User`s guide

100-8006-152G AirborneDirect™ Serial Bridge User’s Guide Page 1
Quatech, Inc. Confidential
This guide describes the AirborneDirect™ Serial Bridge from Quatech, Inc. AirborneDirect™ is
a fully integrated, 802.11 wireless Local Area Network (LAN) bridge designed to provide
wireless LAN and Internet connectivity in industrial, scientific, medical, and transportation
applications where an existing communications interface already exists. Examples of
applications for which the AirborneDirect™ Serial Bridge is well-suited include:
 Point-of-sale devices.
 Medical equipment.
 Manufacturing machinery.
 Bar-code readers.
 Time clocks.
 Scales.
 Data-collection devices.
 Vehicle Diagnostics.
 Telematics.
The AirborneDirect™ Serial Bridge provides true plug-and-play wireless connectivity right out of
the box, with minimal configuration. It delivers convenient, easy-to-deploy wireless network
connectivity for your productivity and application-critical devices. At the same time, you can
move equipment without the cost and time associated with wired network drops, providing
flexibility for seasonal requirements, line and staffing changes, and more.
The AirborneDirect™ Serial Bridge provides a bridge between the 802.11 wireless LAN and
three leading serial interfaces: RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485. The Bridge acts transparently
between any device using these interfaces and a wireless LAN. Using a virtual communications
port device driver or Dynamic Link Library (DLL), OEMs can communicate with their devices
from any workstation on the same network as if the workstation and devices were directly
attached.
The AirborneDirect™ Serial Bridge opens the world of remote device monitoring and
management, as well as wide-area data collection, to any device, machine, or plant that has an
external serial connection and a network infrastructure. The development kit provides quick and
easy access to the Bridge’s configuration and functions, while providing OEMs with a platform to
develop their branded solutions. The Bridge also provides the capability to perform firmware
upgrades that allow new features to be added quickly and easily, protecting your investment.
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION