Sony PCWA-DE50 User Manual

4-669-393-11(1)

5GHz
Wireless LAN Converter

Read This First

PCWA-DE50

Sony Corporation  2003 Printed in Japan

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
expose the unit to rain or moisture.

To avoid electrical shock, do not open the
cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified
personnel only.

Owner’s Record

The model and serial numbers are located on the
back of the product. Record the serial number in the
space provided below. Refer to them whenever you
call your Sony dealer regarding this product.

Model No. PCWA-DE50
Serial No.______________

CAUTION

You are cautioned that any changes or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your warranty.

Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation.
The radiated output power of the Wireless LAN
Converter is far below the FCC radio frequency
exposure limits.
Nevertheless, the Wireless LAN Converter shall be
used in such a manner that the potential for human
contact during normal operation is minimized.

FCC Radio-Frequency Exposure Statement

This equipment generates and radiates radio­frequency energy. In order to comply with FCC
radio-frequency radiation exposure guidelines for
an uncontrolled environment, this equipment has to
be installed and operated while maintaining a
minimum body to antenna distance of 20 cm. Based
on continuous exposure of 30 minutes.
Users are not permitted to make changes or modify
the system in any way.

NOTE:

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 or communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and

on, you are 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 receiver.

– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a

circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.

– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV

technician for help.

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications
not expressly approved in this manual could void
your authority to operate this equipment.
If you have questions about this product, call the
Sony Customer Information Center at
1-877-760-7669; or write to the Sony Customer
Information Center at 12451 Gateway Boulevard,
Fort Myers, FL 33913. The number below is for
FCC-related matters only.
This device must not be co-located or operating in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: Sony
Model No: PCWA-DE50
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 680 Kinderkamack Road,

Oradell, NJ 07649 USA
Telephone: [phone]
This phone number is for FCC-related matters
only.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

The supplied interface cable must be used with the
equipment in order to comply with the limits for a
digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of
FCC Rules.

NOTE:

The power outlet should be installed near the
equipment and should be easily accessible.

Safety Information

WARNING

• Opening the unit, for whatever reason, could lead
to damage that is not covered by the warranty.

• Do not touch the device or accessories during
thunderstorms. Electrical shock could result.

• This device is made for use in the USA only.

• For indoor use only.

• Do not use this equipment on hospital premises.
Doing so may cause medical devices to
malfunction.

• Do not use this equipment in an aircraft, as doing
so could cause the aircraft's equipment to
malfunction.

• While using the Wireless LAN Converter, do not
cover it or turn it on its side. Do not cover the
Wireless LAN Converter with objects such as
magazines or newspapers or use it in confined,
enclosed places, such as the spaces between
walls and furniture. Furthermore, do not turn the
Wireless LAN Converter on its side while using
it. Either situation could cause heat to build up
inside the Wireless LAN Converter, leading to
overheating and possible fire.

• Carefully place the Ethernet cable. Personal
injury or damage to the Wireless LAN Converter
could result from people tripping over the
Ethernet cable, Wireless Unit cable, Power Unit,
or power cord. Protect wiring by locating it in
places where people do not walk.

• Do not swing the Wireless LAN Converter.
Injury could result if the adapter strikes a person
or fragile material, such as glass.

• Keep the Wireless LAN Converter out of the
reach of children. Unforeseeable injury could
result from swallowing loose parts, etc.

• Place the Wireless LAN Converter on a stable
surface. Do not place the Wireless LAN
Converter on wobbly or tilted surfaces. Tipping
or falling could result in injury.

• When using wall mounting, make sure that the
wall is strong enough to support the Wireless
Unit. The Wireless Unit could fall if the wall is
not strong enough, leading to unforeseeable
accidents. Further, be careful not to drop the unit
or the tools used for mounting it. Doing so could
result in unforeseeable accidents.

• Avoid locations that are directly exposed to
sunlight or heaters.

Internal overheating could result in fire or
damage to the unit.

