Socket Cordless Serial Adapter User manual

Cordless Serial Adapter with
Bluetooth®Wireless Technology
Instant cable-free serial connection for devices with an
RS-232 serial port
User’s Guide

5/ 2007 Document # 6410-00207 D
Copyright Notice
Copyright © 2007 Socket Communications, Inc. dba Socket Mobile, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Socket, the Socket logo and Battery Friendly are registered trademarks of
Socket Communications, Inc. dba Socket Mobile, Inc. Cordless Serial
Adapter with Bluetooth Wireless Technology is a trademark of Socket
Communications, Inc. dba Socket Mobile, Inc. The Bluetooth word mark
and logo are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks
by Socket Mobile, Inc. is under license. All other brand and product names
are trademarks of their respective holders.
Reproduction of the contents of this manual without the permission of
Socket Mobile is expressly prohibited. Please be aware that the products
described in this manual may change without notice.
Feel free to contact Socket Mobile at:
Socket Mobile, Inc.
39700 Eureka Drive
Newark, CA 94560-4808
Other than the above, Socket Mobile can assume no responsibility for
anything resulting from the application of information contained in this
manual.
Socket Mobile requests that you refrain from any applications of the Socket
Cordless Serial Adapter that are not described in this manual. Please refrain
from disassembling the device. Disassembly of this device will void the
product warranty.
You can track new product releases, software updates and technical
bulletins by visiting the Socket website at: www.socketmobile.com.
2

Table of Contents
1 | INTRODUCTION 4
2 | SETUP 6
STEP 1: Install the Software 6
STEP 2: Attach the CSA to the Computer 8
STEP 3: Prepare Communications Settings 8
STEP 4: Configure the CSA 9
STEP 5: Attach CSA to Device 21
3 | CONFIGURATION UTILITY 23
Configuration Functions 24
General Properties 26
Connections Properties — ACCEPTOR MODE 27
Connections Properties — INITIATOR MODE 28
Remote Target (Initiator only) 30
Port Settings 32
Advanced (Acceptor only) 33
APPENDICES
A | SPECIFICATIONS 34
B | SAFETY AND USAGE TIPS 36
C | GLOSSARY 39
D | TROUBLESHOOTING 42
E | TECHNICAL SUPPORT 43
Limited Warranty 44
Limited Software Warranty 45
Regulatory Compliance 46

1 | Introduction
Overview
The Cordless Serial Adapter (CSA) with Bluetooth Wireless Technology
eliminates your conventional RS-232 serial cable, providing an easy-to-use,
invisible connection with superior freedom of movement. This tiny adapter
allows any device with a standard 9-pin serial port to communicate
wirelessly. You can communicate with another CSA or other Bluetooth
enabled devices such as a laptop computer, PDA or mobile phone. Take
advantage of Personal Area Networking quickly and easily.
You don't need to install any drivers on the host device — just plug the
CSA into the 9-pin serial port on your industrial equipment and wirelessly
download the information you need to any Bluetooth enabled notebook,
Pocket PC, Palm or Mac OS device. Reduce costs by decreasing cycle
times for equipment maintenance and servicing through easier access to
serial ports in difficult or dangerous-to-access areas. Do you have cabled
connections you would like to replace with a cordless solution? Attach a
CSA on each side, and make bulky cables a thing of the past.
The CSA communicates over the Bluetooth Serial Port Profile. The adapter
can be powered from either the included AC power adapter or from the host
device over Pin 9 on the CSA.
Common Usage Scenarios
Scenario 1: Set up a CSA pair as serial cable replacement. Example: Replace
your printer cable
with a wireless
Bluetooth
connection between
your laptop and
printer.
Scenario 2: Set up the CSA as a passive serial Bluetooth receiver.
Example: Use the CSA to
Bluetooth enable industrial
equipment, which you can
then control and monitor
from a Bluetooth enabled
Pocket PC.
4

