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X-CTU on Linux Ubuntu 10.04

Posted on | February 3, 2012 | No Comments

  Using Digi XCTU on linux (ubuntu 10.04)

Digi XCTU,

http://ftp1.digi.com/support/documentation/90001003_A.pdf (last verified: Feb 2012)

is a utility for configuring xbee modems.

While it is a Windows application, it can easily be made to work on Linux.

The following is no new information,

rather just a confirmation and

documentation of making this work on Linux Ubuntu 10.04

Before we start, some tips for XCTU in general, not specific for Linux:

  • Be patient! Be really patient! XCTU communication can be really slow, and often it will fail. When that happens, take your time, and systematically try all different connection settings. For example, you may think that your modem is at 38400 baud, but for some reason, it doesnt remember that – and will answer OK on 9600 baud anyway.
  •  Always save and archive configurations, and save them with good names that will let you know which is which – it will save you a lot of time.

Now, the Linux part:

(the following steps to be performed as root or via sudo)

0) Install wine

apt-get install wine

and configure it, using the Configure Wine menu item in your Applications menu.

You dont need to make any changes. It will create the .wine directory under your user directory.

1) Prepare symlinks

in ($HOME)/.wine/dosdevices, do

ln -s /dev/ttyUSB0 com5
ln -s /dev/ttyUSB1 com6
ln -s /dev/ttyUSB2 com7
ln -s /dev/ttyUSB3 com8

This is the main step really – it maps Linux’s serial ports (called tty) to Windows’ COM ports.

2) Download XCTU

http://ftp1.digi.com/support/utilities/40003002_B.exe

(at the time of writing – this might change.)

chmod this file to be executable:

chmod 755 <filename>

3) Open XCTU installer with wine program loader

Right click the file in folder view, open with Wine program loader,

follow install dialogue, no surprises or probs there.

4) Insert USB gateway with xbee module on it

Check which port it connects to by doing

ls -ltr /dev/tty*

or

grep USB /var/log/syslog

5) Start x-ctu via wine menu.

It should open without probs.

6) What will not work

Automatic firmware updates via web do not seem to work – you will have to get firmware updates manually, from

http://www.digi.com/support/productdetail?pid=3661 (at the time of writing, 20 feb 2012) and put the zip files in the xctu updates directory, e.g.

<yourhome>/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/Digi/XCTU/update

Then add them via the XCTU menu item

“Downlaod new versions” >> “from file”

7) Examples, screenshots

then follow the typical xbee modem configuration process, as described elsewhere, e.g. in pdf linked above or Rob Faludis book,

http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9780596807740.do

In order to communicate, XBee modules must use:

Here s some examples of my settings with some screenshots.
set BAUDRATE 38400
use API

PC settings, user com port – add our port here:

TEST QUERY MODEM answers OK

Modem Configuration – Read

Set Function Set ZIGBEE ROUTER API
Set PAN ID = 666
Channel = yr choice

SERIAL INTERFACING

Baud rate 38400 = 5
API = 2

Addressing

DH and DL both = 0

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