CL4424 Industrial 2.4GHz ConnexLink User’s Manual Version 1.1 11160 THOMPSON AVENUE LENEXA, KS 66215 (800) 492-2320 www.aerocomm.com sales@aerocomm.
Document Information Copyright Information Copyright © 2005 AEROCOMM, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained in this manual and the accompanying software programs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved by AEROCOMM, Inc. AEROCOMM, Inc. reserves the right to make periodic modifications of this product without obligation to notify any person or entity of such revision.
FCC Information FCC Notice WARNING: 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.
Table of Contents USER’S MANUAL ........................................................................................... 1 1. CL4424 RF TRANSCEIVER................................................................................... 5 1.1 1.2 1.3 2. INTERFACING PROTOCOL .............................................................................. 10 2.1 2.2 2.3 3. RS-232...............................................................................................................
CL4424 User’s Manual 1. CL4424 RF Transceiver The CL4424 transceiver is a Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) radio designed for license-free operation in the 2.4GHz ISM band. Out-of-the box, the radio sustains a standard asynchronous serial data stream between two or more radios. Housed in a compact and rugged die-cast enclosure, the radio is equipped to replace thousands of meters of serial cable with its wireless link.
CL4424 User’s Manual 1.2 CL4424 Specification Specifications CL4424 TRANSCEIVER PERFORMANCE Output power (w/ 3dBi antenna) 100mW Transmission range Up to 500 feet (450m) indoors; Up to 1 mile (1.6 km) line-of-sight Data rate Up to 115.
CL4424 User’s Manual 1.3 CL4424 Interface CL4424 transceivers support RS-232/ RS-485 (2-wire Half Duplex) protocols. In a cabled environment, the RS-485 protocol can tolerate high noise and push signals over long cable lengths. RS-485 cabling can also communicate as far as 4000 feet (1200m) and offer multi-drop capability where up to 32 nodes can be connected. RS-232 cabling is suitable for distances less than 100 feet (30.5m) and only supports point-to-point communications.
CL4424 User’s Manual RS-232 Pin Assignments Figure 2- RS-232 CL4424 Back View DB9 Male Connector 1 Power Connector Pin Description 1 DCD 2 TxD 3 RxD 4 DSR 5 GND 6 DTR 7 CTS 8 RTS 9 RI 5 6 9 Input / Output O O I O I O I O RS-485 (2-wire Half Duplex) Terminal Block Pin Assignments Figure 3- RS-485 CL4424 Back View Terminal Block Power Connector 1 6 Pin 1 2 3 4 5 6 Description VCC (6 –18V)(125 mA max) 485- (485B) No Connect No Connect 485+ (485A) GND Note: Standard power is applied through the p
CL4424 User’s Manual CL4424 Mechanical Diagram Figure 4- CL4424 Mechanical Diagram 1.170 Antenna Connector SMA Jack, Reverse Polarity 0.538 0.536 0.060 0.000 Side View Label Recess, 3.5w x 2.0h 0.150 dia. mounting holes (4) places 2.750 2.375 2.000 J3 9 Pin Male D-Connector Tx Status LEDs J4 Pwr Link Rx Power Jack w/ 0.100 dia. pin and 0.250 opening, pin is PWR. 0.375 0.000 4.750 4.500 4.185 0.565 0.250 0.
CL4424 User’s Manual 2. Interfacing Protocol The CL4424 is a DCE (Data Communications Equipment). A DCE can be interfaced to a DTE using a straight through serial cable (the serial cable provided with the CL4424 is a straight through cable). Typically, PC’s are defined as a DTE and peripherals are defined as DCE. To interface a DCE with another DCE, or a DTE with another DTE, a null modem (or a Crossover) cable is required. The null modem simply swaps pins to convert a DCE to a DTE and vice-versa.
CL4424 User’s Manual 2.1 RS-232 RS-232 is a single ended data transmission protocol. The RS-232 signals are represented by voltage levels with respect to a system common (power / logic ground). The "idle" state (MARK) has the signal level negative with respect to common, and the "active" state (SPACE) has the signal level positive with respect to common. RS-232 has numerous handshaking lines (primarily used with modems), and also specifies a communications protocol.
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CL4424 User’s Manual Figure 7- DCE to DCE Interface CL4424 Modem OEM Host CTS CTS RTS RTS RXD TXD TXD RXD GND GND DCD NC NC DCD DSR DSR DTR DTR RI NC NC RI DCE DCE Crossover Cable Note: The Straight Through Cable provided with the CL4424 has female connectors on both ends and the Crossover cable has a male connector at one end and a female connector at the other end. Please use a male-to-male adapter or female-to-female adapter wherever required.
CL4424 User’s Manual 2.3 Hardware Flow Control Often, the host device can send data to the CL4424 faster than it can be sent over the RF. The CL4424 has a 256 byte buffer to store data before sending it over the RF. If the host device is sending data faster than the CL4424 can send it out, eventually, the buffer will fill up. If the host device continues to send data while the CL4424 buffer is full, that data will be discarded.
CL4424 User’s Manual 3. Network Topologies Topology refers to the shape of a network, or the network's layout. How different nodes in a network are connected to each other and how they communicate is determined by the network's topology. The CL4424s support a Point-to-Point and a Point-to-Multipoint network topology. 3.1 Point-to-Point A point-to-point system is a simple arrangement consisting of just two CL4424s - a Server and a Client.
CL4424 User’s Manual 4. CL4424 Configuration Utility Software AeroComm provides the easy to use CL4424 Utility Software for programming the CL4424. The software is compatible with Microsoft® Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, NT and XP. CL4424s are plug-and-play devices that work with minimal or no configuration. Advanced users may refer to the AC4424 User’s Manual for more details about the radio’s operation and additional configuration options. The SDK Software can be used to enable and demonstrate these options.
CL4424 User’s Manual 4.2.1 ConnexLink Settings Client/Server: Designates CL4424 type. In each network, there must be only one Server. All other CL4424 units must be programmed as Clients. The number of Clients in the network is not limited; however, if performance diminishes due to the number of CL4424s that need to access the network, consider additional RF Networks. Interface Baud Rate: This defines the baud rate used for communicating with the CL4424 over the serial interface.
CL4424 User’s Manual Destination Address: Programmed in the Point-to-Point Server, Destination Address is the MAC Address of the CL4424 Client. Used to optimize Point-to-Point communications by utilizing RF Acknowledgement. RF Delivery: Shows if the CL4424 is configured in Broadcast mode or Addressed mode. This is controlled by the System Config selection that was made when the CL4424 was configured. Firmware Version: Displays the CL4424’s firmware version. MAC Address: A unique 6 Byte, IEEE 802.
CL4424 User’s Manual 4.3 Programming The CL4424 units 1. Connect a CL4424 unit to the serial communications port on the PC. 2. Connect the power supply to the CL4424 unit. Make sure the Pwr LED is on. 3. Start the CL4424 Configuration Utility. 4. Select the COM Port that is connected to the CL4424 unit on the PC Settings section. 5. Select the Interface Baud Rate of the CL4424 unit.
CL4424 User’s Manual 5. Troubleshooting Problem Solution Read Radio displays error message: “Radio not responding.” 1. Verify the PC Settings. See Section 4.2.3 PC Settings. 2. Make sure the CL4424 unit uses the right serial cable. Refer to Section 2.1 RS-232. 3. If any other program is running and is using the same COM port as the CL4424, close that program and try to read the radio again. 4. Reset the radio by cycling power after each unsuccessful Read.