Custom versions of the CSA are available to OEMs. For more information,
contact the Socket OEM Group at: www.socketmobile.com/contact.
Notes:
•The Cordless Serial Adapter was not designed to Bluetooth enable your
computer for ActiveSync.
•The Cordless Serial Adapter was designed for use with industrial serial
equipment only. Because of power requirements, custom drivers, and
custom serial communication protocols, the Cordless Serial Adapter is
not intended for use with some consumer serial devices, including but not
limited to: 56k modems, cellular phone data cables, digital camera data
cables, joysticks, keyboards, mice, Pocket PC cradles, scanners, etc.
About the Software
The Cordless Serial Adapter Configuration Utility
is an easy-to-use Windows application that lets
you to reprogram many of the default settings on
your CSA. You have the freedom to custom
configure settings to match your individual needs. Cordless Serial Adapte
r
The utility runs under Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000 or XP*.
Software updates: www.socketmobile.com/support/downloads
Developers: To use a terminal device to manually reprogram the CSA via
AT commands, please refer to the Socket Cordless Serial Command Set in
the Docs folder on the installation CD.
Product Registration
Socket highly recommends that all users register their Socket products.
Registered users receive priority for technical support, product updates,
and special offers. Register online at:
www.socketmobile.com/support/support/new
Package Contents
•Cordless Serial Adapter with Bluetooth Wireless Technology
•9-pin female/female null modem
•AC power adapter
•Socket Cordless Serial Adapter Installation CD
•Quick Start Guide with warranty and copyright information
*Windows 95 v4.00.950B; Windows 98SE
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 5

2 | Setup
This chapter covers the setup procedure for the Cordless Serial Adapter
with Bluetooth Wireless Technology. Please note that no drivers are
necessary, so the only software you need to install is the CSA
Configuration Utility.
Setup Summary
STEP 1. Install the software.
STEP 2: Attach the CSA to your computer.
STEP 3. Prepare communications settings.
STEP 4: Configure the CSA.
STEP 5: Attach CSA to device.
STEP 1: Install the Software
1. Insert the Socket Cordless Serial Adapter CD.
2. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your CD-ROM drive.
In the CD, click on SETUP.EXE.
3. The Cordless Serial Adapter Setup Center will begin. Follow the screens
to install the software. In the Main Page, click Install Utility Software.
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4. In the next screen, click Configuration Utility.
5. In the File Download screen, click Open.
6. Follow the instructions on your screen to install the software.
CHAPTER 2: SETUP 7

STEP 2: Attach the CSA to the Computer
1. Attach the Cordless Serial Adapter (CSA) to the serial port of the
computer you just installed the software on.
2. Determine the COM port number where you just attached the CSA.
•Click Start | Control Panel | System.
•Click on the Hardware tab. Click on the Device Manager button.
•In the list, click on Ports. The Communications Port should be listed
with its COM number.
3. Use the AC adapter to connect the CSA to a power outlet.
Alternatively, the CSA can draw power off of Pin 9 of your computer’s
serial port if supported.
4. When the adapter has power, the LED should begin flashing blue.
Flash Rate Meaning
Once per 2 seconds Not discoverable
Twice per 2 seconds Waiting to connect
Three times per 2 seconds Connected
STEP 3: Prepare Communications Settings
Find out what communications settings you need to connect your devices.
The necessary settings may include the following (only some may apply):
•Bluetooth address of the device you wish the CSA to connect to
•Baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits, flow control
•Does the local host send DTR signals?
•Does the local host accept notifications of Bluetooth events?
•Security settings (e.g., PIN, encryption, etc.)
•Bluetooth device/service classes detectable by the remote device
•Advanced users only: page scan timing, inquiry scan timing, sniff mode
parameters
8

STEP 4: Configure the CSA
The Cordless Serial Adapter Configuration Utility lets you reprogram the
default settings on the CSA for Bluetooth. You can custom configure
settings to match your individual needs.
Preliminary Configuration
1. Open the utility, by doing either of the following:
Cordless Serial Adapte
r
•Click on the icon on your desktop.
•Go to Start | Programs | Cordless Serial Adapter.
2. The Cordless Serial Adapter Configuration Utility will appear. Click on
the COM port button.
Click
COM port.
3. In the screen that appears, select the COM port number where the CSA
is attached to your computer. Click OK.
CHAPTER 2: SETUP 9

4. In the Configuration box, the current configuration should be reported
as no configuration loaded. To verify that you have properly connected,
click Get from adapter. The utility should now report the CSA’s
firmware version, Bluetooth address and friendly name.
Click
Get from
adapter.
Note:
•If this is your first time using the CSA, the utility will report “new
configuration.”
•If you get an error message reporting communications problems,
make sure the CSA is pushed all the way into the serial port, and
make sure you chose the correct COM port in the previous step.
10

5. Now you are ready to enter the Device role and properties. The
appropriate settings will vary depending on what device(s) you are using
and how they can communicate. The following pages will include
instructions for two of the most common scenarios:
•Scenario 1: Set up a CSA pair as serial cable replacement.
Example: Replace a printer cable with a wireless Bluetooth
connection between your laptop and printer.
•Scenario 2: Set up one CSA as a passive serial Bluetooth receiver.
Example: Use the CSA to Bluetooth enable industrial equipment,
which you can then control and monitor from a Bluetooth enabled
Pocket PC.
Notes:
•If you have another scenario, refer to Chapter 3 for instructions on each
properties page.
•Make sure you manually configure your baud rate and other settings in
any third-party applications used with the CSA. Auto-detect and Plug
and Play functions are not reliable with Bluetooth, and the CSA may not
work properly unless you manually enter the correct settings.
CHAPTER 2: SETUP 11