• Make sure connectors are properly connected.
– Do not insert any metallic objects inside the

connectors. Short-circuiting the pins could
cause fire or damage to the unit.

– Be careful to insert connectors squarely.

Crooked insertion could cause pins to short­circuit, possibly causing fire or damage to the
unit.

• Use only the supplied Power Unit with your Sony
Wireless LAN Converter. To disconnect your
Wireless LAN Converter from the power supply,
unplug the Power Unit.

• ISDN and telephone lines cannot be connected to
the Wireless Unit connector and/or NETWORK
connector of the Power Unit.
If the Power Unit is connected to the network or
telephone lines mentioned below, high electric
current to the connectors may cause damage,
overheating or fire. Connecting to home or
business-use telephone lines is strictly prohibited.
– Telephone lines

– PBX (private branch exchange)
– Home or business-use telephone lines
– Lines other than those mentioned above.

• Do not connect the Wireless LAN Converter to a
hub as this affects the correct operation of the
Converter.

Getting help

This section describes how to get help and support
from Sony, as well as troubleshooting tips for your
Wireless LAN Converter.

About Sony’s Support
Options

Sony provides several support options for your
Wireless LAN Converter.

❒ Read This First (this manual) contains

important information that you should read
before using the Wireless LAN Converter.

❒ Quick Start Guide explains how to install the

Wireless LAN Converter.

❒ Troubleshooting Guide provides solutions to

the most common problems users have with their
Wireless LAN Converter.

❒ Online Help for the Wireless LAN

Converter Setup Page explains how to

configure the Wireless LAN Converter.

❒ PCWA-DE50 Setup Utility Online Help

explains how to access to the setup screen of the
Wireless LAN Converter.

Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Co., Ltd.

❒ Access Point Scan Utility Online Help

explains how to scan the Access Point.

❒ The Sony Wireless LAN Converter

support Web site
http://www.sony.com/wirelesslansupport

provides the latest information on your Wireless
LAN Converter.

❒ The Sony e-mail support service answers

your questions by electronic mail. Just send your
question in an e-mail message and a customer
service representative will reply. To send a
question to Sony e-mail support, fill out the e­mail form at http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/

support/pc/email.html.

❒ The Sony fax-back service provides you with

answers to commonly asked questions. You can
use this automated service to request a list of
available topics, and then select the topics you
want to receive. To contact the Sony fax-back
service, call 1-877-760-7669.

❒ The Sony Customer Information Services

Center offers information about your Wireless

LAN Converter, Wireless LAN PC Card, and
other Sony products that work with your
computer. To contact the Sony Customer
Information Services Center, call 1-877-760-

7669. Open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

Printed on 100% recycled paper using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil
based ink.

Continued on next page

Names of parts and functions

6

Precautions

Specifications

Wireless Unit

Front panel Rear panel (With rear panel removed)

1

3245

7

Power Unit

8

1 STATUS indicator

Shows the operation status of the Wireless LAN Converter.

Indicator color and lighting pattern Status

White flashing (approx. 9 sec. lit, 1 sec. out) Wireless network connection status:

White flashing (approx. 5 sec. lit, 1 sec. out) Wireless network connection status:

White flashing (approx. 2 sec. lit, 1 sec. out) Wireless network connection status:

White flashing (approx. 1 sec. lit, 9 sec. out) Nothing connected to the NETWORK connector or

White flashing (approx. 0.4 sec. intervals) Startup in progress

Pink lit Communicating in Peer to Peer Network connection

Red flashing (approx. 3 sec. intervals) Search for wireless network in progress

Red flashing (approx. 0.4 sec. intervals) • Unit is ready for reset

09

Good (strong signal)

Fair (medium signal)

Poor (weak signal)

connected devices off.

Wait until startup is completed.

mode

Communication is not yet possible because connection
is not established. If this condition continues for a long
time, check the settings of the Wireless LAN
Converter and the connection target (5GHz Wireless
LAN Access Point, etc.).

Reset switch is being pressed and unit is now ready
for reset. Release reset switch. Wireless LAN
Converter restarts automatically, and all settings
revert to factory defaults.

