X-CTU is a tool that configures ZigBee modules with whatever settings required. First step is to install X-CTU software. After this, ZigBee modules configuration begins. A point-to-point network is required to be constructed, which means that the two devices will communicate with each other. For this purpose, one ZigBee should be configured as a Coordinator (or Master), because it is mandatory to have one coordinator in each network and the other should be configured as a Router (or end device). So a Coordinator is created that will manage the network of ZigBee, here a network consists of one more ZigBee module. To begin, we need to take our ZigBee module (xbee radio) and insert it onto the XBee Explorer device and connect it to computer through RS232 serial port.
Further steps to Configure Zigbee module using XCTU are given below:
After connecting the ZigBee with the computer, double click the X-CTU icon and a window will open. This window looks like as shown in the figure 1.
Now click on the discover devices to discover the radio device. On clicking on this icon a window appears as depicted in the figure 2. On selecting the port to be scanned, click on next button.
As we click on the next button a window appears allowing to set port parameters. These port parameters include baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits and flow control. These parameters have been shown in the figure 3. After setting all these parameters, click on the finish button. Now as shown in the figure 4, click on the ‘add selected device’ button.
Now the radio module gets added. At this stage the radio module can be configured. To configure it, click on the icon of the radio module to show its properties and to configure it.
Now the properties will be visible as depicted in the figure 5. After this, click on the update firmware icon. On clicking on the icon a window appears as shown in the figure 6. In this window select Zigbee Coordinator AT from the function set and 20A7 (Newest) from the Firmware version. Now click on the update button. On updating, it is time to configure the radio module.
To make the radio modules (zigbee devices) to communicate with each other it is essential to edit the addressing settings appropriately. So as clear from the figure 7, in the destination address high (DH) and destination address low (DL) write the serial number high (SH) and serial number low (SL) of the radio module, to be configured as the router. Write ‘coordinator’ in the Node Identifier (NI) to identify the device as the coordinator. After finishing all this, click on the ‘write radio settings’ icon.
Further steps to Configure Zigbee module using XCTU are given below:
Steps to Configure ZigBee (XBee) Module using XCTU Software
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| Figure 1: Window for discovering radio module devices (Configure ZigBee/XBee using XCTU) |
Now click on the discover devices to discover the radio device. On clicking on this icon a window appears as depicted in the figure 2. On selecting the port to be scanned, click on next button.
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| Figure 2: Window for selecting the ports to scan (Configure ZigBee/XBee using XCTU) |
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| Figure 3: Setting the port parameters (Configure ZigBee/XBee using XCTU) |
As we click on the next button a window appears allowing to set port parameters. These port parameters include baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits and flow control. These parameters have been shown in the figure 3. After setting all these parameters, click on the finish button. Now as shown in the figure 4, click on the ‘add selected device’ button.
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| Figure 4: Window showing the discovered device (Configure ZigBee/XBee using XCTU) |
Now the radio module gets added. At this stage the radio module can be configured. To configure it, click on the icon of the radio module to show its properties and to configure it.
Now the properties will be visible as depicted in the figure 5. After this, click on the update firmware icon. On clicking on the icon a window appears as shown in the figure 6. In this window select Zigbee Coordinator AT from the function set and 20A7 (Newest) from the Firmware version. Now click on the update button. On updating, it is time to configure the radio module.
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| Figure 5: Radio device configuration window (Configure ZigBee/XBee using XCTU) |
To make the radio modules (zigbee devices) to communicate with each other it is essential to edit the addressing settings appropriately. So as clear from the figure 7, in the destination address high (DH) and destination address low (DL) write the serial number high (SH) and serial number low (SL) of the radio module, to be configured as the router. Write ‘coordinator’ in the Node Identifier (NI) to identify the device as the coordinator. After finishing all this, click on the ‘write radio settings’ icon.
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| Figure 6: Updating the radio firmware for the COORDINATOR (Configure ZigBee/XBee using XCTU) |
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| Figure 7: Configuring the address of the COORDINATOR (Configure ZigBee/XBee using XCTU) |
The radio module ( zigbee module) can now be removed from the XBee Explorer . Now insert the other zigbee module into the XBee Explorer to configure it as the ROUTER. Discover device and add the device in the same way, as was done for the coordinator device and click on the update Firmware. The update Firmware window is shown in the figure 8. Now select the Zigbee Router AT from the function set and 22A7 (Newest) from the Firmware version and click on update button.
After successful firmware updation, edit the addressing settings as depicted in the figure 9. In the Destination address High (DH) and Destination address Low (DL) write the Serial number High (SH) and Serial number Low (SL) of the radio module, configured as the COORDINATOR. Write ‘ROUTER’ in the Node Identifier (NI) to identify the device as the router and click on the ‘write radio settings’ icon.
After successful firmware updation, edit the addressing settings as depicted in the figure 9. In the Destination address High (DH) and Destination address Low (DL) write the Serial number High (SH) and Serial number Low (SL) of the radio module, configured as the COORDINATOR. Write ‘ROUTER’ in the Node Identifier (NI) to identify the device as the router and click on the ‘write radio settings’ icon.
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| Figure 8: Updating the firmware of the ROUTER (Configure ZigBee/XBee using XCTU) |
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| Figure 9: Configuring the address of the ROUTER (Configure ZigBee/XBee using XCTU) |
