Create a plan for device and cellular component firmware updates

You should update your XBee to the latest firmware to take advantage of all the latest fixes and features. Changes to the cellular network, security issues, or software bugs may be identified which require firmware updates to resolve. In addition, Digi periodically releases new device firmware which includes new features and improves reliability and performance of existing features. You should evaluate and test the new releases and update your firmware to take advantage of the improvements and new features.

Note Digi will not accept responsibility for customers who have not planned to update their units. Please review the information provided below.

Please review the suggestions below:

• Always test device and any cellular component firmware updates before deploying these updates to units in the field.
• If updates will be performed using a PC, XCTU version 6.5.0 or later is able to perform complete firmware updates on all device cellular modems, including updating the cellular component firmware.
• If updates will be performed using a host processor, see Use a host processor to update the modem firmware for XBee 3 devices over UART prior to *10 or Use a host processor to update the device firmware for XBee 3 devices over UART after *10.
• If updates will be performed over-the-air (OTA):
  • If your XBee application is using API mode, monitor for Modem Status (0x8A) API frames with status codes 0x38 through 0x3A. These modem status frames inform the XBee's host application about ongoing and completed or failed firmware updates.
  • If your XBee application is using Transparent mode, test your application to determine whether it is tolerant to over-the-air firmware updates of the cellular component and XBee firmware. If your application cannot tolerate the network connection being non-functional for up to 30 minutes (for example, if the XBee will be reset in a shorter time than that), do not use over-the-air updates, and be aware that firmware updates to the XBee require user intervention.
    • If the XBee firmware is updated over-the-air using Digi Remote Manager: After the new firmware image has been downloaded and validated, the XBee modem reboots automatically to install the firmware. The XBee then resets into the new firmware once the update is complete, which may take up to 60 seconds.
    • If the cellular component firmware is being updated: After the cellular firmware update image has been downloaded, the XBee modem disconnects from the network and the cellular component will be updated. This update will take up to 30 minutes. After the update completes (or fails), the XBee will reconnect to the cellular network automatically.

IMPORTANT

Future cellular component updates may require the use of USB Direct access.

Ensure your hardware design permits USB Direct functionality, either by designing in a USB port and options for enabling and disabling USB Direct, or by allowing the XBee 3 cellular modem to be removed from its socket and placed on a development board, such as the Digi XBIB-CU-TH.