Implementing Communication via XBee using LIFA?

[e-Jmo]

How does one implement communication (either simplex or duplex) between LabVIEW and  an Arudino UNO using a pair of Xbee modules and the LIFA library?

I've never used Xbee modules, nor do I own any as of yet.

Do the Xbee modules need to be setup using another software package prior to use?

I've found a few references to people using Xbee/LabVIEW/Arduino, but I've never seen an example on the Internet where they used the LIFA to establish serial communcation to the Arudino via XBee.   Every example so far was written “manually” using VISA.

Thanks for any assistance the group can provide...

[Kristoff2]

e-Jmo,

By default he Xbee modules are configured for Serial over Zigbee.  Once you program your Arduino with the LIFA Firmware (without the xbee attached) you can replace the USB cable with an Xbee module attached to the PC and one to the Arduino.  The Xbee attached to the PC will show up as a virtual COM port which you can now use with LIFA.   By default the Xbees are in a broadcast mode so each one with 'hear' everything any other xbee withing range 'says'.  This is great if you only have two, but you will need to use Digi's configuration tool to give them proper addresses if you want to use more that two in one location.

I had better luck with lower baud rates with the Xbee.  I think I could go as high as 38K before I started dropping too many packets.  You can use digi's tool to set the buad rate.  Just make sure both Xbees, the LIFA firmware and the value passed to the init VI all match.

Let us know if you have questions once you get the hardware.

-Sam

LIFA Developer

[aks.cristion.filwr]

Sam,

Just to be clear, in order to get Xbee working with LIFA, you need 2 Xbees and 1 Arduino?