Measurement Computing WLS-IFC User manual

WLS-IFC
USB-to-Wireless Interface
User's Guide
Document Revision 4, March, 2010
© Copyright 2010, Measurement Computing Corporation

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HM WLS-IFC.doc
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Table of Contents
Preface
About this User’s Guide .......................................................................................................................6
What you will learn from this user’s guide.........................................................................................................6
Conventions in this user’s guide.........................................................................................................................6
Where to find more information.........................................................................................................................6
Chapter 1
Introducing the WLS-IFC......................................................................................................................7
Overview: WLS-IFC features.............................................................................................................................7
WLS-IFC block diagram....................................................................................................................................7
Software features................................................................................................................................................7
Chapter 2
Installing the WLS-IFC..........................................................................................................................8
What comes with your WLS-IFC shipment?......................................................................................................8
Hardware .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Additional documentation................................................................................................................................................. 8
Unpacking the WLS-IFC....................................................................................................................................8
Installing the software ........................................................................................................................................9
Installing the WLS-IFC ......................................................................................................................................9
Configuring the network parameters ................................................................................................................10
Restoring factory default settings.....................................................................................................................................11
Chapter 3
Functional Details...............................................................................................................................12
External components ........................................................................................................................................12
Status LEDs.....................................................................................................................................................................12
Power LED ......................................................................................................................................................................12
USB connector.................................................................................................................................................................12
Chapter 4
Specifications......................................................................................................................................13
Wireless communications.................................................................................................................................13
Memory ............................................................................................................................................................13
Microcontroller.................................................................................................................................................13
USB +5V voltage .............................................................................................................................................13
Power................................................................................................................................................................14
USB specifications ...........................................................................................................................................14
Environmental ..................................................................................................................................................14
Mechanical .......................................................................................................................................................14
LED configuration............................................................................................................................................15
Declaration of Conformity..................................................................................................................16

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Preface
About this User’s Guide
What you will learn from this user’s guide
This user’s guide explains how to install, configure, and use the WLS-IFC. This user’s guide also refers you to
related documents available on our web site, and to technical support resources.
Conventions in this user’s guide
For more information on …
Text presented in a box signifies additional information and helpful hints related to the subject matter you are
reading.
Caution! Shaded caution statements present information to help you avoid injuring yourself and others,
damaging your hardware, or losing your data.
< : > Angle brackets that enclose numbers separated by a colon signify a range of numbers, such as those assigned
to registers, bit settings, etc.
boldtext Bold text is used for the names of objects on the screen, such as buttons, text boxes, and check boxes. For
example:
1. Insert the disk or CD and click the OK button.
italic text Italic text is used for the names of manuals and help topic titles, and to emphasize a word or phrase. For
example:
The InstaCal installation procedure is explained in the Quick Start Guide.
Never touch the exposed pins or circuit connections on the board.
Where to find more information
For additional information relevant to the operation of your hardware, refer to the Documents subdirectory
where you installed the MCC DAQ software (C:\Program Files\Measurement Computing\DAQ by default), or
search for your device on our website at www.mccdaq.com.

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Chapter 1
Introducing the WLS-IFC
Overview: WLS-IFC features
This user's guide contains all of the information you need to configure the WLS-IFC for wireless operation with
remote WLS-Series devices.
The WLS-IFC is a USB-to-wireless interface module that is supported under popular Microsoft®Windows®
operating systems. The WLS-IFC is fully compatible with both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 ports.
The WLS-IFC device operates as the interface between a computer and one or more remote WLS-Series
devices. The remote devices can be located up to 150 feet (50 meters) indoors, or up to ½ mile (750 m) outdoors
from the WLS-IFC.
You configure the network parameters required for communication with remote devices. All parameters are
software selectable. Only devices with the same parameter settings can communicate with each other. Once you
configure the WLS-IFC to communicate with remote devices, you can connect it to different computers without
having to configure the network parameters.
The WLS-IFC has LEDs that indicate the status of communication over the wireless link. An LED bar graph
shows the fade margin of signals received by the WLS-IFC.
The WLS-IFC is a standalone plug-and-play device which draws power through the USB cable. No external
power is required. All configurable options are software programmable.
WLS-IFC block diagram
WLS-IFC functions are illustrated in the block diagram shown here. The diagram shows the WLS-IFC
communicating with three remote WLS devices. There is no limit to the number of WLS devices that the WLS-
IFC can communicate with.
Figure 1. WLS-IFC functional block diagram
Software features
For information on the features of InstaCal and the other software included with your WLS-IFC, refer to the
Quick Start Guide that shipped with your device.

