MaxStream RS-232 RF, RS-485 RF Quick Start Manual

Quick Start Guide

XTend-PKG-R™ RS-232/485 RF Modem

Introduction

Range Test Setup

Range Test Procedure

Optional Configurations

Create a Long Range Wireless Link In Minutes.

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© 2005 MaxStream, Inc. All rights reserved.

WARNING: When operating with 1 Watt power output, transmitting in close
proximity of other RF modems can damage modem front-ends. Observe a
minimum separation distance of 2' (0.6 m) between RF modems.

MD0019

Introduction

This Quick Start Guide provides OEMs and integrators with an introduction to some of
the RF modem's most important features. This guide provides step-by-step
instruction on how to setup a wireless link and test the modem's ability to transport
data over varying ranges and conditions.

Range Test Setup

Requirements for Range Test

2 XTend RF Modems
Accessories (Loopback adapter, RS-232 cable, 2 RPSMA antennas, 2 power supplies)
1 PC (Windows 98 SE, 2000 or XP) loaded with X-CTU Software

Install X-CTU Software:

Double-click "setup_X-CTU.exe" file and follow prompts of the installation screens.
This file is located on the MaxStream CD and also on the following web page:
www.maxstream.net/helpdesk/download.php

The X-CTU software interface is divided into the four following tabs:

• PC Settings - Setup PC serial com ports to interface with the RF modem

• Range Test - Test RF modem's range under varying conditions

• Terminal - Read/Set RF modem parameters and monitor data communications

• Modem Configuration - Read/Set RF modem parameters

Hardware Setup

XTend RF Modems will be referred to as "Radio1" and "Radio2".

1. Set both Radio DIP Switches to RS-232, point-to-point modes.
[Switches 1 and 5 are ON (up), and the remaining 4 switches
are OFF (down)].

2. Connect the included RS-232 cable to the female DB-9 connector of
Radio1 and the male DB-9 connector of the PC.

3. Attach the serial loopback adapter to the female DB-9 connector of Radio2.
(The serial loopback adapter configures Radio2 to function as a repeater by
looping data back into the module for retransmission. [Figure 1])

4. Attach RPSMA antennas to each RF modem.

5. Power Radio1 & Radio2 through their respective power connectors.

1 2 3 4 5 6

O
N

Figure 1. Hardware Setup

Host PC

RS-232 cable

Radio1

RPSMA antennas

Radio2

(w/ loopback adapter)

Range Test Procedure

Use the "PC Settings" and "Range Test" tabs of the X-CTU Software to:

•

Setup a PC Serial Com Port for communications with the
XTend RF Modem [step 2 of "Range Test"].

Determine RF modem's range [steps 1-8 of "Range Test"].

•

Range Test

1. Launch the X-CTU Software: (Start --> Programs --> MaxStream --> X-CTU

Under the "PC Settings" tab [Figure 2], select the PC serial com port

2

from the dropdown list that will be used to connect to Radio1.

Select the baud rate that matches the I/O interface rate (serial data rate)

3

of Radio1. Use default values for remaining fields [Figure 2].

4.

Select the "Range Test" tab [Figure 3].

(Optional) Check the box in the "RSSI" section to enable its display.

5

("Loopback" option is automatically selected.)

6

Click the "Start" button to begin the range test.

7

Move Radio2 (with loopback adapter) away from Radio1 to determine the

8.
maximum range of the wireless link.

Figure 2. PC Se�ings tab

PC Com Port

2

Default Values

3

Default RF data rate is 9600 baud

Other Default Values:

Flow Control
Data Bits
Parity = None
Stop Bits = 1

= None

= 8

)

(Packet Information)

Figure 3 Range T est tab

RSSI check box

5

RSSI stands for "Received Signal Strength Indicator".

Loopback option

6

Start/(Stop) button

7

Optional Configurations

Out-of-box, the XTend-PKG-R RF Modem is configured to provide immediate wireless
links between devices. The modem's default configuration supports a wide range of
RF communications.

If the RF Modem must be configured to support specific needs of a data system,
several programming options are available.

Using the MaxStream RF Modem DIP Switch

The DIP switch allows users to configure the following RF modem settings.

Figure 4. DIP Switch Se�ings (Se�ings applied only when powering on)

1 2 3 4 5 6

O
N

Serial Interface

Switches 1 & 2

1 2

= RS-232

= 2-wire RS-485

4-wire

=

RS-485/422

= Restore Defaults

RS-485/422

Termination

(Optional) Switches 3 & 4

3 4

2-wire RS-485

=

Termination

4-wire RS-485/422

=

Termination

None

=

= not used = User Defined

TX/RX Mode

Switches 5 & 6

5 6

= Point-to-Point

Multipoint-

=

Base

Multipoint-

=

Remote

Restoring Modem Defaults

If the XTend Modem
is not responding or
cannot enter into
Command Mode, try
restoring the modem
to its original default

To Restore Defaults (DIP Switch Method):

1. Set switches 1 & 2 of the DIP Switch to
their ON (up) positions and the remaining four
switches to their OFF (down) positions.

2. Turn off, then on again, the power supplying the
RF modem.

parameter values.

Other Configuration Options

Using the DIP Switch to configure the modem is one of several ways to configure
modem parameters. Other programming options are available such as using the
X-CTU Software "Terminal" and "Modem Configuration" tabs. Binary programming
is also supported.

= ON (up)

= OFF (down)

Refer to the XTend-PKG-R RF Modem product manual for more information about
the available configuration options.

Contact MaxStream (Office hours are 8am – 5pm U.S. Mountain Standard Time)

Phone: [phone], Live Chat: www.maxstream.net, E-Mail: [e-mail]