Support
Installation of the shield
- Switch off the battery power of the EVOPRIMER / PRIMER2 using the small switch behind the clear plastic cover.
- Open the EVOPRIMER/PRIMER2 by removing the four screws in the back.
- Connect the XBEE PRIMER Shield on the EVOPRIMER/PRIMER2 extension connector, with the XBEE module showing up
- Check that no electrical shorts exist between the EVOPRIMER/PRIMER base board and the XBEE PRIMER Shield. If there is a potential for electrical shorts, apply thick tape between the two printed circuit boards.
- Replace the EVOPRIMER/PRIMER2 back cover, including the four screws.
- Switch on the battery power of the EVOPRIMER / PRIMER2
- Connect EVOPRIMER / PRIMER2 to your development system, download and exercise the XBEE PRIMER Shield test program.
Do it yourself module assembly
The XBEE PRIMER Shield BareBoneBoard comes with all components except the wireless module. Assembling the unit requires fine soldering techniques and a steady hand. Placement of the wireless module is left to the user, where the printed component outline of the wireless module should only be used as a guidance.
In order to have the shield fit inside the host enclosure, the XBEE module needs to be placed without sockets, directly soldered on the XBEE PRIMER Shield printed circuit board. Care shall be taken that after soldering the XBEE module pins be cut short, as to avoid electrical shorts to the host base board.
After assembly, the XBEE module can not be removed, and can be programmed through the EVOPRIMER / PRIMER 2 host system as desired.
Function description
EXTENSION CONNECTOR
| Pin | Pin | ||
| 1 | 2 | Gnd | |
| 3 | 4 | ||
| 5 | 6 | ||
| 7 | 8 | ||
| 9 | 10 | ||
| 11 | 12 | ||
| 13 | 14 | ||
| Power inhibit | 15 | 16 | Data from host |
| 17 | 18 | Data to host | |
| Vbat | 19 | 20 | Gnd |
BASIC FUNCTION
Power for the XBEE PRIMER Shield is taken directly from the host battery, which has a nominal voltage of 4.7 volts. Thus the XBEE module does not load the hosts switched power supply. Power can be switched on and off under software control through pin 15 on the extension connector. This is a repurposed function of the USART Request To Send (RTS) signal, and is connected to pin PA1 on the EVOPRIMER. The code provided shows examples for the power inhibit routine. Power is automatically switched off when the host module is set in stand-by mode, as PA1 pin is logic low under that condition.
The power module on the shield can deliver 100mA from the host battery to the XBEE module. In case XBEE modules from the PRO range are used, the potential power consumption exceeds this maximum. Commonly, the XBEE modules are programmed to communicate in frequent, short timed intervals, assuring the maximum load is not exceeded.
EXTERNAL ANTENNA INSTALLATION
Some XBEE PRIMER Shield products are delivered with an external antenna, plus a cable assembly to connect the antenna to the XBEE module. The cable assembly allows for some flexibility in where the antenna is placed on the EVOPRIMER/ PRIMER2 enclosure.
Links to relevant sites
- For all things EVOPRIMER and PRIMER2 related: www.stm32circle.com
- Digi main web site: www.digi.com
- Digi module feature comparison: http://www.digi.com/pdf/chart_xbee_rf_features.pdf