XBee Explorer Regulated with 3v3 to 5V Converter

RhydoLABZ make XBee Explorer Regulated takes care of the 3.3V regulation, 3V3 <-> 5V level conversion, signal conditioning, and basic activity indicators (Power, RSSI and DIN/DOUT activity LEDs). It translates the 5V signals to 3.3V and vise versa .so that you can interface a 5V Micros to any XBee module. All XBee pins are brought out at 2.54mm bergstrip to ease breadboard usage.

This unit works with all XBee modules including the Series 1 and Series 2.5, standard and Pro versions. Plug an XBee into this breakout and you will have direct access to the serial and programming pins on the XBee unit and will be able to power the XBee with 5V.

This board comes fully populated with 3.3V regulator, XBee socket, four status LEDs, and level converter 3V3<->5V to communicate safely with the 3.3V XBees. This board does not include and XBee module. XBee modules sold separately.

Features:

• Compatible with all XBee modules( Series 1 and Series 2.5, standard and Pro )
• Built in 3V3 Voltage regulator
• Onboard 3V3 <->5V level converter (easy to interface 5V Micros)
• Status LEDs ( RX,TX,RSSI,Power)
• XBee Pins available at 2.54mm bergstrip
• Can be used as breakout board
  
• With RMC connector 

How to Test:

Test your XBee Explorer Regulated with 3v3 to 5V Converter  using  PC:

• XBee Explorer Regulated with 3v3 to 5V Converter is connected to USB port of PC using USB to Serial Converter (5V/3V3), the PWR LED(red) will glow on the top of module ,it shows power indication.
• For a quick installation of FTDI Virtual Com Port(VCP) driver Installation and connection details please read the blog…  
• Here we are using a paired Zigbee, to construct a simple point-to-point network.One of the devices must be a Coordinator  and the other must be a Router (an ‘endpoint’ device).  
• After completion of initial setup  you should see the RSSI (green) LED on the XBee Explorer board  light up indicating it received the message.
• During the transmission DOUT led blinks as per the data rate and at the time of reception DIN led  blinks.
• RSSI LED(yellow) on top of the board is connected to the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) pin of the XBee module. XBee outputs a PWM signal on this pin which is directly proportional to the quality of the RF signal, until the last packet was received by it. This PWM signal when applied to the  RSSI LED will vary its brightness as per the quality of the RF signal,better the RF signal brighter the LED.

Here below one example is shown:

• Placing  XBee module  on XBee Explorer Regulated with 3v3 to 5V Converter is shown below.

• Through RMC connector we connect TXD pin of  XBee Explorer Regulated with 3v3 to 5V Converter connected with RXD of USB to Serial Converter (5V/3V3),RXD connected with TXD of USB to Serial Converter (5V/3V3),+5V connected to the VCC and GND(ground) connected GND.
• In this example we are making communication between two paired zigbee COM PORT of coordinator zigbee is set in Hyperterminal and wrote a message like here it is “Hai Xbee connected” sent it to end point XBee.
• And we opened other terminal window i.e realterm and COM PORT set in realterm terminal window is of End point XBee and received message sent from coordinator XBee in realterm.Click here to download realterm.

Note:The above message  shown in hyperterminal is written from coordinator XBee and simultaneously sent to the end device  XBee.

Resources:

Schematic
Realterm Software.

How to Buy:

Click here to buy rhydoLABZ XBee Explorer Regulated with 3v3 to 5V Converter.
Click here to buy rhydoLABZ XBee Explorer USB. 

Support:

Please share your ideas with us, visit our forum for discussion

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ):

Q.Does it need extra power supply connection?
Ans.Yes, power supply of 5V is needed to be supplied to the board.

Q.Whether this board can be used as a breakout board?
Ans.Yes, it can be used as breakout board.