Microhard Systems IP920 User manual

Operating Manual
IP920
Wireless Ethernet Bridge/Serial Gateway
Revision 0.90, January 11, 2006
#17, 2135 - 32nd Ave. N.E.
Calgary, Alberta T2E 6Z3
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.microhardcorp.com
Microhard Systems Inc.

ii IP 920 Operating Manual
Warranty
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year for its products. The warranty commences on the date the product is shipped by Microhard Systems Inc. Microhard Systems
Inc.’s sole liability and responsibility under this warranty is to repair or replace any product which is returned to it by the Buyer
and which Microhard Systems Inc. determines does not conform to the warranty. Product returned to Microhard Systems Inc. for
warranty service will be shipped to Microhard Systems Inc. at Buyer’s expense and will be returned to Buyer at Microhard
Systems Inc.’s expense. In no event shall Microhard Systems Inc. be responsible under this warranty for any defect which is
caused by negligence, misuse or mistreatment of a product or for any unit which has been altered or modified in any way. The
warranty of replacement shall terminate with the warranty of the product.
Warranty Disclaims
Microhard Systems Inc. makes no warranties of any nature of kind, expressed or implied, with respect to the hardware, software,
and/or products and hereby disclaims any and all such warranties, including but not limited to warranty of non-infringement,
implied warranties of merchantability for a particular purpose, any interruption or loss of the hardware, software, and/or product,
any delay in providing the hardware, software, and/or product or correcting any defect in the hardware, software, and/or product,
or any other warranty. The Purchaser represents and warrants that Microhard Systems Inc. has not made any such warranties to
the Purchaser or its agents MICROHARD SYSTEMS INC. EXPRESS WARRANTY TO BUYER CONSTITUTES
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The Buyer hereby acknowledges that Microhard Systems Inc. has a proprietary interest and intellectual property rights in the
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with this Agreement.

IP920 Operating Manual iii
Regulatory Requirements
WARNING
To satisfy FCC RF exposure requirements for mobile transmitting devices, a separation distance of 23 cm or
more should be maintained between the antenna of this device and persons during device operation. To
ensure compliance, operations at closer than this distance is not recommended. The antenna used for this
transmitter must not be co-located in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
WARNING
This device can only be used with Antennas listed in Appendix E. Please Contact Microhard Systems Inc. if
you need more information or would like to order an antenna.
WARNING
MAXIMUM ERP
FCC Regulations allow up to 36 dBm effective radiated power (ERP). Therefore, the sum of the
transmitted power (in dBm), the cabling loss and the antenna gain cannot exceed 36 dBm.
WARNING
EQUIPMENT LABELING
This device has been modularly approved. The manufacturer, product name, and FCC and Industry
Canada identifiers of this product must appear on the outside label of the end-user equipment.
SAMPLE LABEL REQUIREMENT:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
FCCID: NS904P10
IC: 3143A-04P10

IP920 Operating Manual: Contents iii
Contents
CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................................................. III
HISTORY....................................................................................................................................................................V
TABLES AND FIGURES .......................................................................................................................................VII
TABLES .......................................................................................................................................................................................VII
FIGURES ......................................................................................................................................................................................VII
1. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................1
1.0 PRODUCT OVERVIEW........................................................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 FEATURES ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2
1.2 ABOUT THIS MANUAL....................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. ELECTRICAL/PHYSICAL ...............................................................................................................................4
2.0 CONNECTORS ................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 INDICATORS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 LED OPERATION.......................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.3 VSWR ALARM ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
3. USER INTERFACES........................................................................................................................................12
3.0 OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12
3.1 NOTATION ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12
3.2 SERIAL CONSOLE............................................................................................................................................................ 12
3.3 WEB BASED USER INTERFACE ........................................................................................................................................ 14
3.4 NETWORK MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................................................... 15
4. CONFIGURATION ..........................................................................................................................................16
4.0 OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1 MAIN MENU................................................................................................................................................................... 16
4.2 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION ............................................................................................................................................... 16
4.3 NETWORK CONFIGURATION............................................................................................................................................ 18
4.3.1 Local IP Config … ...............................................................................................................................................................................18
4.3.2 NTP Server Config .............................................................................................................................................................................. 19
4.3.3 DHCP Server Config ... ....................................................................................................................................................................... 20
4.3.4 Bridge Config ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
4.3.5 SNMP Agent Config ... ......................................................................................................................................................................... 22
4.4 RADIO CONFIGURATION ................................................................................................................................................. 24
4.5 COM1 AND COM2 CONFIGURATION.............................................................................................................................. 28
4.5.1 Serial Port Settings ..............................................................................................................................................................................29
4.5.2 Serial Port Protocols ...........................................................................................................................................................................31
TCP Client......................................................................................................................................................................... 31
TCP Server ........................................................................................................................................................................ 32
TCP Client/Server ............................................................................................................................................................. 33
UDP Point to Point ............................................................................................................................................................ 33
UDP Point to Multipoint (P).............................................................................................................................................. 33
UDP Point to Multipoint (MP) .......................................................................................................................................... 33
UDP Multipoint to Multipoint ........................................................................................................................................... 34
4.6 SECURITY CONFIGURATION ............................................................................................................................................ 35
4.6.1 Administrator Password ...................................................................................................................................................................... 35
4.6.2 Upgrade Password............................................................................................................................................................................... 36
4.6.3 Wireless WEP Encryption....................................................................................................................................................................36
4.7 SYSTEM INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................................... 38
4.8 SYSTEM TOOLS............................................................................................................................................................... 39
4.8.1 Firmware Upgrade .............................................................................................................................................................................. 39
Package Upgrade from webUI........................................................................................................................................... 39
Package Upgrade from Command Line FTP..................................................................................................................... 40
Recovery from Command Line FTP.................................................................................................................................. 41
Parameter Change through Command Line FTP ............................................................................................................... 42

