Proxima ASA 7911, 7910 User Manual
2
RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter
Models 7910 and 7911
User ’s Guide
Copyright
© 1999 Proxim, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. All rights reserved. This manual and the
software described in it are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval
system or translated into any language in any form by any means without the
written permission of Proxim, Incorporated.
Trademarks
RangeLAN, the RangeLAN logo, RangeLAN2, and Proxim are trademarks of
Proxim, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Limited Warranty, Disclaimer, Limitation Of Liability
For a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by the retail customer,
Proxim warrants the RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter against defects in materials
and workmanship. Proxim will not honor this warranty if there has been any
attempt to tamper with or remove the Adapter's external foil label.
This warranty does not cover and Proxim will not be liable for any damage or
failure caused by misuse, abuse, acts of God, accidents, or other causes
beyond Proxim’s control, or claim by other than the original purchaser.
If, after inspection, Proxim determines there is a defect, Proxim will repair or
replace the Adapter at no cost to you. To return defective merchandise to
Proxim please call Proxim Technical Support at: (408) 731-2640 to obtain a
Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) Number.
In no event shall Proxim, Incorporated be responsible or liable for any damages
arising:
❑ From the use of the product;
❑ From the loss of use, revenue or profit of the product; or
❑ As a result of any event, circumstance, action, or abuse beyond the control
of Proxim, Incorporated;
Whether such damages be direct, indirect, consequential, special, or otherwise
and whether such damages are incurred by the person to whom this warranty
extends or a third party.
Part # 7360.0098
Rev. B
i
Warranty Return Policy
If you have a problem with your RangeLAN2 product, please call Proxim
Technical Support at (408) 731-2640. Proxim Technical Support will assist with
resolving any technical difficulties you may have with your Proxim product.
If your product is found to be defective, you may return the product to Proxim
after obtaining an RMA (Return Materials Authorization) number from Proxim
Technical Support. The product must be returned in its original packaging. The
RMA number should be clearly marked on the outside of the box. Proxim cannot
be held responsible for any product returned without an RMA number, and no
product will be accepted without an RMA number.
FCC WARNING
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
❑ Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
❑ Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
❑ Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
which the receiver is connected.
❑ Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
ii
Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................1
The RangeLAN2 Family ......................................................................... 2
System Requirements .............................................................................. 3
The Product Package ............................................................................... 3
2. Quick Installation ........................................................5
3. Wireless Topologies ..................................................9
Point-to-Point ........................................................................................... 9
Point-to-Multipoint ................................................................................ 11
Point-to-Point Using RangeLAN2 Infrastructure ................................. 13
Point-to-Multipoint Using a RangeLAN2 Access Point
as a Base Unit ........................................................................................ 15
4. Pass-through and Packetized Modes .....................17
5. Understanding the Hardware ...................................19
Rotary Switches ..................................................................................... 19
The Pairing Domain ............................................................................ 20
LED Indicators ....................................................................................... 22
Serial Port Specification ........................................................................ 2 6
Antenna Options .................................................................................... 28
Mounting Options .................................................................................. 2 8
6. Configuration ............................................................31
Displaying the Configuration Menu...................................................... 3 1
7. Radio Configuration Menu .......................................35
Radio Parameters ................................................................................... 36
8. Network Configuration Menu...................................45
Network Parameters ............................................................................... 46
9. Serial Configuration Menu .......................................49
Serial Parameters ................................................................................... 50
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10. Advanced Configuration Menu..............................55
Advanced Parameters ............................................................................ 5 6
11. Display Parameter Values ......................................61
12. View Statistics .........................................................63
Serial Errors Statistics ........................................................................... 64
