Great deal on Xbee Series 1 (I think) U.S. Only

[CaptKirk]

It looks like I DID find a good deal!

I did NOT have to do the two step firmware update- mine went straight to 10EC (I do not see 10ED and the "Download new versions" button does not seem to work) but I did have to point the update utility to the code manually by going to the modem config tab, then manually selecting XB24, and setting the latest version selection. My Xbees then flashed straight away (on both). Not sure why Download new versions from the web refuses to work - I always get a "connection with the server could not be established". Is there amother way to get 10ED??

[budude]

hmm - I just went straight to 10ED in one shot - don't recall the exact steps but didn't do anything weird to get there...

[LabRat]

PM me.
I'm already shipping you the RJ45 jacks.

Sorry.. missed this. Mudsculpter was kind enough to proxy for me. They're somewhere near Rochester right now. Trying to align several purchases so I can pick it all up in one trip south of the border. Thanks to both of you for offering to help me out. It's the DIYC Karma... I love it!

[LabRat]

Hmmm... I've been unable to upgrade the FW in the units that I received (thanks again Mudsculpter for being a proxy). The units identify themselves has having FW version 106. The download tool from DIGI no longer has support for this version (if you have an older release of XCTU you *may* have the profiles for 106). I rummaged the "net", found a zip archive of an older release, and copied the two "modem profile" files for version 106, into the current XCTU's working space. After relauching the application, I can now correctly see/modify the working parameters in these modules. But I still can't upgrade them. I have seen a couple of posts that suggested that Hardware flow control may be required to do a FW upgrade, but have yet to see a definitive statement about that.

My setup: Modified REN-W, (Rs-485 patch)
Custom cable so that I can Tx and Rx from the PC to the modified REN-W.

So even though 106 wasn't originally supported by the XCTU software that ships today, it's possible to side-load the 106 profile. Anyone managed to upgrade without using an explorer board?

[Lefserev]

Do you have a USB programming board?
I had to upgrade to old (a little newer than the 1081) XBEE firmware before using the newer stuff (10E6)
Also, I kind of had to "force" an upgrade because XCTU wouldn't read the parameters. I just selected XB24 (right one? I think so, can't remember) from the list and the appropriate sub category as well as the older firmware and just pressed write. Note I wasn't able to read the parameters until I upgraded to newer firmware.
Hope that helps.

[LabRat]

No. I don't have the USB board. The reason you couldn't read the old is that in their infinite wisdom, DIGI has dropped the 106 profile from the currently shipping XCTU application. Once it's in place you can access/program the device. I simply can't upgrade it. It keeps reporting that it "lost connection".

So that's one for "upgrade with the USB explorer". Anyone else?

[Skunberg]

No. I don't have the USB board. The reason you couldn't read the old is that in their infinite wisdom, DIGI has dropped the 106 profile from the currently shipping XCTU application. Once it's in place you can access/program the device. I simply can't upgrade it. It keeps reporting that it "lost connection".

So that's one for "upgrade with the USB explorer". Anyone else?

I used the usb explorer board to upgrade mine. The auto download and upgrade would not work with the old version. I manually upgraded to a newer version and then auto download to the most current version. In hind sight I should have just upgraded once to the current version manually.

Brian

[dirknerkle]

These are Maxstream Xbees, probably manufactured before Digi bought Maxstream. Firmware version 106 may not even exist anywhere anymore. Here's what I've found that normally works:

1. Plug in the explorer board with the XBee on it. Start the XCTU software.

2. Set the XCTU software to 9600, 8, N,1, This is the default XBee settings from the manufacturer.

3. Go right to the modem configuration tab/window. Don't bother trying to read the parameters, just get to the window.

4. In the first drop-down "Module XBEE" (radio type) set it to XB24. This is the version for the basic, Series 1 regular radio, which these are. The Function Set and Version parameters will automatically populate with XBEE 802.15.4 and the most current firmware version on your computer.

5. Check the box to Always update firmware.

6. Click the WRITE button. It *should* initialize down in the lower right corner of the screen. It may disconnect before it initializes if it times-out. Unplug the XBee radio from the explorer, wait 5 seconds, plug it in and try to WRITE it again. You may have to repeat this process 3 or more times before the radio recognizes it's a complete firmware replacement. Each time you try, be sure to unplug the XBee from the explorer board, but you can leave the explorer plugged into the USB port. Eventually the Xbee will "wake up" and initialize, then load the current firmware.

7. After loading the firmware, uncheck the Always update firmware box, THEN click the READ button. It should load all the settings. Now you can change them normally, etc.

[LabRat]

So that's three for "usb explorer"... anyone manage an upgrade via serial only?
(not looking good for those of us who thought we could avoid the explorer.)

I'll dig the 106 profile files out this evening, and post them here. That should allow you to avoid the "profile not found" warnings/errors.

In an unofficial FAQ - "Minimum connections to support serial firmware upgrades: VCC, GND, DIN, DOUT, RTS & DTR."

A review of the Sparkfun schematic - these pins (RTS, DTR) are available/connected.

[LabRat]

Here are the Modem config files for version #106

Unzip them into the update/xbee directory, and restart the XCTU exec. I believe you will then be able to properly detect and identify these modules.

Next: Build an interface that include DTS/RTS. Hmmm.. maybe I can use these as is for now.