Ei Electronics RF Tool User manual

RF TOOL
Ei Electronics - Shannon, Clare, Ireland [phone]
Last Revision: 15 / 03 / 2021

RF Tool User Manual
Contents
RF Tool User Manual 1
Scope ........................................ 1
IntendedAudience ................................. 1
How to Install the RFTool Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
SystemRequirements............................. 1
Installing the USB RF Dongle Software Suite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
RFToolUpdates .................................. 5
UsingtheRFTool.................................. 6
TheLaunchScreen .............................. 6
CreatingaNewSystem .............................. 7
DownloadingEventLogs........................... 8
Summary Screen Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
RFInfo .................................... 13
Update..................................... 13
IDUnit .................................... 13
AddUnit ................................... 14
RemoveUnit ................................. 14
EditUnit ................................... 15
GenerateReport .................................. 16
Saving and Loading Alarm Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Saving ..................................... 17
Loading .................................... 18
ViewRFSignals .................................. 19
RecordingRSSIData............................. 19
PlayingbackRSSIData ........................... 20
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
AppendixA..................................... 21
Maintenance Tool Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
AppendixB..................................... 22

RF Tool User Manual
Scope
This document is intended to support:
•Downloading, installation and, use of the RF Tool software on a windows device
•Purpose and use of the USB RF Dongle
• How to extract and interpret unit data, such as checking the reliability of the RF
communication paths between all of the units, and downloading and explaining the
event log from each unit.
The USB RF Dongle is designed to plug into the USB port on a PC, laptop, or
Windows tablet.
Intended Audience
The RF Tool enables the installation, configuration, maintenance and data extraction
of RF interconnected alarm systems in a domestic setting. The RF Tool as a viewer
enables the administration of the facility to review and generate installation reports from
installation files created by the RF Tool post-installation or maintenance cycle.
The RF Tool enables a single record for the property showing in chronological order
the periodic inspections carried out over the lifetime of the Fire Detection Alarm System
(FDAS) in that property.
How to Install the RFTool Software
System Requirements
• OS: Windows 10, Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows
Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2
•1 GHz or faster processor
•512 MB of RAM
•USB port
Please ensure the time and date are correct on the device.
Installing the USB RF Dongle Software Suite
1. Insert the USB RF Dongle into the computer.
2. Install the RFTool Driver ( RFTool Driver.exe ).
3. Install the RFTool (RFTool.exe)
4. Run the RFTool from the shortcut on that will appear on your desktop.
To setup and install the RFTool software for the first time, you must have a USB
RF Dongle.
To start, please insert the USB RF Dongle into the computer. Windows may
automatically install a driver when the USB RF Dongle is inserted, this process ensures
1

you will install the correct version of the driver to use and run the RFTool application
successfully. After this, install the driver package available here - RFTool Driver.exe.
To install the driver, run RFTool Driver.exe.
Press extract to extract the driver. On the next screen, you can press Next to
continue the installation of the RFTool driver. On the next screen, accept the License
agreement for the RFTool driver.
2

The driver will then install, and when this is completed press finish. You can then
continue with the installation of the RFTool.
The most up to date install file for the RFTool is available here - RFTool.exe.
3

Run RFTool.exe . Press Extract on this screen to install the RFTool to the default
location, or you may choose another location to install the software. In case of smart
screen filter please see the FAQ.
A shortcut will now be available on the desktop, clicking the shortcut will launch the
application.
4

Everything that is needed to use the RFTool is now installed. If there are any
troubleshooting enquiries, please check the FAQ section.
RFTool Updates
The RFTool will automatically check for updates when it is started. If an update is
available, please follow the update instructions on screen.
If this screen appears, press Yes.
On this screen, you can choose a location for the update to be downloaded, and then
press OK. If a security prompt appears at this point, please allow the installation of this
update to continue. The current RFTool will then close, and the installation prompt will
appear, and you can follow the instructions from installing the RFTool above.
5

Using the RFTool
The Launch Screen
The launch screen consists of five options:
New System This will start the process of creating a new system of units. The
application will automatically connect to the USB RF Dongle and wait for a compatible
unit to be button tested.
Load This option displays a dialog window in which you can select a previously saved
system. The RFTool can load the following file formats:
•.el and .el2 legacy file formats (Note that when loading these will be converted to
.el3 files which will be saved in the same location they are loaded from)
•.el3 file format
These formats are NOT interchangeable. .el,.el2 and *.el3 file formats MUST have
the correct format at the end of the file:
•*.el files MUST end in .el
•*.el2 files MUST end in .el2
•*.el3 files MUST end in .el3
If this is not followed the RFTool will not be able to load the file.
RF Survey This screen will display a rolling graph of received signal strength in the
frequency that the units operate in. It can be used to detect heavy sources of interference.
Exit Exits the software.
6

Flag Icon Clicking on the flag icon allows you to set the locale of the RFTool. Pressing
OK on the window will change the RFTool to that language.
Creating a New System
Caution: Hearing Protection must be used. The following instructions
assume that this system is also already House Coded.
When on the launch screen, you must click Create New System . You will then see
the following:
7

If the screen shown does not automatically transition to the screen above, please
check that the USB RF Dongle is plugged in and that the drivers have been installed.
Downloading Event Logs
At this point, you are ready to start downloading from compatible units.
1. Button test the first unit until you hear the application chime to confirm. You will
then see a screen similar to the following:
8