iv IP920 Operating Manual: Contents
4.8.2 Reset Radio to Defaults........................................................................................................................................................................ 43
4.8.3 Reboot System ......................................................................................................................................................................................43
4.8.4 Reset System to Default........................................................................................................................................................................ 43
5. INSTALLATION...............................................................................................................................................45
5.0 OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................................................... 45
5.1 ESTIMATING THE GAIN MARGIN ..................................................................................................................................... 45
5.2 INSTALLING EXTERNAL CABLES,ANTENNAS AND LIGHTNING ARRESTORS...................................................................... 47
A. SERIAL INTERFACE..................................................................................................................................51
B. RS485 WIRING .............................................................................................................................................53
2-wire RS-485...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53
4-wire RS-485...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53
C. MOUNTING DIMENSIONS........................................................................................................................55
D. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ..............................................................................................................57
E. APPROVED ANTENNAS ............................................................................................................................59
F. GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................................................61

IP920 Operating Manual: History v
History
Revision Date Action FW Rev. Note
0.90 2006-01-11 Modified V1.0.22
Corrections
0.80 2005-12-09 Modified V1.0.22
•CTS Framing added
•COM multipoint to multipoint
0.70 2005-11-22 Modified V1.0.18
•Added Radio Description
•Added STP Control
0.60 2005-11-08 Modified V1.0.12
•Change Parameter via FTP
•FTP Firmware Upgrade
•MAC Binding described
•WEP Security described
•SNMP described
•Channel Mode added on COM1
•“+++” described
0.50 2005-08-04 Modified V0.8.3
0.10 2005-06-10 Created V0.5.0

IP920 Operating Manual: Tables and Figures vii
Tables and Figures
Tables
Table 1 RS-232 Pin Assignment....................................................................................................................................5
Table 2 RS-422 Pin Assignment....................................................................................................................................5
Table 3 RS-485 Pin Assignment....................................................................................................................................5
Table 4 Diagnostic Port Pin Assignment.......................................................................................................................6
Table 5 Power Supply...................................................................................................................................................6
Table 6 LED Operation .................................................................................................................................................8
Table 7 SYS LED Operation .........................................................................................................................................8
Table 8 RSSI mode operation........................................................................................................................................9
Table 9 Output Power..................................................................................................................................................26
Table 10 Path Loss ......................................................................................................................................................46
Table 11 Cable Loss ....................................................................................................................................................47
Table 12 Technical Specifications...............................................................................................................................57
Figures
Figure 1 Connectors and Indicators...............................................................................................................................4
Figure 2 textUI Screen Shot ........................................................................................................................................13
Figure 3 webUI Authentication ...................................................................................................................................14
Figure 4 webUI Screen Shot........................................................................................................................................14
Figure 5 System Configuration....................................................................................................................................16
Figure 6 Network Configuration .................................................................................................................................18
Figure 7 Local IP Config .............................................................................................................................................18
Figure 8 NTP Server Config........................................................................................................................................19
Figure 9 DHCP Server Config.....................................................................................................................................20
Figure 10 NTP Server Config......................................................................................................................................21
Figure 11 SNMP Agent Config ...................................................................................................................................22
Figure 12 Radio Configuration....................................................................................................................................24
Figure 13 Serial Port Configuration.............................................................................................................................29
Figure 14 CTS Output Data Framing ..........................................................................................................................30
Figure 15 Change Password for Admin.......................................................................................................................35
Figure 16 Change Password for Upgrade ....................................................................................................................36
Figure 17 WEP Encryption..........................................................................................................................................37
Figure 18 System Information .....................................................................................................................................38
Figure 19 System Tools...............................................................................................................................................39
Figure 20 Command Line Package Upgrade...............................................................................................................40
Figure 21 Command Line Recovery............................................................................................................................41
Figure 22 Command Line Parameter Loading.............................................................................................................42
Figure 23 Gain Calculation.........................................................................................................................................45
Figure 24 System Deployment ....................................................................................................................................46