SCENARIO 1: Set up a CSA pair for cable replacement.
To set up a pair of Cordless Serial Adapters as serial cable replacement, one
CSA must be an acceptor, and the other an initiator (e.g., in the previous
example, the printer would be acceptor, and the laptop would be initiator).
¾Set up the Acceptor
1. In the Device role box, select Acceptor. Click Properties.
Select
Acceptor. Click
Properties.
2. In the General screen, change the Friendly Name if desired. For example,
you may want to enter a name like “Socket CSA-Acceptor.” Note the
Bluetooth Address of this CSA. You will need it to configure the initiator.
Write down the
Bluetooth Address.
You will need it
while configuring
the other CSA.
If desired,
change the
Friendly
Name.
12

3. Click on the Connections tab. Enter the following settings:
•Accessibility: Select Connectable
•Uncheck Only when DTR is asserted by local host
•Notifications: Select Do not generate notifications
Select
Connectable. Uncheck.
Select
Do not
generate
notifications.
4. Click on the Security tab. Make sure all boxes are unchecked.
CHAPTER 2: SETUP 13

5. Click on the Port Settings tab. Enter the appropriate settings for your
devices and applications. Do not change any default settings in the
Advanced screen. Afterwards, click OK to exit the properties screens.
Important!
Be sure to set the
baud rate to match
that of the local
host serial port!
You must also enter
the same baud rate
in any third party
applications used
with the CSA!
6. Click Write to adapter to configure your CSA with the new settings.
Click
Write to
adapter.
Important!
If you do not click
Write to adapter,
the CSA will not
be configured with
the new settings!
7. Unplug the CSA from the computer. Now you are ready to configure the
second CSA.
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¾Set up the Initiator
1. In the Device role box, select Initiator. Click Properties.
Select
Initiator. Click
Properties.
2. In the General screen, change the Friendly Name if desired. For example,
you may want to enter a name like “Socket CSA-Initiator.”
CHAPTER 2: SETUP 15

3. Click on the Connections tab. Enter the following settings:
•Accessibility: Select Connect automatically
Uncheck Only when DTR is asserted by local host
•Notifications: Select Do not generate notifications
Select
Connect
automatically.
Uncheck.
Select
Do not
generate
notifications.
4. Click on the Remote Target tab. In the Connect to field, enter the
Bluetooth address or friendly name of the other CSA.
Enter the
Bluetooth
address of
the other
CSA.
16

5. Click on the Security tab. Make sure all boxes are unchecked.
6. Click on the Port Settings tab. Enter the appropriate settings for your
devices and applications. All the settings should be the same as the CSA
set up as Acceptor.
7. After entering all of the properties, click OK to exit the properties screens.
8. Click Write to adapter to configure your CSA with the new settings.
Unplug the CSA from your computer. Now you are ready to proceed to
Step 5 to attach it to the device.
Click
Write to
adapter.
Important!
If you do not click
Write to adapter,
the CSA will not
be configured with
the new settings!
CHAPTER 2: SETUP 17

SCENARIO 2: Set up a CSA as a passive serial Bluetooth receiver.
1. In the Device role box, select Acceptor. Click Properties.
Select
Acceptor. Click
Properties.
2. In the General screen, change the Friendly Name if desired.
18

3. Click on the Connections tab. Enter the following settings:
•Accessibility: Select Connectable and Discoverable
•Uncheck Only when DTR is asserted by local host
•Notifications: Select Do not generate notifications
Select
Connectable
and
Discoverable. Uncheck.
Select
Do not
generate
notifications.
4. Click on the Security tab. If the other device requires special security
settings, make the appropriate selections.
CHAPTER 2: SETUP 19

5. Click on the Port Settings tab. Enter the appropriate settings for your
devices and applications. Do not change any of the default settings in
the Advanced screen. Afterwards, click OK to exit the properties
screens.
Important!
Be sure to set the
baud rate to
match that of the
local host serial
port!
You must also
enter the same
baud rate in any
third party
applications used
with the CSA!
6. Click Write to adapter to configure your CSA with the new settings.
Click
Write to
adapter.
Important!
If you do not click
Write to adapter,
the CSA will not
be configured with
the new settings!
7. Unplug the CSA from the computer. Now you are ready to attach the
CSA to the device.
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