MaxStream XTend-PKG-R RS-232 RF User manual

Quick Start Guide
Introduction
Range Test Setup
Range Test Procedure
Optional Configurations
www.maxstream.net
© 2005 MaxStream, Inc. All rights reserved. MD0019
Create a Long Range Wireless Link In Minutes.
WARNING: When operating with 1 Watt power output, transmitting in close
proximity of other RF modems can damage modem front-ends. Observe a
minimum separation distance of 2' (0.6 m) between RF modems.
XTend-PKG-R™ RS-232/485 RF Modem

Requirements for Range Test
2 XTend RF Modems
Accessories (Loopback adapter, RS-232 cable, 2 RPSMA antennas, 2 power supplies)
1 PC (Windows 98 SE, 2000 or XP) loaded with X-CTU Software
Introduction
This Quick Start Guide provides OEMs and integrators with an introduction to some of
the RF modem's most important features. This guide provides step-by-step
instruction on how to setup a wireless link and test the modem's ability to transport
data over varying ranges and conditions.
Install X-CTU Software:
Double-click "setup_X-CTU.exe" file and follow prompts of the installation screens.
This file is located on the MaxStream CD and also on the following web page:
www.maxstream.net/helpdesk/download.php
The X-CTU software interface is divided into the four following tabs:
• PC Settings - Setup PC serial com ports to interface with the RF modem
• Range Test - Test RF modem's range under varying conditions
• Terminal - Read/Set RF modem parameters and monitor data communications
• Modem Configuration - Read/Set RF modem parameters
Hardware Setup
Figure 1. Hardware Setup
Host PC Radio1
(w/ loopback adapter)
Radio2
RS-232 cable
XTend RF Modems will be referred to as "Radio1" and "Radio2".
1. Set both Radio DIP Switches to RS-232, point-to-point modes.
[Switches 1 and 5 are ON (up), and the remaining 4 switches
are OFF (down)].
2. Connect the included RS-232 cable to the female DB-9 connector of
Radio1 and the male DB-9 connector of the PC.
3. Attach the serial loopback adapter to the female DB-9 connector of Radio2.
(The serial loopback adapter configures Radio2 to function as a repeater by
looping data back into the module for retransmission. [Figure 1])
4. Attach RPSMA antennas to each RF modem.
5. Power Radio1 & Radio2 through their respective power connectors.
RPSMA antennas
Range Test Setup
O
N
1 2 3 4 5 6

1. Launch the X-CTU Software: ( Start --> Programs --> MaxStream --> X-CTU )
Under the "PC Settings" tab [Figure 2], select the PC serial com port
from the dropdown list that will be used to connect to Radio1.
Select the baud rate that matches the I/O interface rate (serial data rate)
of Radio1. Use default values for remaining fields [Figure 2].
4.
(Optional) Check the box in the "RSSI" section to enable its display.
("Loopback" option is automatically selected.)
Click the "Start" button to begin the range test.
8.
2
3
5
6
7
2
3
Use the "PC Settings" and "Range Test" tabs of the X-CTU Software to:
•
•
Range Test Procedure
Range Test
PC Com Port
Default Values
Default RF data rate is 9600 baud
Other Default Values:
Flow Control = None
Data Bits = 8
Parity = None
Stop Bits = 1
Figure 3 Range T est tab
5
RSSI check box
RSSI stands for "Received Signal Strength Indicator".
6
Loopback option
7
Start/(Stop) button
(Packet Information)
Figure 2. PC Se�ings tab
Setup a PC Serial Com Port for communications with the
XTend RF Modem [step 2 of "Range Test"].
Determine RF modem's range [steps 1-8 of "Range Test"].
Select the "Range Test" tab [Figure 3].
Move Radio2 (with loopback adapter) away from Radio1 to determine the
maximum range of the wireless link.

Optional Configurations
Out-of-box, the XTend-PKG-R RF Modem is configured to provide immediate wireless
links between devices. The modem's default configuration supports a wide range of
RF communications.
If the RF Modem must be configured to support specific needs of a data system,
several programming options are available.
Restoring Modem Defaults
Other Configuration Options
Using the DIP Switch to configure the modem is one of several ways to configure
modem parameters. Other programming options are available such as using the
X-CTU Software "Terminal" and "Modem Configuration" tabs. Binary programming
is also supported.
Refer to the XTend-PKG-R RF Modem product manual for more information about
the available configuration options.
Phone: [phone], Live Chat: www.maxstream.net, E-Mail: [email protected]
Contact MaxStream (Office hours are 8am – 5pm U.S. Mountain Standard Time)
Using the MaxStream RF Modem DIP Switch
The DIP switch allows users to configure the following RF modem settings.
Figure 4. DIP Switch Se�ings (Se�ings applied only when powering on)
To Restore Defaults (DIP Switch Method):
Serial Interface
Switches 1 & 2
1 2
TX/RX Mode
Switches 5 & 6
5 6
O
N
1 2 3 4 5 6
RS-485/422
Termination
(Optional) Switches 3 & 4
=2-wire RS-485
Termination
=4-wire RS-485/422
Termination
None
=
3 4
= Point-to-Point
= ON (up)
= OFF (down)
= Restore Defaults
=4-wire
RS-485/422
= RS-232
= 2-wire RS-485
= not used = User Defined
Multipoint-
Base
=
=Multipoint-
Remote
1. Set switches 1 & 2 of the DIP Switch to
their ON (up) positions and the remaining four
switches to their OFF (down) positions.
2. Turn off, then on again, the power supplying the
RF modem.
If the XTend Modem
is not responding or
cannot enter into
Command Mode, try
restoring the modem
to its original default
parameter values.