Digi XBee 3 Cellular Smart Modem, LTE-M/NB-IoT Development Kit

The Digi XBee 3 Cellular Smart Modem Development Kit is a comprehensive IoT prototyping and deployment platform engineered for low-power, wide-area cellular connectivity. Built around the industry-leading Digi XBee 3 Cellular modem, this kit accelerates product development with secure, reliable LTE-M and NB-IoT performance suitable for asset tracking, remote monitoring, and intelligent sensor networks. Designed for engineers and developers, the kit integrates a compact carrier board, ready-to-use software tools, and plug‑and‑play connectivity to help you move from concept to production faster than ever before.

• The Digi XBee 3 Cellular Smart Modem supports LTE-M and NB-IoT networks, enabling global coverage with low power consumption and extended battery life for field deployments. This dual-mode capability ensures you can design for a broad range of carriers and regions without hardware changes.
• Develop with familiar Digi tools and interfaces. The kit is designed to work seamlessly with Digi XCTU, AT commands, and the XBee API frames, allowing rapid prototyping, debugging, and firmware management in a single cohesive workflow.
• Flexible hardware interfaces enable easy integration with your sensors and peripherals. UART, USB, I2C, SPI, multiple GPIOs, PWM, and analog inputs provide a versatile foundation for connecting environmental sensors, GPS modules, actuators, and custom circuits.
• Built with security and reliability in mind. Features such as secure boot, OTA firmware updates, and encrypted communication help protect your IoT deployment from tampering and data breach, making it suitable for commercial and industrial applications.
• Designed for rapid testing and scalable production, the development kit includes a carrier board, essential cables, and clear, practical documentation so you can iterate quickly and scale your product to volume production with confidence.

Technical Details of Digi XBee 3 Cellular Smart Modem Development Kit

• Modem platform: Digi XBee 3 Cellular Smart Modem with LTE-M and NB-IoT support for global cellular connectivity.
• Network compatibility: Global LTE-M and NB-IoT bands with carrier-agnostic design to fit multiple regional networks and SIM configurations.
• Interfaces: UART serial, USB, I2C, SPI, GPIO, PWM, and ADC for broad sensor and peripheral integration.
• Security features: Secure boot, encrypted communications, OTA firmware updates, and robust authentication to protect device integrity and data privacy.
• Software and development ecosystem: Works with Digi XCTU for configuration and testing, supports AT commands and XBee API frames for flexible application development.
• Power and form factor: Compact carrier board designed for desktop prototyping and embedded integration; supports standard USB power for convenient development and testing.
• Diagnostics and management: Built-in status indicators and diagnostic capabilities to simplify troubleshooting during prototyping and field deployment.
• Certifications and compliance: Designed to align with major regulatory requirements for IoT devices; consult documentation for current certifications relevant to your market.
• Kit contents and compatibility: Includes the Digi XBee 3 Cellular Smart Modem on a development carrier board with essential cables and documentation to kick off projects quickly.

How to Install Digi XBee 3 Cellular Smart Modem Development Kit

• Unpack the kit and verify all components. Ensure you have the Digi XBee 3 Cellular Smart Modem, the carrier board, a USB-C cable, and any included brief guides.
• Connect the modem to your computer using the USB-C cable and power up the carrier board. The device should enumerate as a USB serial port on your operating system.
• Install the recommended development software. Use Digi XCTU for configuration, testing, and firmware management, or set up your environment to issue AT commands and interact with the XBee API frames.
• Insert a compatible SIM card, then configure the APN, network profile, and authentication settings according to your carrier’s requirements. If you’re testing in a lab, you can use a SIM with a data plan suitable for LTE-M/NB-IoT.
• Test connectivity and basic operation. Open XCTU or your chosen terminal, establish a serial connection, and send basic AT commands to verify network registration, signal strength (RSSI), and basic data transmission.
• Develop your application. Use the UART/I2C/SPI interfaces to connect sensors, implement your data acquisition logic, and utilize the XBee API frames for efficient, structured data exchange with the modem.
• Enable OTA updates and secure boot in your firmware to prepare for field deployment. Leverage the Digi ecosystem to manage firmware versions and remote updates across devices.
• Prototype to production. As your design matures, transition from the development kit to a production board or embedded design while maintaining the same software stack to minimize risk and ensure consistency.

Frequently asked questions

• What networks does the Digi XBee 3 Cellular Smart Modem Development Kit support?
  It supports LTE-M and NB-IoT networks, offering broad regional coverage suitable for asset tracking, remote monitoring, and other IoT applications. Check with your mobile operator for regional availability and SIM compatibility.
• What software tools are recommended for development?
  Digi XCTU is the primary configuration and testing tool for XBee devices, complemented by AT command sets and the XBee API for flexible application development. The platform is designed for rapid prototyping and iterative testing.
• Can I update the modem’s firmware over the air?
  Yes. The kit includes OTA firmware update capabilities to securely deploy improvements and new features across deployed devices, helping you maintain security and performance at scale.
• What interfaces are available to connect sensors?
  The kit exposes UART, USB, I2C, SPI, GPIO, PWM, and ADC interfaces, enabling a wide range of sensors and peripherals to be integrated without requiring custom circuitry.
• Is the kit suitable for production deployment?
  The development kit is designed to accelerate prototyping and testing; you can transition to production designs with the same software stack and leverage Digi’s ecosystem for remote management, security, and long-term reliability.