Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Hardware and software requirements
For this first project, we will need Arduino boards, PIR motion sensors, and some XBee
modules and XBee shields, depending on the number of sensors you want to have in your
system. For just one sensor, you will need the following components:
• Arduino R3 board (
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11021
)
• PIR sensor (
http://www.adafruit.com/products/189
)
• Series 1 XBee module (
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11215
)
• Arduino XBee shield (
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10854
)
Note that I added the link to the components I used for this project as a reference, but you
can also choose to use other components.
The motion sensor needs to have three pins: two for the power supply and one signal pin. It
should also use a 5V voltage level to be compatible with the Arduino Uno board that also
operates at 5V.
For the XBee module, I used a Series 1 XBee module, 1mW, with a trace antenna (which
means it doesn't require any external antenna). You could also use a module with an extern-
al antenna, but you would then have to connect the antenna to the module. I used Series 1
XBee modules for this project as they are easier to use than Series 2, which have function-
alities we do not need for this simple project. This module has a range of about 100 meters
without obstacles.
You will also need to connect your XBee module to your Arduino board. For that, each of
my motion sensor modules will use an Arduino XBee shield from Sparkfun, but you can
use other brands as well. It just needs to make the connections between the XBee module
and the Arduino board.
Finally, you will need a way to communicate with these XBee modules from your com-
puter. I used another XBee module (also Series 1, 1mW, with a trace antenna) connected to
an XBee explorer board from Sparkfun, which is basically a USB interface board where
you can plug any XBee module. I used the following components for the module connected
to the computer:
• XBee explorer USB (
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8687
)
• Series 1 XBee module (
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11215
)
