CAMBRIONIX PD-Sync4 User manual

PD-Sync4
USER GUIDE
[Charge ][Connect ][Manage ]

1 PD-Sync4 at a glance 3
2 Getting Started 4
2.1 Registration 4
2.2 Connecting to the mains 4
3 Charging without connecting to a host computer 4
4 Using when connected to a host computer 4
4.1 Charging 4
4.2 Data Transfer 4
4.3 Scalability – Syncing more than 15 devices 5
5 Manage Ports & Devices using Cambrionix Software 6
5.1 LiveViewer 6
5.2 Command Line Instructions (CLI) 7
5.3 Cambrionix API 8
6 Advanced Usage 8
6.1 Updating the PD-Sync4 firmware 8
6.1.1 Update procedure for MacOS 8
6.1.2 Update procedure for Windows 8
6.1.3 Running Updater Instructions 8
7 Specifications 9
8 Certifications 9
9 Safety Guidelines and Precautions 9
Contents
www.cambrionix.com2

1 PDSync-4 at a glance
The PDSync-4 has been designed primarily for
desktop use, being highly compact and quiet. It
provides up to 60 Watts of charging power to each
of its USB2.0 ports, allowing phones, tablets and
laptops to be charged safely and reliably. Using
Cambrionix software all ports can be controlled
to allow charging and/or data transfer while
monitoring important port and device information.
The PDSync-4 complies with USB-IF PD2.0
specifications and can charge Type-C USB
devices at up to 60 Watts per port. Supplied
with a standard 200 Watt power supply, the
PDSync-4 can charge four downstream ports
and one upstream (host) port (the latter of which
supports power role reversal). The PDSync-4 also
supports Battery Charging specification BC1.2 and
Charging Downstream Port, allowing legacy Type-A
devices to be charged simultaneously using cable
convertors. The firmware can be updated to allow
new charging profiles to be added, ensuring the
PDSync-4 can charge the latest devices.
The PDSync-4 is supplied with an external power
supply to minimize its desktop footprint. It is ready
to charge out-of-the-box and to sync devices when
attached to a host computer.
When a local (host) computer is attached, the
host can control operation of the ports using
freely available software. Devices can be charged,
synchronised and monitored through Cambrionix’s
LiveViewer App, the Application Programming
Interface (API) or Command Line Instructions.
Cambrionix’s free monitoring and control software
can be downloaded from our website
(https://cambrionix.com).
The PDSync-4 is fully compliant with High Speed
USB2.0, allowing data transfer at up to 480Mbps
when connected to a local computer. Multiple
PDSync-4 can be connected to a single host
computer to allow up to 85 USB2.0-compliant
devices to be charged and synced simultaneously.
What’s included
These items are required to use your PDSync-4 and
are included in the box:
• The PDSync-4 unit (see Figure 1 below)
• A 200W Power Supply Unit (PSU)
• A mains cable appropriate for the country of use
Optional High-Speed Type-A to Type-A USB2.0
cables are available to purchase separately.
Figure 1
PD-Sync4
connections [Power Input Connector]
[Charged, Charging, Syncing LED]
4
PORTS
480Mbps
USB 2.0
SW Control
&
Monitoring
3A
per port
[Expansion Port]
[4 USB 2.0 Type-C ][Host Port]
PDSync-4 USER GUIDE 3

