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XBee® Wi-Fi RF Modules
The API provides an alternative means of configuring modules and of routing data at the
local host application layer. A local host application can send data frames to the module
that contain address and payload information instead of using command mode to
modify addresses. The module will send data frames to the application containing status
packets; as well as source, and payload information from received data packets. The API
operation option facilitates many operations such as the examples cited below:
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A Comparison of Transparent and API Operation
The following table compares the advantages of transparent and API modes of
operation:
Simple Interface
Easy to support
Easy to manage data
transmissions to multiple
destinations
Received data frames
indicate the sender's
address
Advanced Networking
diagnostics
Remote Configuration
As a general rule of thumb, API firmware is recommended when a module:
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If the above conditions do not apply, (e.g. in a sensor node, or a simple application) then
transparent operation might be suitable. It is acceptable to use a mixture of modules
running API mode and transparent mode in a network.
© 2013 Digi International, Inc.
Transmitting data to multiple destinations without entering Command Mode
Receive success/failure status of each transmitted RF packet
Identify the source address of each received packet
All received serial data is transmitted unless the module is in command mode.
It is easier for an application to support transparent operation and command mode.
Transmitting RF data to multiple remotes only requires changing the address in the
API frame. This Process is much faster than transparent operation where the
application must enter AT command mode, change the address, exit command mode,
and then transmit data. Each API transmission can return a transmit status frame
indicating the success or reason for failure
All received RF data API frames indicate the source address.
API frames can provide indication of IO samples from remote modules, transmission
status messages, and local radio status messages.
Set/read configuration commands can be sent to remote modules to configure them
as needed using the API.
sends RF data to multiple destinations
sends remote configuration commands to manage modules in the network
receives IO samples from remote modules
receives RF data packets from multiple modules, and the application needs to
know which module sent which packet
needs to use the put request and device request features of the iDigi server
Transparent Operation Features
API Operation Features
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