XBee and SSC-32

Lynxmotion Electronics & Software
1

Hello,

I would like to use XBee 1mW Wire Antenna to control my SSC-32.
I did some searching by could not find a tutorial. these are the components i’ll be trying to use

2 XBee 1mW Wire Antenna
1 XBee Explorer USB
1 XBee Explorer Regulated

This is my first use of these devices so would apprciate and advice before I damage something

Thanks

2

HI,

I have not tried yet to control an SSC-32 directly through an XBee, but I think you should be able to do so. I have several XBee 1s which I have connected to the PC using the sparkfun USB version you mentioned and use the Xbee Explorer regulated on several Basic Atom Pros…

I have a slight concern about the sparkfun regulated for the SSC-32 as I had problems with using this to connect to an Axon2 board which uses an Atmega 1280 chip. Something about how this board did the signal conversions between +5 and +3.2v… May work just fine on the SSC-32 (I just have not tried it). On My Axon2 I ended up using a conversion board from Selmaware, but they have since discontinued selling them :frowning:. But lets assume that the sparkfun one will work.

You will need to solder some wires or connectors to the explorer regulated (+5v, Gnd, DIN and DOUT) and then run these wires/jumpers over to the SSC-32 and plug the appropriate one into the RX and TX and ground. You can probably use one of the pins marked + near the baud jumpers to get +5v or if VS is from a +6v battery you may be able to simply use one of the power pins from one of the servo connections.

You will need to get the program X-CTU off of the net. This allows you to configure your XBees on your PC. Sometimes if you purchase the XBees in a kit, such as: forums.trossenrobotics.com/tutor … sics-3259/

Good Luck
Kurt

3

Kurte,
Thanks for the information. Seems i can communicate between both Xbees. I just cant communicate with the SSC-32.
I set the baud rate to 115.2 as i had with my bluetooth but no joy. :cry: I must be missing something. back to the drawing table

Thanks again

4

I restored both Xbee modules back to their defaults settings.

  • Just changed the Baud rate only to 115.2 nothing else on both modules
  • Jumped theTX and RX pins on the XBee Explorer Regulated board and was able to run the loop back test.
  • Connected the XBee Explorer Regulated board to the SSC-32 ->DIN to TX, DOUT to RX
  • Opened LynxTerm, I would get slight jerks from the servo attached to Channel 0 when moving the slider and noticed that the D1 led
    was on when I moved the slider.
  • Added a jumper wire from SSC-32 Ground to XBee Explorer Regulated board ground now I can communicate with the SSC-32
  • I can also communicate with the SSC-32 using the Visual Sequencer also but seems slow as compred to LynxTerm

any ideas what I could try to get better control?

Thanks

5

Got it working. Hooked up the XBee Explorer Regulated board just like the Bluesmirf to the SSC-32.
Tried several servos (Anolog, digital, unknown) and they all worked together. :smiley:
I see a ARC-32 in the near future :unamused:

6

I gathered that you use the XBees in the default config, right?

Is there anything preventing the use of a paired cuple of XBees?
I use XBees for telemetry downlink in my birds, and I always pair them:

  • same channel
  • same baud-rate
  • same network name
  • 2 individual names in the “MY”-register
  • name of the other module set in the “DL” register

Is there a problem to use it like that here?

7

the only thing i changed was the baud rate.
I would think they should work fine paired. I’ll have to give it a try