2 Getting Started
2.1 Registration
You may register you and your product at
https://cambrionix.com to download LiveViewer,
our API and firmware updates.
2.2 Connecting to the mains
Connect the Power Supply Unit (PSU) to the PD-
Sync4 using the 4-pin DIN plug. Connect the mains
cable to the PSU. Making sure you adhere to local
safety regulations, connect the mains cable to
the 100 – 250 Vac mains power outlet and switch
the PD-Sync4 on using the small power switch
located adjacent to the power input connector on
the PD-Sync4. When the device is powered, all the
LEDs will illuminate momentarily. When the lights
are extinguished, the PDSync-4 is ready to charge
attached devices
3 Charging without connecting to a host computer
When the device is powered and not connected to
a local host computer it is automatically configured
to charge downstream devices using its intelligent
charging algorithm. Simply connect the devices to
be charged to any of the available 4 downstream
ports (not the Host Port) using USB2.0-compliant
Type-C cables. Once the devices are connected,
the algorithm will negotiate the highest charge rate
allowable for each attached device.
Charging at the optimum rate (up to 60 Watts) will
commence once negotiation is complete.
As the standard power supply is limited to 200
Watts, our algorithm either provides as much power
as requested by the attached devices, or, if demand
exceeds the 200 Watt limit, distributes the power
uniformly across the downstream ports.
4 Using when connected to a host computer
4.1 Charging
When the PDSync-4 Host Port is connected
to a local computer, the charge delivered
to downstream devices will depend on the
specification of the device attached.
If the attached device does not comply with
PD2.0 but complies with USB-IF Battery Charging
specification BC1.2 and supports Charging
Downstream Port (CDP), the PDSync-4 can provide
high-speed charging at up to 1.5 A. If the connected
device does not comply with PD2.0 or BC1.2,
the charge current will be limited to 500 mA in
compliance with USB specifications.
If the attached device supports Power Delivery
PD2.0, the power delivery negotiation will take
place as described in 4.1 above and devices will
either receive the maximum power they request
or be limited by the available power during data
transfer. By default, the PDSync-4 provides 500
mA charge current at 5.2 Vdc through the host port
to ensure data transfer is uninterrupted. However,
the power provided to the host computer can be
set using our software controls. As the total power
available is limited to 200 Watts, any power used to
charge the host diminishes the power available to
charge downstream devices.
4.2 Data Transfer
If you wish to transfer data, change applications,
restore or up-date your mobile device, a data
connection to a local host computer is required.
The PDSync-4 works independently to the
Operating System (OS) and data transfer can be
performed on all common operating systems, such
as iOS, Android, Chromebook and Microsoft. Many
versions of Linux are also supported.
In order to transfer data, connect your local
(host) computer to the host port using a Type-C
to Type-C USB2.0 compliant cable. Any devices
connected to the PDSync-4 will now appear as if
they were connected to the host computer’s USB
port. You can now use the programme of your
choice to transfer data to and from your device.
The PDSync-4 is fully compliant with High Speed
USB2.0 and supports data transfer at speeds up to
480 Mbps. The orange LED will illuminate when the
PDSync-4 is syncing.
www.cambrionix.com4

4.3 Scalability –
Syncing more than 4 devices
If you wish to synchronise more than 4 devices,
up to four PDSync-4s can be connected together
(in a daisy-chain) to allow up to 16 devices
to be managed from a single host computer
simultaneously.
In order to daisy-chain multiple PDSync-4, each
PDSync-4 needs to be connected to its power
supply individually and the first PDSync-4 in the
chain should be connected to the local computer
through it’s host port. The host port of subsequent
PDSync-4s in the daisy-chain must be connected
to the expansion port of the previous PDSync-4.
Using this daisy-chain approach, a maximum of
four PDSync-4s can be connected to a single host
computer.
PD-Sync4 by their host ports as shown below.
Daisy-chain
Each unit
4
PORTS
Sync up to
16
DEVICES
PDSync-4 USER GUIDE 5

