Just loaded and run the wsn starter program for the first time.

What is the software that is loaded in the usb pc gateway by default?

I do not know exactly what this software does, but it looks like it sends to the com port the full 802.15.4 frame header and pdu. Is this the case and is there a quick way usng libelium structures or other to know exactly where the pdu starts (the bit with themps etc in or what ever I adapt to put in aux) in the frame, I understand the 802.15.4 header may vary in size.

Many thanks

hardya,

Gateway is not programmable, is just a UART-USB bridge. So what you are seeing is directly XBee output.

You have many ways of managing information arriving through gateway. You can read a few post regarding this, but Libelium can not help you on this, we only provide the interface. Sorry about that.

Any other questions please feel free to ask.

Regards.

Ok,

Thanks...

Can you point me to any of the posts you mention? To clarify, what is coming on the com port is the layer 2 frame as is right?

Also the libelium catalog says one can use the gateway to send "commands" to the WSN. What does this mean?

Do I have to prepare the entire 802.15.4 frame without the aid of the 802.15.4 api used on the motes and send that to the com port? How does that work?

hardya,

here you can read one. but there are more, try using search tab.

What you can see is the frame as is, with headers and all fields.
What do you mean? sending at commands to Xbee modules? or sending information to other Waspmotes?
Yes, but there are many ways to do it, using Java or other methods.

Maybe Digi's documentation available on Digi's website is also useful for you.

Let us know your comments.

Regards

Thank yoy for your suggestions I shall take a look.

Regarding "sending commands", I was simply quoting the libelium catalog

"The Waspmote Gateway is also
used to send commands to the sensor network"

And asking what 'that' meant?

I was finding it hard to find an elaberation of this statement in the waspmotre technoical guide, do you know which page it may further explain the quote "The Waspmote Gateway is also
used to send commands to the sensor network" that was in the catalogue?

hardya,

The sentence that you are referring to, means that you can send data frames to other network nodes which can contain "commands" for your nodes like "measure that sensor" or "give me your battery". You can define data fields in your preferred way.

On the other hand, there is also possible to communicate with XBee module by sending "AT commands" to configure network parameters like channel, PANID, etc.

Regards.

Where are the AT commands documented for setting channel, panid etc on the gateway.

Can I also set for example transmission power and can I pick up rssi on receiving a packet.

How is it distinguished if I am just sending an AT command on the com port or if I am putting a mac frame on the com port that I want the gateway to send out as is?

Many thanks

hardya,

Please we kindly recommend you to spend some time reading documentation provided in our development section, and also into Digi's website mentioned above (in this docs you have the AT command description).

You will understand how to manage Waspmote and XBee modules, and which commands you need to do your tasks.

It seems difficult to understand at the beginning, but if you spend some time reading, it will become easier and we will be happy to help you.

Regards.

It's not so much the understanding that I am concerned about but the lack of clear and unambiguous pointers / references to relevant documentation.

It would be good if there was a fully linked formal set of documentation which formalises the descriptions and the different elements / components used by the libelium node and its fittings and references formal documentstion.

Eg you say "Our Documentation Section", do you mean posts on this site or page(s) listing doumentation on the libelium site. You provided a link to the top level digi site, but in the waspmote user guide the first instance of the word digi makes no formal explanation of the relatonship between waspmote / xbee / digi product/api/??? I don't see any link in the user guide.

I wanted to edit the above post, but I cannot find how to edit ones post as most forums provide.

Do you know how one can edit one's posts just submited?