THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE AT HTTP://WWW.FALCOM.DE/
STEPPII-55 & -56
GSM/GPRS/GPS Units
Getting started
Version 1.03, 29/03/2006
STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
Index of contents
0 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................3
0.1 USED ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................................. 3
0.2 RELATED DOCUMENTS ............................................................................................................. 3
1 GETTING STARTED...................................................................4
1.1 OVERVIEW OF STEPPII STARTER KIT ...................................................................................... 4
1.1.1 Installing the STEPPII Starter Kit .......................................................................................... 6
1.2 TERMINAL EMULATOR SETUP .................................................................................................... 6
1.2.1 Evaluating the STEPPII locally, using SiRFDemo software................................................ 11
2 HOW TO UPDATE THE NEW FIRMWARE INTO THE
STEPPII DEVICE ......................................................................13
Version history:
Version number Author Changes
1.00 Fadil Beqiri Initial version
1.01 Fadil Beqiri New manual layout
1.02 Fadil Beqiri
Note added.
The steps to update the new firmware into the STEPP II changed.
1.03 Fadil Beqiri The document description addapted to the new firmware version 2.2.XX.
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
Cautions
Information furnished herein by FALCOM is accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed for its use.
Please, read carefully the safety precautions.
If you have any technical questions regarding this document or the product
described in it, please contact your vendor.
General information about FALCOM and its range of products are available at the
following Internet address: http://www.falcom.de/
Trademarks
Some mentioned products are registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Copyright
The STEPPII user’s guide is copyrighted by FALCOM GmbH with all rights reserved. No
part of this user’s guide may be produced in any form without the prior written
permission of FALCOM GmbH.
FALCOM GmbH.
No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained
herein.
This confidential document is the property of FALCOM GmbH and may not be copied or circulated without permission.
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
0 INTRODUCTION
This guide explains the basic steps for getting started with STEPPII terminal. The STEPPII
GSM/GPRS/GPS device allows a quick and uncomplicated configuration and
evaluation by the user via local RS232-interface (directly connected to the serial
port) or remotely via air interface.
With Windows
TM Hyperterminal application (utility that is pre-installed on all versions of
Windows 98, 98SE, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows-XP) it is
possible to request GPS position data, and to execute a range of configurations.
The Falcom STEPPII can also be configured using the Configurator 2.0 software. The
software description can be found in a separated manual, file name is
“Stepp_configurator.pdf” delivered on the CD.
0.1 Used abbreviations
Abbreviation Description
GPS Global Positioning System
NMEA National Maritime Electronics Association
GSM Global Standard for Mobile Communications
GPI General Propose Input
CRLF Carriage Return/Line Feed
bps Bit per Second
0.2 Related documents
1. SiRF binary and NMEA protocol specification;
www.falcom.de/Service/Manuals/SiRF
2. SiRFDemo software and SiRFflash programming utility;
www.falcom.de/Service/Manuals/SiRF
3. steppII_hardware_manual.pdf
4. “Stepp Configurator” Configuration software
5. steppII_firmware_2.3.xx_user_manual.pdf
6. steppII_firmware_1.6.xx_user_manual.pdf
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
1 GETTING STARTED
1.1 Overview of STEPPII Starter Kit
The SteppII device can be obtained as a single unit or as part of a starter kit. The
device has two antenna plugs, one for GSM and one for GPS. The device has a slot
where a GSM SIM should be inserted. The SIM card should be used for GSM
communication to the device. The device also has a Molex Micro-Fit 3.0 socket and
an AMP INFOPORT Series III header. The Molex socket gives access to the power
input and signals such as the inputs, outputs The AMP header gives access to signals
such as the microphone, the speaker and the RS232 serial connection.
The STEPPII Starter Kit provides an environment for evaluating and configuring the
STEPPII device. The kit can be used to emulate the final hardware setup used when
the device is installed. Connecting the device to the evaluation board gives easy
access to the device.