Packetized Mode Statistics .................................................................... 64
TCP/IP Statistics .................................................................................... 6 4
Radio Statistics ...................................................................................... 6 4
13. Performance Hints ..................................................65
Microwave Ovens .................................................................................. 65
Range ...................................................................................................... 65
14. Troubleshooting ......................................................6 7
How to Obtain Help with Your Installation.......................................... 67
LED Error Codes ................................................................................... 67
Commonly Asked Technical Support Questions .................................. 6 8
A. Packetized Mode Specification ...............................70
Overview ................................................................................................ 70
Pass-through Versus Packetized Mode ............................................... 7 0
PPX-1 Protocol ...................................................................................... 73
Modem Command Protocol (MCP) ...................................................... 7 4
MCP Command Messages to the Serial Adapter ............................... 7 5
MCP Responses From Serial Adapter ................................................. 81
B. Serial Adapter TCP/IP Specification .......................87
Sample TCP/IP Communication Programs........................................... 91
Sample TCP Receive Program............................................................ 9 1
Sample TCP Send Program................................................................. 94
Sample UDP Receive Program ........................................................... 96
Sample UDP Send Program ................................................................ 97
C. Menu Structure .......................................................100
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D. Parameters ..............................................................107
Radio Parameters ................................................................................. 107
Network Parameters ............................................................................. 108
Serial Parameters ................................................................................. 109
Advanced Configuration Parameters ................................................... 110
E. Procedure for Downloading New Software ..........111
F. Glossary...................................................................113
G. How to Reach Technical Support .........................115
H. U.S. Specifications .................................................116
Index.............................................................................117
v
1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the RangeLAN2 791x
Serial Adapter, the radio module that replaces RS-232 serial
cables with wireless RF (Radio Frequency) technology. By
attaching a pair of RangeLAN2 Serial Adapters to the serial port
of any two devices, you can transmit and receive data without
the use of wires.
The RangeLAN2 791x can support several data rates and uses
the same patented 2.4 GHz frequency hopping spread spectrum
(FHSS) technology as found within Proxim’s award-winning
RangeLAN2 product line. The Serial Adapter is designed to
work with numerous off-the-shelf applications as well as with
custom programs. The RangeLAN2 791x may leverage off of an
existing RangeLAN2 network, allowing two Serial Adapters to
communicate over greater distances.
The Serial Adapter is designed to be a “plug and play” product.
External rotary switches allow you to configure your Serial
Adapter manually so that in many cases, you will be able to use
a Serial Adapter without running any software to configure it.
However, the Serial Adapter supports a wide variety of configurations that can be easily changed to fit your application requirements. All configuration information is stored in non-volatile
memory called EEPROM (electronically erasable programmable
read-only memory).
Proxim is the leading supplier of spread spectrum radio networking technology for local area environments. Proxim’s unmatched spread spectrum networking expertise, combined with
the company’s extensive experience serving the communication
needs of the mobile computing user, has kept Proxim at the
forefront of the emerging wireless market.
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The RangeLAN2 Family
RangeLAN2 791x Serial Adapter is part of a family of highperformance products that provides a complete wireless networking solution.
❑ RangeLAN2 7100 is a wireless LAN adapter that fits
into a standard PC/AT ISA bus slot.
❑ RangeLAN2 7400 is a wireless LAN adapter which fits
into a PCMCIA Type II slot on a portable notebook,
laptop, or pen-based computer.
❑ RangeLAN2 7510/752x Access Points allow
RangeLAN2 products to seamlessly connect to a wired
Ethernet network.
❑ RangeLAN2 753x Access Points allow RangeLAN2
products to seamlessly connect to a wired Token Ring
network.
❑ RangeLAN2 754x Extension Point extends the cover-
age area of an existing RangeLAN2 network.
❑ There are two models of the RangeLAN2 Serial
Adapter, the 7910 and 7911. The 7910 has 100 mW of
output power, while the 7911 has 500 mW of output
power.
❑ RangeLAN2 792x Ethernet Adapter converts any
Ethernet-ready device into a wireless node on an existing RangeLAN2 network.
2
System Requirements
To begin using your RangeLAN2 791x Serial Adapter, you need
the following minimum system requirements:
❑ At least one (1) device with a free RS-232 (serial) port
(terminal, PC, etc.).
