Bees Shield
Bees_Shield will make interfacing multiple Bee-style (XBee, GPRS Bee, Bluetooth Bee and etc) easier than ever before. Aside from two Bee-style 20p 2.0 pitch sockets, it also has a large prototyping area, and a customizable software serial port for easier prototyping.
Versions
Revision | Descriptions | Release |
---|---|---|
v2.12 | Initial public release | June 08, 2010 |
Features
- Dual Bee type socket
- 3 indicator LED(ON/Sleep, RSSI, ASSOC) for each Xbee
- Full size with free drills
- Reset button for each Xbee
- Reset button for base board
- Provide maximal 500mA under 3.3V
- Full break out for each Bee
- Switchable of communication with FTDI-USB /Base board
Hardware Overview
Platforms Supported
Getting Started
Work with Bee1
Connection
- Plug the Xbee module into the Bee 1 socket, setting the jumpers as below. We use Bee1 SoftwareSerial for communication.
Arduino Pins | Bee1 Pins |
---|---|
Digital Pin7 | Bee1_TX |
Digital Pin8 | Bee1_RX |
- Plug Bees Shield into Arduino.
- Connect Arduino to PC via a USB cable.
Software
- Copy and Upload the code to Ardunio.
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial mySerial(7, 8);
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
Serial.println("Goodnight moon!");
// set the data rate for the SoftwareSerial port
mySerial.begin(9600);
mySerial.println("Hello, world?");
}
void loop() {
// run over and over
if (mySerial.available())
Serial.write(mySerial.read());
if (Serial.available())
mySerial.write(Serial.read());
}
- When it's uploaded, open the serial to monitor.
Work with Bee2
Connection
- Plug the RFbee module into the Bee 2 socket, toggle switch to USB side.
备注
Toggle switch to the Atmega's side if you are not uploading a sketch to the Bee2. It does NOT work if the arduino is using ATmega168 – we need at least ATmega328 to pass serial communication through.
- Plug Bees Shield into Arduino.
- Connect Arduino to PC via a USB cable.
Software
- Please Copy and Upload the code to Ardunio to disable Uart0 port of Atmega IC first.
void setup() {
DDRD=0x00;
}
void loop() {}
Wireless Arduino programming with Bee2
Connection
- Solder the JP1 block on the board for wireless programming.
- Plug Bees Shield into Arduino.
Software
- Download Xbee setting profile to transmitter Xbee by using X-CTU.
- Let's use the wireless programming.
Expansion function
- First we have to solder two 8-pin female headers and two 6-pin female headers on the Bees shield.
- After the expansion we can insert small shield like music shield on the Bees shield and we can control it wirelessly.
Schematic Online Viewer
Resources
- [Eagle] Bees_Shield Eagle File
- [PDF] Bees_Shield schematics
- [PDF] Bees_Shield PCB
- [Tools] Xbee setting profiles