Image 2 gives an overview of the variety of components contained in Falcom’s
STEPPII Starter Kit:
• Falcom STEPPII device with built-in bracket
• GSM/GPS antenna
• AC/DC adapter (European standard 220 AC/12V DC)
• Evaluation box (This Eval-Board is not the same one to previous STEPP
evaluation board)
• 16-pin configuration cable with MOLEX plug connection
• Cable with 15-pin AMP and DB15 plug connection
• Audio cable
• 1,5m power cable
• Modem cable set with DB9 plug connection
• Handsfree loudspeaker and microphone
• CD with
Configuration software Stepp Configurator
Hardware description
Software description
Image 1: Scope of items in STEPPII Starter Kit.
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
The evaluation box has the following connection ports (see image 3), for a deteiled
description refer to “STEPPII_quick_start.pdf” manual:
• Input for power supply (10 to 32V DC),
• DB9 serial interface for PC COM Port,
• Audio cable with DB15 plug connection to connect with 15-pin AMP
connector of STEPPII Terminal,
• Configuration cable with 16-pin Molex connection to connect with 16-pin
Molex Connector of STEPPII Terminal,
• 8-pin RJ45 audio (MIC N1 and MIC P1, see hardware description
(“steppII_hardware_manual”) OUTPUT for alarm channel,
• MIC/SPK INPUT/OUTPUT (SPK2 and MIC2, see hardware description
(“steppII_hardware_manual”) – connections for voice channel,
• 4 LEDs to signalise the status of the digital outputs 1 to 4 of the STEPPII,
• 9 switches to test the digital inputs 1 to 4, as well as IGN (ignition) and to
switch ON/OFF various device functions such as V+, ACCU OFF, MIC intern
and BOOT on the STEPPII Terminal (see “steppII_hardware_manual” for
detailed information),
• Potentiometer to test analogue inputs 1 and 2,
• MIC 1 INPUT alarm microphone.
Image 2: Connections of evaluation box
Descriptions on the output pins and the hardware of the connections on the STEPPII
are provided in “steppII_hardware_manual.pdf” chapter “Hardware Interfaces”.
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
1.1.1 Installing the STEPPII Starter Kit
In general, be sure not to turn on the STEPPII terminal module while it is out of the
operating range of voltage and temperature stated described in the hardware
manual.
The kit can be set up using the procedure below.
WARNING: PLEASE DO NOT USE THE PREVIOUS STEPP EVAL-BOARD (STARTER-KIT FOR
STEPP) FOR STEPPII TERMINAL. THE STEPPII EVAL-BOARD HAS A BUILT-IN LI-ION
BATTERY WHICH IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE “ACCU ON/OFF” SWITCHES
PLACED IN THE EVAL-BOARD AND TO THE VBAT+ PIN OF STEPPII. THIS PIN (ON
THE STEPPII) HAS IN NO CASE TO BE CONNECTED NEITHER TO THE OPERATING
VOLTAGE NOR TO THE GND, ELSE YOU WILL DAMAGE YOUR TERMINAL.
1. Connect both antenna plugs to the corresponding plugs on the STEPPII
device,
2. Connect the AMP connector on the cable to the AMP header on the STEPPII
device. Connect the DB15 plug on the other end of the cable to the
respective socket on the evaluation board,
3. Connect a Molex plug on the cable to the socket on the STEPPII device.
Connect the plug on the other end of the cable to the respective socket on
the evaluation board,
4. Connect the speaker and microphone to the respective sockets on the
evaluation board,
5. Use the serial cable to connect the evaluation board to a serial port on the
PC,
6. Insert the SIM card into the SIM interface of the STEPPII,
7. Connect the power module to the evaluation board and to the ac power
supply.
1.2 Terminal emulator setup
Please ensure that the STEPPII terminal is properly connected to the Eval-Board and
to the host device. Make sure that the STEPPII terminal is powered on and the GSM
LED indicator on the front side of device flashes.
If the STEPPII device is supposed to be configured using the Stepp Configurator,
please refer to a separate manual named “
The example below is based on the Windows™
Hyperterminal, because it is a
supplement tool which is also licensed by purchased Windows™. The STEPPII can also
be configured by using any other Terminal-Program. The instructions below describe
how to use the STEPPII (operating with Firmware version 1.6.xx or V2.3xx) with a PC
running Windows 2000.
On the first time power-up you can use a terminal software which allows the
communication with a modem via RS232 serial port. On Windows 2000, starts the
HyperTerminal program.