❑ At least one (1) other RangeLAN2 product. If the
Serial Adapters are acting as a replacement for a serial
cable, this additional RangeLAN2 product must be a
second 791x Serial Adapter which will attach to a free
RS-232 port on another device.
The Product Package
Each RangeLAN2 791x Serial Adapter comes with:
❑ One (1) RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter.
❑ One (1) 1 dBi omnidirectional antenna.
❑ One (1) 12 Volt, 1 Amp power adapter.
❑ One (1) RS-232 serial cable.
❑ One (1) switch setting tool.
❑ Two (2) plastic plugs to cover the Domain and Station/
Master rotary switches.
❑ One (1) RangeLAN2 791x Serial Adapter User’s Guide.
If any of these items are missing or damaged, please contact
your reseller or Proxim Technical Support.
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Figure 1
RangeLAN2 791x Serial Adapter Components
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2. Quick Installation
You may follow the quick installation and configuration steps if
all of the following conditions are true:
❑ You will use all of the software default values.
❑ You are using two (2) RangeLAN2 Serial Adapters as a
replacement for an RS-232 cable.
❑ You are using no more than nine (9) pairs of Serial
Adapters in one location.
Follow the steps below to install two RangeLAN2 791x Serial
Adapters:
1. Firmly screw the antenna onto its connector in a clockwise rotation. The antenna connector is located on the
side of the unit as shown in Figure 2.
Note:
Government regulatory agencies mandate that the antenna not be alterable. Therefore, the RangeLAN2
Serial Adapter uses a custom antenna connector. Do
not attempt to use a non-certified Proxim antenna or
you may damage the connector and the Serial Adapter.
5
Figure 2
Attachment of the RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter Antenna
2. Attach one end of an RS-232 cable to the RangeLAN2
Serial Adapter and the other end to a free serial port of a
communication device, such as a terminal or a computer. Perform this step with both Serial Adapters.
3. Each RangeLAN2 791x Serial Adapter is preconfigured
to operate as a Station. Therefore, before two Serial
Adapters will communicate, one must be set as a Mas-
ter. Using the Station/Master rotary switch on the
underside of the RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter, set one
unit of each Serial Adapter pair as a Master and leave
the second unit as a Station.
6
4. Each RangeLAN2 791x Serial Adapter is preconfigured
to use Domain 0. If you have multiple pairs of Serial
Adapters and each pair consists of one Master and one
Station, set each pair to a unique Domain number.
Using the Domain rotary switch on the underside of the
RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter, set each pair to a unique
Domain number from 0-8 to ensure minimal interference. If you decide to use Domain 8, refer to Chapter 5
for information concerning this switch setting’s role in
the Pairing Domain communication feature.
Note:
Do not set the Serial Adapter to use Domain 9 on the
Domain rotary switch. Setting the Domain rotary
switch to 9 will send the Serial Adapter into a configuration mode, and the unit will not be operational.
5. Plug the power supply into the RangeLAN2 Serial
Adapter DC power jack, located on the rear panel, and
plug the power supply into an AC outlet. Upon completing this step, the LED indicator on the top panel of
the unit will glow yellow and then turn green, indicating
that the unit is ready for operation.
6. Your RangeLAN2 Serial Adapters are now ready for
use with your desired application. However, if your
RangeLAN2 Serial Adapters fail to communicate or fail
to exchange information, you may need to compare
your application’s settings with the RangeLAN2 Serial
Adapter’s default values. Please consult Chapter 6 for
information on how to customize your RangeLAN2
Serial Adapter configuration and Chapter 14 for troubleshooting suggestions.
7
8
3. Wireless T opologies
The RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter supports numerous wireless
topologies. The following sections describe four (4) basic
wireless configurations supported by the RangeLAN2 Serial
Adapter: Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint, Point-to-Point
using RangeLAN2 Infrastructure, and Point-to-Multipoint using
a RangeLAN2 Access Point as a Base Unit.