• Firmware update in progress
Firmware is being updated. Never turn power off in
this condition.

Power Unit

Use only the supplied Power Unit and power cord.
Other AC adapters may damage in the Wireless
LAN Converter.

Safety

Do not drop the Wireless LAN Converter. Careful
handling will help prevent damage.

Installation

Do not place the Wireless LAN Converter where it
will be exposed to the following conditions:

• Unstable surfaces.

• High humidity or poor ventilation.

• Excessive dust.

• Direct sunlight or extreme heat.

• Closed cars.

• Magnetic fields (near magnets, speakers, or
televisions).

• Frequent vibration.

• Locations where the transmission of radio
waves may be obstructed by metal plates or
concrete walls.

Operation

Exposure to rapid changes in temperature or very
damp environments may cause moisture to
condense on internal parts. This may prevent the
Wireless LAN Converter from operating properly.
If this should happen, unplug the Power Unit from
the power outlet and allow the Wireless LAN
Converter to dry for two to three hours or until the
moisture evaporates.

Cleaning

Clean the casing with a soft cloth lightly moistened
with water or a mild detergent solution. Do not use
any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder, or
solvent such as alcohol or benzene. This may
damage the finish of the casing.

Power

AC100 - 240 V, 50/60 Hz
(The power cord plug is for use with AC 120 V.)

Power consumption

Approx. 5 W

Interface

100BASE-TX/10BASE-T (RJ-45) (automatic
MDI/MDI-X detection)

Maximum external dimensions

Wireless Unit: approx. 3.9 × 3.9 × 1.3 inches (w/h/d)

(approx. 98 × 98 × 33 mm)

Power Unit: approx. 4.4 × 1.0 × 2.8 inches (w/h/d)

(approx. 110 × 25 × 70 mm )

Mass

Wireless Unit: approx. 11 oz. (approx. 310 g)

(incl. connection cable)

Power Unit: approx. 4.6 oz. (approx. 130 g)

Maximum connection distance

Line of sight approx. 328 feet (100 m)
(The maximum connection distance depends on the
environment.)

Protocol support

TCP/IP

Standard

IEEE 802.11a (wireless connection)
IEEE 802.3 (wired connection)

Radio frequency

5.15 - 5.35 GHz

WEP (Data encryption)

64 bits/128 bits

Modulation method

OFDM (IEEE 802.11a compliant)

Operating temperature

41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C) (no condensation)

Storage temperature

–4°F to 140°F (–20°C to 60°C) (no condensation)

Supplied accessories

• Wireless Unit

• Power Unit

• Power cord

• CD-ROM (Setup disc)

• Read This First (this manual)

• Quick Start Guide

• Troubleshooting Guide

• Limited Warranty
Design and specifications are subject to change

without notice.

2 Reset switch

Serves to return the Wireless LAN Converter to the factory default condition. For details, refer to the
separate Quick Start Guide or Online Help.

3 LINK/ACT indicator

Lights up when a link has been established through the NETWORK connector 0. While data are being
exchanged, the indicator flashes.

4 Wireless Unit cable

Connect to the Wireless Unit connector 9 on the Power Unit.

5 Rear cover

Remove this cover when wishing to mount the Wireless Unit on a wall, and when wishing to check the
MAC address of the Wireless LAN Converter.

6 Wall mounting holes

Used for mounting the Wireless Unit on a wall. For details, refer to the separate Quick Start Guide.

7 MAC address label

This label shows the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the Wireless LAN Converter.

z Hint

MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to each Ethernet-compatible device. Because a different MAC
address is specified for each device, no two devices have the same MAC address. Further, users cannot change
MAC addresses.

8 AC 100-240 jack

Connect the power cord here.

9 Wireless Unit connector

The Wireless Unit cable 4 is to be connected here.

0 NETWORK connector

Use an Ethernet cable to link this connector to a computer or another device with an Ethernet connector.

z Hint

You can use an Ethernet cable with straight-through or crossover wiring.