Teensy 3.1 XBee Adapter

The Teensy is an amazing development platform that allows you to get more computing power than an Arduino Uno, and in less space. The Teensy 3.1 XBee Adapter allows you to connect your Teensy with the tried and true XBee series to provide you with a great solution to any project that requires a decently ranged no-frills wireless serial link.

Not only does the Teensy 3.1 XBee Adapter connect a XBee and Teensy together, it also acts as a breakout board for both. Each pin on the Teensy and XBee has been broken out to standard 0.1" spaced through-hole soldering points that allow you to connect any additional parts that you would like to incorporate with the adapter.

Though the adapter design interfaces best with the Teensy 3.1, the Teensy LC can be utilized as well. Paired with the XBee you can get a great long distance serial connection, and with the 72MHz of processing speed (48MHz for the Teensy-LC) you can do a lot with the information.

Note: The only headers pre-soldered onto this board as the ones designed to attach your XBee. Additional headers and wires to hook up your Teensy, breadboard, additional circuits, etc will need to be purchased separately.

Teensy 3.1 XBee Adapter Product Help and Resources

Teensy XBee Adapter Hookup Guide

June 18, 2015

Getting started with the Teensy 3.1 / Teensy 3.2 and XBee. Establishing a serial link.

Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

2 Soldering

Skill Level: Rookie - The number of pins increases, and you will have to determine polarity of components and some of the components might be a bit trickier or close together. You might need solder wick or flux.
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Comments

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  • Member #700225 / about 8 years ago / 1

    Can i also use teensy 3.2 instead of 3.1 for the xbee Adapter?

  • Member #576891 / about 8 years ago / 1

    The Teensy 3.6 does not fit in this adapter, does it? If not, how could I connect a Xbee with a Teensy 3.6?

  • YongJae / about 9 years ago * / 1

    I am not an electrical enginner, so I am sorry if this is a dumb question. If I use a 3.3V external power source, teensy's voltage regulator would cause some voltage dropout right? The pinout diagram says 3.7-5.5V for Teensy's VIN. Would that not affect the Teensy at all? For example, would I get full 3.3V out of digital outputs?

  • Few ideas for improvement. Teensy 3.1 has 3 HARDWARE serial ports, why would anyone choose to use a software serial? The selection should be between hardware serial ports. Teensy internal voltage regulator can not handle any "pro" line of the xbees. You huys need to include a new voltage regulator. Break out the botton pins on teensy.

  • PickledDog / about 9 years ago / 2

    Please please please make a version of this with integrated battery management! This would be the "Teensy Fio" I've been looking for. The poor 8MHz ATmega on the Fio just can't keep up with what I'm trying to do.

    Very happy to see mxgxw's design. Will have to order one and brush up on my SMT soldering...

    • mxgxw / about 9 years ago * / 1

      If you are planning to use the Teensy->Fio board just remember that you'll need to cut the trace between VIN and VUSB at the bottom of the Teensy. If not, the 5V from the USB could get to the battery and you could damage the battery.

  • mxgxw / about 9 years ago * / 2

    I designed something pretty similar last year, you can look at the PCB over OSHPark.org, in my case I tried to keep the footprint and the pinout from the FIO so it could be used as a drop-in replacement for the FIO v3.3, it also includes a LiPO charger.

    Click to open project in OSHPark

    I don't have a way to mass-produce it but is OpenHardware so I can provide the schematics and PCB layout if you wish to carry it out :)

    This is a picture how it looks like used in conjunction with a pretty BIG XB900HP with a SMA connector. (Taking it to the extreme)

    Teensy->FIO Translate board with XBEE900HP SMA -TOP-

    Teensy->FIO Translate board with -BOTTOM-

  • JopieK / about 9 years ago / 1

    That thing is huge, I made my custom XBee for Teensy board already more than a year ago, the XBee header can fit over the teensy so very modular. I like the pjrc.com version also better than this large board.

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 ratings:

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Works great

Easy to use. Just make sure you connect the 3.3 V pin of the Teensy that is on the short end of the board away from the USB. This is needed to power the Xbee.

doesn't work when mounting to a proto board

breakout holes for the Teensy and the breakout holes for the Xbee don't line up on the same .1" spacing