Adder Technology CATX-USBA-DA, CATX-USB-DA User Manual

Safety information

• For use in dry, oil free indoor environments only.

• Do not use to link between buildings.

• Not suitable for use in hazardous or explosive

environments or next to highly flammable
materials.

• Ensure that all twisted pair interconnect cables

are installed in compliance with all applicable
wiring regulations.

• Do not connect the CATx link interface (RJ45

style connector) to any other equipment,
particularly network or telecommunications
equipment.

• Where possible, avoid laying the twisted pair

link cable(s) alongside power cables.

• Do not attempt to service the module yourself.

• The modules do not provide ground isolation

and should not be used for any applications
that require ground isolation or galvanic
isolation.

• For correct operation, the transmitter

and receiver modules must have ground
connections. At the computer end, this is
achieved by ensuring that the computer that
the module is connected to has a ground
connection. At the audio/visual device end, this
can be achieved by ensuring that the power
supply is connected to a grounded power
outlet. Alternatively, a ground connection will
be made via the monitor, if the monitor is itself
grounded.

Warranty

Adder Technology Ltd warrants that this product
shall be free from defects in workmanship and
materials for a period of two years from the date
of original purchase. If the product should fail to
operate correctly in normal use during the warranty
period, Adder will replace or repair it free of charge.

No liability can be accepted for damage due to

misuse or circumstances outside Adder’s control.
Also Adder will not be responsible for any loss,
damage or injury arising directly or indirectly from
the use of this product. Adder’s total liability under
the terms of this warranty shall in all circumstances
be limited to the replacement value of this product.
If any difficulty is experienced in the installation or
use of this product that you are unable to resolve,
please contact your supplier.

CATX Dual Access Module

Quick Start (CATX-USBA-DA and CATX-USB-DA)

The two variants of the CATX Dual Access Module are highly compact devices that allow you to share a single
computer between two sets of peripheral devices. The CATX-USB-DA variant is not fitted with audio or serial
ports but is otherwise identical to the CATX-USBA-DA model.

The module connects to various ports on your computer. You then connect it via CAT 5, 5e or 6 cabling to
AdderView CATx KVM switches and/or Adder extender receivers (either AdderLink X2 Silver or X200), each of
which can be located up to 300 metres from the module. Your video displays, keyboard, mice and speakers
are linked to the remote devices.

The CATX Dual Access Module uses a USB port to derive its power from the host computer, dispensing with
the need for a separate power supply and thus simplifying installation.

What’s in the box

*

CATX Dual
Access Module

* Not tted on

CATX-USB-DA
models

*

[e-mail]

www.adder.com

Adder Technology Limited,
Technology House,
Trafalgar Way, Bar Hill,
Cambridge, CB23 8SQ,
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

© 2011 Adder Technology Ltd • Release 1.0d • June 2011 • Part No. MAN-CATX-USBA-DA-QS-ADDER
All trademarks are acknowledged. Documentation by Corporate Text & Design (www.ctxd.com)

Adder Corporation,

350R Merrimac Street,
Newburyport,

MA 01950,
United States of America
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Adder Asia Pacic
6 New Industrial Road,

Hoe Huat Industrial Building
#07-01,

Singapore 536199
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

What you may additionally need

LOC REM

OSD

UPG LCK PWR

www

.adder

AdderView CATx
KVM switch

.com

www.adder.com

AdderLink X2 Silver or
X200 extender receiver

POWER

TO LOCAL

CAT 5, 5e or 6 link
cables, up to 300m
in length

INDOOR USE ONLY

3 2 1

7

6

5

COMPUTER CONNECTIONS

Audio

1

ON

2

3

4

TO LOCAL

POWER

Host computer connections

The module does not require a power adapter
because it derives all of its power from the host
computer. Therefore the USB cable must always
be connected to a USB port on the computer that
is capable of providing up to 500mA.

Resolutions and cable lengths

The maximum resolutions achievable are:

1600 x 1200 x 60Hz at 200m and
1280 x 1024 x 60Hz at 300m.

Do not exceed 300m cable lengths in any
installation.

*

USB

* Not tted on

CATX-USB-DA
models

Video

Serial port

Disabling/re-enabling receiver connections

When required, a user of one remote link can disable (and re­enable) the other remote link using serial port commands (this
feature is available only on the CATX-USBA-DA models). To do
this you need to determine two things: a) The Com port to which
the serial connector is attached and b) which of the two remote
ports you are using (A or B). See also ‘Serial port configuration’.

1 From one of the remote keyboards, open a terminal program

on the computer and use it to send the appropriate character
to the Com port to which the module is attached:

Port Disable character Enable character

A a (0x61) A (0x41)

B b (0x62) B (0x42)

The module will return OK or FAIL to indicate the result.

Note: Take care not to disable the port that you are using. If

you do, either re-power the module or use the other remote
link to re-enable your link.

2 Re-enable the port when it is appropriate. Note: Whenever

the module is re-powered, both links will always be enabled.

EDID display information

The module contains a default set of EDID information that
supports display resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 @ 60Hz. In

addition, the module will check during power up whether

alternative EDID information is available from the KVM switch or

extender that is connected to port A. If required, you can also

harvest and store new EDID information from your display or an

*

Adder DDC Ghost device.

Serial port configuration

The module can automatically alter its baud rate to match that
of the host computer’s serial port. To do this the other serial
parameters must first be correct: 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop
bit and no hardware handshaking. These are usually the default
settings, however, if you do need to alter them, open the Windows
Device Manager, locate the entry for the COM port to which the

module is connected and view the Properties > Port Settings tab.
Once set, open a terminal program and send a Return (carriage

return) to the Com port to which the module is attached until the
message USB Dual Access CAM version 1.00 is returned. The
module can now accept commands.

Receiver unit connections

You can connect two AdderView KVM switches, two AdderLink X2
Silver extenders or a mixture of both.

For details about connections at the receiver units, please refer to
the guides for those devices.

AdderView KVM switch

User arbitration

Control of the host computer is arbitrated by the
module on a first come, first served basis. At the moment that
a key is pressed or a mouse is moved by a user, the keyboard and
mouse of the other user are temporarily locked-out (the video images
remain). The keyboard indicators of the locked-out user then begin to flash to
confirm their status. After two seconds of inactivity from the user currently in
control, the module returns to its idle condition and re-instates the keyboard
indicators of the locked-out user.

AdderLink X2 Silver or X200 receiver