1. Introduction
1.0 Product Overview
The IP920 is a high-performance wireless ethernet bridge and serial device
gateway. When used properly very long distance communication at very
high speeds can be accomplished. The IP920 operates in the 902 - 928 MHz
ISM band, and uses frequency-hopping spread-spectrum technology to
provide reliable wireless ethernet bridge functionality to extend LAN
network to remote locations; it also is capable of facilitating a IP/Ethernet
gateway for serial devices. The small-size and superior RF performance of
this product makes it ideal for many applications. Typical uses for this
modem include:
SCADA
Remote Telemetry
Surveillance
Traffic Control
Industrial Controls
Remote Monitoring
Fleet Management
GPS
Wireless Video
Robotics
Security
Display Signs
Railway Signaling
Many others
While a pair of IP920 modules can link two terminal devices (“point-to-
point” operation), multiple modules can be used together to create a network
of various topologies, including “point-to-multipoint” and “repeater”
operation. Multiple independent networks can operate concurrently, so it is
possible for unrelated communications to take place in the same or a nearby
area without sacrificing privacy or reliability.

2IP920 Operating Manual: Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Features
Key features of the IP920 include:
Transmission within a public, license-exempt band of the radio
spectrum1– this means that it can be used without access fees
(such as those incurred by cellular airtime);
Transparent, low latency link providing reliable wireless
IP/Ethernet communication
Bring virtually all PLCs, RTUs, and serial devices through
RS232, RS422 and RS485 interface to IP network
Industrial temperature specifications
Supports point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, Store and Forward
Repeater
Maximum allowable transmit power, (1W)
32-bit CRC and retransmission on demand
Easy to manage through text-based user interface; web-based
interface and SNMP
1902-928 MHz, which is license-free within North America; may need to be factory-configured
differently for some countries.

IP920 Operating Manual: Introduction 3
1.2 About this Manual
This manual has been provided as a guide and reference for installing and
using IP920 wireless modem modules. The manual contains instructions,
suggestions, and information which will help you to set up and achieve
optimal performance from your equipment using the IP920 module.
It is assumed that users of the IP920 module have either system integration
or system design experience.
Throughout the manual, you will encounter not only illustrations that further
elaborate on the accompanying text, but also several symbols which you
should be attentive to:
Caution or Warning: Usually advises against some action which could
result in undesired or detrimental consequences.
Point to Remember: Highlights a key feature, point, or step which is worth
noting, Keeping these in mind will make using the IP920 more useful or
easier to use.
Tip: An idea or suggestion is provided to improve efficiency or to make
something more useful.

4IP920 Operating Manual: Chapter 2 Electrical/Physical
2. Electrical/Physical
2.0 Connectors
The IP920 connects to the host equipment through a standard DB9 serial port
or RS485/422 interface. All connectors and indicators are illustrated in
Figure 1
Microhard Systems Inc.
COM2
CFG TX RSSI
RX SYS
a. Front Panel
ETHERNET
COM1
Vin +
GNG
RxA RxB
TxA TxB
RS485/422
654321
b. Back Panel
Figure 1 Connectors and Indicators
The interface connectors and indicator lights are described below:

IP920 Operating Manual: Chapter 2 Electrical/Physical 5
COM1 –– RS-232 Port (DCE). This port is used to interface the IP920 to a
DTE device and operates at 300 to 230,400 bps. The levels are active high RS-
232 levels, and include (See Appendix A for a complete description):
Table 1 RS-232 Pin Assignment
Pin No. Name Description I/O
1 DCD Data Carrier Detect O
2 RxD Receive Data O
3 TxD Transmit Data I
4 DTR Data Terminal Ready I
5 Gnd Ground
6 DSR Data Set Ready O
7 RTS Request to Send I
8 CTS Clear to Send O
RS-422/485 Port–Alternatively, this port is used to interface the IP920 to a
DTE device with RS-422/485 interface.
Table 2 RS-422 Pin Assignment
Pin No. Name Description I/O
1 TxB (D+) Non-inverting Driver Output O
2 TxA (D-) Inverting Driver Output O
3 RxB (R+) Non-inverting Driver Input I
4 RxA (R-) Inverting Driver Input I
Table 3 RS-485 Pin Assignment
Pin No. Name Description I/O
1 D+ Non-inverting Driver Output
2 D- Inverting Driver Output
3 Interconnect to pin 1
4 Interconnect to pin 2