Point-to-Point
In this topology, a pair of RangeLAN2 Serial Adapters are
configured to exclusively communicate with each other.
Figure 3
Point-to-Point Topology
9
In Figure 3 above, Serial Adapters 1 and 2 can communicate
with each other, as can Serial Adapters 3 and 4. Even though all
four units may be in range of one another and may “hear” the
others’ messages, each unit will filter out messages not intended
for it. Since this topology establishes a one-to-one, MasterStation relationship between two Serial Adapters, it acts as a
wireless substitute for an RS-232 cable in a wide variety of
applications.
Using the TCP/IP protocol as the transport mechanism for
information, a Serial Adapter that receives a message from its
serial port will turn the message into a data packet that includes
the transmitting unit’s IP address and the destination unit’s IP
address.
The transmitting Serial Adapter will then “listen” on the radio
frequency to ensure that the other Serial Adapter is not transmitting a packet. If free, the unit will transmit the packet. It will
wait for an acknowledgment from the receiving Serial Adapter
that the packet was received without error. If it does not receive
such an acknowledgment and it has not exceeded its maximum
retry count, the unit will retransmit the packet.
A receiving Serial Adapter will filter packets based on the
packet’s destination IP address. Only the unit with the correct IP
address will save the packet and send an acknowledgment back
to the source unit. Upon receiving a packet, the unit will also
extract the original message out of the packet and send it out
over the serial port. If there is an error in the packet, the unit
will ignore it. This guarantees the delivery of only error-free
transmissions.
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Point-to-Multipoint
The RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter may also operate in a Point-toMultipoint topology. This configuration provides added flexibility, allowing one centralized unit, operating in Packetized mode,
to communicate with multiple units placed in remote locations.
When operating in Packetized mode, a central Serial Adapter
may be programmed to send either directed messages or broadcasts to other Serial Adapters, by specifying the appropriate IP
address and send mode. The Packetized Mode Command Set
allows users to customize Serial Adapter communications to
meet their application needs. For more information on
Packetized mode, please see Ch. 4 and Appendix A, the
Packetized Mode Specification.
A Point-to-Multipoint topology may utilize the Broadcast mode,
so that multiple Serial Adapters can receive the same information simultaneously. Note that a broadcasting Serial Adapter
does not wait for an acknowledgment of the packet’s receipt
from any receiving unit. Broadcast mode is an unacknowledged
service because it can be extremely inefficient to have every unit
acknowledge a message once a packet is received. Since these
broadcast packets are unacknowledged, a unit cannot retry
transmissions when in this sending mode. You may use the
Packetized Mode Command Set or another high-level application in conjunction with the Broadcast mode to guarantee the
delivery of error-free transmissions to multiple units.
In Figure 4 below, Serial Adapters 1 through 5 are on Domain
0. Serial Adapter 1 is set to Broadcast mode. Serial Adapter 6 is
on Domain 1. Whenever a message is sent from unit 1, it is
received by units 2 through 5 and is processed by those units
which receive the transmission error-free. Since unit 6 is on a
different Domain, it will not process unit 1’s broadcast message.
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Figure 4
Point-to-Multipoint
12
Point-to-Point Using RangeLAN2 Infrastructure
You may also use your existing RangeLAN2 infrastructure and
network to increase the range and flexibility of communications
between Serial Adapters. A Serial Adapter configured as a
Station may synchronize to a RangeLAN2 Access Point which
has the same Domain and Security ID.
Two Serial Adapters which are positioned out of range of one
another, can be set as Stations so that each will synchronize to a
RangeLAN2 Access Point. Then, the Access Point(s) will
forward the radio signals sent between the units. This allows the
units to communicate as if they were actually in range of one
another.
