XBeeAdapter/USBSerialConverter/BreakoutBoard

Theeasiestandmostinexpensivewayofaddingawirelesscapabilitytoanyprojectistouse XBee module by Digi. However, programming these modules is impossible without an adapter. XBee Adapter combines three features: XBee Module programmer, USBtoSerial converter, and Breakout board. These features are needed for any hobbyist, so for a price of one you get threefeatures.

1. XBeeAdapter
XBee Adapter functions as XBee Module Programmer for firmware upgrades, settings modificationsusingXCTUMaxstreamsoftware,andcreationofwireless(PointtoPoint,Mesh) networksbetweentwoormorePCs,Microcontrollers,andmore.
2 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11

5 6 4
GND DCD DSR Rx TX RTS CTS DTR RI

XBeeAdapterOverview
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) USBconnectortoPC XBeeModuleplacementheader Resetbutton XbeeModuleexpansionheader0.1spaced SerialportI/Oheader XBeeactivityLED USBtoSerialTX/RXLED 8) PowerindicatorLED

7 8

XBeeModuleexpansionheaderpinouts PIN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 Figure1XBeeAdapter

Function VCC3.3V DOUT DIN DO8 RESET PWM0/RSSI PWM1 RESERVED DTR/DI8 GND

PIN 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11

Function AD3/DIO0 AD3/DIO1 AD3/DIO2 AD3/DIO3 RTS/AD6/DIO6 ASC/AD5/DIO5 VREF ON/SLEEP CTS/DIO7 AD4/DIO4

[1]

1.1XbeeAdapterBoardInstallation
1. MountXbeemoduleontopoftheXbeeAdapterboardasshown ontheFigure2; 2. DownloadtheUSBSerialconvertersetupexecutabledrivers fromhttp://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm Figure2XBeeModulePlacement 3. RunsetupexecutablebeforeplugginginUSBcable; 4. PluginUSBcabletoanyavailableUSBportandXBeeAdapter shouldbeidentifiedbythesystem,asshowninFigure3; 5. TofindwhichVirtualCOMportXBeeAdapteraddedgoto: ControlPanelBSystemBHardwareBDeviceManagerand Figure3XBeeAdapterdetection underPorts(COM&LTP)checkUSBSerialPortnumber.Inthis caseitisCOM5;

Figure4SystemDeviceManager

XBeeAdapterisreadyforoperation.

2. BreakoutBoard
XBee Adapter can be used as an expansion header for XBee module. This expansion header provides direct connectivity to all I/Os of Xbee module. For XBee module to work in standalone operation 5 jumpers have to be removed fromXBeeAdapter,asshowninFigure5.

3. USBtoSerialConverter
XBee Adapter can operate as a standalone USBtoSerial converter for communication with devices that support UART interface (e.g. Microcontrollers). To use USBtoSerial converter as a standalone device, unplugXBeeModulefromplacementheader.
[2] Figure5 Jumperlocation