6IP920 Operating Manual: Chapter 2 Electrical/Physical
COM2 – can be used as console port or data port. Table 4
Table 4 Diagnostic Port Pin Assignment
Pin No. Name Description I/O
1 NC Do Not Connect NC
2 RxD Diagnostic Receive Data I
3 TxD Diagnostic Transmit Data O
4 NC Do Not Connect NC
5 Gnd Ground
6 NC Do Not Connect NC
7 NC Do Not Connect NC
8 NC Do Not Connect NC
ETHERNET – Ethernet port is a standard RJ-45 port. A straight through CAT-
5 cable should be used when connecting to a Ethernet hub, on the other
hand, a crossover CAT-5 cable should be used when IP920 is connected
to a DTE device, a computer for example.
Antenna Connector - The IP920 uses a reverse polarity TNC connector.
Microhard Systems can provide external cabling and antennas for
applications in which the standard Rubber Duck antenna is not
suitable.
Power Supply–Power should be supplied via pin 5 and 6 of plug-in connector
Table 5 Power Supply
Pin No. Name Description
5 Vin - Power ground and Signal ground (GND)
6 Vin + 8 to 30V DC power supply

IP920 Operating Manual: Chapter 2 Electrical/Physical 7
With rubber ducky antennas,
it is normal that alarm LED
illuminates sometimes.
Concerns should only be
raised in real installations.
2.1 Indicators
Alarm LED – (Amber) located on COM2 connector. It is illuminated when the
load impedance doesn’t match the transmitter impedance. Generally speaking,
there may be problem in the antenna system
MHX Status LED – (Green) located on COM2 connector. It is illuminated
when the MHX core module is present and powered.
RX/Sync LED–Indicates the modem is synchronized and/or is receiving
valid packets of data. See Section 2.2 for complete LED details.
TX LED –Indicates the modem is transmitting data over the air. See
Section 2.2 for complete LED details.
SYS LED –Indicates status of the system. See Section 2.2 for complete
LED details.
Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) –As the signal strength
increases, the number of active RSSI LED’s increases, starting with the
furthest left. See Section 2.2 for complete LED details.
CFG Button – Holding this button while powering on will boot the unit into
flash file system recovery mode. Default IP address recovery is assigned
to a static IP address:
192.168.1.39

8IP920 Operating Manual: Chapter 2 Electrical/Physical
Cycling power during system
upgrading will corrupt flash file
system. The system will not boot
properly. System can only be
recovered with recovery
procedure.
2.2 LED OPERATION
LED functionality is dependent on the mode of operation. Table 6 explains
LED operation for the various modes.
Table 6 LED Operation
LED
MODE RX/Sync TXMode RSSI1,2,3
Power Up OFF OFF OFF
Configuration Mode OFF OFF OFF
Master ON while receiving
valid data packets
from remotes and
repeaters in the
network
ON RSSI mode
based on all
received packets1
See Table 8
Repeater
During Sync. Acquisition
OFF OFF alternating
300ms ON
Repeater When
Synchronized
ON for first portion
of hop interval
ON for second
portion of hop
interval
RSSI mode
based on packets
received from
Remotes2
See Table 8
Remote During Sync.
Acquisition
OFF OFF alternating
300ms on
Remote When
Synchronized
ON ON when
transmitting a
packet
RSSI mode
based on packets
received from
the Repeater or
Master with
which it
communicates
See Table 8
Table 7 SYS LED Operation
SYSTEM MODE SYS
Normal Mode ON
Recovery Mode Fast Blink
Loading Slow Blink
Upgrading Slow Blink
DO NOT cycle power when system is upgrading.
1Master only updates its RSSI after received packets from remotes/repeaters
2If Remotes have been silent for 2 seconds, repeater will show its RSSI on
packets received from the Master

IP920 Operating Manual: Chapter 2 Electrical/Physical 9
Signal strength, which is also reported in Register S123, is calculated based
on the last four valid received packets with correct CRC, and represented by
RSSI1, 2 and 3.
For remotes, packets are received on every single hop either from a repeater,
or the master.
When calculating RSSI, the master takes into consideration all packets
received from remotes and repeaters. Repeaters and remotes only transmit
back to the master when they have information to send. Therefore, if no data
is coming back to the master then RSSI will never get updated at the master,
and the LED’s will be off.
Table 8 RSSI mode operation
Link Possibility RSSI1 RSSI2 RSSI3
No Link Scanning
Poor BLINK OFF OFF
Satisfactory ON OFF OFF
Good ON BLINK OFF
Very Good ON ON OFF
Strong ON ON BLINK
Excellent ON ON ON
2.3 VSWR Alarm
The IP920 provides the user a very special indicator on the diagnostic port,
the VSWR alarm. This yellow LED will be illumined if there is a significant
impedance mismatch between the transmission line and its load, i.e. bad
antenna system or bad connections.
Check the antenna and the cables should the alarm go off.

10 IP920 Operating Manual: Chapter 2 Electrical/Physical