BVSystems Yellowjacket User manual

TM
YELLOWJACKET- B/G
manual version 1.6 for Yellowjacket & YJPLUS models

Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................. 2
STARTING UP................................................................................................... 2
YELLOWJACKET ACCESSORIES.............................................................................. 3
STARTING UP YOUR YELLOWJACKET....................................................................... 4
STARTUP SCREEN............................................................................................. 5
MAIN SCREEN.................................................................................................. 6
SPECTRUM ANALYSIS SCREEN.............................................................................. 6
FULL SPECTRUM SCREEN.................................................................................... 7
SINGLE CHANNEL SPECTRUM SCREEN.................................................................... 7
ACCESS POINT LIST SCREEN................................................................................ 8
MAC LIST
SINGLE MAC ADDRESS MODE SCREEN.................................................................... 9
WISP ANTENNA ALIGNMENT SCREEN...................................................................... 9
SECURITY SCREEN............................................................................................ 10
AUTHORIZED LIST
UNAUTHORIZED LIST
NETWORK UTILIZATION....................................................................................... 11
DATA RECORDING
MARKERS
SNAPSHOTS
DATA CONVERSION USING CHAMELEON
YELLOWJACKETPLUS GPS STATUS........................................................................ 12
YELLOWJACKET POCKET PC SOFTWARE FLOW CHART................................................. 14
YELLOWJACKET TROUBLESHOOTING SETUP STEPS.................................................... 15
BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM............................................................................... 16
TIPS.............................................................................................................. 17
BATTERY LIFE......................................................................................... 17
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION.......................................................................... 18
DRIVER INSTALLATION............................................................................... 18
SURVEYING............................................................................................ 18
CHAMELEON (YELLOWJACKET EDITION) SOFTWARE.................................................... 19
NETWORKING BASICS......................................................................................... 20
GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS................................................................................... 22
YELLOWJACKET ACCESSORIES.............................................................................. 23
GENERAL SAFETY
ANTENNA RADIATION PATTERNS
HIVE INDOOR MAPPING SOFTWARE
BEEKEEPER 802.11b Wi-Fi ANALYSIS PC SOFTWARE
DRONE GPS-BASED Wi-Fi SITE SURVEY SOFTWARE
YELLOWJACKET™ 802.11b/g DATA SHEET
Page 1

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INTRODUCTION
The Yellowjacket™ is an 802.11b/g analysis system consist-
ing of an HP iPAQ PocketPC® coupled with custom hardware
and software designed and manufactured by BVS. This system
contains a variety of features to analyze 802.11b and 802.11g
networks including spectrum analysis over all 14 channels
(2.4 GHz), a list of AP’s and/or stations over all 14 channels
and packet-error rate information for each individual MAC
address. The Yellowjacket also contains a security feature to
warn the user of possible unauthorized AP/ STAtions in the
area based on a list of authorized MAC addresses. The data
from a Yellowjacket may be logged into resident memory,
CF or SD storage card for transfer to a desktop PC at a later
time and then be converted from binary to ASCII using BVS
Chameleon™ software. YellowjacketPLUS is identical to stan-
dard Yellowjacket in every way accept for the addition of GPS
receiver hardware and PocketPC software screens. Except
for the GPS antenna jack on the receiver, all Yellowjacket
802.11b/g models look identical.
Yellowjacket receiver (top view) has an SMA male connector
for the supplied antenna. This manual contains operational
procedures to get the user up-and-going right out of the box.
For any details regarding the iPAQ, users should read all
materials from Compaq/HP and contact them.
STARTING UP YELLOWJACKET
Power up your Yellowjacket by pushing power button in upper
right corner of unit. This power will automatically power up
the Yellowjacket receiver also. When you power down the
iPAQ, (push the power button on the upper right quickly-
holding this button will also toggle the backlight on and off)
your Yellowjacket receiver will also shut down. Connect the
included antenna to the SMA connector and remove the stylus
by pulling it up. Use your stylus to tap onto the Windows® icon
in the upper left corner. Choose Yellowjacket in the pulldown
menu. Data may be transferred to a PC via the IrDA window
or USB or serial connection. Install Yellowjacket software by
connecting your iPAQ to your PC and inserting included BVS
software CD-ROM into PC to begin installation. You may also
use the provided Compact Flash Installer card. Be sure to turn
off any internal WLAN or Bluetooth in your iPAQ before using
your Yellowjacket.
WARNING FOR USERS WITH BUILT-IN WIRELESS
(you must disable your iPAQ’s Bluetooth and WLAN)
1. Press the START button on the upper left hand side
of the touch screen.
2. Click on the “iPAQ Wireless” folder.
3. Click on the “Wireless Control” program.
4. Click on “All wireless features OFF”. The icons for
Bluetooth and WLAN will have red backgrounds when
disabled.
Your iPAQ can be reset using 2 different methods.
If Yellowjacket software loses communications with
Yellowjacket hardware, perform a soft reset with your
stylus by pressing the reset button on the back left cor-
ner just below the battery door. Perform a hard reset by
holding in the two outer buttons for at least 10 seconds
while performing a soft reset. Warning! Hard reset
erases all RAM data from iPAQ so be sure to backup
all data and re-install your Yellowjacket application
software after a hard reset.
Reset button
located on back
just below battery

