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I am currently programming / configuring an Atmel AT86RF233 radio and trying to get it to communicate with an digi xbee. So far I have set the following fields on the Atmel radio:

  1. extended address
  2. pan ID
  3. operating channel
  4. not coordinator (i.e. the radio's role is a "router").

The digi xbee is still not able to discover the Atmel radio (using the ATND) command.
At a conceptual level, how can I debug something like this? Is it possible I can use a spectrum analyzer to see the RF emitted from the Atmel radio?

Would it be a better idea to get two Atmel radios to talk to each other first, and then try Atmel radio <---> digi xbee communication?

Basically my question is what is the best methodology to attack / debug a problem like this?

JYelton
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user1068636
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    Methodically. Also, tagging this as RF is a bit misleading as your problems are software related as far as I can see. – John U Jul 11 '13 at 08:43

2 Answers2

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Assuming you have already built up your radio with components like what is shown on page 10 of your link, I would first debug and double check the circuit surrounding your radio.

Then I would find a sample piece of code or instruction set that can be used to turn some settings on/off. Maybe there is already a project out there using another radio in this Atmel family. You should be able to use your computer's serial port to send instructions to the radio directly. I would use a breadboard for this.

Basically, I would try to keep it simple as possible, and then add the complexity back in when I understand each piece thoroughly. Hope this helps!

user878796
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First start with the power. after that if you use a tone generator you can start injecting the signal at the speakers and work backwards until you do not hear a tone. That will be the point at which you start looking and testing individual components. That is a quick lesson.

user26303
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