Ongo UCH-250 User manual

Universal Communication Hub UCH-250
Quick Start Guide
On-Go Inc.
P.O.Box 341726
Bethesda, MD 20817
USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.on-go.com
Note: The information in this document applies to UCH-250 product. UCH-100 does not
support all the features in the UCH-250. Those features that are not supported by UCH-100
are in GREEN.

Universal Communication Hub Interface
(** Indicates features enabled on the UCH-250 Only)
1. Front View

1 Getting Started With the Basics
Universal Communication Hub Interface
(** Indicates features enabled on the UCH-250 only)
1. Top View
2. Front View
LED Indicators (1-8)
RJ45 Network
Port
RJ11 Port (connect to
fax machine or data
modem)
Db9 (DTE) Serial
Port (connect to
wireless phone
data port)
Power Adapter
Jack,
12-30VDC
USB Port
PCCARD
connector

General
1.1 Concept
The Universal Communication Hub UCH-250 comes with multiple ports, Serial (DB9), Modem
(RJ11), Ethernet (RJ45), USB, and PCMCIA card slot. Each of the port can be configured as the
“Upstream” or “Network” port, and the remaining ports are then used as “Local” ports.
The primary function of the Universal Communication Hub is to act as a network router, device
interface and protocol converter. It allows all the local ports to operate different protocols and
sharing the same network access.
1.2 Product Version
There are two product versions. One is UCH-250 and the other is UCH-100. UCH-250 enables
all the ports, and provides:
•ANALOG Data and Fax capability
•Mobile to Mobile (Point to Point) Fax capability
•Network Routing (Ethernet or Wireless LAN)
•Data aggregation
UCH-100 has only Serial (DB9) port and Modem (RJ11) port enabled. It provides only data and
fax capability. In this document, the text marked GREEN means it only applies to UCH-250
only.
To check the product version number, simply press “#” key and the bottom line will indicate
whether you have UCH-250 or UCH-100.
1.3 LED and LCD Display
There are eight LEDs on the unit, marked 1-8. For most applications, the LEDs meaning are:
LED Function Off Slow Blink On
1 Mode 1
2 Mode 2
3 Mode 3 Link is being flow
controlled and
transmission speed is
automatically being
regulated
4 Connect Inactive Requesting
Upstream link Upstream link established successfully
and connected
5 Modem RJ11 port not
ready RJ11 port detects
offhook or
RINGing
RJ11 port detects
onhook and ready for
use
6 Pending PSTN
7 Wait
8 Error Inactive Incoming Fax
failed A message for locally attached device (fax)
was not able to be
delivered. Use the
Network-Queue
command to restart

1.4 Configuration
The configuration of the device is broken down into three main groups, the UPSTREAM (network)
port, the LOCAL port, and APPLICATION.
The configurations are stored in a flash memory that the content is saved even when the power is
not available.
Each unit is preconfigured with a factory setting; the unit also comes with a few flavor of setting
that can be selected as the default setting by changing the DIP switch setting.
These are good templates to start with. In most cases, they should be sufficient. However, in the
case of some special occasion, one can always go into configuration (see detail users guide) to
change the values.
1.5 Updating Software with PCCard card or USB memory stick
The software in the unit is field upgradeable. The most reliable way is to use a PCCARD Storage
card (like Sandisk) or USB memory stick to transfer the files to the unit.
a. Get the latest software from On-Go
b. Copy the attached two files on a sandisk memory/storage card (8MB would be
sufficient)... the file names have to be uchkern.bin, uchapps.bin and uchcfg.bin (normally
on a PC)
c. Plug the card in the PCcard slot or USB port of the unihub
d. Power off and power back up the system to ensure the memory/storage card is properly
recognized by the system
e. Log on the Web access of Unihub
f. Select STATUS tab
g. Scroll down to OS + APP + CFG (for operating system, application and configuration)
NOTE: WARNING: Make sure you operate this with external DC power. Burning software in
FLASH takes a lot of electricity, and the system cannot RECOVER if the burning process aborts
in the middle (especially due to loss of power).
1.6 Updating Software from Serial Port
In some cases, where software needs to be updated, UCH-250 provides a field update capability.
This capability is only available from APPLICATION software version 1.6.x. This should only be
performed by qualified technical staff, otherwise it could cause irreversible damage to the
software and can only be repaired by the manufacturer.
In order to activate this, first valid software needs to be obtained. This filed needs to be stored on
a computer with XMODEM capability. Then the following instructions need to be followed
carefully:
a. Power up the UCH-100 and connect a phone/fax machine to RJ11 connector
b. Connect UCH-100 to the computer with the file via a CROSS-OVER (NULL
MODEM) cable
c. The computer needs to set the port to 115,200 baud rate, 8 bit, no parity and
hardware (RTS/CTS) flow control
d. Take the phone/fax machine offhook, enter ##9*PIN* then hangup (PIN is
provided only to qualified service provider technical staff)
e. The computer connected to UCH-100 over CROSS OVER serial cable should
display instruction:

f. Select appropriate file to download and then activate XMODEM process (for
example, from HYPERTERMINAL, select TRANSFER->SEND FILE and enter
appropriate file name and choose XMODEM protocol).
g. After successful downloading the file, answer Y or y to start programming the
software to FLASH memory chip
h. Repeat this process for various files
i. When completing all the files, power cycle UCH-100 to activate the new software.
Example of how to update OPERATING SYSTEM: (as viewed on HYPERTERMINAL connecting
to UCH-100 SERIAL PORT)
Select:
0:exit
1:bootloader (armboot.bin)
2:operating system (kernel.bin)
3:applcation (romfs.bin)
4:configuration (cfg.bin)
Download: 2
...Ready to receive...
 Åwhen seeing this character, should select TRANSFER/SEND
FILE/XMODEM protocol
(after file transfer completes)
Done: 988032 bytes received, write to flash (y/n)? y
OPERATING SYSTEM:
UNLOCKING flash: status 0
ERASING flash: status 0
PROGRAMMING flash: status 0
VERIFY flash at 180000: status 0
LOCKING flash: status 0
Select:
0:exit
1:bootloader (armboot.bin)
2:operating system (kernel.bin)
3:applcation (romfs.bin)
4:configuration (cfg.bin)
Download: 0
Bye...
At this time, it is necessary to restart the system for new software to take effect. It is very
important to make sure software is loaded properly… otherwise, the system will not come
back up again.
1.7 Diagnosis Capability
The system is capable of dumping out some internal information for diagnosis. This is only used
by authorized technical personnel.
1 Use web browser to access UCH
2 Press LOG tab
3 The system will dump out the configuration in unihub.cfg and log in unihub.log. They can
then be viewed on a PC for further diagnosis

2 Application
2.1 Fax
2.1.1 Store and Forward Fax
Store and forward fax means the fax is stored and relayed over data network. This mechanism is
typically preferred when
a. The network bandwidth does not support fax protocol/encoding
b. The network connectivity is not consistent/reliable. If a fax has to be sent
multiple times before it can be successfully delivered, then Store and forward is
the more economical method.
2.1.1.1 Notification
The first step of configuration of store-and-forward faxing is to determine what type of notification
is to be used.
Notification is used for two purposes:
c. Indicating the delivery status (Mobile Originated Fax)
d. Indicating the availability of incoming fax (Mobile Terminated Fax)
Several notification mechanisms are supports:
1. GSM style SMS: the SMS message length should be able to support 100+
characters. The Gateway will send the entire status message in the SMS.
2. Short SMS: for network with shorter SMS message length capability, this
mechanism is used to simply “wake up” the Universal Communication Hub and
the Universal Communication Hub will attempt to establish a data call to the
Gateway to pick up the status
3. Direct Call: For system that does not support SMS, this mechanism is used for
the Gateway to place a short data call to wake up the Universal Communication
Hub
The appropriate notification mechanism needs to be provisioned at the central Gateway Business
Management System interface to allow proper operation.
2.1.1.2 Mobile Originated Fax
Mobile Originated fax allows an off-the-shelf G3 fax machine to be used to send documents over
the data network. After connecting the G3 fax machine to the RJ11 modem port, wait for the LED
#2 to be ON (indicating modem port is ready), then take the fax offhook, and dial the number in
the format: COUNTRY_CODE + NUMBER. Do not dial any prefix like 00 or 011, the system will
handle that automatically.
2.1.1.3 Mobile Terminated Fax
Mobile terminated fax is automatic. When the user subscribes to a service plan, a “MAILBOX”
number will be assigned to the unit. When a fax is sent to that MAILBOX number (this number is
not the same as the mobile data number), a notification is sent to the unit and the unit will connect
to the Gateway to pick up that message. When the message is completely downloaded to the
unit, it will simply RING the fax machine and print the message out. On-Go service can support
mobile terminated fax originated from a fax machine or an email client (ie When an email is sent
to [e-mail], it is automatically converted and sent to the UNIHUB
as a fax).
If for some reason the fax is not powered on, out of paper or simply not connected, the user has
to use the Message Management to get the fax to be printed.

