GridConnect Firefly User manual

Firefly
User Guide
Revision D June 21, 2007
Part Number GC-800-314

Copyright and Trademark
Copyright ©2005, Grid Connect, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form for any purpose other than the
purchaser's personal use, without the express written permission of Grid Connect, Inc. Grid
Connect, Inc. has made every effort to provide complete details about the product in this manual, but
makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Grid Connect, Inc.
be liable for any incidental, special, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever included but not
limited to lost profits arising out of errors or omissions in this manual or the information contained
herein.
Grid Connect, Inc. products are not designed, intended, authorized or warranted for use as
components in systems intended for surgical implant into the body, or in other applications intended
to support or sustain life, or in any other application in which the failure of a Grid Connect, Inc.
product could create a situation where personal injury, death, or severe property or environmental
damage may occur. Grid Connect, Inc. reserves the right to discontinue or make changes to its
products at any time without notice.
Grid Connect and the Grid Connect logo, and combinations thereof are registered trademarks of Grid
Connect, Inc. All other product names, company names, logos or other designations mentioned
herein are trademarks of their respective owners.
Grid Connect
1841 Centre Point Circle, Suite 143
Naperville, IL 60563, USA
Phone: [phone]
Technical Support
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
On-line: www.gridconnect.com
Firefly User Guide i

Disclaimer and Revisions
The information in this guide may change without notice. The manufacturer assumes no
responsibility for any errors that may appear in this guide.
Date Rev. Author Comments
06/07/06 A GR Preliminary Release
06/22/06 B GR Firefly now available with FEMALE DB-9
07/27/06 C GR Removed BluePlug section.
06/21/07 D GR Add firmware code 4.22 for 7 data bit mode
ii Firefly User Guide

Warranty
Grid Connect warrants each product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a
period of ONE YEAR after the date of shipment. During this period, if a customer is unable to
resolve a product problem with Grid Connect Technical Support, a Return Material Authorization
(RMA) will be issued. Following receipt of a RMA number, the customer shall return the product to
Grid Connect, freight prepaid. Upon verification of warranty, Grid Connect will -- at its option --
repair or replace the product and return it to the customer freight prepaid. If the product is not under
warranty, the customer may have Grid Connect repair the unit on a fee basis or return it. No services
are handled at the customer's site under this warranty. This warranty is voided if the customer uses
the product in an unauthorized or improper way, or in an environment for which it was not designed.
Grid Connect warrants the media containing software and technical information to be free from
defects and warrants that the software will operate substantially for a period of 60 DAYS after the
date of shipment.
In no event will Grid Connect be responsible to the user in contract, in tort (including negligence),
strict liability or otherwise for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damage or loss of
equipment, plant or power system, cost of capital, loss of profits or revenues, cost of replacement
power, additional expenses in the use of existing software, hardware, equipment or facilities, or
claims against the user by its employees or customers resulting from the use of the information,
recommendations, descriptions and safety notations supplied by Grid Connect. Grid Connect liability
is limited (at its election) to:
1) refund of buyer's purchase price for such affected products (without interest)
2) repair or replacement of such products, provided that the buyer follows the above procedures.
There are no understandings, agreements, representations or warranties, expressed or implied,
including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, other than those
specifically set out above or by any existing contract between the parties. The contents of this
document shall not become part of or modify any prior or existing agreement, commitment or
relationship.
Firefly User Guide iii

Table of Contents
1. Bluetooth Introduction.................................................................................................... 1-1
2. Preparation....................................................................................................................... 2-1
3. Firefly................................................................................................................................3-2
3.1 Firefly Features....................................................................................................3-2
3.2 Overview .............................................................................................................3-3
3.2.1 RS232 Physical Port Description ........................................................3-3
3.2.2 Typical Application.............................................................................3-4
3.2.3 Power Requirements............................................................................3-5
3.2.4 Status LEDs.........................................................................................3-6
3.3 Firefly Configuration Switches............................................................................3-7
3.4 Cable Replacement Example...............................................................................3-8
3.4.1 Configuration Procedures....................................................................3-9
3.4.2 Link Test............................................................................................3-10
3.5 Option Jumpers..................................................................................................3-11
3.5.1 Firefly with Female DB9...................................................................3-12
3.6 Firmware Configuration....................................................................................3-13
3.6.1 From Local Serial Port ......................................................................3-13
3.6.2 Remote via Bluetooth........................................................................3-14
3.6.3 Modes of Operation...........................................................................3-14
3.7 Factory Default Power up Settings....................................................................3-15
3.8 Example of a Master Discovery/Connection Sequence.....................................3-16
4. Firefly Command Reference........................................................................................... 4-1
4.1.1 Command Summary............................................................................4-5
4.1.2 Testing the COM Port..........................................................................4-7
5. Guide to RS-232............................................................................................................... 5-8
5.1.1 Firefly Signals .....................................................................................5-9
5.1.2 Firefly Radio......................................................................................5-11
5.1.3 RTS and CTS.....................................................................................5-13
6. Quick Start Guide.......................................................................................................... 6-14
6.1 Two Firefly serial devices as a Cable Replacement..........................................6-14
6.1.1 Configuration Options.......................................................................6-15
6.1.2 Opening a Firefly...............................................................................6-15
6.1.3 Selecting DTE or DCE......................................................................6-15
6.1.4 Clear to Send Option .........................................................................6-15
6.1.5 Master and Slave ...............................................................................6-16
6.1.6 Select the Baud Rate..........................................................................6-16
6.1.7 Select Auto Master ............................................................................6-16
6.1.8 Select Auto Discover.........................................................................6-17
6.1.9 Factory Defaults ................................................................................6-17
6.1.10 Connecting Power............................................................................6-17
Firefly User Guide 1-1

