This week I spent my time on to get the Xbee modules up and running. This was mostly spent configuring hardware to connect an Xbee to the Arduino Pro Mini. In order to program the Xbee with XCTU it has to have a serial interface. We discovered that we could program the Xbee through the Arduino. So if the Arduino is connected to a computer through the serial module and then the Arduino is connected to the Xbee, the Xbee can be programmed as long as the Arduino is running a blank sketch.
We ran into some challenges connecting the Xbee modules due to the non breadboard compatible pins. We had to wire wrap and solder some wires onto the 4 pins we needed on the Xbee. We then connected these pins to the Arduino (power, ground, tx, and rx). By the end of the week we were able to successfully have XCTU discover the Xbee through the Arduino and we can program it. I also worked a bit more on the chair sensor code to be more robust and correctly check occupancy every few seconds. We also ordered some breakout boards that allows the Xbee to be breadboard compatible, so we will use those once they arrive.
Going forwards we need to wire up another Xbee on the Raspberry Pi so that we can correctly configure the two Xbees on the same network and test the communication. We also need to ensure we are prepared for the demo this upcoming week. I think we should be good to show the chair sensor and possibly the RPi to website communication. We might try to get Xbee working by the demo too but that is undetermined.
I think I am making good progress and on schedule. Getting zigbee communication working between the Arduino and RPi is the last big hurdle which we should be able to accomplish this week. We will make a new schedule for the last few weeks based off of our current status. I think we are on track to have a functional product that meets our requirements by the end of the semester.