For example, in Figure 5 below, Serial Adapter 1 is synchronized to Access Point 1, and Serial Adapter 2 is synchronized to
Access Point 2. Access Points 1 and 2 are on the same Ethernet
network. Serial Adapters 1 and 2 can engage in Point-to-Point
communications, even though they are not in range of one
another. Access Point 1 forwards packets from Serial Adapter 1
to Access Point 2, which then transmits the packets to Serial
Adapter 2.
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Figure 5
Point-to-Point Using RangeLAN2 Infrastructure
14
Point-to-Multipoint Using a
RangeLAN2 Access Point as a Base Unit
A Serial Adapter may communicate directly with a workstation
that has either a RangeLAN2 ISA card, a RangeLAN2 PC card,
or is on the same Ethernet segment as a RangeLAN2 Access
Point. One configuration that utilizes this feature is Point-toMultipoint using a RangeLAN2 Access Point to connect a wired
desktop computer to a number of remote Serial Adapters.
Figure 6
Point-to-Multipoint Using a
RangeLAN2 Access Point as a Base Unit
15
Figure 6 above shows a simple configuration of this topology.
Desktop 1 is on the same network as a RangeLAN2 Access
Point. Serial Adapters 1 and 2 are configured as Stations and are
synchronized to the Access Point, which is configured as a
Master. Desktop 1 is running a custom-made application
written in a programming interface, such as Windows Sockets,
which uses TCP/IP to communicate with either or both Serial
Adapters.
For more information about how to write a custom TCP/IP
sockets program which will interface with the RangeLAN2
Serial Adapter, see Appendix B, the Serial Adapter TCP/IP
Specification.
The topologies discussed above display only a small number of
the simplest configurations available with the RangeLAN2
Serial Adapter. You may also design more complicated custom
topologies that meet your own communication requirements and
that build upon the principles presented within these simpler
configuations.
Note:
When using the Serial Adapters in conjunction with an
Ethernet backbone, note that you can not send a broadcast message through a router.
16
4. Pass-through and Packetized Modes
The Serial Adapter’s serial interface can be set for two kinds of
operating modes: Pass-through mode and Packetized mode. The
format of the information presented to the unit’s serial port is
dramatically different depending on which of these modes is
selected.
You should use the Pass-through mode for applications where a
pair of RangeLAN2 Serial Adapters replace an RS-232 cable
without changing the existing serial application. In Pass-through
mode, the unit accepts a stream of serial data at its RS-232 port
and passes it over the radio network to a receiving unit or units.
The data arrives at the receiving unit that then sends this information to its attached computer or terminal over the serial port.
Pass-through mode is the default setting for the Serial Adapter.
In Packetized mode, the Serial Adapter accepts a set of commands from an external computer. This allows the external
computer to control the unit. In addition to commands that cause
the unit to transmit messages over the radio, the unit also accepts
configuration commands such as “switch radio to Channel 2” or
“switch baud rate to 9600 baud.” Packetized mode has the
advantage that it permits an external computer to control the
more advanced features of the unit “on the fly.”
A unit operating in Packetized mode can communicate with
another unit operating in either Pass-through or Packetized
mode.
Note:
Please review Appendix A, the Packetized Mode Specification, before attempting to operate the Serial Adapter
in Packetized mode.
17
18
5. Understanding the Hardware
Rotary Switches
The RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter is designed for easy configuration by setting two rotary switches located on the bottom of
the unit. The rotary switches are shown in Figure 7 below. Use
the switch setting tool, enclosed in the product package, to
change the position of the rotary switches.
❑ The Station/Master Switch allows the user to externally
set the unit as either a Master or a Station within a
wireless network. The Serial Adapter is pre-configured
so that the switch is set as a Station.
❑ The Domain Switch allows the user to set the Domain
number to a value between 0 and 8. The Serial Adapter
is pre-configured to operate using Domain 0. If you
want to set the Domain to a number between 9 and 15,
you must use the software configuration menu. See
Chapter 6 for information on how to access the Serial
Adapter’s software configuration menu.
