MaxStream XTend-PKG-E User manual

Requirements for Range Test
1 XTend-PKG-E (Ethernet) RF Modem
1 XTend-PKG-R (RS-232) RF Modem
1 PC (Windows 98 SE, 2000 or XP) loaded with the following software:
X-CTU
Com Port Redirector
Accessories (Loopback adapter, CAT5 cable, 2 RPSMA antennas, 2 power supplies)
Quick Start Guide
XTend-PKG-E™ Ethernet RF Modem
Introduction
Com Port Communications
Range Test
Optional Configurations
www.maxstream.net
© 2005 MaxStream, Inc. All rights reserved. MD0023
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.
Software Installation #1: X-CTU
Double-click the ‘setup_X-CTU.exe’ file, then follow installation screen prompts.
File is located on the MaxStream CD and under the ‘Software’ section of 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 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
Software Installation #2: Com Port Redirector
Double-click the ‘setup_ComPortRedirector.exe’ file, follow installation screen
prompts, then re-start the PC. File is located on the MaxStream CD and under the
‘Software’ section of the following web page: www.maxstream.net/helpdesk/download.php
The Ethernet Com Port Redirector must be installed to activate the ‘Ethernet Com
Ports’ sub-tab of the X-CTU “PC Settings” tab. If this software is not installed, the
features under the ‘Ethernet Com Ports’ sub-tab are grayed and cannot be used.
The ‘Ethernet Com Ports’ sub-tab enables users to discover Ethernet RF Modems
on a TCP/IP network and setup serial com port communications.
Create a long range wireless link in minutes!

Com Port Communications
The X-CTU and Com Port Redirector software applications combine to facilitate
data communications through a PC's Ethernet and com ports. A com port is not
required for communicating to the Ethernet RF Modem, but is recommended as
means of configuring and testing the modems.
Ethernet RF Modem Discovery
The X-CTU Software can be used to search a local network and display Ethernet RF
Modems found.
Discover Ethernet RF Modem, redirect com port & assign IP address:
1. Launch X-CTU Software and select the “PC Settings” tab; then select the
‘Ethernet Com Ports’ sub-tab [Figure 1].
--> After the Ethernet Com Port Redirector is installed (& PC is re-booted), a
“Setup Com Port” dialog box will appear the first time the ‘Ethernet Com
Ports’ sub-tab is selected.
2. Select ‘OK’ button.
--> All discovered Ethernet RF Modems will be displayed in a new “Assign IP
Address” dialog box.
3. Highlight one of the discovered Ethernet RF Modems (Modem's IP and
hardware address are listed in the ‘... discovered Ethernet Modem’ section).
4. Select ‘OK’ button.
--> Newly assigned Ethernet Modem is listed under the ‘Ethernet Com Ports’
sub-tab and the first available com port is assigned to it.
5. Select ‘Apply’ button [Figure 1]. (Even though the Ethernet RF Modem
appears in the ‘Ethernet Com Port’ list, the new com port cannot be used
until changes are applied and the PC is re-booted.)
6. Re-boot the PC; then re-launch the X-CTU Software. The com port can now be
used for Ethernet RF Modem communications.
Assign Static IP Address (Optional)
If an Ethernet RF Modem resides on a DHCP network, it may become necessary
to reconfigure a mapped com port any time an IP address is re-assigned by the
DHCP server. Dynamic addressing is supported, but setting a static IP address
can simplify the application. Follow the instructions in the Ethernet RF Modem
product manual to explicitly assign a static IP to an Ethernet RF Modem.
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Range Test
Once the Ethernet RF Modem has been setup for com port communications, a
wireless link between devices can be created for the transportation of data.
Hardware Setup
Using the components listed on page one of this quick start guide, assemble the
hardware needed for the range test.
1. Connect a PKG-E (Ethernet) RF Modem and a PC to active Ethernet ports of the
same local network using standard CAT5 cables [Figure 2].
2. Attach serial loopback adapter to the DB-9 serial connector of the PKG-R
(RS-232) RF Modem. The adapter configures the PKG-R RF Modem to function
as a repeater by looping serial data back into the modem for retransmission.
3. Configure the PKG-R RF Modem for RS-232 operation
using the built-in DIP Switch. Switches 1, 5 & 6 are ON (up)
and the remaining switches are OFF (down).
4. Attach RPSMA antennas to both RF Modems.
5. Power both RF Modems with power supplies (included w/ accessory packages).
Figure 2. Hardware Setup for Range Test
Run Range Test
1. Select the “PC Settings” tab; then highlight the com port [Figure 1 - ‘Com Port
Setup’ section] that was setup in the ‘Ethernet RF Modem Discovery’ section.
2. Select the baud rate from the ‘Baud’ dropdown list that matches the interface
data rate of the modem (BD parameter = 3 (9600 baud) by default).
[Figure 1 - ‘Com Port Setup’ section]
3. Select the “Range Test” tab [Figure 3]; then select the ‘Start’ button to begin
range test.
4. Move the remote PKG-R (RS-232) away from the PKG-E (Ethernet)
and observe packet information to determine the range of the wireless link.
Range Test tab
Packet Information
Local Ethernet
(TCP/IP) Network
PC PKG-E (Ethernet) PKG-R (RS-232)
(w/ loopback adapter)
O
N
1 2 3 4 5 6

Optional Configurations
Out-of-box, the XTend-PKG-E Ethernet RF Modems comes configured to provide
immediate wireless links between devices. The default configuration of the modem
supports a wide range of RF communications.
If the modem must support additional functions, modem parameters can be
customized using standard AT and binary commands. MaxStream recommends using
the X-CTU Software when configuring the PKG-E Ethernet RF Modem. Alternatively,
programs such as "Telnet" and "HyperTerminal" can be used, although modem IP
addresses must already be known in order to establish communications.
Phone: [phone]
Live Chat: www.maxstream.net
e-mail: rf[email protected]
Restore RF Modem Defaults
If the RF Modem is not responding or cannot enter into "AT Command Mode",
restore RF Modem parameters to their original factory settings.
Restore RF Modem Default Parameters (Local Network Method):
After following the steps outlined in the Configuration Setup section [previous
page], the RF modem is ready to be programmed. The following steps utilize the
“Modem Configuration” tab of the X-CTU Software to restore default parameters.
1. Highlight the Com Port from the ‘Select Com Port’ list that is mapped to the
Ethernet Modem.
2. Select the “Modem Configuration” tab.
3. Select the ‘Read’ button. (Currently stored parameter values are displayed.)
4. Select the ‘Restore’ button. (Original default parameter values are restored and
written to the RF modem’s non-volatile memory.)
5. Select the ‘Write’ button.
Figure 4. Setup for RF Modem Configuration (Local Network Method)
Straight-through
CAT5 cables
Local Ethernet
(TCP/IP) Network
PC PKG-E (Ethernet)
Ethernet RF Modem Configuration
The X-CTU Software features “Terminal” and “Modem Configuration” tabs that provide
easy-to-use interfaces for configuring RF Modems. Refer to the product manual for
information regarding configuration methods.
Contact MaxStream