MaxStream XStream User manual

XStream™ OEM RF Module Development Kit
Quick Start Guide
Introduction
Range Test Setup
Range Test Execution
Tips and Suggestions
Contact MaxStream
www.maxstream.net
© 2005 MaxStream, Inc. All rights reserved. MD0007
Create a Long Range Wireless Link in Minutes!

Introduction
This Quick Start Guide provides OEMs and integrators with an introduction to
some of the module's most important features. This guide provides step-by-step
instruction on how to setup a wireless link and test the module's ability to
transport data over varying ranges and conditions.
Double-click "setup_X-CTU .exe " file and follow prompts of the installation screens.
This file is located in the "software' folder of the MaxStream CD and under the
'Downloads' link of the following web page:
www.maxstream.net/helpdesk/
Figure 1.
Module Assembly
MaxStream XIB-R
Interface Board
XStream
Module
Figure 2. Hardware Setup
Requirements for Range Test
Install X-CTU Software
2 OEM RF Modules
2 Interface Boards
Accessories (Loopback adapter, RS-232 cable, 2 antennas, 2 power supplies)
1 PC (Windows 98 SE, 2000 or XP) loaded with X-CTU Software
Hardware Setup
1. Set both Interface Board DIP Switches
to RS-232 Mode. Switch 1 is ON (up) and the
remaining 5 switches are OFF (down) [Figure 5].
2. Mount each XStream Module to a MaxStream
Interface Board [Figure 1]. Assemblies will
be referred to as "Radio1" and "Radio2".
3. Attach RPSMA antenna to the XStream Module
that does not have an attached wire antenna.
4. Connect Radio1 to a PC using the included
RS-232 cable [Figure 2].
5. Attach the serial loopback adapter to
the DB-9 serial connector of Radio2.
(The serial loopback adapter configures
Radio2 to function as a repeater by
looping data back into the module for
retransmission. [Figure 2])
6. Power Radio1 & Radio2 through the interface
boards using the included power supplies.
Radio1
(w/ wire antenna)
Radio2
(w/ RPSMA Antenna)
Serial loopback adapter
Range Test Setup
The X-CTU Software interface is divided into the four following tabs:
• PC Settings - Setup PC serial com ports to interface with the module assembly
• Range Test - Test module's range under varying conditions
• Terminal - Read/Set module parameters and monitor data communications
• Modem Configuration - Read/Set module parameters

1. Launch the X-CTU Software: ( Start --> Programs --> MaxStream --> X-CTU )
Under the "PC Settings" tab [Figure 3], select the PC serial com port
from the list that will be used to connect to Radio1.
Select the Baud rate that matches the fixed RF data rate of Radio1.
Use default values for remaining fields. [Figure 3]
4. Click on the "Range Test" tab. [Figure 4]
(Optional) Check the box in the "RSSI" checkbox to enable its display.
Click the "Start" button to begin the range test.
7. Move Radio2 (with loopback connector) away from Radio1 to find the
module's maximum range.
Figure 4. Range Test tab
Figure 3. PC Se�ings tab
2
3
5
6
3
Use the "PC Settings" and "Range Test" tabs of the X-CTU Software to:
• Assign which PC Serial Com Port to use when communicating with
XStream module assemblies [step 2 of "Range Test"]
• Measure XStream OEM RF Module's range
[ steps 1-7 of "Range Test"]
Range Test Execution
Range Test
PC Com Port
Default Values
Refer to XStream Module part number
to determine its default (& fixed) RF data rate:
Other Default Values:
Flow Control = None
Data Bits = 8
Parity = None
Stop Bits = 1
5
RSSI check box
RSSI stands for "Received Signal Strength Indicator".
6
Start/(Stop) button
(Packet Information)
2
X09-009... = 9600 bps
X09-019... = 19200
X24-009... = 9600
X24-019... = 19200

Phone: [phone], Live Chat: www.maxstream.net, E-mail: rf[email protected]
Contact MaxStream (Office hours are 8am – 5pm U.S. Mountain standard time)
Radio1
(w/ wire antenna)
Target Serial Device
Radio2
(w/ RPSMA antenna)
male-to-male NULL modem adapter
Figure 6. Wireless link between devices
The MaxStream Interface Board DIP Switch allows users an exterior method for
configuring "Serial Interface" and "Termination" parameter settings.
Interface Board DIP Switch Configurations
Figure 5. DIP Switch Se�ings (Se�ings applied only during power-up sequence)
Tips and Suggestions
If module is not
responding or
cannot enter
Command Mode,
try restoring the
modem to its
original settings.
Restore Module to its Default AT Settable Parameter Values
A pair of module assemblies can be used in lieu of a serial cable to create a
wireless link between devices. The topology below illustrates a basic wireless
strategy that can be used when connecting to target devices such as automatic
meter readers, fleet management devices, remote weather stations and a host of
other applications. When creating a wireless link, consider the following:
• Use the male-to-male NULL modem adapter to connect Radio2 to a
target serial device. [Figure 6] Pin signals crossover inside the adapter.
(To verify serial cabling is functioning properly, insert a female-to-female NULL
modem adapter in place of Radio1 and Radio2, then test communications
without the module assemblies in the link.)
Create a Wireless Link between Serial Devices
To Restore Defaults (using X-CTU Software):
1. Connect module assembly to host PC [steps 1-2 of the
‘Hardware Setup’ instructions on page 2 of this guide].
2. Match PC Settings with those of the module [steps 1-3 of
the ‘Range Test’ instructions on page 3].
3. Launch X-CTU Software & select “Modem Configuration” tab.
4. Select the “Restore” button.
Serial Interface
Switches 1 & 2
1 2
Parity
Switches 5 & 6
5 6
O
N
1 2 3 4 5 6
RS-485/422
Termination
Switches 3 & 4
=2-wire RS-485
Termination
=4-wire RS-485/422
Termination
None
=
3 4
= Odd = ON (up)
= OFF (down)
= RS-232
= (Restore Defaults)
= 2-wire RS-485
=4-wire
RS-485/422
= Invalid = 9-bit
(v4.30 only)
None=
= Even

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