📡 CanSat - Mini Satellite in a Can

A CanSat is a miniature satellite with the size and shape of a soda can ("Can" in English). It is used to conduct scientific and technological experiments in the atmosphere or space.

Once launched from a rocket or drone, the CanSat deploys and begins transmitting data and measurements to Earth via radios and other communication systems.

🛰 CanSat Components

A CanSat typically includes the following essential components:

• 🔬 Sensors (pressure, temperature, humidity, acceleration, GPS)
• 📊 Measurement devices to collect environmental data
• 📡 Communication systems to transmit real-time telemetry
• ⚙️ Other electronic equipment depending on the experiment design

🔌 Arduino Libraries Used

This project utilizes the following Arduino libraries to interface with the sensors:

📚 Library	📌 Description	🧑‍💻 Author
BMP280_DEV	Controls the BMP280 pressure and temperature sensor	Martin Lindupp
TinyGPSPlus	Processes GPS data from the VK16E module	Mikal Hart
DTH22	Controls the DTH22 Humidity and temparature sensor	Adafruit
INA129	Measure battery voltage and current consumption	Adafruit

XBee Configuration Guide

Requirements

• 2x XBee Series 2 (XB24-B) modules
• 1x XBee USB adapter (for the Coordinator)
• 1x XBee adapter or shield (for the Router + Microcontroller)
• 1x Microcontroler (Atmega328P)
• Digi XCTU software (Linux, macOS, or Windows)
• USB cables

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Add your modules in XCTU

1. Open XCTU.
2. Click the “Add radio module (+)” icon.

Image 1. Add module

3. Select the COM port of your XBee and click Finish.

Image 2. Select port

4. Repeat for both modules (Coordinator and Router).
5. Verify both appear in the Radio Modules list.
   • Click the “Discover radio module (browse)” icon.

Image 3. Select ports to found XBee modules

Image 4. Select port parameters

Image 5. Select the Xbee module

Image 6. Xbee modules

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Identify firmware

In the Radio Configuration tab, check:

• Product family: XB24-ZB, XB24-B, or similar.
• Function set: choose according to your firmware version:
  • ZigBee Coordinator AT
  • ZigBee Router AT
  • (or ZNet 2.5 variants if available)

Image 7. Radio Configuration

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Coordinator configuration

Select the Coordinator module and set the following parameters:

Parameter	Command	Value	Description
PAN ID	ID	1234	Same network ID for all devices
Channel	CH	C	Common channel
Coordinator Enable	CE	1	Set as Coordinator
Destination Address High	DH	0	—
Destination Address Low	DL	0 or FFFF	Receive from all routers
API Enable	AP	0	Transparent (text) mode
Baud Rate	BD	3 (= 9600 bps)	Must match Arduino
Node Identifier	NI	COORD	Optional name

Click Write (pencil icon) to save configuration.

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Router configuration

Select the Router module and set the following parameters:

Parameter	Command	Value	Description
PAN ID	ID	1234	Must match Coordinator
Channel	CH	C	Must match Coordinator
Coordinator Enable	CE	0	Router mode
Destination Address High	DH	0	—
Destination Address Low	DL	0 or FFFF	Broadcast
API Enable	AP	0	Transparent mode
Baud Rate	BD	3 (= 9600)	Must match Arduino
Node Identifier	NI	ROUTER1	Optional name
Sleep Mode	SM	0	Always on
Join Verification	JV	1	Auto rejoin on power-up

Click Write to save.

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Check network association

1. Disconnect and reconnect both XBee modules.
2. In XCTU, click the Network Working Mode icon (mesh symbol).
3. Click Discover radio network.
4. You should see:
   • The Coordinator in the center.
   • The Router connected to it.
5. The ASSOC LED on the Router should blink once per second (associated successfully).

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Test communication

1. Select the Coordinator → open Console → click Open.
2. Select the Router → open Console → click Open.
3. Type in one console window — the message should appear in the other.

If you can send and receive messages both ways, your XBee network is configured correctly.

Image 8. Data Test

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Connect the Router to Microcontroller

🔹 Wiring

XBee pin	Microcontroller pin	Description
VCC (3.3 V)	3.3 V	Power supply
GND	GND	Common ground
TX (pin 2)	D2	RX of Microcontroller
RX (pin 3)	D3	TX of Microcontroller

Arduino code example

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial xbee(2, 3); // RX, TX

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  xbee.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("XBee Router Ready...");
}

void loop() {
  xbee.println("Hello from Arduino Router!");
  delay(1000);
}

Save & reuse configuration

• You can save and reuse your configuration:
  • Click the gear icon → Save profile (Coordinator and Router separately).
  • Load it later with Import profile for new modules.

⚙️ Alonso Ismael Camarena