5 Manage Ports & Devices using Cambrionix Software
More productivity, saving you time.
Cambrionix provides three interfaces by which the
PD-Sync4 can be monitored and managed:
• LiveViewer
• Cambrionix API
• Command Line Instructions
5.1 LiveViewer
LiveViewer is an App that can be downloaded from
https://cambrionix.com. Once downloaded and
installed on the host computer, LiveViewer allows
you to switch the ports on and off, set the port to
charge only, or to sync mode.
LiveViewer’s home page shows the following
information about all the ports:
• Status (attached/disconnected)
• Mode (Charge/Sync/Off)
• Profile (Charging profile)
• Duration (how long the device has been
attached)
• End time (time the battery reaches a threshold
(full) level
• Current (instantaneous charge current in mA)
• Energy (present energy rate in Wh)
Tick boxes adjacent to each port symbol allow
that port mode to be changed. When the port is
in Sync mode, only instantaneous current can be
monitored through LiveViewer. When the port is in
Charge mode, the charge profile, instantaneous
current, energy rate, duration of charge and end
time are displayed.
In addition to individual port information and
control, LiveViewer displays the PD-Sync4
rail voltages, time since switched on, total
instantaneous current and power, and temperature.
Full instructions on LiveViewer are available on our
website.
www.cambrionix.com6

5.2 Command Line Instructions (CLI)
Command Line Instructions can also be used to
control and monitor the functions of the PD-Sync4
and attached devices over a VCP (Virtual COM
Port). In order to use the command line interface a
serial terminal emulator must be installed on the
host computer.
Examples include Serial, ZTerm, PuTTy, and Minicom.
Once you have installed your preferred terminal
emulator, please connect to the device COM port
using 115,200 baud, 8 data bits, No Parity, 1 Stop Bit.
Once you get a command prompt, type “help” for a
list of commands and their usage, as shown below:
Typing “l” will give equivalent information to
LiveViewer and, using the command “logc X”, will
output the data to a log file every “X” seconds.
This allows live data to be captured in an Excel file
for storage.
To return to the prompt at any time, please type “q”.
For further advice on using CLI to control your PD-
Sync4, please contact
[email protected].
Command Action
mode <m> [p] Set mode <m> for port [p] or all ports
mode c <p> [cp] Set charge mode for a port <p> with optional profile [cp] to enter
immediately
state [p] Show state for port [p] or all ports
system Show hardware and firmware information
health Show voltages, temperature, errors and boot flag
cef Clear error flags
sef [flags]... Set error flags
crf Clear rebooted flag
limits Show voltage and temperature limits
list_profiles List all profiles on system
en_profile <i> <1|0> Enable (1) or disable (0) profile <i>
set_profiles <p> [l] Set profiles <l> associated with port <p>
get_profiles <p> List profiles associated with port <p>
sec [arm|disarm] Set or reveal security mode
host [auto|manual] Show if USB host is present, and set mode change
id Show id string
bd Board description
logc <s> Report mA for each port every <s> seconds
loge [s] Report state for all ports every [s] seconds and events as they occur
lLive view (periodically updated screen showing system state)
remote [exit|kexit] Enter or exit mode where console is controlled by terminal
ledb <p> <row> <ptn> Set individual LED on row <row>, port <p> to flash bit pattern <ptn>
leds <row> [ptnstr] Set flash pattern of a string of LEDs on row <row> to string <ptnstr>
keys Read key click event flags
lcd <row> <col> <str> Write string <s> to LCD at row <row>, column <col>
clcd Clear LCD
beep [ms] Make console beep for [ms] milliseconds
cls Clear terminal screen
reboot [watchdog] Reboot (optionally by using watchdog timeout)
serial_speed [test|fast|slow] Change serial interface speed
set_delays Change internal delays
host [auto/manual/charge/sync/off] Show if USB host is present, and set mode change
NOTES:
[p] is port number. Range 1...16. Omit for ‘all’
<m> is port mode: c=Charge, s=Sync, o=Off, b=Biassed
<l> is a list of profile IDs. Blank to use all profiles.
<i> is a single profile ID.
Parameters: Optional parameters are shown in [ ]. Compulsory in < >.
Tab key Re-runs previous command.
Cursor up recalls last command.
PDSync-4 USER GUIDE 7

