EEL 4599 Wireless & Mobile Networks Spring 2024 Lab 1 Report and Demo – Due Monday, February 5, 2024, 11:59pm EEL4599 Wireless and Mobile Networks Xbee Zigbee Lab 1 – Due February 5, 2024 Instructor: Name: Dr. Janise McNair Email Address: Contact through Canvas mail tool Office Hours: hour after lecture Lab Teaching Assistant: Name: Quadri Email Address: Contact through Canvas mail tool Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 2pm-3pm, MAE - B 328 Learning Goals: The major goal of this class is to understand the basic operation and design of wireless systems. To this end, the projects draw upon your knowledge and experience from the course lectures and reading assignments to use in implementation. The goal of Lab 1 is to learn how to set up a simple Zigbee network and transmit data between the nodes. You will assemble the hardware and connect it to your computer, configure the XBees for wireless communication, create a network, and start sending messages. References and Materials: Most needed reference files have been posted in the Canvas > Files > Labs folder Hardware: Digi XBee3 Module Dev Kit, XK3-Z8S-WZM Software: XCTU and XBee microPython References: See the helpful documentation in the Canvas > Files > Labs folder. Deliverables 1. Short Report. Upload a short report to the Lab assignment link that answers the questions in the lab and describes your experiment. Report should include photos of the experiment in numbered figures with captions. The figure numbers must be referred to in the paragraphs/text. Format: No more than 3 pages of text. Up to 4 additional pages of numbered figures. Single column. 11pt font. 2. Demo Recording Record one teammate running and explaining the Lab 1 experiment. (Teammate 2 will do Lab 2 and Teammate 3 will do Lab 3.) This cannot be the same person who will demo a following lab. To receive full credit, you must upload the recording to your group’s repository folder (See Part 0 of this lab) and share it with wamslab.tas@gmail.com You can generate the mp4 by recording with your phone or tablet or record a zoom session. Grading: A group grade will be assigned based on length/format of report; well-written content; description of experiment, including figures; answers to questions; well-organized demo recording, implementation, quality and relevance of experiment. EEL 4599 Wireless & Mobile Networks Spring 2024 Lab 1 Report and Demo – Due Monday, February 5, 2024, 11:59pm Part 0: Set up your Group Repository (10 points) Make one repository folder for all your group’s demo recordings (all labs and projects) this semester. Give access to/share the folder with wamslab.tas@gmail.com All of your group members must have shared access to this one repository. The repository can be a youtube channel, a google group folder, a UF one drive folder, or an MS Team. Part 1: Set up your XBee Devices In this section of the lab, you will be tasked with verifying the contents of your XBee kits, assembling the hardware, and acquainting yourself with the specifications of the XBee devices. To successfully accomplish this phase of the lab, it is imperative to have an XBee3 Kit and a laptop or computer equipped with useable USB ports. First ensure that your XBee3 Kit comes with the following materials: a. 3 XBee modules (1 per student) b. 3 XBee grove development boards (1 per student) c. 3 micro-USB cables (1 per student) Once you have verified the completeness of your kit, proceed to assemble the hardware by following the instructions outlined in the provided file: Canvas > Files > Labs file: 4599 Lab 1 Assemble the hardware instructions.pdf Document the status of your kit in your report. In the event of any missing components, kindly contact Quadri Abiru for resolution. Learn About XBee 3 Radios . To gain familiarity with the specifications of the module, refer to the information provided in the Hardware Reference Manual available at: Canvas > Files > Labs file: Digi XBee 3 RF Module Hardware Reference Manual.pdf . Extract the answers to the following questions from this manual. Organize your responses into a coherent paragraph titled ' About XBee 3 Radios ' in your Lab Report. Questions: a. What is the form factor of your Xbee device? List its dimensions in cm. b. What is the operating band frequency of Xbee devices? c. What is the Xbee device operating voltage? a. What is the max voltage that can be applies to Xbee GPIO pins? b. What is the indoor/urban range of the Xbee? c. What is the outdoor line-of-sight range? d. What is the maximum transmit power in dBm? e. What is the RF data rate? f. What is the receiver sensitivity? g. What is the typical transmit and receive operating current? Why does understanding device specifications matter? Give TWO example scenarios of how knowledge of device specifications can be used when designing a wireless network that employs XBee modules for data transmission. Include this under the same paragraph in your Lab Report EEL 4599 Wireless & Mobile Networks Spring 2024 Lab 1 Report and Demo – Due Monday, February 5, 2024, 11:59pm Part 2: Download and Install XCTU For this segment of the laboratory, it is necessary to download the XCTU software, a free multi-platform application provided by Digi International. This application is designed to facilitate developers' interaction with Digi RF modules through an intuitive graphical interface. The link to the Digi XCTU page is: https://www.digi.com/products/embedded-systems/digi-xbee/digi-xbee-tools/xctu Learn About the