Note:
Setting the RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter to Domain 9 will
cause the unit to exit from operating mode and enter the
configuration menu at 9600 bps, 8N1. Also, when the
Domain Switch is set to 9, each time the RangeLAN2
Serial Adapter is turned on, it will boot up into the
configuration menu.
19
Domain Switch Station/Master Switch
The Pairing Domain
Figure 7
Rotary Switches
There is an additional feature associated with Domain 8 on the
Domain Switch called the Pairing Domain. When the Pairing
Domain is not used, two Serial Adapters will each send out a
series of handshaking messages and exchange IP addresses to
enable communication during boot-up. This information is lost
each time the Serial Adapter is powered off; therefore, the Serial
Adapter performs this handshaking procedure each time the unit
is reset.
However, the Pairing Domain feature stores the communication
information permanently within the unit so that it is not lost
20
when the unit is reset. This allows the user to permanently
configure a pair of Serial Adapters to communicate exclusively
with one another. Follow these steps to permanently bind a pair
of Serial Adapters:
1. Ensure that both units are turned off.
2. Using the switch setting tool, turn the Domain Switch to
8 on both units. The units may be configured with one
as a Master and with the other as a Station or with both
set as Stations synchronized to the same RangeLAN2
Access Point, which is also configured for Domain 8.
3. Power up both units. The Serial Adapters will perform
the handshaking procedure and exchange IP addresses.
This information is then permanently stored within each
unit.
4. Using the switch setting tool, change the Domain
Switch from 8 to another value between 0 and 7. The
two Serial Adapters will now exclusively communicate
with each other.
5. Each unit will retain the other’s IP address until the
Domain Switch is set back to 8 and power is recycled.
The user may also override this feature by manually
configuring a Destination Address from within the
software configuration menu.
Note:
If you intend to use the Pairing Domain feature to bind
together two Serial Adapters, Proxim recommends that
you do not set any pair of units to communicate on
Domain 8, in order to avoid unintended pairings.
21
To reset the unit back to the default setting, manually set the
Destination Address to 0.0.0.0 or reset the unit to factory defaults from within the software configuration menu.
When using this feature, have only two Serial Adapters configured to Domain 8 on the rotary switch at any point in time. If
only one unit is configured for Domain 8, the Pairing Domain
will not change the unit’s configuration. If three Serial Adapters
are set to Domain 8 and then powered on, the outcome will be
unpredictable and may not result in a successful pairing of two
of the units.
The Pairing Domain feature is only available when the Domain
Switch is in use. This feature is not operational when a Serial
Adapter has been configured to Domain 8 from within the
software configuration menu or when the Domain Switch setting
has been overridden by the software configuration menu.
LED Indicators
There are three LEDs on the top panel of the RangeLAN2 791x
Serial Adapter:
❑ The Status LED on the right side (with the unit orien-
tated so that you can read the Proxim logo), changes
colors from yellow (initializing) to green (operational).
This LED blinks red in a repeating pattern when a
problem occurs with the unit. See Chapter 14 for a
further discussion of these patterns.
❑ The Radio LED in the center blinks yellow when the
Serial Adapter is transmitting data packets over its
radio.
22
❑ The Serial LED on the left side blinks green when the
Serial Adapter is transmitting data over the serial
connection.
Serial LED
Radio LED
Figure 8
Top Panel LEDs
Status LED
23
There are also four LEDs on the back panel of the RangeLAN2
791x Serial Adapter:
❑ The green Master LED, located between the DC power
jack and the serial interface, is on steady when the unit
is set as a Master.
❑ The yellow Sync LED, located between the DC power
jack and the serial interface, is on steady when the unit
is set as a Station and is synchronized to a Master.
❑ The yellow Override LED, to the left of the serial
interface, is on steady when the Serial Adapter is using
a value for Station Type, Domain, or both which was
configured from within the software interface. When
this LED is on, the Serial Adapter is not using the
Station/Master and/or Domain value(s) set by the rotary
switches.
❑ The green LED, to the left of the serial interface, is
reserved for future use.
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