Zigbit module newbie help

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npat_avr
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Posted by npat_avr: Sun. Mar 28, 2010 - 04:14 AM
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Hi Freaks,

I have two Zigbit 2.4GHz modules. I want to eventually use them (one as transmitter and another as receiver) to control a stepper motor remotely.

Where should I begin? I know the modules have a bootloader, right? So if I connect them to the hyperterminal, should I be able to see the menu on the hyperterminal window? Can I use the STK500 to program these modules so I can control my stepper motor?

Any tutorials/pointers for how and where to start would be very helpful.

Thanks.

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Wireless, General Wireless Discussions
Last Edited: Fri. Oct 16, 2015 - 02:35 PM
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alexru
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Posted by alexru: Sun. Mar 28, 2010 - 07:22 AM
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npat_avr wrote:
Where should I begin?

Start with developing some evaluation board and studying sample applications from SDK (in case you want to use ZigBee).

npat_avr wrote:
So if I connect them to the hyperterminal, should I be able to see the menu on the hyperterminal window?

Bootloader is not that advanced, it uses binary protocol and does not send anything to port on startup, it just expects right handshake string.

NOTE: I no longer actively read this forum. Please ask your question on www.eevblog.com/forum if you want my answer.

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npat_avr
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Posted by npat_avr: Sun. Mar 28, 2010 - 02:46 PM
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Thanks,alexru.

I checked for the Zigbit development kit and it is > $300 a bit too expensive for my budget.

Right now I am just looking for the minimum configuration to get the modules up and running.
I will look at some development boards to understand the minimum configuration (hardware wise) I would need to get the modules up and running.

Can I treat the module just like an ordinary 8 bit AVR and connect supply, GND, UART, etc. as the datasheet mentions?

I am confused about the firmware and what commands I would need to send from my hyperterminal to get a response back from the modules. Will take a long look at the datasheet to see if I can understand.

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alexru
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Posted by alexru: Sun. Mar 28, 2010 - 02:58 PM
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npat_avr wrote:
I checked for the Zigbit development kit and it is > $300 a bit too expensive for my budget.

I was not speaking about official devkit, which is almost impossible to buy now since Atmel have not started production yet and Meshnetics's ones are all sold out.

But you'll need some kind of board.

npat_avr wrote:
Right now I am just looking for the minimum configuration to get the modules up and running.

Basically you need to supply power, JTAG/ISP connector (optional if you want to use bootloader to program the module) and USART to get some kind of communication with the module.

npat_avr wrote:
Can I treat the module just like an ordinary 8 bit AVR and connect supply, GND, UART, etc. as the datasheet mentions?

Yes, you can.

npat_avr wrote:
I am confused about the firmware and what commands I would need to send from my hyperterminal to get a response back from the modules.

There should be description of protocol somewhere out there. There is also PC GUI bootloader which you may use to program the module.

NOTE: I no longer actively read this forum. Please ask your question on www.eevblog.com/forum if you want my answer.

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