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GO WIRELESS! XBee is an exciting new 2.4GHz ZigBee module that allows wireless communication between PICAXE chips and/or computers. The AXE210 Connect project board allows simple interfacing between XBee and PICAXE for projects/experiments The primary advantage of the 2.4GHz XBee over 433MHz rf modules is that the XBee modules are ‘bi-directional’. Most budget 433 systems only transmit in one direction, so the transmitter has no idea whether the receiver is actually getting the data! The XBee modules can transmit and receive in both directions, so you can easily test (at both ends) if the system is working correctly. The second advantage is that of unique addressing - each XBee unit has a factory configured unique serial number. This means two (or more) units can be set up to exclusively talk to each other, ignoring all signals from other modules. This is not easily achieved with 433 modules. The third advantage is that the XBee module has in build ‘data-packet’ building and error-checking to ensure reliable data transmission. PICAXE CONNECT - GO WIRELESS! PICAXE CONNECT PARTS To add additional XBee ‘nodes’ to the pair provided in the starter pack you require the following three items: PICAXE Connect Kit: AXE210 PICAXE-18X Chip: AXE015X XBee Module: XBE001 The PICAXE Connect board connects to the computer via the standard PICAXE serial download cable. If your laptop computer does not have a 9 pin serial port you will also require the USB adapter. PICAXE Serial Cable: AXE026 USB Adapter: USB010 PICAXE CONNECT & GPS The PICAXE Connect board can also be used with a GPS module instead of the XBee module. This enables users to build a GPS system using the PICAXE. The GPS module can also be conected directly to the computer using the same board. PICAXE Connect Kit: AXE210 PICAXE-18X Chip: AXE015X GPS LS-40EB Module: GPS001 External GPS Antenna: GPS002 PICAXE-XBEE STARTER PACK It is recommended that new users purchase the XBee starter pack. This includes the following items - : 2 XBee modules : 2 AXE210 Connect board kits : 1 PICAXE-18X microcontroller An AXE026 serial cable and 6x AA batteries are also required. PICAXE-XBee starter pack: XBE010 AA Alkaline Battery: BAT002 TYPICAL XBEE APPLICATIONS INCLUDE: • PICAXE to computer - e.g. monitoring of a greenhouse temperature • computer to PICAXE - e.g. remote control of a robot • PICAXE to PICAXE - e.g. weather station sensors interacting • computer to multiple PICAXE - e.g. a wireless security system PICAXE & GPS: A secondary function of the PICAXE Connect board is to act as a PICAXE to GPS interface. By adding the LocSense LS-40EB GPS module (instead of the XBee module) a complete PICAXE to GPS interface is formed. Sample example files show how to extract GPS information via the PICAXE system. If desired, the PICAXE chip can also be replaced via a MAX3232 serial interface chip. This allows the GPS system to be connected directly to the computers serial port for testing and configuration, or even for a complete computer based GPS project! For further information please see www.picaxe.co.uk XBee is a registered trademark of Maxstream Inc. PICAXE is a registered trademark of Revolution Education Ltd
