Building Wireless Sensor Networks Using Arduino

Switching to API mode

Until now, you have seen the XBee module work in AT mode or transparent mode. Any data the XBee module receives on its serial port is transmitted as it is by the radio, and any data received by the radio is forwarded through the serial port directly.

AT mode can be useful for simple point-to-point radio links, or when talking to existing serial devices (where you have no control over the serial protocol used). Transparent mode can also be used to upload sketches to a remote Arduino through the air (not covered in this book). Most examples and tutorials available on the Internet use this transparent mode for communicating.

However, AT mode is also limited. Data can only be sent to a single preconfigured address. When receiving ...