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
Figure 3: Using Microsoft Windows™ Hyper Terminal
Assign the name for a new session on the displayed window (e.g STEPP_II).
Figure 4: Assign the name for a new session
Choose the correct COM Port and baud rate settings as follow.
To control the STEPPII operating with firmware version “2.3.xx” (supporting
GSM & GPRS services), use the following factory pre-defined settings:
57600 bps
8 Data bits
No Parity bit
1 Stop bit
None Flow control.
To control the STEPPII operating with firmware “1.6.xx” (supporting GSM
services, only), use the following factory pre-defined settings
9600 bps
8 Data bits
No Parity bit
1 Stop bit
None Flow control.
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
Figure 5: COM Port transmission settings
If a connection to the STEPPII terminal is established, the transmitted protocols will be
displayed.
Please note that, if the embedded GPS reciver of the STEPPII device (operating with
2.2.XX firmware) is unable to calculate a valid position due to the satellites on view
(less then 3 satellites), please, change the location of the GPS antenna and restart
your STEPPII device. In order to evaluate the GPS receiver, if valid positions are
being received, see section 1.2.1.
Figure 6: COM Port transmission settings
To sent a command to the STEPPII terminal while the GPS messages are being
displayed on the terminal program, the default configurations of terminal program
have to be changed. To do this, click the property button. Then select the Settings
tab sheet, and then click on ASCI setup... button to start the ASCI Setup dialog box.
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Figure 7: Connections properties.
STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
On the appeared dialog box select the check box captioned ”send line ends with
line feeds”, click on OK button and close the opened dialog box.
Figure 8: Change the default setting
Now open a text file (txt extended file) and write “$PFAL,Cnf.Set.GSM.PIN=3333”
command which has to be sent to the STEPPII terminal (e.g see the figure below).
The value “3333” of PIN parameter has to correspond to the PIN number of your SIM
Card, which is provided by your mobile phone service provider. Please note that,
after the command is written, press the enter key to complete the command
(<CR><LF>), else the command will be ignored from the STEPPII terminal. Save the
opened file, for example “example .txt” and then close it. Please, remember file
directory. Note that, this command is available using the firmware version “2.3.xx”,
only. Using the firmware version “1.6.xx” please refare to a separate manual, see
related documents [6].
Figure 9: Write the command on the text file.
In order to sent the command to the terminal you have to tranfer the saved text file
with included command. Click the Transfer on the Hyperterminal menu and select
Send text file... .
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
Figure 10: Start the transfer program.
Select the saved text file “example.txt” from its directory and click the open button.
Now the command(s) included in the text file is (are) automatically sent to the
connected STEPPII terminal.
Note that, after the text file is sent to the device and it is accepted from the device
as well (command is written without single mistake), it writes the user defined value
onto the internal FLASH and it will be displayed upon request. Sending the
“$PFAL.Cnf.Show” command to the STEPPII terminal, it responds only changed
configuration (changed from the user) while the GPS messages are being
displayed. To find the received configurations from the STEPPII use the vertical and
horizontal scroll bars of terminal. The default settings will not be displayed.
Figure 11: Sending the command
More information how to test the Falcom STEPPII operating with firmware V2.0RC1
can be found in a separated manual. Sections on the
“steppII_firmware_2.3.XX_manual.pdf” user manual describe how to configure and
poll the current state of the STEPPII remotely via a TCP connection.
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
1.2.1 Evaluating the STEPPII locally, using SiRFDemo software
After you have connected the STEPPII to one of theavailable ports on your PC,
please, install the SiRFdemo software which is available on the CD or download it
from FALCOM’s Website:
www.falcom.de/service/downloads/SiRF/SiRFdemo.zip
Run the SiRFdemo software by double clicking the
SiRFdemo.exe file. The SiRFdemo
program will be automatically installed onto your computer.
To start the SiRFdemo software, either double-click on the
SiRFdemo.exe installed file
or if you have created a shortcut on your desktop, double-click the
SiRFdemo.exe.
The SiRFdemo software will appear as follow:
Before running the software, make sure that your PC is recognizing STEPPII properly.
In order to receive the valid positions for the current location of the device, please,
place the GPS antenna to the sky (no obstacles).
