Set up basic encryption for an XBee network

The information transmitted in an XBee network sometimes needs to be protected. For example, an XBee network transferring financial information must be carefully protected against external agents. These instructions show you how to configure XBee 868LP RF Modules for secure communication via encryption keys.

Note You can use encryption for devices that have been configured for either Transparent or API mode.

  1. Add two XBee modules to XCTU. See Add devices to XCTU.
  2. Configure the XBee modules so they can talk to each other. See Configure the first two devices in Transparent mode.
  3. Name your two XBee modules XBee_A and XBee_B.

  1. Select XBee_A and configure the following parameters:

    EE: Set the AES Encryption Enable parameter to 1.
    KY: Set the AES Encryption Key parameter to a 32 hexadecimal character string. Example: 11111222223333344444555556666677

  1. Click the Write radio settings button .
  2. Configure the parameters for XBEE_B as you did for XBEE_A, and then click .
  1. Send a secure message between XBee_A and XBee_B. See Send messages through XCTU.

Note If you add more devices, give them the same encryption key so they can communicate with the other XBee devices.

  1. To return to the encryption disabled setting, change the EE parameter back to 0 for XBEE_A and XBEE_B.