Communicate an Xbee Connected to Arduino to Xbee Connected to Xbee Explorer

Xbee communication using Arduino is an interesting task. Here is a demonstration of connecting XBee RF Modules to Arduino. Entire system can be pictorially represented as shown in figure.

XBees have to be configured, according to our purpose, before inserting to the breakout board. In this example, I configured RF Modules for Peer-to-Peer communication. Read this tutorial to configure XBee modules for Peer-to-Peer Communication.

Step 1: Complete the circuit as shown in figure given below.

Step 2: Insert one of the configured XBee to the breakout board (Xbee modules should be inserted       carefully. Improper placing will damage your Xbee module).

Step 3: Connect Arduino board to computer.

Step 4: Open Arduino IDE and paste the following program.

char letter;

void setup() {

  Serial.begin(9600);

}

void loop() {  

  Serial.write('a');

  delay(400); 

  if(Serial.available())

  {         

    letter=Serial.read();

    Serial.print(letter);

  }

}

Step 5: Upload the program to your Arduino board. For successfull uploading, don't forget to disconnect the wires connected to the RX and TX pins of Arduino.

Step 6: Connect the other Xbee module to your computer via a Xbee explorer USB or 

Xbee explorer dongle. 

Step 7: Open X-CTU. Enter the Com Port Number. Then press Add button.

Step 8: Press Test / Query button.

Step 9: Open the terminal tab of X-CTU as well as the Serial monitor of Arduino. Letters typed in the terminal of X-CTU will be displayed in the Serial Monitor of the Arduino. Xbee connected to the Arduino will be always sending letter 'a' to the Xbee module connected via Xbee explorer USB or Xbee explorer dongle.