Digi XBEE2 User Manual

Network commissioning and diagnostics Device configuration
XBee/XBee-PRO ZigBee RF Modules User Guide 83
Network commissioning is the process whereby devices in a mesh network are discovered and configured for
operation. The XBee modules include several features to support device discovery and configuration. In addition
to configuring devices, a strategy must be developed to place devices to ensure reliable routes.
To accommodate these requirements, the XBee modules include various features to aid in device placement,
configuration, and network diagnostics.
Device configuration
XBee/XBee-PRO ZB modules can be configured locally through serial commands (AT or API), or remotely through
remote API commands. API devices can send configuration commands to set or read the configuration settings of
any device in the network.
Device placement
For a mesh network installation to be successful, the installer must be able to determine where to place
individual XBee devices to establish reliable links throughout the mesh network.
Link testing
A good way to measure the performance of a mesh network is to send unicast data through the network from one
device to another to determine the success rate of many transmissions. To simplify link testing, the modules
support a loopback cluster ID (0x12) on the data endpoint (0xE8). Any data sent to this cluster ID on the data
endpoint will be transmitted back to the sender. This is shown in the figure below:
The configuration steps to send data to the loopback cluster ID depend on the firmware type.
AT firmware
To send data to the loopback cluster ID on the data endpoint of a remote device, set the CI command value to
0x12. The SE and DE commands should be set to 0xE8 (default value). The DH and DL commands should be set to
the address of the remote (0 for the coordinator, or the 64-bit address of the remote). After exiting command
mode, any received serial characters will be transmitted to the remote device, and returned to the sender.
API firmware
Source Device
Mesh Network
Remote Device
Transmit data to the
loopback cluster ID (0x12)
and data endpoint (0xE8)
on a remote device.
The remote device receives
data on the loopback
cluster ID and data
endpoint.
Source receives loopback
transmission and sends
received data packet out
the UART.
Remote transmits the
received packet back to the
sender.
Demonstration of how the loopback cluster ID and data endpoint can be used to measure
the link quality in a mesh network.
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Digi XBEE2 Specifications

General

Brand	Digi
Model	XBEE2
Category	Control Unit
Language	English