6.1.11 Quick Test.......................................................................................6-17
6.1.12 Hyperterminal Setup .......................................................................6-18
1-2 Firefly User Guide

1. Bluetooth Introduction
Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range radio technology. Bluetooth wireless technology makes it
possible to transmit signals over short distances between computers and other devices and thereby simplify
communication and synchronization between devices.
The protocol operates in the license-free ISM band at 2.45 GHz. In order to avoid interfering with other
protocols which use the 2.45 GHz band, the Bluetooth protocol divides the band into 79 channels and
changes channels up to 1600 times per second. Implementations with version 1.2 reach speeds of 723.1
kbit/s.
2. Preparation
Before you use this product, you should be aware of certain industry specifications and standards for
Bluetooth and RS232 Interface Specifications.
This manual contains a summary of RS232 common connection practices and cable pin descriptions. See
Guide to RS-232 on page 5-8.
The Firefly is NOT a Plug-and-Play device. When used in pairs, these devices consist of a radio link that
connects two different RS232 devices. Therefore, you should understand basic radio transmission principals
and more importantly, the methods and practices used to connect RS232 devices. Since each Firefly has a
Bluetooth radio and an RS232 interface, you must configure the Bluetooth radio so that it properly links to
another Bluetooth device, and you must configure the RS232 interface to match the device attached to it.
Several examples are provided to aid in setup and configuration.
If you are connecting a pair of Firefly radios, use the Quick Start Guide found on page 6-14.
Firefly User Guide 2-1

3. Firefly
The Firefly is a Class1 Bluetooth radio modem with 2.4GHz RF ceramic chip antenna. The modules are
Bluetooth version 1.2 compliant. Two Firefly devices can be configured to make a wireless RS232 cable
replacement or extender.
This section provides the setup and operation of the Firefly modules and describes the command mode
protocol used to control and configure Firefly Serial Modules. The protocol is similar to the industry
standard Hayes AT protocol used in telephone modems due to the fact that both types of devices are
connection oriented. Appropriate commands have been provided to make the module perform the two core
actions of a Bluetooth device, which is make/break connections and Inquiry. Additional commands are also
provided to perform ancillary functions. The serial devices can be configured, commanded, and controlled
through simple ASCII strings through the Firefly’s hardware serial UART or over a remote Bluetooth RF
connection.
NOTE: If you are new to Bluetooth devices or RS232 communications, see the Guide to RS-232 on page 5-8, and the
Quick Start Guide on page 6-14. If you are having problems with the setup and configuration, read these sections for
more details. Please read these sections before calling for technical support.
The Firefly has an RS-232 DB-9 Male or Female connector. Firefly is a Class1 Bluetooth device with high
power transceiver (100meters/330 feet). Actual range may vary due to environment or type of client device
used to connect to Firefly.
3.1 Firefly Features
•High speed RS-232, with available baud rates: 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, 232400bps.
Baud Rates other than 9600 or 115200 are selected in command mode.
•Switch selectable baud rates of 9600 and 115200bps.
•Parity Even, Odd, or None, 7/8 Data Bits, 1 Stop Bit.
•Hardware flow control via RTS, CTS. NO Modem control signals.
•Settings can be easily changed via local serial port connection.
•High Power (Class 1, 20dB TX, 330’, 100m) Bluetooth™ radio
•Serial Port Profile used for direct connect to BT clients.
•Green (connection) and Yellow (TX/RX) LEDs.
•Low power operation requires only 3.3VDC at 40ma when connected,
only 1ma on standby.
•Powered by external 5VDC wall adapter. Input range is 4-9VDC. Can be powered through the DB9
connector.
•Smallest possible form factor.
•DB-9 Male connector standard, DB-9 Female optional.
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