Solvline Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper User Manual

Serial to LAN Embedded Module

White Paper

English ver 1.1

Mar 4, 2009

th

16

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© 2007 SystemBase Co., Ltd.

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Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper

Overview

In the field of device networking, serial to LAN embedded modules have been playing a huge role in
providing network connectivity for serial devices. A serial to Lan embedded module connects individual
serial device to the network, working as a serial to LAN converter. It is composed of at least one LAN
port and one or more serial ports, so that serial devices can be connected to the serial to LAN
embedded module using their serial ports, and eventually can be connected to LAN with a single LAN
cable. Devices attached to the serial to LAN embedded module operate as if they were connected to
LAN directly, yet using serial communication internally. With the help of the serial to LAN embedded
module, devices are logically and indirectly, rather th an physically and directly, linked to the target
machine through LAN connection. Consequently, more effective and dynamic tasks can be performed.

There are many kinds of device servers available in the market, and they are slightly different in
features including extended temperature, serial port isolation, power requirement, etc. These could
be considered rather minor advancements, compared to the recent major trends in serial to LAN
embedded modules: wireless and embedded. With wireless serial to LAN embedded modules, now
serial devices can transfer data over the wireless network. Mobility can be significantly increased with
wireless products. With serial to LAN embedded module, device manufacturers can network-enable
their products in a built-in style. In a customized and an easier way, serial to LAN embedded modules
internally serve as device server , without an additional external device server.

This white paper focuses on the background of serial to LAN embedded module, key factors of
selecting a serial to LAN embedded module, SystemBase’s serial to LAN embedded module, Eddy and
its applications.

Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper

Serial to LAN Embedded Module

Nowadays, vast majority of electronic devices require data transfer over the network. They send,
receive, and share data with embedded network interface. In order to implement network interface
inside these devices, designers had to build the feature from scratch. This often led to delay in time­to-market, and engineers occasionally fell into trouble with hardware and software design issues.
Serial to LAN embedded modules provide device designers/engineers with an easy network-enabling
solution, helping them to concentrate on other design aspects. With serial to LAN embedded modules,
network interface can be simply added to the target device in a reliable, fast, and cost-effective
manner.

What are key factors in choosing the best serial to LAN embedded module?

System Integration

How easy it is to integrate the serial to LAN embedded module with user’s hardware and software
environment ? How can the serial to LAN embedded module be connected? By what kind of pins and
connectors ? How are the serial and LAN interface outputs provided? Are software / hardware manuals
and documents thorough and fully described ?

Customization

How much can the serial to LAN embedded module be modified to reflect user’s customized
environment ? SDK (Software Development Kit)/API (Application Programming Interface) can be helpful
for programmers.

Size

Since the serial to LAN embedded module is not a stand-alone device and therefore should be
embedded in another hardware case, size can be a major concern. Also, the shape and connection
options should not conflict with user’s hardware design.

Price

Since major customers for the serial to Ethernet embedded module is serial to LAN emb edded module
distributors and industrial device manufacturers, not end users, price does matter and volume pricing
can be effective.

Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper

Eddy™

Eddy is a programmable serial to LAN embedded module that users can easily modify to their own
requirements. Eddy has been designed to maximize user’s integration and customization needs.

Can Upload & Execute your own programmed applications.

Eddy is distinguished with other serial to LAN embedded module in that it can upload and execute
customized user applications. SDK (Software Development Kit), API (Application Programming
Interface) and an integrated development environment, LemonIDE is provided, enabling developers to
program their own socket/serial communication applications with least amount of effort.

Eddy Software Architecture

Powerful Specs

Tired of constraints on your serial to LAN embedded module ’s 8-bit CPU and 256KB memory ? Eddy
provides a simple and complete relief to these concerns by adopting a 32-bit ARM9 CPU with 180MHz
clock, 4MB Flash memory, and 32MB SDRAM. Y our applications can be large in size and will run faster, in
a more stable manner under the real time embedded Linux operating system, Lemonix. And all this
comes in a small sized board of 55mm * 38mm that would fit into just about any hardware.

Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper

Device Connectivity Management

As a qualified serial to LAN embedded module, Eddy receives RS232 or RS422/485 signals from
connected devices and transmits them to the network, and vice versa. Maximum serial communication
speed can reach up to 921.6Kbps, providing a fast and a stable data transmission. Various network
protocols are supported, including TCP, UDP, Telnet, ICMP, DHCP, TFTP, HTTP, and PPP providing wider
communication flexibility. World’s standard network management protocol SNMP (Simple Network
Management Protocol) 1 and 2 are also supported, providing a complete control of your device.

Configuration

There are many factors that determine the serial to LAN embedded module’s environment, and Eddy
offers you easy but in-depth configuration selections. The settings include serial communication,
network, security, management, and other advanced settings. You can configure settings through web
or telnet. When configuring by web, you can just use your web browser to access your Eddy and easy
web interface will guide you through options. You can also access Eddy via telnet, and use preset
commands to apply changes.

Real Time Linux, Lemonix™

Lemonix is a real-time Linux system built on Linux kernel 2.6.x. Standard Linux kernel 2.6.x has been
revised to support Real Time capability while retaining the stable traits and merits of Linux kernel

2.6.x. Real time scheduler, preemptive kernel and lock-break methods have been implemented on
Lemonix to guarantee a maximum response latency of under 37us enabling a stable and reliable means
of real time communication. And to provide a complete compatibility with LemonIDE, Eclipse based
IDE, an easy debugging and remote control for the target agent system has been implemented. Also,
MMU (Memory Management Unit) is supported, enabling developers to explore and compile Linux Open
Sources on Eddy without constraints.

Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper

Kernel Base

Real-Time

OS Type

SystemBase

Lemonix

Linux 2.6 Linux 2.6 Evolution Linux 2.6

Yes N o Yes No

Linux Linux - uClinux

Real-Time OS Support Comparison

Embedded Linux 4

Digi

Lantronix

Evolution OS

MOXA

Preemptive Kernel Support

Lemonix’ s distinctive lock mechanism provides preemptive kernel with improved task structure.

Real Time Support

Under 37us of Response Latency Rate is guaranteed by applying Lock Break Methods in kernel’s l ong
spinlock regions enabling task’ s preemption.

Eclipse based IDE Support

LemonIDE, a GUI IDE built on Eclipse platform with remote debugging & monitoring features, is
available for an easier & faster implementation of the target system.

Windows Compatibility

Linux Compatibility

Tec h S e rv i ce

SystemBase

LemonIDE

2008. 03 Yes Yes No

Yes Ye s Yes No

Included in Dev Kit Fee

No running Royalty

IDE Support Comparison

Digi
ESP

Charged

Lantronix MOXA

Charged

Compiler sold

separately.

Charged

POSIX Compatibility

Compatible with standard Linux Kernel. C/C++ codes programmed on standard Linux can be reused
with Lemonix.

Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper

COM Port Redirector

COM Port Redirector is an automatic serial
/LAN conversion driver program. COM Port
Redirector enables a user to use Eddy’s
serial port that is connected through network
as if they were COM ports in the user ’s PC.
All previous serial communication programs
can be used without any modification, like a
socket conversion program.
COM Port Redirector displays a very high
performance and expansion compared to
other conversion software.

Support

Max Ports

Cost

SystemBase

COM Port Redirector

Yes N o Ye s N o

256 - 256 -

Free $127 (4 users) -

COM Port Redirector Support Comparison

Digi

Lantronix

Secure COM Port

Redirector

MOXA

PortView™

PortView is a real-time communication
status-monitoring program for SystemBase
serial to Ethernet embedded modules which
runs on Windows environment.
Communication status and all input/output
data through each serial port can be
monitored from the remote site for multiple
numbers of serial to Ethernet embedded
module s using PortV iew.
Malfunctioned device can be remotely
diagnosed and cured. Serial data can also be
saved to a file, for debugging purposes.

SystemBase

PortView

Digi Lantronix

MOXA

Network Enabler Admin

Support

Features

NMS, N/W configuration

Port status monitoring,

Yes No No Yes

- -

NMS, N/W configuration

Port status monitoring,

Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper

Scope, Traffic counter

Scope, Traffic counter

Cost

Communication/Port Status Monitoring Program Support Comparison

Free - Free

Tes t Vie w ™

TestView is a Windows based test program
that SystemBase uses to test and evaluate
communication performance and stability of
SystemBase’s Serial Multiports, Device
servers and Embedded Modules.
Burning tests can be applied to device’s
serial ports and device’s socket ports in
TCP/UDP server & client mode. Objective
evaluation data can be drawn to gauge
devices stability.