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YELLOWJACKET ACCESSORIES
Your Yellowjacket includes the following accessories: anten-
na, 2 sets of AA (Ni-MH) removable batteries (8 total), Simply
insert depleted batteries into charger and plug charger into AC
outlet. See top of charger for LED status indicator lights (see
end of manual for charger specs). Approximate charging time
for 4 Ni-MH batteries is just over one hour. Run time is just
over two hours. Yellowjacket uses common AA battery cells
found in any convienence store. Ni-Cad, Alkalines, Ni-MH and
Li-Ion cells may all be used. Yellowjacket does require 4 AA
cells with at least 1500 mAh per cell. BVS supplies 2 battery
sets (8 Ni-MH battery cells total) to get users working right out
of the box. Ni-MH cells are recommended for best performance
from your Yellowjacket. Batteries that are warm or hot to the
touch (from constant usage or warm ambient temperatures)
will take longer to charge than batteries of a normal tempera-
ture. Contact BVS for new Ni-MH battery packs. Expect over
500 cycles from each Ni-MH battery or battery pack.
If the Yellowjacket CF or SD Backup Installer
card has been included, it may be used to log
data files onto. It can also be used on iPAQs
that have never been initially set up at the
BVS factory, have had files erased or dam-
aged in the ROM or after a hard reset has been
performed on an iPAQ. Yellowjacket software
that has been erased/lost from RAM may be
restored at anytime by accessing the “install”
file from the SD Card or Storage Card directory.
Always make sure batteries are fully charged
when doing any software installs. Yellowjacket
software that has been erased from RAM may
be restored at anytime by accessing the “rein-
styj” file from the \\iPAQ File Store\\My Device
directory.
iPAQ (optional)
inside iPAQ cradle.
eight AA Ni-MH
batteries
iPAQ charging
cradle.
iPAQ / Yellowjacket
charger
Yellowjacket
calibrated
receiver
Direction Finding
Antenna (optional)
Rayovac® Ni-MH fast
charger with AC adapter
and auto adapter
Yellowjacket
CF / SD Backup
Installer card
2.4 GHz antenna
YELLOWJACKET
Insert SD card into the SD slot on the top of iPAQ
Tap on the “Start” icon on top left of screen
Tap on “Programs” in menu
Tap on the “File Explorer” folder
Choose “My Device”
Tap on “SD Card” or “Storage Card”
Tap on “install” executable
Choose Yellowjacket receiver and iPAQ model for
installation and tap on that “install” button
Tap on Windows Media Viewer icon to play either
of the 2 Yellowjacket demos included on this SD card
DATE:____________
2WMVdemosincluded!
SD Card Installer

