MaxStream Xstream-PKG-U User manual

Install Drivers (Hardware USB Bus & Virtual Com Port drivers)
Range Test Setup
Requirements for Range Test
Install X-CTU Software
XStream-PKG-U™ USB RF Modem
Quick Start Guide
© 2004 MaxStream, Inc. All rights reserved.
Range Test Setup
Range Test Execution
Tips and Suggestions
Contact MaxStream
MD0021
•One XStream-PKG-U™ USB RF Modem
•One XStream-PKG-R™ RS-232/485 RF Modem (or an XStream OEM RF Module
mounted to a MaxStream XIB-R interface board)
•USB and RS-232 Accessories Packages (Accessories packages
are included with RF Modem part numbers ending with "-UA" and "-RA")
•One computer (Windows 98 SE, 2000 or XP) with an available USB port
•X-CTU Software and USB RF modem drivers installed on the computer
Create a Long Range Wireless Link in Minutes!
Double-click the 'setup_X-CTU.exe' file then follow the prompts of the installation
screens. This file is located on the MaxStream CD and on the following web page:
www.maxstream.net/helpdesk/download.php
1.Connect the XStream-PKG-U RF Modem to a PC using a USB cable. A USB
cable is included with the USB RF Modem accessories package.
 The XStream USB RF Modem is a "plug-and-play" device that should
automatically be detected by the PC.
Found New Hardware Wizard (Windows XP)
Windows 2000 and 98 SE use different text to identify these same options.
2.Select "Install from specific list or location" option; then select "Next" button.
3a.[First verify MaxStream CD is inserted] Select the "Search for best driver in
these locations" option.
3b.Check "Search removable media (CD-ROM...)" box; then select "Next" button.
4.["Windows Logo Testing" alert box] Select the "Continue Anyway" button.
5.Select the "Finish" button.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 to install the second driver.

Setup Range Test (continued)
Hardware Setup
1. Verify XStream PKG-U RF Modem ("Radio1") was successfully connected to
the USB port of the PC [see Figure 1].
2. Attach the serial loopback adapter to the DB-9 serial connector of the
XStream PKG-R RS-232 RF Modem (Radio2). [Figure 3]
The serial loopback adapter configures Radio2 to function as a repeater by
looping data back into the module for retransmission.
3. Attach RPSMA antennas to Radio1 & Radio2.
4. Power Radio2 through its power connector. (Radio1 is already powered
through one of the pins in the USB connection.)
Radio1


Radio2


Figure 3. Hardware Setup
Verify Driver Installations and Read Virtual Com Port Number
1. Make sure XStream PKG-U RF Modem "Radio1" is connected to the
USB port of the PC. [Figure 1 - Illuminated bottom-left red LED indicates
successful USB link.]
2. Launch the X-CTU Software and go to the "PC Settings" tab.
[Start --> All Programs --> MaxStream --> X-CTU]
3. Click the "Manage" button located on the "PC Settings" tab.
4. [Manage Com Ports window] Locate 'MaxStream PKG-U' in the "Com Port"
list and read the com port number associated with the USB RF Modem.
The number assigned to the XStream-PKG-U USB RF Modem will be used
in the "Perform Range Test" section.
PC com port enumerations can also be read under the "Ports (COM &
LPT)" entry of the Microsoft Windows "Device Manager".
Figure 1. LED indication of successful USB link

Figure 2. Manage Com Ports interface
Virtual Com Port
serial loopback adapter

1. Launch X-CTU Software: ( Start --> Programs --> MaxStream --> X-CTU )
Go to the "PC Settings" tab [Figure 4], then select the PC com port
from the dropdown list that will be used to connect to Radio1 [See the
"Verify Driver Installations and Read Virtual Com Port Number" instructions
on opposite page to determine which com port number was assigned.]
If com port is not located in the dropdown list, click the "Add" button
and type in the com port number. [Figure 2, opposite page]
Select the Baud rate that matches the default RF data rate (over-the-air
baud) of Radio1. Use default values for remaining fields. [Figure 4]
4. Click on the "Range Test" tab. [Figure 5]
(Optional) Check the check box in the "RSSI" section to enable its display.
Click the "Start" button to begin range test.
7. Move Radio2 (with loopback adapter) away from Radio1 to measure the
RF Modem's range.
2
3
5
6
2
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 RF Modems [step 2 of "Range Test" below]
• Measure XStream RF Modem's range
[ steps 1-7 shown below]
Perform Range Test
Range Test
PC Com Port
Default Values
Refer to XStream RF Modem part number
to determine its default RF data rate:
X09-009... = 9600 bps
X09-019... = 19200
X24-009... = 9600
X24-019... = 19200
Remaining 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)
Figure 4. PC Se�ings tab
Figure 5. Range Test tab

Tips and Suggestions
Figure 6. Wireless Link between Devices
Create a Wireless Link between Devices
Change Baud Rate (Optional)
Change Interface Baud Rate of RF Modem (Optional)
Host PC Radio1
XStream-PKG-U
Radio2
XStream-PKG-R
USB cable
Target
Serial
Device
RPSMA antennas male-to-male
NULL modem adapter
serial cable
A pair of RF Modems 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 connecting devices, consider the following:
• Use the male-to-male NULL modem adapter to connect Radio2 to a
target serial device. [Figure 6] 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 radios in the link.
OEMs and integrators can interface with XStream RF Modems at different baud
rates than the modem defaults (though actual RF data rate is fixed). To change
the modem's serial interfacing rate, first select the PC com port baud rate that
matches the modem's default [steps 1-2]. Then change the baud rate of the
modem itself [steps 3-7]. Then lastly, select the baud rate of the PC com port
to match the newly set baud rate of the Module [step 8].
1. Setup connection to a PC by following the steps of the "Install Drivers"
instructions on page 1 of this guide.
2. Select the PC Com port baud rate that matches the RF Modem's fixed RF
data rate by following steps 1, 2 and 3 of the "Range Test". [on page 3]
3. Select the "Modem Configuration" tab of the X-CTU Software.
4. Select the "Read" button to view current parameter values.
5. In the Command & Parameter hierarchical tree, open the "Serial
Interfacing Options" folder by selecting its plus (+) sign.
6. Select the "Baud Rate" entry, then select a desired baud rate from the
dropdown list.
7. Select "Write" button to save new settings to the RF Modem.
8. Select the "PC Settings" tab [Figure 4] then select the value from the
"Baud" dropdown list that matches the newly set baud rate. This
configures the PC Com Port to communicate at the new baud rate.