Synapse Stick USB, SNAP Stick User Manual

SNAP Stick

User Guide

Wireless Technology to Control and
Monitor Anything from Anywhere ™

Synapse Wireless, Inc.

500 Discovery Drive

Huntsville, Alabama 35806

256.852.7888

www.synapse-wireless.com

Document Number SSPrelim-01C

SNAP Stick User Guide

conditions: (1) Th es e devices may not cause h ar mful interference, and

256.852.7888

Copyright © 2011 Synapse Wireless, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

All Synapse products are patent pending.

Synapse logo, SNAP, and Portal are all registered trademarks of

Synapse Wireless, Inc.

500 Discovery Drive

Huntsville, Alabama 35806

These devices comply with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two
(2) These devices must accept any interference receiv ed, including interference that
may cause harmful operat ion.

Please refer to the full FCC and IC statements found in the appendix at the end of
this user guide.

SNAP Stick User Guide

About Your SNAP Stick USB
Wireless Adapter

SNAP Stick USB (SS200-001)

The SNAP Stick USB device is used to enable a PC to communicate with local SNAP
nodes.

This device, based on the ATMEL ATmega128RFA1 hardware, is a USB dongle, about the

size of a thumb drive. It is designed to act as a bridge between Synapse’s management

tool, called Portal, or Synapse’s Internet connection

capability, called SNAP Connect, and your other SNAP

nodes.

Because it is based on the ATmega128RFA1, the SS200

has the same capabilities as the underlying hardware,

relating to sleep options and radio rates as discussed in-depth in the SNAP Reference

Manual.

The USB dongle form factor means that only one UART is available on the SS200. UART1

connects through the USB port. If you change the default UART (NV Parameter 12) to 0,

you will not be able to communicate directly with the device, and will have to either use

Portal to reset the device to Factory Default Parameters (NV Params) or use a different

SNAP Device as a bridge and reset the default UART over the air.

Also because of the form factor, you do not have normal access to the GPIO pins on the

SS200. The device was designed to primarily act as a bridge device. The only feedback

available from the device comes in the form of a tri-color LED, controlled by pins 5 and

6, as shown in the following diagram:

SNAP Stick User Guide 1

LED State Pin 5 Pin 6

Off High (True) High (True)

Red Low (False) High (True)

Green High (True) Low (False)

Amber Low (False) Low (False)

The SS200 includes an internal power amplifier. It also has a 32 kHz crystal, so for most

efficient sleep state, you should use sleep mode 1. Note that there is no way to trigger

an external wakeup signal to the device, so you should be careful to only use timed

sleep.

SNAP Stick User Guide 2

Troubleshooting

C

In the realm of wireless co mmunications, many factors can affect reliable data communications. This section
lists a number of known factors and possible remedies.

If your question is not adequately answered here, visit the SNAP support forum on the Synapse Wireless
website where you can post a question and interact with other SNAP users. The SNAP Support forum can be
accessed at:

forums.synapse-wireless.com/forumdisplay.php?f=11

Signal Strength Problems

SNAP Sticks should communicate well when placed in near proximity of other SNAP nodes. However, they
may not communicate well when moved farther apart which may introduce inter ference with other devices or
obstacles such as metal walls . You can make several adj ustments to remedy this sit uation:

‣ Try orienting the antenna of the other SNAP nodes into different positions. Since antennas work best

when they are in the same spacial plane, essentially parallel to one another without being directly
above or below each other, try to position the antennas of all your SNAP devices in the same
orientation.

‣ There could be other interference problems in your vicinity such as large metal objects, dense fol iage,

and other objects that prevent signal transmission or attenuation (signal loss). Microwave ovens can
cause interference problems. Try moving the units physically to another usable location to see if
signal strength improves.

‣ Try changing the channel of each device. There are 16 sep ar ate channels (0 – 15) spread within the

2.4GHz frequency. Various other 2.4GHz devices, such as cordless phones and WiFi routers, may be
flooding one channel, but not another one.

‣ Refer to the Advanced Management section fo r r eference to the Synapse Por tal® software. This

software contains a Channel Analyzer tool th at can help you determine which channel has the least
traffic interference.

Poor Performance

If you believe your SNAP stick is not performing adequately, this could be caused by a number of factors,
such as:

‣ Poor signal strength – try adjusting the antennas as descri bed above.
‣ Premature sending of packets, holding on to packets for too long, or just dropped packets – try

optimizing the UART parameters for your particular application. Review the UART parameters
discussed in the SNAP R eference manual.

SNAP Stick User Guide 3

Regulatory Information and Certifications

RF exposure statement

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This
equipment may operate in direct contact with the body of the user under normal operating conditions. This
transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

FCC certifications and regulatory information (USA only)

FCC PART 15 CLASS B

These devices comply with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) These devices may not cause harmful interference, and (2) These devices must accept any interfe r ence
received, including i nterference that may cause harmful operation.

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE (RFI) (FCC 15.105)

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, an d 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 n ot 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 t he 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 tech nician for help.

Modifications (FCC 15.21)

Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by Synapse Wireless, Inc. may void the
user’s authority to operate this equipment.

SNAP Stick User Guide 4

Declaration of Conformity

(In accordance with F C C 96-208 and 95-19)
Manufacturer’s Name: Synapse Wireless, Inc.

Headquarters: 500 Discovery Drive
Huntsville, Al 35806

Synapse Wireless, Inc. declares that the products:
Product Name

SNAP Stick USB SS200-001

To which this declaration relates, meet the requi rements specified by the Federal Communications
Commission as detailed in the following specifications:

‣ Part 15, Subpart B, for Class B equipment
‣ FCC 96-208 as it applies to Class B personal computers and peripherals

The products listed above have been tested at an External Test Laboratory certified per FCC rules and has
been found to meet the FCC, Part 15, Emission Limits. Documentation is on file and available from
Synapse Wireless, Inc.

Model Number

SNAP Stick User Guide 5

Industry Canada (IC) certifications

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital
apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of
Communications.

Le present appareil numerique n’emet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numeriques de la class B prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le ministère des Communications du Canada.

Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio transmitter may only operate using an antenna of a
type and maximum (or lesser) gain approved for the transmitter by Industry Canada. To reduce
potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that
the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that necessary for successful
communication.

Conformément à la réglementation d'Industrie Canada, le présent émetteur radio peut
fonctionner avec une antenne d'un type et d'un gain maximal (ou inférieur) approuvé pour
l'émetteur par Industrie Canada. Dans le but de réduire les risques de brouillage
radioélectrique à l'intention des autres utilisateurs, il faut choisir le type d'antenne et son gain
de sorte que la puissance isotrope rayonnée équivalente (p.i.r.e.) ne dépasse pas l'intensité
nécessaire à l'établissement d'une com m unic atio n sati sfai sa nte.

This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio
exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l'appareil
ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage
radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le
fonctionnement.

SNAP Stick User Guide 6