Xbee Pro Test Setup Configuration - snowpuppy/augreality GitHub Wiki
The diagram below depicts the setup used to test the Xbee devices. Pin 3 and Pin 2 of the Xbee Pro 2 are connected together in this setup so that when messages from Xbee Pro 1 are sent, the Xbee Pro 2 repeats them. XCTU was used to run the test from the PC connected to Xbee Pro 1. The results are mentioned below.
____________ __________________
| | USB to Mini USB | Xbee explorer | ________________________
| PC |-------------------------| with |-----| 2dbi Antenna 900 MHZ |
| | | Xbee Pro 1 | ------------------------
------------- -------------------
_______________________ _____________________
| 3v Pin 1|------------------------| Pin 1 3v |
| gnd Pin 6|------------------------| Pin 10 gnd |
| Tx Pin 8|---- /--| Pin 3 Rx | __________________________
| Rx Pin 10|---- \--| Pin 2 Tx |-----| 2dbi Antenna 900 MHZ |
| | | | --------------------------
| Raspberry Pi | | Xbee Pro 2 |
------------------------ ----------------------
The goal of this test was to get a near line of sight measurement of how far the xbee pro can transmit. Using google maps as the measuring tool I travelled down a street till it dead ended. Google maps measured the distance I travelled as approximately 444 meters. A speed test with XCTU with the xbee held at about head height measured the packet success rate as approx 75%. There was a 25% packet loss. The test was run over a period of 4 minutes. There was a not a direct line of sight. Trees and cars were in the way of the signal.
Test 2 through 5 were not conducted with direct line of sight. there were a varying number of houses and other objects in the way. These tests were done in a suburb. The distances were calculated using google maps labs. The Success Failure packets and percentages were taken from XCTU.
| Test Num | Percentage Success | Distance (meters) | Time (minutes) | Sucess/Failure (packets) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 75% | 444 | 4 | 406/106 |
| 2 | 20% | 311 | 4 | 42/220 |
| 3 | 75% | 203 | 4 | 449/152 |
| 4 | 54% | 155 | 4 | 226/192 |
| 5 | 70% | 208 | 4 | 384/161 |
Additional testing of the xbee device conducted:
- One xbee connected via xbee explorer to netbook and the other connected to atx power supply on ground. The test was conducted in the field across Hillenbrand.
- Approximately 200 meters of range was seen for this test.
- One xbee connected via xbee explorer to netbook and the other through xbee explorer to laptop. The test was conducted from engineering fountain across the walkway towards Stewart.
- Approximately 240 meters of range was seen.
- One xbee connected via xbee explorer to netbook and the other through xbee explorer to laptop. The laptop was positioned at the top of the parking garage next to Hillenbrand. The test was conducted across the field.
- Approximately 200-280 meters of range was seen.