XCTU Development Tool. Utilize the information and relevant links from this page, in conjunction with the XCTU User Guide located at: Canvas > Files > Labs file: Digi XBee XCTU User Guide.pdf, to download and install the XCTU software. Ensure a thorough reading of the sections and employ the information gathered to address the following questions. Organize your responses into a structured paragraph titled ' About the XCTU Development Tool ' in your report. Reference Sections: a. “Download and install XCTU” (Provides instructions for Windows, OSX and Linux) b. “RF concepts and terminology” c. “XCTU overview” Questions: a. What are the main sections in the XCTU software? b. What are the different XCTU working modes? Briefly describe each one. c. What is an RF module? d. What is Radio firmware? e. What is a radio communication protocol and which protocols do you think are relevant to your lab work? f. What is meant by operating mode of a radio module and how many are there? g. What are the operating modes? Give a brief description of each. Part 3: Configuring and Operating Modules In this phase of the lab, you will utilize the XCTU software to configure three XBee modules and establish data transmission between them. Refer to the specified sections in the XCTU User Guide, available at: Canvas/Files/Labs/ Digi XBee XCTU User Guide.pdf (missing) . Extract relevant information from the guide to progress through the subsequent subsections of the lab and provide answers to the associated questions. Sections: a. Add radio modules to XCTU b. Configure your modules c. Communicate with your modules Part 3.1: Connect your XBee modules to XCTU In this lab subsection, the objective is to ensure the visibility of your XBee module in the XCTU software. The XCTU User Guide, accessible at: Canvas > Files > Labs file: Digi XBee XCTU User Guide.pdf, provides comprehensive information on achieving this goal through two different approaches. In your lab report, elucidate on these two methods and specify the approach you adopted. Detail the steps taken to accomplish this task based on the chosen approach. For this step, take a screenshot to include in your lab report showcasing the Radio Modules section of the XCTU software, demonstrating the XCTU recognition of two of your group’s Xbee radio modules. EEL 4599 Wireless & Mobile Networks Spring 2024 Lab 1 Report and Demo – Due Monday, February 5, 2024, 11:59pm Please be aware that an Action Required pop-up may prompt you to reset the device; in such a case, press the Reset button on the Grove Development Board. Reference File: Canvas > Files > Labs file: Digi XBee Grove Development Board Hardware Reference Manual.pdf Part 3.2: Configure All 3 XBee modules To enable wireless data transmission among your XBee modules, it is crucial to configure them to operate within the same network. Designate one device as the coordinator, while the others can function as routers or end devices. In this instance, configure one router and one end device to transmit data to the coordinator. Begin by restoring the default settings of all XBee modules using the Load default firmware settings button located at the top of the Radio Configuration section. Subsequently, utilize XCTU to configure the parameters outlined below. Record the settings for all XBee modules by employing the Write radio settings button found at the top of the Radio Configuration section. Note: The dashes (—) in the table mean to keep the default value. Do not change the default value. Following the configuration of your radios, ensure they are in the same network by clicking the "Discover radio nodes in the same network" button on the coordinator module. In your lab report, include a screenshot depicting the outcome of this process and explain why it is essential to verify that the nodes are in the same network. Part 3.3: Sending messages between 3 XBee Modules To send messages to the coordinator via the XCTU console, it's necessary to configure the operating mode of the XBee modules. In this lab subsection, you will configure your devices to transmit messages in both Transparent Mode and API mode (without escapes). In your lab report , mention which device parameter configures operating mode, and explain the steps involved in sending messages in Transparent Mode and API mode, highlighting the differences between the two processes. Include screenshots of the coordinator console displaying messages received from the two other XBees in both operating modes. EEL 4599 Wireless & Mobile Networks Spring 2024 Lab 1 Report and Demo – Due Monday, February 5, 2024, 11:59pm For Transparent Mode, show completion by sending the messages "Hello from router <<add name or number>>" and "Hello from end-device <<add a name or number>>," and include screenshots of the sending device's console. In API mode, demonstrate completion by presenting a screenshot of the packet information from the coordinator console, ensuring the MAC address of the source device is visible. It's important to note that effective communication with XBees can be established from any laptop running the XCTU software provided the XBee modules are properly configured. If a laptop has only two USB ports, the last module can be added to another group member's laptop. Alternatively, the task can be performed sequentially. Finally, to show multiple consoles simultaneously you can used detached view mode. Part 4: Clean Up Disconnect your XBees and put them away securely. They will be reused for each lab.