2.1.1.4 Point to Point Fax
For both Mobile Originated Fax and Mobile Terminated Fax, a service plan has to be in place for
the function to work. However, in the case where someone wants to only send faxes to a few
KNOWN parties, and both the senders and receivers are equipped with UCH-250, Point to point
fax can be advantageous. The benefits are:
a. No service plan required
b. (Perceived) privacy
However, each receiver also needs to have a Universal Communication Hub in order for this
mode to work, which limits the reach of the transmission significantly.
To activate the Point-to-point feature, a few parameters are relevant:
1. [APPLICATION/SF-FAX] local address: this is the address that the remote will use to call
back for acknowledgement
2. [APPLICATION/SF-FAX] P2P type – Set to LOCAL if the call is to be sent to a UCH-250
that has a fax machine connected to RJ11 port. If this is set to OFF, P2P function will not
work.
3. [APPLICATION/SF-FAX] P2P pattern – This is used to determine whether the call is P2P.
If P2P type is set and P2P pattern is 55, then any call starts with 55 will be considered a
P2P call.
4. [APPLICATION/SF-FAX] P2P pattern strip – If this is set to Yes, the pattern will be
striped off first before being used as address.
5. [APPLICATION/SF-FAX] P2P prefix – This prefix is attached in front of the dial number
AFTER the P2P pattern stripping is processed to form the final number.
Other parameters that are important:
1. [UPSTREAM/SERIAL/incoming wait] – This has to be non-zero, otherwise the unit will
not wait for incoming call
2. [UPSTREAM/INITIAL CALL BYPASS] – Set it to Yes, otherwise the unit will continue to
try to access the gateway, and if service plan is not available, the access will fail
2.1.1.5 IP based Point to Point Fax
In the narrowband environment, it is easy to establish circuit connection from one terminal to
another by simply placing a direct data call. However, when operating in the IP environment,
where the IP address is not public and may change from time to time, it is more challenging to
offer Point-to-Point transmission feature.