Recommended iPAQ 4700/4705 model shown with Yellowjacket receiver
SMA Male antenna input
Warning: Maximum input 0 dBm NO DC Input Compact Flash Serial Cable
from Yellowjacket receiver
iPAQ Power/Charging
BumbleBee Receiver
Power
iPAQ Reset Button
iPAQ Power/Charging LED
Blinking=Charging
Solid=Fully Charged
iPAQ Power/Charging
iPAQ Battery Release
iPAQ Battery
Release Lock
iPAQ Reset Button
Compact Flash Slot
Removable Tray
(same as iPAQ 2200)
SD Card Slot
iPAQ Power
Button
Stylus Holder
iPAQ TOP VIEW
iPAQ BOTTOM VIEW
External Power
LED (green)
Starting Up Your Yellowjacket
Unpack and assemble your Yellowjacket unit as shown. Slide the iPAQ case onto the Yellowjacket and slide your iPAQ computer
into the iPAQ case. Remove the Compact Flash cover and install the Compact Flash serial cable. The Compact Flash serial cable
is the communication link between the Yellowjacket receiver and the iPAQ. Connect both the Yellowjacket and iPAQ to external
power as shown with the “Y” power cable.
Power up the iPAQ by pushing the power button in the upper right corner of the iPAQ. Connect the appropriate frequency antenna
to the SMA male antenna input. iPAQs shipped by BVS are optimized for the Yellowjacket. If you are using your own iPAQ, see
the optimization section to set up your iPAQ.
iPAQs supplied by BVS have the Yellowjacket software pre-installed. If you need to install the Yellowjacket software, see the
software installation/re-installation section.
Tap the windows Start icon in the upper left corner and then choose Yellowjacket in the pulldown menu. If the Yellowjacket does
not appear in the pulldown menu, tap on the “Programs” folder. Tap on the Yellowjacket icon.
Running the Yellowjacket software will power the Yellowjacket receiver.
If the Yellowjacket software loses communication with the Yellowjacket, perform a soft reset by pressing the iPAQ’s reset button.
If communications problems persist, perform a hard reset by holding down the two outer buttons on the front of the iPAQ while
holding in the soft reset button. Remember, hard resets erase all data collected and software installed so backup all data and
see software installation for details.
Reset button located on bottom of iPAQ
Page 4
SD card holder
Optional iPAQ
2400/2700
model shown
SMA Antenna
connection
RECEIVER TOP VIEW
Yellowjacket’s serial connection
is made via Billionton CF card.

Page 5
Getting Started
To start the YellowJacket 802.11b/g software:
1. Press the Start button on the iPAQ.
2. Press the PROGRAMS option.
3. Press the “Yellow Jacket BG” icon (usually at the bot-
tom of the alphabetized list).
4. Tap anywhere on the screen when the splash screen
appears as shown below.
Note: This splash screen may vary slightly depending upon the
Yellowjacket model.
Main Menu
The main menu of the YellowJacket software contains option
buttons in the main viewing area and a series of toolbar
options. The main viewing area is shown below. There are
five choices in the main viewing area. You may choose spec-
trum analysis, which enters a spectrum analyzer-type screen
that will show all RF being received within the range of the
receiver. This mode also allows for zooming in to a particular
channel.
The next option is the access point screen. This will allow
the user to view individual access points (and stations) being
seen by the receiver and then to proceed to an individual MAC
address screen for closer examination.
The third option is the “WISP Antenna Alignment” screen.
This screen allows the user to select an access point to focus
on for antenna alignment.
The fourth option is the security screen. This screen allows the
entry and maintenance of authorized and unauthorized access
point lists. This screen is useful in determining if there are
any rogue access points in the area that can be potentially
invasive to an existing network.
The fifth option is the network utilization screen. This screen
shows the system utilization for each channel.
The sixth button shown takes the user to the GPS receiver
screen displaying LAT,LON,ALT and satellite information. This
Note: Users should normally see genuine
firmware and serial numbers on this screen
when Yellowjacket is functioning properly.
If your firmware and serial number appear
as 0.00 and XXXXXX, then the iPAQ soft-
ware is not communicating properly with
the Yellowjacket receiver. Try troubleshoot-
ing procedures found in this user’s manual.

Page 6
button will only appear on YellowjacketPLUS models.
The toolbar gives the user more options on every screen.
The first icon has three colored circles. Using this option will
always return the user to the main menu.
The “record” button is for logging a data file. The “stop” but-
ton is for terminating the logging of data.
The fourth icon represents a camera. This option takes snap-
shots of the current screen for later viewing.
The fifth and sixth icons are arrows pointing upward and
downward. These options have different uses depending on
the currently active screen. For instance, on the access point
screen, the arrows are used to flip the current page of access
points.
The “checkmark” icon is used to increment the current marker
number. This starts at 1 when the software is started. It will
increment by 1 on every touch. This is of use when a file is
being logged. Any change in value will be recorded in the log
file.
The icon with the letters “ABCD” enters the system options
screen. There is an option to report any unauthorized MAC
addresses. This is discussed further in the “SECURITY” sec-
tion later in this manual. The “Enable Dolphin port” option
only applies to YellowjacketPLUS receivers with the internal
GPS receiver installed at the BVS factory.
The question mark icon reveals the application about box.
Spectrum Analysis
The spectrum analysis feature of the YellowJacket allows a
user to view any RF signals that is received by the receiver.
It uses frequency for the X-axis and RSSI (received signal
strength indicator) in dBm on the Y-axis.
Both the full spectrum and the single channel screens have
the same options for the most part. There are three available
traces, red, blue, and green traces. Only one trace can be
active at any one time.
Each of the three traces can be made visible by pressing their
respective “visible” buttons. The active trace can be peak
held by pressing it’s “hold trace” button.
Use the “marker to peak” button to move the diamond marker