5.3 Cambrionix API
Cambrionix API allows you to monitor and control
each port in more detail and to integrate these
functions into your own workflow processes. The
API comprises a daemon that can be downloaded
from https://cambrionix.com and installed on the
host machine. Port information and control can be
provided through the API using JavaScript
Object Notation (JSON) Remote Procedure Calls
(RPC) over TCP. JSON-RPC calls send a request
to the API to “Get” port, device or PD-Sync4
information, or “Set” port functions (such as mode).
A library of sample Python code can be obtained
from https://cambrionix.com to help you integrate
many of these functions into your process
workflow alongside the full User Guide.
6 Advanced Usage
6.1 Updating the PD-Sync4 firmware
From time to time Cambrionix updates the PD-
Sync4 firmware to ensure the device incorporates
the latest features. In order to update the firmware
on your PD-Sync4, please download the Cambrionix
Updater and latest firmware file version appropriate
for your host computer Operating System from
https://cambrionix.com.
Please follow these instructions to ensure your
PD-Sync4 has the latest version of the firmware
installed.
6.1.1 Update procedure for MacOS
Locate and double-click the Cambrionix Updater
application file (which has a .dmg file extension)
downloaded from https://cambrionix.com. Then
follow the instructions in 6.1.3 below:
6.1.2 Update procedure for Windows
Locate and double-click the Cambrionix Updater
application file (which has a .zip file extension)
downloaded from https://cambrionix.com.
Right-click the .zip file and choose ‘Open with
‘Windows Explorer’ to show the contents of the
compressed file. Double-click the .exe file within the
compressed file to run the application and follow
the below instructions:
6.1.3 Running Updater Instructions
MacOS: Double-click the Cambrionix Updater file
and drag into your applications folder.
Windows: Double-click the Cambrionix Updater.
This will open the Cambrionix Updater window.
Click ‘Scan’ to list the Cambrionix products
connected to your computer.
Click ‘File…’ to open a Finder/Explore window to
allow you to navigate to and select the firmware
file (which has a .enfir extension) previously
downloaded.
The Cambrionix Updater window will now show
one or more Cambrionix products as well as the
firmware file selected to update the product(s).
Please ensure each Update box is ticked for all
products requiring updates.
Press ‘Go’ once all the products to update have
been selected.
Please Note: The ‘Reboot’ checkbox should remain
checked. This will reboot the Cambrionix product
once the programming is successful.
www.cambrionix.com8

7 Specifications
PD-Sync4
Input Voltage: 24Vdc
Input Current: 15A
Input Connection: 4-pin DIN
Output Voltage: 3V to 21V
Output Current: Up to 3A per port
Output Power: Up to 60W per port
Output Power (Total): Up to 200W max
Input/Output Connectors: 1 x USB-C
(host connector)
1 x USB-C
(expansion connector)
4 x USB-C
(downstream
connectors for
devices)
1 x 4-pin DIN
Ambient Operating 0 ~ 35°C
Temperature Range:
Relative humidity: 5% to 95%
non-condensing
Dimensions (approx.): 132mm long x 106mm
wide x 34mm high
Approximate weight: 1.6 kg (inc PSU)
Power Supply
Input Voltage: 100-250Vdc
Input Current: 2.5A @ 115 Vac
Input Frequency: 50-60Hz
Input Connector: C14
Output Voltage: 24V
Output Current: 8.5A
Output Power: 200W
Output Connector: 4-pin DIN
8 Certifications
• Independently safety tested by the Underwriters
Laboratory (UL) under file #E346549
• CE Tested and marked
• CB Certificate
• FCC Part 15 Tested and marked
• RoHS Compliant
• China CCC certification
• Japanese PSE certification (pending)
• Complies with the latest EN60950 safety
requirements for ITE
• Housed within a UL94-V0 specification fire
enclosure
9 Safety Guidelines and Precautions
Please read and understand these
guidelines prior to installation or use.
The PD-Sync4 has ESD, over-voltage, over-current
and over-temperature protection. However, to use
the equipment safely you should follow all local
regulations relating to the use of electrical
equipment and note that:
• Failure to install and operate the equipment
in accordance with all local and these safety
guidelines may result in unit failure, electrical
shock and personal injury.
• The plug on the power cord is considered the
“disconnect device” and consequently the mains
outlet should be located near the TS2-16, easily
accessible in case the power supply needs to be
isolated from the mains power.
• If there is a liquid spillage over a ventilation
slot, external data/power connector or product
aperture, remove power from the unit without
contacting the liquid immediately.
PDSync-4 USER GUIDE 9