On-Go UNIHUB overcomes this challenge by delivering an elegant solution using PROXY
REDIRECT technology. With this solution, the network topology is transparent to users, and
operation is as simple as narrow band network.
The solution centered around one addition UNIHUB (PROXY) that behaves like a traffic director
for the close network. Each UNIHUB registers with this UNIHUB (PROXY) and report its own
VIRTUAL number. When transmission is required to communication with a particular virtual
number, UNIHUB (PROXY) will provide the necessary mean for the originating UNIHUB to reach
the appropriate terminating UNIHUB.
The only requirement is that the UNIHUB that behaves as the PROXY needs to have a FIXed IP
address. Because the network is IP, there is no requirement for all the terminals to be on the
same type of network, as long as there is communication path between all the terminals. For
example, some of the UNIHUBs may be connected to the mobile/satellite terminals, when some
can be connected to the land-line network.
Configuration:
UNIHUB acting as PROXY REDICTOR
UPSTREAM -> APPLICATION need to be set to P2P-PROXY
UNIHUB acting as CLIENT NODES
APPLICATION -> SFFAX -> P2P PROXY needs to point to the known FIXED IP address
of the UNIHUB PROXY REDIRECTOR
APPLICATION -> SFFAX -> P2P PROXY PASSWORD needs to be the same as the
SYSTEM password of UNIHUB PROXY REDIRECTOR
APPLICATION -> SFFAX -> LOCAL ADDRESS needs to be configured as the VIRTUAL
address of the node (note: be careful not to have duplicate UNIHUB with the same address within
the same network)
Other Point-to-point related parameters that should be configured just like the narrowband type of
Point-to-point setup are:
APPLICATION -> SFFAX -> P2P PATTERN needs to be configured to the dialing prefix
that would trigger point-to-point processing (ie otherwise, the calls will always be considered
SERVER based transmission)
2.1.2 Message Management
The messages in the Universal Communication Hub are organized in several groups. When the
message is ready to go out through the network, it is in the Outgoing Queue. When the message
is sent over the network and acknowledgement has not been received yet, it is in Ackwait Queue.
After the acknowledgement is received indicating delivery attempts failed (or when the timer
expired without receiving acknowledgment), it is put in the Failed Queue.
When incoming message is received from the network, it is put in the Incoming queue. If it
cannot be printed for some reason (fax is disconnected, fax is out of paper, fax is turned off), it
will be moved to FromNetworkFail Queue.
All of these messages in various queues can be managed by pressing the NETWORK action key
(6).
2.2 Data

UCH provides a capability to transport ANALOG data across digital network. If there are analog
data (for example, ATM machines, credit card terminal, utility meters, or computer with analog
modem) need to be able to interface with digital data network, UCH can provide the ideal
interface connectivity.
UCH provides the telephony interface (dialtone, loop current) and modulation/demodulation to
extract the information content from the interface and then package the data over digital network
pipe to a server with interconnectivity with PSTN to deliver the information to the end points.
2.3 GPS
With the popularity of GPS, GPS receivers can be bought on the market fairly inexpensively. The
Universal Communication Hub can interface to a NMEA based GPS receiver (for example:
http://www.rayming.com/products/tripnav_tn200.htm), either the USB based or Compactflash
based, process the information, and communicate that information to configured destination. This
allows maritime/trucking fleet companies to manage their assets and monitor the position of each
vessels/vehicles.
The main configuration related to this application is in the APPLICATION/GPS block. There are
six relevant parameters:
•Proxy: this is the destination that the GPS position information will be sent to (email
address)
•Type: SMS or Buffer (SMS needs to be capable of handling about 90 characters)
•Interval: This is the interval that the data is being sent (either SMS or buffer)
•Buffering: Type of data to store. The unihub can filter out bad data, invalid signal data,
etc.
•Expiration: If the data cannot be sent within this amount of time, it is discarded because it
is stale.
•Limit: In polling mode, this parameter dictates how much GPS data to store.
Another parameter that is important is the SMSC address in the UPSTREAM/SERIAL
configuration. For iridium, this is *2. This is used for SMS type of GPS data reporting.
Also, while the GPS receiver is plugged in to the Universal Communication Hub, you can view the
data by pressing USB (7) or CFCARD (4) action key, and select ShowGPS. There is another
command SendGPS which manually trigger the Universal Communication Hub to send latest
GPS data to the network.
The format of the GPS information includes:
Unihub rcv_time,
offset from last unihub gps data time,
unihub gps message counter,
current year based on GPS receiver message
current month based on GPS receiver message
current day based on GPS receiver message
current hours based on GPS receiver message
current minutes based on GPS receiver message
current seconds based on GPS receiver message
current latitude based on GPS receiver message
current longitude based on GPS receiver message
current altitude based on GPS receiver message
current speed based on GPS receiver message