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to the current highest dBm valued point. Use the “marker to
center” button to move the diamond marker to the center of
the currently displayed section.
There are also buttons for moving the diamond peak mark to
the left or right in the currently displayed screen.
Each spectrum screen displays information regarding the cen-
ter frequency of the screen as well as the span in MHz. The
current marker position and value is also displayed.
Full Spectrum
The full spectrum screen is the first one entered when going
into the spectrum analysis option. This screen shows RF
energy in dBm over all 14 channels seen by the receiver. Each
vertical section represents 10 MHz.
To “zoom in” on a single channel, simply tap one of the num-
bered boxes. For example, clicking on the channel 4 box will
zoom in to channel 4.
Single Channel Spectrum
The single channel screen displays RSSI valued data within
the channel specified. To return to the full spectrum mode,
press the “SURVEY” button.

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Access Point List
The access point list screen provides the user with a list of
access points that are seen by the receiver. The user can then
“zoom in” on a particular access point for further analysis as
well as for pinpointing the AP’s location.
MAC List
The MAC list is shown on the main access point list screen.
This list shows each of the MAC’s seen and other information
on each of them. This information includes such fields as the
channel number associated with each access point, the MAC
address and SSID of the access point, as well as the RSSI
value in dBm of the access points.
A note on the channel number. If the particular MAC address is
a client, the channel number will be what the receiver is set to
at the time. If the receiver sees the access point to which the
client is talking, the channel will be readjusted to the proper
transmitting channel. A gray background box signifies that the
channel number is that which was observed. The lack of the
gray background denotes that it is the actual channel that the
client is on.
The RSSI value may appear as a couple of dashes (--) if:
1. The MAC address is an access point.
2. The channel that the access point is truly on has not
been reached in the survey yet.
The YellowJacket will only report RSSI values from access
points when it is from the actual channel from which the AP’s
are transmitting.
Also shown is the time elapsed since the last packet received
by each MAC. This is signified by the “TE=#” next to the MAC
address. Below this is an indicator signifying whether or not
this particular MAC address is related to an access point. If
“WEP” appears next to this, WEP encryption is detected.
The color of the information text for each access point will
change as the RSSI value increases and decreases. The scale
of the colors is shown on the top of the list. White is the stron-
gest value while red is the weakest. It is loosely based on
the colors of stars, white being the hottest and red being the
coolest.
Also, there may be multiple pages of the MAC list. To flip
between pages, use the up and down arrows provided on the
bottom of the screen in the toolbar.

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To look at one particular MAC address, simply tap on the box
containing the MAC address of interest.
Single MAC Address Mode (Locator Mode)
When a single MAC address is selected, the locator mode
screen appears. This screen has individual MAC address
information as well as a visual and audio representation of
proximity to the access point.
As the signal from the access point becomes stronger, the
audio effect of a submarine ping becomes higher in pitch.
Selecting the “DF Sound Off” button on the screen will mute
this audible sound. This mode is even more useful when
coupled with a directional antenna that would allow the user
to “home” in on the transmitted signal more efficiently.
The information provided on the locator screen includes the
MAC address and the SSID, as well as the channel on which
the access point is transmitting.
The packet error rate (PER) is displayed next to the SSID. This
is the overall PER for the last 200 packets received.
The RSSI level is displayed as a numeric value in dBm, as
well as a in a bar graph format and a temporal display.
Below the RSSI readings is a table relating packets received to
their data rates. Information such as kilobytes received, pack-
ets received, and utilization percentage are displayed.
WISP Antenna Alignment
The WISP Antenna alignment screen allows the user to select
a MAC address from a list or enter one manually for setting up
an antenna. If the MAC List screen has been entered recently,
the list box will have a number of MAC addresses to choose.
Also, a MAC may be entered separately in the edit box.
After choosing the MAC, the user will then see a screen with
a gauge that shows current signal strength and allows for a
peak hold. This peak hold can be reset at any time using the
“RESET PEAK” button.
Also, the temporal and bar RSSI displays are on the bottom of
the screen. Using a direction-finding antenna with this screen
is a fast way of locating the direction of the required signal