Support

Features

Th ro ug hp ut Tes t, Ag in g Te st

Cost

SystemBase

Tes tVi ew

Yes No No No

Serial, UDP, TCP

Communication Test,

Free - -

Performance Evaluation Program Support Comparison

Eddy DK: the Development Kit

Eddy Development Kit helps developers test their
own applications and evaluate Eddy modules easily.
Evaluation board itself is a guideline for integrated
hardware design with Eddy module mounted. With
LED displays on Power, Ready, communication
interface, GPIO, and serial line status, engineers

Digi Lantronix MOXA

- - -

can easily recognize the operation status of the
module. LemonIDE, SDK, API, sample codes,
documentation, and tools are included to
accelerate integration and customization process.

Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper

LemonIDE™

LemonIDE is an integrated development environment (IDE) for Eddy modules. Built on open source
Eclipse framework, LemonIDE provides an easy & effective GUI (Graphical User Interface) for
application and firmware developments that runs on SystemBase’s embedded real time Linux,
Lemonix.

LemonIDE encompasses GNU C/C++ Compiler, Source Code Editor and Debugger delivering a one-stop
development environmnet to embedded developers relieving inconveniences of preexisting TUI(Text
User Interface). Commands for compiler and debugger no longer needed to be memorized and
punched in as LemonIDE’s common GUI provides conveniences of simple mouse click execution.
LemonIDE is also equipped with remote development & engineering capabilites, which provides a
convenient distance-free development enviromnemt to Eddy developers

Make File Auto Creation, Auto Source Code Completion, Remote Debugging, Plug-in Support and T arget
System Monitoring features of LemonIDE allows developers to concentrate solely on their programs
radically enhancing embedded software productivity. Project creation Æ Source code edit & build Æ
Remote debugging Æ Remote monitoring can be all carried out within LemonIDE. LemonIDE is a part of
Eddy Development Kit and is not sold separately.

IDE Feature Comparison

Provider SystemBase Digi Lantronix MOXA

IDE LemonIDE ESP Evolution-OS-SDK None

Basic Framework Eclipse Eclipse Command line Command line

Project Management Ο Ο

Compiler GNU C/C++ GNU C/C++

Makefile Auto Creation Ο Ο X X

Syntax Highlighting Ο Ο X X

Code Auto Completion Ο Ο X X

Source Browsing Ο Ο X X

Remote Control Ο X X X

Remote Build X X X X

App Auto Execution Ο Ο X X

ㅡ
ㅡ

X

uClibc

Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper

Debugger Gdb gdb

Multi-Thread Debugging Ο Ο

Multi-core Debugging X X X X
JTAG Device Support X X X X

Remote Debugging Ο Ο

Target System Monitoring

Unit Performance Test X Ο

Tool Chain Ο Ο Ο Ο

Kernel customize X X Ο X

File System customize X X

Remote Shell, Telnet Ο Ο

plug-in support Ο Ο

Host OS

Tar ge t O S Lemonix NET+OS Evolution OS ucLinux

Ο Ο

Linux

Windows

Window

Linux

ㅡ
ㅡ

ㅡ
ㅡ
ㅡ

ㅡ
ㅡ
ㅡ

Linux Linux

Applications

X
X

X
X
X

X
X
X

Factory / Industrial Automation

PLC, Robot arms, Human-Machine Interface, Warehouse rails
Medical instruments, Inspection equipment controllers

Alarming units

Home Appliances / Electronic Devices

Power controller, Gaming machines
Scales, Gas detection units, Water & pollution metering devices
Data collection and distribution units

Serial to LAN Embedded Module White Paper

Financial / Building Automation

Card readers, Barcode scanners, KIOSKs, Point-Of-Sale related devices
Serial printers, Cash registers, Credit card authorization terminals
Biometric detection units, Security devices

OEM Embedded Module Distributors

OEM embedded module with distributor’s own case & brand
Ready-to-go device or customized application / setup mode can be inserted
Customized Web interface supported