Polhemus G4 Radio User manual

G4Radio Installation Manual
Polhemus
40 Hercules Drive
PO Box 560
Colchester, VT 05446-0560
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
URM10PH234
REV A
AUG 2010

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Introduction
The G4 radio link is a 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum system consisting of one or more data
collecting HUB devices that each have their own RF transceiver module and a common
USB dongle radio module that attaches to a host computer. The user can use Polhemus
provided software to operate the system or develop their own custom software
applications using Polhemus provided SDK for Windows or LINUX. A simple block
diagram of the system is shown below.
The user is required to do a one time set-up to associate the USB dongle with the HUB
devices. Once that is done the system connects automatically and there is no need for
user intervention to operate the RF system.
Host
Computer G4 HUB
Magnetic Sensors
G4 system
RF
Module
USB
Dongle
2.4
GHz
RF link
RF
Module
G4
HUB
Magnetic Sensors
RF
Module

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Preparing the system
To prepare the system you will need the Hub or Hubs, the USB dongle and a USB cable
(provided with the system). You must also have a host computer available with the
configuration software provided on the CD that came with the G4 system loaded on the
host computer. When you place the CD in the host computer the installation program
will automatically run. Follow the instructions to load all the required software
components.
The diagram below shows the connection ports, switch and LED indicators on the Hub.
All that is required for the RF setup is a USB cable. There is no need to have any sensors
plugged in for the initial setup. The battery in the hub is charged via the USB cable so
allow at least 30 minutes of charging time to ensure you can complete the set-up and test
the system before needing to charge the battery again. The G4 Hub had 3 sensor ports for
connecting magnetic sensing devices. It has a digital I/O port that is user configurable for
us to 8 separate digital inputs. A USB connection is used for charging the Hub battery
and configuring the HUB. It can also be used in areas of heavy RF interference to bypass
the RF link and send the data directly to the USB port. Four blue indicators are used to
display the RF signal strength.

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Power
OFF

ON
RF Signal Strength Indicators (Blue)
4 Lights = Strongest
Strobing = Searching
Battery Status Indicators
Red = Low
Orange = Charging
USB
Sensor Ports
Digital Accessory Port
T
OP
S
IDE
The next sections will describe how to set up the radio sytem. Polhemus has provided
configuration software that walks the user thhough the set up process step by step. Two
software versions are available: one for Windows™and one for LINUX™.

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Windows Setup
Install the G4 host software from the CD provided with the system. After installation
click on the G4 configuration icon located on the desk top.
The following screen will appear:
Plug in the RF dongle to an available USB port on the host computer. The found new
hardware ICON will appear and a request for you to load the USB driver. Click the
button that loads the drivers automatically. Press the Start Setup button. The following
screen will appear. Note in this screen example a generic serial number is shown. The
factory serial number will be shown on an actual setup.

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You have your choice of one of four RF channel groups. This allows the user to attempt
different RF channels in case of interference. In this case channel 1 is chosen.
Click on the next button. The follow screen appears

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Press “Program Dongle Configuration Now”
The following screen will appear
A random RF address will be generated that will provide a unique identifier to the USB
Dongle.

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The next step is to associate the Hubs to the RF dongle. Up to 255 hubs can be
associated to a dongle. Click on the “Continue to Hub Setup” button. The following
screen will appear.
Using the USB cable provided with the system plug one end into the G4 Hub and the
other end a USB port on the Host computer. Turn the HUB on by sliding the power
switch on the side.
The hub will be discovered by the host computer and the following screen will appear.
Again a generic serial number is shown in this example instead of the factory serial
number.

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Press the Join Hub 1 button. The following screen will appear.
You can now click on the More Hubs button to continue joining more hubs to the RF
dongle or click on Finished. If you join more hubs, disconnect the first hub from the host
computers USB port and plug in the next hub and join it. You will get a screen similar to
the one below.

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Every time you join a hub it will appear in the lower window. Once you have joined all
the hubs click the finished button. You will get the following window.
In the above example two Hubs have been joined. You can now disconnect the USB
cable and turn off the HUB. Insert the RF Dongle back into the host computer and click
“Update Dongle Configuration Now” to update the dongle with the Hub information.