Issues with Digi XBee Module Communication – Need Debugging Help

XBee & XBee Gateway XCTU
1

Hello everyone,

I’m working on a project using Digi XBee Series 3 modules for wireless communication, but I’m running into some issues that I can’t seem to resolve. Hoping someone here can provide guidance!

Setup Details:

  • Hardware: XBee Series 3 modules (XB3-24Z8PT)
  • Firmware Version: Latest (updated via XCTU)
  • Communication Mode: API mode (not transparent)
  • Connections: XBee → USB Adapter → PC (via XCTU)
  • Goal: Send and receive data between two XBee modules

The Issue:

  • When I try to send data from one XBee module to another, I sometimes receive the data correctly, but other times, it gets dropped or delayed significantly.
  • XCTU’s console log shows intermittent failures, and sometimes frames don’t appear at all.
  • The RSSI seems stable, and I’ve tried different baud rates and channel settings without much success.
  • Using AT mode, communication seems more stable, but I need API mode for structured data handling.

Troubleshooting Steps I’ve Tried:

  1. Checked PAN ID and channel settings – Both modules are on the same PAN.
  2. Tested in different environments – No noticeable RF interference nearby.
  3. Tried different API frame types – Still experiencing inconsistent results.
  4. Updated firmware and reset to defaults – Issue persists.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues with XBee in API mode? Could this be a configuration issue, or should I look into potential hardware defects?

Any advice or troubleshooting steps would be greatly appreciated!

I also checked this: https://forums.digi.com/t/need-xbee-module-for-minimum-500-indoor-high-interference-area-serial-communication/tableau

Thanks in advance!

2

I would suggest you log into my.digi.com and submit a support case. When doing so, make sure you include the profiles of the radios and some of your API frames.