Socket Socket RS-232 RS-232 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

2
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 3
CHAPTER 2 SETUP 6
STEP 1: Install the Software 6
STEP 2: Attach the CSA to the Computer 7
STEP 3: Prepare Communications Settings 7
STEP 4: Configure the CSA 8
SCENARIO 1: Set up a CSA pair for cable replacement. 11
SCENARIO 2: Set up CSA as passive serial Bluetooth receiver. 15
STEP 5: Attach CSA to Device 18
CHAPTER 3 CONFIGURATION UTILITY 20
Configuration Functions 21
General Properties 23
Connections Properties — ACCEPTOR MODE 24
Connections Properties — INITIATOR MODE 25
Remote Target (Initiator only) 26
Port Settings 27
Advanced (Acceptor only) 28
APPENDIX A SPECIFICATIONS 29
APPENDIX B SAFETY AND USAGE TIPS 31
APPENDIX C GLOSSARY 34
APPENDIX D TROUBLESHOOTING 36
APPENDIX E TECHNICAL SUPPORT 37
\
Limited Warranty 38
Limited Software Warranty 39
Copyright Notice 40
Regulatory Compliance 41

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION | 3
Chapter 1 Introduction
Overview
Socket’s 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
Bluetoothenabled devices such as a laptop computer or PDA. Take
advantage of Personal Area Networking quicklyand 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.
Scenario 2: Set up the CSA as a passive serial Bluetooth receiver.
E
xample: Replace
y
our printer cable
with a wireless
B
luetooth
connection between
y
our laptop and
p
rinter.
E
xample: Use the CSA to
B
luetooth enable industrial
equipment, which you can
then control and monitor
f
rom a Bluetooth enabled
P
ocket PC.

4 | CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Custom versions of the CSA are available toOEMs. For more information,
contact Socket’s Embedded Systems Group at:[e-mail].
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
Socket’s 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.
The utility runs under Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000 or XP*.
Software updates: www.socketcom.com/support/support_cordless.asp
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. Register online at:
www.socketcom.com/prodreg
*Windows 95 v4.00.950B; Windows 98SE
Cordless Serial Adapte
r

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION | 5
Package Contents
• Socket 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

6 | CHAPTER 2: SETUP
Chapter 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. 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 | CHAPTER 2: SETUP
STEP 4: Configure the CSA
Socket’s 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:
• 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.
3. In the screen that appears, select the COM port number where the CSA
is attached to your computer. Click OK.
Cordless Serial Adapte
r
Click
COM
port.

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.
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.
Click
Get from
adapter.

10 | CHAPTER 2: SETUP
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).
 Set up the Acceptor
1. In the Device role box, 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 SPP-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.
Select
Acceptor. Click
Properties.

12 | CHAPTER 2: SETUP
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
4. Click on the Security tab. Make sure all boxes are unchecked.
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.
Select
Connectable.
Uncheck.
Select
Do not
generate
notifications.
I
mportant!
B
e sure to set
the baud rate
to match that
of the local
host serial
p
ort!
You must
also enter the
s
ame baud
rate in any
third party
applications
used with the
CSA!

CHAPTER 2: SETUP | 13
6. Click Write to adapter to configure your CSA with the new settings.
7. Unplug the CSA from the computer. Now you are ready to configure the
second CSA.
 Set up the Initiator
1. In the Device role box, 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 SPP-Initiator.”
Click
Write to
adapter.
I
mportant!
I
f you do not click
Write to adapter,
the CSA will not
be configured with
the new settings!
Select
Initiator. Click
Properties.

14 | CHAPTER 2: SETUP
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
4. Click on the Remote Target tab. In the Connect to field, enter the
Bluetooth address of the other CSA.
Select
Connect
automatically.
Uncheck.
Select
Do not
generate
notifications.
Enter the
B
luetooth
address
of the
other
CSA.

CHAPTER 2: SETUP | 15
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 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.
SCENARIO 2: Set up a CSA as a passive serial Bluetooth receiver.
1. In the Device role box, select Acceptor. Click Properties.
2. In the General screen, change the Friendly Name if desired.
Select
Acceptor. Click
Properties.

16 | CHAPTER 2: SETUP
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
4. Click on the Security tab. If the other device requires special security
settings, make the appropriate selections.
Select
Connectable
and
Discoverable.
Uncheck.
Select
Do not
generate
notifications.

CHAPTER 2: SETUP | 17
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.
6. Click Write to adapter to configure your CSA with the new settings.
7. Unplug the CSA from the computer. Now you are ready to attach the
CSA to the device.
Click
Write to
adapter.
I
mportant!
I
f you do not click
Write to adapter,
the CSA will not
be configured with
the new settings!
I
mportant!
B
e sure to set
the baud rate
to match that
of the local
host serial
p
ort!
You must
also enter the
s
ame baud
rate in any
third party
applications
used with the
CSA!

18 | CHAPTER 2: SETUP
STEP 5: Attach CSA to Device
After configuring the CSA, now you are ready to attach it to the serial port
of your target device.
Assemble correct hardware to attach CSA.
Depending on the type of target device you are using and what type of
serial port it has, you may or may not need to use additional hardware to
correctly attach and communicate via the CSA.
Note: For more information about Data Communications Equipment
(DCE) and Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) devices, please refer to the
glossary in Appendix C.
Target Device
Type
Device Type
Examples Additional Hardware Required
DCE with female
serial port
(with pinholes)
Most modems
and printers
and some
industrial
equipment
None. Attach the CSA directly to the serial port of your
device
DTE with male
serial port
(with pins)
Most desktop
and notebook
computers
Null modem with 2 female serial ports (included)
DTE with female
serial port
(with pinholes)
Miscellaneou
s industrial
equipment
Male gender changer (not included)*
Null modem with 2 female serial ports (included)
*Male gender changers are available from most computer stores.

CHAPTER 2: SETUP | 19
CSA connects either automatically or with manual initiation.
Depending on how your configured the CSA, it may automatically connect
with the remote device, or you may need to manually initiate a connection.
In the previous scenarios, the following should happen:
SCENARIO 1: Set up a CSA pair for cable replacement.
After you attach the CSA to each device (with each powered on), they
should automatically try to connect.
Example: After you attach the initiator CSA to the laptop and the acceptor
CSA to the printer, the two CSA’s will automatically try to connect.
SCENARIO 2: Set up one CSA as passive serial Bluetooth receiver.
After you attach the CSA, your device will be discoverable and ready to
accept a Bluetooth connection. Perform a device discovery from the
initiator device, then commence the connection.
Example: The industrial equipment with the CSA will be discoverable and
ready to accept a Bluetooth connection. Perform a device discovery from
the Bluetooth enabled Pocket PC, then start the connection.
Important!
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.

20 | CHAPTER 3: CONFIGURATION UTILITY
Chapter 3 Configuration Utility
This chapter explains how to use Socket’s Cordless Serial Adapter
Configuration Utility. Besides covering the basic configuration
functions, this chapter will also explain how to use each property
screen.
The utility includes the following properties screens:
• General
• Connections — Acceptor mode
• Connections — Initiator mode
• Remote Target (Initiator mode only)
• Security
• Port Settings
• Advanced (Acceptor mode only)
The utility can be accessed by either of two methods:
• Click on the icon on your desktop.
Cordless Serial Adapte
r
• Click Start | Programs | Cordless Serial Adapter.
Developers: You can also reprogram the Cordless Serial Adapter
manually through AT commands via a terminal device. Refer to
the Socket Cordless Serial Command Set, available in the Docs
folder on the installation CD.