
  • Initial communication methods - Stephen Shinn
  • Expanded communication methods - Josh Dugan

To Do

  • Sensor implementation
  • Wiki pages

Future Work

Suggest addition things that could be done with this project.

Conclusions

Give some concluding thoughts about the project. Suggest some future additions that could make it even more interesting.




thumb‎ Embedded Linux Class by Mark A. Yoder