XBee transparent mode in detail

When operating in transparent mode, an XBee module acts as a serial line replacement. All data received through the serial input is immediately transmitted over the air. When the XBee module receives wireless data, it is sent out through the serial interface exactly at it is received. In fact, communication in transparent mode yields the same result as if the two modules were connected by a wire, but wireless communication makes that physical wire unnecessary.

For two XBee modules to communicate, the sending module needs the address of the recipient. When working in transparent mode, you must configure this address in the module that is communicating. XBee modules can store the complete 64-bit address of the destination module. This address must be programmed in two parameters: Destination Address High (DH) and Destination Address Low (DL).

If you want modules A and B to communicate, configure the destination address (DH + DL) of XBee A as the MAC address (SH + SL) of XBee B, and vice versa.

Transparent mode has some limitations. For example, when you are working with several modules, you must configure the destination before sending each message. However, transparent mode provides an easy way to get started with XBee devices for the following reasons:

• Operation is very simple.
• What you send is exactly what the other modules get.
• Compatible with any device that can communicate over a serial interface.
• Works very well when facilitating communication between two XBee modules.