Digi XLR PRO User manual

Getting Started Guide
XLR PRO
Long Range Radio Solution

XLR PRO Getting Started Guide
(Part number 90002203 A)
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respective owners.
© 2014 Digi International Inc. All rights reserved.
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If you need assistance, contact technical support:
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USA
Revision Date Description
A September 2014 Initial release.

XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 3
Contents
Before you begin
Gather together required materials 4
For additional information 5
Step 1: Connect XLR PRO hardware
Identify kit contents 6
Connect XLR PRO hardware 7
Step 2: Download and install XCTU software
Download and install XCTU 8
Launch XCTU 8
Step 3: Set up and test serial mode using XCTU
Set up a pair of XLR PROs 9
Test serial communications 12
Step 4: Set up a range test
Set up radio 1 as a mobile device 14
Set up radio 2 as a remote device 15
Perform range testing 15
Step 5: Access the XLR PRO web configuration interface
Connect an XLR PRO to the network 16
Access the XLR PRO Configuration and Management page 17

XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 4
Before you begin
This guide provides instructions for setting up a pair of XLR PROs to transport data. By working
through the steps in this guide, you will learn how to do the following:
• Connect XLR PRO hardware
• Install XCTU software
• Set up and test serial communications using XCTU
• Set up a range test using XCTU
• Access the XLR PRO web configuration interface
Gather together required materials
To follow along with the steps in this guide, you need the following:
Item Description
XLR PRO Starter Kit,
(Two kits, Part Number XL9-UA)
To perform the steps in this guide, you need two starter kits.
Each kit contains the following:
•XLRPRO
• Power supply
• Network (RJ45) cable
•RJ45/DB9Fadapter
• USB to RS-232 serial converter
• Antenna
• Power supply

For additional information
XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 5
For additional information
XLR PRO documentation consists of the following documents:
Laptop or PC Minimum hardware and software
The laptop or PC must meet the minimum hardware and
software requirements for running the XCTU software. The
instructions in this guide assume you’re using a laptop or PC
running Microsoft Windows.
Available USB ports—2 ports
You need one available USB port for each XLR PRO.
Note Only one computer is required to follow along with the
steps in this guide. However, you can use two computers—one
for each XLR PRO. For range testing, a laptop is recommended.
XCTU software Version 6.1.3 (or later)
Ethernet switch To access the XLR PRO web configuration interface, you need to
be able to connect the XLR PRO to your network.
Item Description
Title Description
XLR PRO Quick Start Guide
(P/N 900002204-88)
One-page guide that identifies XLR PRO accessories.
XLR PRO Getting Started Guide
(P/N 900002203)
Step-by-step guide that demonstrates how to quickly get started
using XLR PRO.
XLR PRO User Guide
(P/N 900002202)
Usage and reference guide that provides detailed information on
XLR PRO features and configuration options.

XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 6
Step 1: Connect XLR PRO hardware
Identify kit contents
Carefully unpack and verify the contents of each XLR PRO kit. Each kit should include the following
items:
XLR PRO
Network Cable Power Supply
Antenna
USB to RS-232 Serial Converter
RJ45/DB9 Adapter

Connect XLR PRO hardware
XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 7
Connect XLR PRO hardware
The following illustration shows how to connect XLR PRO cables and the XLR PRO power supply.
For a serial connection:
• Connect the XLR PRO serial port (RJ45) using a network cable, the RJ45/DB9 adapter, and the USB
to RS-232 converter cables.
For Ethernet or Ethernet bridging:
• Connect an XLR PRO Ethernet port using a network cable.
WARNING! Use the serial port for serial connections only. Do not connect the serial RJ45 port to any
PoE (power over Ethernet) device. Doing so could permanently damage the XLR PRO or
PoE device and void your XLR PRO warranty.
For both XLR PROs:
• Attach an antenna to the XLR PRO before powering on the device.
Ethernet or
bridging
Serial

XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 8
Step 2: Download and install XCTU software
Digi International XCTU is a free multi-platform application that enables developers to interact with
Digi RF modules through a simple-to-use graphical interface. It includes tools that make it easy to set-
up, configure, and test Digi RF modules.
Download and install XCTU
To install XCTU software:
1Go to www.digi.com/xctu.
2Launch the XCTU Next Gen installer and follow the prompts on the installation screens.
Note For XLR PRO support, make sure you install Next Generation XCTU version 6.1.3 or later.
Launch XCTU
To launch XCTU:
• Double-click . The XCTU Main Display appears.
To get help using XCTU, click and select Help Contents.

XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 9
Step 3: Set up and test serial mode using XCTU
This section describes how to set up a pair of XLR PROs using XCTU software to test serial
communications. In these instructions, the first XLR PRO is called Radio 1 and the second XLR PRO is
called Radio 2.
Set up a pair of XLR PROs
To set up and test serial communications:
1Connect two XLR PROs to your PC using the XLR PRO serial port:
For each XLR PRO, use a network cable, an RJ45/DB9 adapter, and a USB to RS-232 converter to
connect the XLR PRO serial port (not the Ethernet port) to an available USB port on your PC.
WARNING! Use the serial port for serial connections only. Do not connect the serial RJ45 port to any
PoE (power over Ethernet) device. Doing so could permanently damage the XLR PRO or
PoE device and void your XLR PRO warranty.
2For both XLR PROS, attach an antenna to the XLR PRO before powering on the device.
3Position the XLR PROs at least one to two meters apart to protect the XLR PRO circuitry during
data transmissions.
Note At the default power level setting, if the XLR PROs are operated at close range, the high output
power will saturate the receiving radio resulting in data loss. This can also damage the signal
amplifying circuitry of the XLR PRO.

Set up a pair of XLR PROs
XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 10
4Setup up Radio 1:
aPower on Radio 1.
bLaunch XCTU.
cClick . The Add a radio device dialog appears.
dSelect the following:
Serial/USB port: Select the port to which you’ve connected Radio 1.
Baud Rate: Select 9600.
Data Bits: Select 8.
Parity: Select None.
Stop Bits: Select 1.
Flow Control: Select None.
e Click Finish. XCTU discovers the XLR PRO and displays it in the list of radio modules.
fIn the list of radio modules, click the XLR PRO. XCTU reads and displays the XLR PRO
configuration.

Set up a pair of XLR PROs
XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 11
gConfigure the following parameters:
ID: Set the Network ID to an available network ID. For example, set the Network ID to 169. You
will need to configure Radio 2 with the same network ID.
PL: If Radio 1 and Radio 2 are positioned close together (that is, there is one to two meters
distance between the radios, set the power level to 0 (Lowest).
5Set up Radio 2:
aClick . The Add a radio device dialog appears.
bSelect the following:
Serial/USB port: Select the port to which you’ve connected Radio 2.
Baud Rate: Select 9600.
Data Bits: Select 8.
Parity: Select None.
Stop Bits: Select 1.
Flow Control: Select None.
c Click Finish. XCTU discovers the XLR PRO and displays it in the list of radio modules.
dIn the list of radio modules, click the newly added XLR PRO. XCTU reads and displays the XLR
PRO configuration.

Test serial communications
XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 12
eConfigure the following parameters:
ID: Set the Network ID to match the ID you set for Radio 1.
PL: If Radio 1 and Radio 2 are positioned close together (that is, there is a minimum of one to
two meters distance between the radios, set the power level to 0 (Lowest).
Test serial communications
1Switch both XCTUs to console mode:
aIn the XCTU that includes Radio 1, click . Then click to open a serial connection.
bIn the XCTU that includes Radio 2, click . Then click to open a serial connection.
2In the console window of Radio 1, type in some sample text. The text is displayed in the console
window of Radio 2. To test two-way communications, type sample text in the console of Radio 2,
and the text is transmitted and displayed in the console of Radio 1.
Radio 1 Console Radio 2 Console

XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 13
Step 4: Set up a range test
This section describes how to set up a pair of XLR PROs using XCTU software to perform a range test.
The range test demonstrates two XLR PROs communicating at varying distances.
In these instructions, the first XLR PRO is called Radio 1 and the second XLR PRO is called Radio 2.
•Radio 1: Functions as the local, mobile device connected to a laptop.
•Radio 2: Functions as the remote device connected to a power source, but need not be connected
to a PC.
•Power sources: You need a power source for both radios. Ideally, you can use a mobile power
source (that is, a battery) for Radio 1 so that you can move the radio around. When choosing a
battery, consult the XLR PRO User Guide for current draw requirements. If the XLR PRO is
configured to use maximum power (PL = 4), the transmit current requirements are as follows:
9V: 950 mA
12V: 840 mA
26V: 400 mA
If you don’t have a mobile power source, you can move Radio 1 to other locations where a power
source is available to demonstrate performance over particular distances.

Set up radio 1 as a mobile device
XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 14
Set up radio 1 as a mobile device
1Connect Radio 1 to a laptop and follow the directions in Step 3: Set up and test serial mode using
XCTU on page 9 to set up a serial connection for Radio 1.
2Using XCTU:
aConfigure the BR parameter (RF data rate) to the desired speed. Keep in mind that lower RF data
rates have longer ranges.
bClick and select Range Test. The Radio Range Test screen appears.
cChoose your device from the list of local radios.

Set up radio 2 as a remote device
XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 15
Set up radio 2 as a remote device
1Connect Radio 2 to a PC and follow the directions in Step 3: Set up and test serial mode using
XCTU on page 9 to set up a serial connection for Radio 2.
2Using XCTU:
aConfigure the BR parameter (RF data rate) to the same rate as Radio 1.
Note The BR parameter only affects the data rate at which the radio transmits—the radio receives
on all data rates. In this test, you are transmitting and receiving with both radios, and using the
same RF data rate for both radios will optimize your range.
bWrite the configuration settings.
3At this point, you can disconnect Radio 2 from the PC, but Radio 2 must remain connected to the
antenna and power source.
Perform range testing
1Go back to Radio 1. On the Range Test dialog, click to discover other radio nodes. XCTU
discovers radio nodes, and displays Radio 2 in the list of discovered radios.
2Select Radio 2 from the list of discovered radios, and click Add Selected Devices.
3On the Range Test screen, click on the added device under the remote radio device list. The Start
Range Test is activated.
4Click to begin the range test.
If the test is running properly, the packets sent should match the packets received. You will also
see the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) update for each radio after each reception.
5Move Radio 1 around to see the resulting signal strength at different distances. You can also test
different data rates by reconfiguring the BR parameter on both radios.

XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 16
Step 5: Access the XLR PRO web configuration interface
This section describes how to access the XLR PRO web configuration interface to view or configure
XLR PRO options. For this demonstration, you need only one XLR PRO.
Connect an XLR PRO to the network
1Follow the directions in Step 3: Set up and test serial mode using XCTU on page 9 to set up a serial
connection for one of the XLR PROs using XCTU.
2Connect the XLR PRO to the network:
aUsing a network cable, connect the XLR PRO to a network device.
bAllow the DHCP server to issue an IP address for the XLR PRO. This could take up to five
minutes.
3Determine the XLR PRO IP address:
Using the serial XCTU connection, verify that an IP address has been assigned to the XLR PRO. The
MY option displays the IP address. Note the IP address assigned to the XLR PRO. You’ll use the IP
address to access the XLR PRO web configuration interface.

Access the XLR PRO Configuration and Management page
XLR PRO Getting Started Guide 17
Access the XLR PRO Configuration and Management page
Browse to the XLR PRO web configuration page:
1Open a browser and type in the IP address for the XLR PRO. The XLR PRO Web Configuration
Authentication Required dialog appears.
2Enter the default username and password. The username is admin and the default password is
password.
3Click Log In. The XLR PRO Configuration and Management screen appears.
You can use the XLR PRO Configuration and Management page to view or set configuration options.
Note If you have a Device Cloud account, you can add the XLR PROs to your Device Cloud inventory.
For step-by-step instructions, see the XLR PRO User Guide.

© 2014 Digi International Inc. All rights reserved.