If in any doubt about how to correctly operate or maintain your Cambrionix system
product or OEM module, or if any part of this safety document is unclear or confusing,
please do not use your product and contact Cambrionix before proceeding further.
Important Electrical and Safety Messages
Safety warning Potential consequence if ignored
Do not modify the product in any way. Fire, electric shock or personal injury may occur.
Do not dismantle the product. Fire, electric shock or personal injury may occur.
Do not bend, compress or drill into any part of the product. Damage, electric shock or personal injury may occur.
Parts of Cambrionix products may become hot during
operation. Do not obstruct air vents on the product or operate the
product in an environment where the ambient temperature is outside
the recommended operating temperature region.
An increased internal temperature may cause a fire.
Cambrionix products are not reverse-polarity protected.
The power connections MUST be connected correctly.
If in doubt, please contact Cambrionix.
Damage to your Cambrionix product may occur. A fire or electric shock
may result.
Do not short circuit the Power Supply Unit (PSU) supplied
with your Cambrionix product.
Sparks, fire or electric shock may result.
Ensure dust does not collect around the power plug pins
or power socket, or in or around the air vents to the extent
it causes a reduction in air circulation.
A fire may result if there is combustible material within the power
socket or around the power plug, or if the internal
temperature increases due to lack of air circulation.
Do not allow liquids to come into contact with the unit or
power supply.
Fire, electric shock or personal injury may occur.
Keep the mains power socket (where the power cord is
connected) unobstructed.
The power cord must be disconnected to cut off power to the product
when an issue occurs. Note that the product may not be completely
powered down by only using the power switch on the product.
Do not use a damaged power cord or plug, or a loose power socket. An electric shock or fire may result.
Do not power multiple products from a single power socket. Overheated power sockets may cause a fire.
Do not touch the power plug with wet hands. An electric shock may result.
Insert the power plug all the way into the socket so that it is not loose. An unsecured connection may cause a fire.
Connect the power plug to an earthed socket. Failure to connect use an earthed socket may result in an electric
shock or injury.
Do not bend or pull the power cord with force. Be careful not
to leave the power cord underneath a heavy object.
Damage to the power cord may result in fire or electric shock.
Do not place the power cord near heat sources. A fire or electric shock may result.
Only use the power cord provided (if applicable). A fire or electric shock may result.
Only use the power supply provided with the product
(if applicable).
A fire or electric shock may result.
Do not disconnect the power cord while the product is being used. The product may become damaged by electric shock.
Cambrionix OEM modules are susceptible to Electrostatic Discharge
(ESD). OEM modules should be handled in an ESD safe area.
Damage to your Cambrionix OEM module may occur.
There are sharp edges, corners and components.
Suitable protective equipment must be worn during handling
of Cambrionix OEM modules.
Personal injury may occur.
No power supply is shipped with a Cambrionix OEM module. Please
contact your power supply manufacturer directly for safety related
information.
Fire, electric shock or personal injury may occur. Please see the
installation instructions for your Cambrionix product for correct wiring
requirements.
When mounting a Cambrionix OEM module, all mounting holes should
be used with appropriate spacers, screws and a torque level of 1.1Nm.
Damage or personal injury may occur.
This product can expose you to chemicals, including Nickel, which is known
to the State of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive
harm. For more information, go to www.p65Warnings.ca.gov
www.cambrionix.com10

PDSync-4 USER GUIDE 11

Cambrionix Ltd
St Johns Innovation Centre
Cowley Road
Cambridge CB4 0WS
United Kingdom
T [phone]
E [email protected]
W www.cambrionix.com
PDS-4_v2_0619