GO WIRELESS!XBee is an exciting new 2.4GHz ZigBee module that allowswireless communication between PICAXE chips and/orcomputers. The AXE210 Connect project board allows simpleinterfacing between XBee and PICAXE for projects/experiments

The primary advantage of the 2.4GHz XBee over 433MHz rfmodules is that the XBee modules are ‘bi-directional’. Mostbudget 433 systems only transmit in one direction, so thetransmitter has no idea whether the receiver is actually gettingthe data! The XBee modules can transmit and receive in bothdirections, so you can easily test (at both ends) if the systemis working correctly.

The second advantage is that of unique addressing - eachXBee unit has a factory configured unique serial number. Thismeans two (or more) units can be set up to exclusively talk toeach other, ignoring all signals from other modules. This isnot easily achieved with 433 modules.

The third advantage is that the XBee module has in build‘data-packet’ building and error-checking to ensure reliable datatransmission.

PICAXE CONNECT - GO WIRELESS!

PICAXE CONNECT PARTS

To add additional XBee ‘nodes’ to thepair provided in the starter pack yourequire the following three items:PICAXE Connect Kit: AXE210PICAXE-18X Chip: AXE015XXBee Module: XBE001

The PICAXE Connect board connects tothe computer via the standard PICAXEserial download cable. If your laptopcomputer does not have a 9 pin serialport you will also require the USB adapter.PICAXE Serial Cable: AXE026USB Adapter: USB010

PICAXE CONNECT & GPS

The PICAXE Connect board can also beused with a GPS module instead of theXBee module. This enables users to builda GPS system using the PICAXE. The GPSmodule can also be conected directly tothe computer using the same board.

PICAXE Connect Kit: AXE210PICAXE-18X Chip: AXE015XGPS LS-40EB Module: GPS001External GPS Antenna: GPS002

PICAXE-XBEE STARTER PACK

It is recommended that new userspurchase the XBee starter pack. Thisincludes the following items -: 2 XBee modules: 2 AXE210 Connect board kits: 1 PICAXE-18X microcontroller

An AXE026 serial cable and 6x AAbatteries are also required.

PICAXE-XBee starter pack: XBE010AA Alkaline Battery: BAT002

TYPICAL XBEE APPLICATIONS INCLUDE:• PICAXE to computer

- e.g. monitoring of a greenhouse temperature• computer to PICAXE

- e.g. remote control of a robot• PICAXE to PICAXE

- e.g. weather station sensors interacting• computer to multiple PICAXE

- e.g. a wireless security system

PICAXE & GPS:A secondary function of the PICAXE Connect board is to act as aPICAXE to GPS interface. By adding the LocSense LS-40EB GPS module(instead of the XBee module) a complete PICAXE to GPS interface isformed. Sample example files show how to extract GPS informationvia the PICAXE system. If desired, the PICAXE chip can also be replacedvia a MAX3232 serial interface chip. This allows the GPS system to beconnected directly to the computers serial port for testing andconfiguration, or even for a complete computer based GPS project!

For further information please seewww.picaxe.co.uk

XBee is a registered trademark of Maxstream Inc. PICAXE is a registered trademark of Revolution Education Ltd