On the activated Data Source Setup window, select the COM (e.g. COM1) for
SiRFdemo program. Using the firmware version “2.3.xx” set the baud rate to 57600
bps. See figure below. Using the firmware version “1.6.xx” set the baud rate to 9600
bps.
Click the icon on toolbar by the up-down button (marked button in figure below)
the program will automatically detect the selected COM port and starts evaluating.
The output messages can be viewed in the Development Data screen. For a
description of NMEA messages please download from FALCOM’s Website the
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
“SiRFmessages.pdf” file. The valid/invalid protocols can be recognized in the
$GPRMC protocol as shown in the figure below. The capital letter A means,
incoming protocols are valid and the capital letter V means, incoming protocols
are invalid.
For more detailed information about the using of SiRFdemo software, please
download the SiRFdemo.pdf
manual, which is also available on our web page.
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
2 HOW TO UPDATE THE NEW FIRMWARE INTO THE
STEPPII DEVICE
In order to allow users of Falcom STEPPII to utilize newly released firmware, a program
has to be available to update the on-board Flash-Memory. The new firmware and
an update program are distributed electronically via Internet or CD.
Important note:
Please write down the important existing configuration settings for
the Falcom STEPPII using the current firmware. The update procedure of a new
firmware erases the whole internal flash memory and the presettings stored on it
will be absolutely erased, too.
Note:
The update procedure from which the STEPPII is set into the update mode
(BOOT switch is set to HIGH) untill the update of the new firmware is completed
should take maximally 2 minutes. If this period of time is exceeded and the STEPPII
is still in the update mode, the update procedure will be aborted and an error
message will be appeared by the used update software.
In order to update a new Falcom STEPPII firmware, please, follow step-by-step the
instructions described below:
• Point your web browser to www.falcom.de, go to support
drivers &
firmware
STEPPII and download the “stepp_x.s“ file. The SiRFflash program
to update the firmware is available on the delivered CD.
• If Falcom STEPPII terminal is still not connected to the STEPPII-STARTERKIT,
connect it, else go to the next step.
• The update procedure takes place if the target system (Falcom STEPPII ) is
reset in the internal update mode. Therefore, if the terminal is powered on,
power it down (means, turn off the switches ACCU OFF, V+ and BOOT, on the
STEPPII EVAL-BOARD).
• Make sure that all switches ACCU OFF, V+, IGN and BOOT others located on
the EVALBOARD are turned off (in the direction of marked name)
• Start “SiRFflash.exe” program from the CD by double clicking the icon. The
Dialog Window shown below appears.
• Make sure that the serial port of EVAL-BOARD is properly connected to one of
the available COM ports on your PC (e.g. COM1).
• Please, refer to the figure below for the following points. Select the Program
flash radio button in the Activity selection box
• Select the Line where your Falcom STEPPII is connected (i.e COM1) and Baud
rate (115200) in the Communication settings box.
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STEPPII GETTING STARTED VERSION 1.03
• Select the Chip select (CSN0) and Chip offset (0) in the Flash location settings
box.
• Choose the download file (the new firmware “*.S” is included in the
steppII_x.zip file) by using the Browse button into the File selection box.
• Select Erase whole chip, in the Programming options box.
• Now, turn on the switch BOOT (set the system into update mode), and then
turn on the switches ACCU OFF and V+. The system is now in the update
mode (from now just 2 minutes are available before the system (STEPPII)
perform internally a reset).
• Press Execute button to start the flash update programming.
• The current positions of the programming progress will be displayed in the
Progress bar and the Total, Erase and Burn process will be shown in the Timing
box.
Note: Do not interrupt this procedure. A partially reprogrammed flash memory
could lead to invalid operation of the terminal and permanent damage of the
components.
• If an error is generated by clicking the Execute button or during flash
programming, check cables and retry the operation or click the help button
to get the troubleshooting described in the help file of SirfFlash program.
If download has been completed successfully, power down the Falcom
STEPPII (turn off the switches ACCU OFF, V+ and BOOT). Your Falcom STEPPII
is ready to run with the new firmware. The Falcom STEPPII with the new
firmware is automatically started at the next power up (turn on the switches
ACCU OFF, V+). A complete configuration has to be done.
For further evaluation of the updated firmware in the FLSH memory of target
device, please refer to the corresponding documentation, which is
included on the delivered CD.
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