Product manual

XStream-PKG-E™ Ethernet RF Modem – Product Manual v4.2A

Testing Communications

When testing a wireless link, MaxStream suggests creating the link using the following

components:

• XStream-PKG-E Ethernet RF Modem (connected to a local network)

• XStream-PKG-R RS-232/485 RF Modem (w/ loopback adapter)

• PC (connected to a local network)

• Peripherals (Loopback adapter, CAT5 UTP cable, power supplies and RPSMA antennas)

Hardware Setup for Loopback Test:

1. Connect the XStream-PKG-E (Ethernet) RF Modem and a PC to active Ethernet ports of

the same local network using CAT5 cables (included w/ PKG-EA accessories package).

2. Attach the serial loopback adapter to the DB-9 serial connector of the XStream-PKG-R

(RS-232) RF Modem. The serial loopback adapter configures the PKG-R RF Modem to

function as a repeater by looping serial data back into the modem for retransmission.

3. Configure the PKG-R (RS-232) RF Modem for RS-232 operation using

the built-in DIP Switch. Dip Switch 1 should be ON (up) and the

remaining switches should be OFF (down).

4. Attach RPSMA antennas to both RF Modems.

5. Power both RF Modems with power supplies (included w/ accessories package).

Figure 8. Hardware Setup for Testing a Wireless Link

X-CTU Loopback Test (recommended)

Test a Wireless Link (X-CTU Method):

1. Follow steps in the “XStream-PKG-E Ethernet RF Modem Discovery” section [page 8].

2. Setup hardware as shown in the “Hardware Setup” steps above [Figure 8].

3. Select the “PC Settings” tab of the X-CTU Software; then highlight the Com Port that is

forwarded to the PKG-E (Ethernet) RF Modem.

Æ Make sure PC com port settings (Baud rate, Parity, etc.) on the “PC Settings” tab

match those of the Ethernet RF Modem.

4. Select the “Terminal” tab of the X-CTU Software.

5. Begin typing characters into the terminal window.

Æ Characters typed in the terminal should be echoed back to the screen [Figure 9]. Sent

characters appear in blue and received characters in red. With each character typed, the

‘Data Out’ and ‘Data In’ LEDs should flash briefly on each of the RF Modems.

Æ To double-check the Wireless link, turn off the power going to the remote PKG-R (RS-

232) RF Modem and leave the PKG-E Modem turned on. Type characters into the

Terminal Window and note that characters are not echoed back.

Figure 9. Terminal Tab of MaxStream’s X-CTU Software