DIGWDF ESP/XBee Snap-In User Manual

DIGWDF XBee/ESP Snap-In

QTY

Description

Part #

Source

1

3.3v regulator, 500ma (optional, but preferred part)

3.3v regulator, 800ma (cheaper substitute for above)

UA78M33CKCS
LM1117T

Mouser.com
Taydaelectronics.com

1

3.3v regulator 100ma (optional – for XBee in receive mode only

L78L33

Taydaelectronics.com

1

.1uf non-polarized capacitor

1

100uf 16-volt electrolytic capacitor (optional, for ESP)

1

5-pin male header (optional)

1

1x5 female header (optional)

1

2-pin male header (optional)

1

Jumper shunt (optional)

2

Female XBee headers (optional, for XBee only)

2

1x4 stackable headers (optional)

1

3.3v Zener diode (optional, Xmit mode only)

1

XBee module (optional, use Series 1 only)

1

ESP8266 module (optional, use ESP-01 style)

1

2x4 female header (optional, ONLY if ESP8266 module is used)

Assembly & User Guide

Overview

The ESP/XBee Snap-In is a small, inexpensive multi-purpose wireless adapter
board. It can facilitate using an XBee radio or the ESP-01 module for wireless
reception or the XBee radio if used as a transmitter. Created in 2011, it was the
first adapter that was designed to plug directly into the U5 ST485BN socket of
the Renard SS8, SS16 or SS24 controller for wireless control using the tried-and­tested XBee radio. With the addition of a 5-pin Renard Plus female header, the
Snap-in can plug directly onto the header of the same configuration on any
Renard Plus controller. Subsequent developments in the wireless industry have
expanded its capability with the inexpensive ESP8266 module for full Wi-Fi
control in place of the popular XBee. The Snap-In is primarily used as a
receiving unit but can also be used as a transmitter or XBee programmer when
using an XBee radio and interfaced to a computer via an inexpensive USB->TTL
adapter.

BOM – Bill of Materials

Parts substitutions

Notice that almost every part is listed as ‘optional!’ This is because there are many options for

building and using this adapter. Before ordering or installing any parts, the user is highly
encouraged to READ THROUGH this guide to determine exactly how the adapter will be used first
because suggestions will be made for which parts are needed for various configurations. Here are a
few starting guidelines:

 If you plan to use an XBee radio in receive mode only, the lower-output L78L33 voltage

regulator will suffice; otherwise, the UA78M33 or LM1117T regulator is required.

 If you plan to use the ESP8266 module, you do not need the female XBee headers, the 2-pin

header and shunt jumper or the 3.3 Zener diode. You cannot transmit with the ESP8266
module and this adapter.

DIGWDF XBee/ESP Snap-In Assembly & User Guide – v 20170308 -Page 1

 If you do not plan to use the adapter in a transmitting mode with an XBee radio, you do not

SS24/SS16 with

BLUE; note that the

SS24/SS16 with

BLUE; note that the

need the 2-pin header and shunt jumper or the 3.3 Zener diode.

 If you do not plan to use the adapter with an SS8, SS16 or SS24 controller, you do not need

the two 1x4 stackable headers.

 If you do NOT plan to use an ESP8266 module, do NOT install the 2x4 female header.
 If you plan to use the adapter with a Renard Plus or other controller, you do not need the

1x4 stackable headers because you will not be plugging it into a chip socket on the
controller.

 If you plan to plug the adapter directly onto the 5-pin header on a Renard-Plus controller,

you need the 1x5 female header mounted on the BOTTOM side of the PCB; you also do not
need the 5-pin male header on the top.

 If you want the most future flexibility with this adapter and want to assemble a sort of

“universal snap-in adapter” that can work with either an XBee or an ESSP8266 module,
install all the parts except the L78L33 regulator, the 1x5 female header, the two 1x4
stackable headers and the 2x4 female header for the ESP8266 module. Then later on, you
can simply plug an ESP Snap-In module in place of the XBee module. To connect the adapter
to your controller, you’d use connecting cables from the 5-pin header, attaching them to
appropriate locations on your controller. More information about that is included later.

SS8, SS16 and SS24 installations

If you plan to plug the adapter into the U5 dip socket on an SS8, SS16 or SS24 controller, the Snap­In PCB has a large hole that can fit over the 47uf capacitor next to the U5 socket. It should fit
perfectly on the SS24 controller, but because the RJ45 jacks are spaced slightly differently on the
SS8 and SS16, the adapter requires a slight modification to fit on either of them; trim the PCB

corner a bit on the indicated “cut” lines for either the SS8 or SS16. The PCB should be cut BEFORE

installing any parts; it can be cut with a Dremel tool or a hacksaw. Go slow and cut accurately. Note
that cutting off any of the corner of the board will remove the 5-pin connection header that’s used
for Renard Plus controllers.

XBee radio

Required parts are
highlighted in

SS8 requires a
larger cut-out in
the upper right
corner of the PCB
than the SS16 or
SS24.

ESP-01 module

Required parts are
highlighted in

SS8 requires a
larger cut-out in
the upper right
corner of the PCB
than the SS16 or
SS24. A 100uf cap
is suggested in
place of .1uf . Also
remember to
solder the proper
TX/2/0 circuit for
your version of the
ESP firmware.

DIGWDF XBee/ESP Snap-In Assembly & User Guide – v 20170308 -Page 2

With ESP-01

convenience to any RP

With XBee radio

Pin 5 = Data

Renard-Plus (and other) installations

Required parts are
highlighted in
BLUE. Install the
female 5-pin
header on the
BOTTOM of the
PCB for plug-in
convenience to any
RP controller. For
other controllers,
install the 5-pin
male header on the
TOP and use
connection cables
to connect to your
controller:
Pin 1 = +5v
Pin 3 = GND

module

Required parts are
highlighted in BLUE.
Install the female 5­pin header on the
BOTTOM of the PCB
for plug-in

controller. For other
controllers, install the
5-pin male header on
the TOP and use
connection cables to
connect to your
controller:
Pin 1 = +5v
Pin 3 = GND
Pin 5 = Data
Note: a 100uf cap is
suggested in place of
.1uf . Also remember
to solder the proper
TX/2/0 circuit for
your version of the
ESP firmware.

Snap-In as a Transmitter/XBee Programmer

If you plan to use the Snap-In with your computer as an XBee transmitter,

install the parts as noted in blue to the right: It’s suggested to install the

male 5-pin header in the upper-right corner of the PCB to make it easy to
connect it to your computer using an USB-TTL adapter as follows:

 Pin 1 = +5v
 Pin 3 = GND
 Pin 4 = TX data from the USB-TTL adapter
 Install a jumper shunt on the 2-pin XMIT header.

The transmitter mode only applies to using an XBee radio and not an ESP-01
module.

XBee Programmer: connect the Snap-In pin 5 (of the 5-pin header) to the
RX line of the USB-TTL adapter for duplex communication to the XBee radio
and use your XBee’s XCTU software to connect to the USB-TTL adapter and
change the settings in your XBee radios.

DIGWDF XBee/ESP Snap-In Assembly & User Guide – v 20170308 -Page 3