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Chapter 2
Installing the WLS-IFC
What comes with your WLS-IFC shipment?
The following items are shipped with the WLS-IFC.
Hardware
WLS-IFC
USB cable (2 meter length)
Additional documentation
In addition to this hardware user's guide, you should also receive the Quick Start Guide (available in PDF at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf). This booklet supplies a brief description of
the software you received with your WLS-IFC and information regarding installation of that software. Please
read this booklet completely before installing any software or hardware.
Unpacking the WLS-IFC
As with any electronic device, you should take care while handling to avoid damage from static
electricity. Before removing the WLS-IFC from its packaging, ground yourself using a wrist strap or by simply
touching the computer chassis or other grounded object to eliminate any stored static charge.
If your WLS-IFC is damaged, notify Measurement Computing Corporation immediately by phone, fax, or
e-mail. For international customers, contact your local distributor where you purchased the WLS-IFC.
Phone: [phone] and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support.
Fax: [phone] to the attention of Tech Support
Email: [e-mail]

WLS-IFC User's Guide Installing the WLS-IFC
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Installing the software
Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing the software on the Measurement Computing Data
Acquisition Software CD. This booklet is available in PDF at www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-
Quick-Start.pdf.
Installing the WLS-IFC
Install the MCC DAQ software before you install the WLS-IFC
The driver needed to run your board is installed with the MCC DAQ software. Therefore, you need to install the
MCC DAQ software before you install your board. Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing
the software.
To connect the WLS-IFC to your system, do the following:
1. Turn your computer on, and connect the USB cable to a USB port on your computer or to an external USB
hub connected to your computer. The USB cable provides power and communication to the WLS-IFC.
Always connect an external hub to its power supply
If you are using a hybrid hub (one that can operate in either self-powered or bus-powered mode), always
connect it to its external power supply.
If you use a hub of this type without connecting to external power, communication errors may occur that could
result in corrupt configuration information on your wireless device. You can restore the factory default
configuration settings with InstaCal.
When you connect the WLS-IFC for the first time, a Found New Hardware popup balloon (Windows XP)
or dialog (Windows 2000) opens as the WLS-IFC is detected.
After your system detects new hardware, the Found New Hardware Wizard opens and prompts you to
respond to the question "Can Windows connect to Windows Update to search for software?"
2. Click on the No, not this time option, and then click on the Next button.
The next dialog prompts you for the location of the software required to run the new hardware.
3. Keep the default selection "Install the software automatically" and then click on the Next button.
The wizard locates and installs the software on your computer for the WLS-IFC. A dialog appears when the
wizard completes the installation.
4. Click on the Finish button to exit the Found New Hardware Wizard.
A balloon or dialog appears when the hardware is installed and ready to use. Both the Power LED and the USB
Activity LED should flash, and then the Power LED should remain lit. This indicates that communication is
established between the WLS-IFC and your computer, and that the device is receiving power.
Figure 2. LED locations

WLS-IFC User's Guide Installing the WLS-IFC
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If the Power LED turns off
If the Power LED is lit but then turns off, the computer has lost communication with the WLS-IFC. Disconnect
the USB cable from the computer and then reconnect it. This should restore communication, and the Power
LED should remain on after the device is configured.
Configuring the network parameters
The following network parameter options are programmable with InstaCal.
Identifier: Text that identifies the device (optional).
PAN (hex): The personal area network (PAN) ID assigned to the device.
The PAN value is a number used to identify the remote device with which you want to communicate. The
WLS-IFC can only communicate with a device whose PAN is set to the same value.
Most users do not need to change the default value assigned to the device. However, you may want to
assign a different PAN ID in the following situations:
oYou have multiple WLS Series devices, and do not want to allow communication between all of them.
Set the PAN ID to the same value on each device that you want to communicate.
oIf other WLS Series devices are operating in the vicinity, you can avoid accidental changes to your
device settings by changing the default PAN value.
CH: The radio frequency (RF) channel number assigned to the device.
The channel number is used to transmit and receive data over the wireless link. You may want to change
the channel number in InstaCal when another WLS Series device is already transmitting on that channel, or
when noise is present on the channel.
The table below lists each available channel and its corresponding transmission frequency.
RF
Channel
Transmission
Frequency (GHz)
RF
Channel
Transmission
Frequency (GHz)
12
2.410
18
2.440
13
2.415
19
2.445
14
2.420
20
2.450
15
2.425
21
2.455
16
2.430
22
2.460
17
2.435
23
2.465
AES Key: Value used to encrypt data (optional).
AES encryption is disabled by default. Unless you suspect that there are other users of WLS Series devices
in the area, there should be no need to enable encryption. However, if you suspect that there are other WLS
Series devices in the area, and you need to secure the devices from being accessed by other users, enable
AES encryption.
Enabling encryption does NOT secure the device from access through a local USB connection. A remote
device configured for encryption can be connected locally through the USB port to access other remote
WLS Series devices with the same settings; you may need to physically secure the remote devices to
prevent tampering of the of device's network.
Set the PAN ID, RF channel, and AES key to the same value for each device that you want to
communicate
Only devices with matching parameter settings for PAN, CH, and AES Key (if set) can communicate with each
other.
For information on setting up the network parameters for your WLS-IFC, refer to the "WLS Series" section of
the "Temperature Input Boards" chapter in the Universal Library User's Guide.
You only have to set up the network parameters once. The WLS-IFC retains the parameter settings even if you
connect to a different computer.