One sender, others receive. Packetizing problems?

Hi all,

Short overview of the setup:
I have one sender and four receivers. I need to send 1 byte, four times per second.
If a packet is dropped, that’s not a big issue, getting new data is more important. So, packetization should not happen.

I thought about using Xbee modules (S2B series).
The sender will always be on wall power, the others battery powered. I configured the sender as coordinator, the others as routers.

My programming skills are not good enough yet to use API mode.

I’ve configured the coordinator with
DH/DL = 0/0xFFFF
RO = 0

This still has the coordinator sending the data out in bursts every few seconds. I’ve tried programming the microcontroller sending the data to
-enter command mode,
-set the adress of the first receiver,
-exit command mode,
-send byte,

and so on for every byte (so four times a second), but can’t get the setup reliable enough, sometimes the xbee doesn’t go into command mode. I don’t think this is the best solution anyway.

I’ve read through the whole datasheet searching for a better solution, and I’m wondering about SE and SD settings.
Should I configure these? If so, how?

Or is this setup doomed to fail and should I look further?

Thanks,

Dieter

Dieter, that would be the wrong product for this. Try using the XBee 802.15.4 modules or the 868LP. Both are better suited for what you want to do.

I see, thanks.
I’ll certainly take that into consideration next time, which I should have done before picking this product. At the time, these modules seemed perfect.

As I have already purchased them, is there any way I can get this to work with these modules for now?

As mvut said, even I felt that 802.15.4 is a better solution for your project.

If you still wish to make most out of these modules then set baud rate high to values like BD=115200 and decrease broadcast radius to lowest i.e. BH=0x01.

You cannot keep Rx modules on battery. At this rate, I don’t think batteries will even last from a week. And SE and SD parameter are totally irrelevant with your issue.

Thank you for your advice.

I will implement the devices as good as possible and next time check here first for advice on which modules to use.
Seems like I seriously misjudged the purpose of this product.

The modules are powered by 11500mAh battery packs, and even then, only need to operate for a couple of hours between cycles.

Regards,
Dieter