HN-591 900MHz Desktop Wireless Modem User’s Guide
Important Regulatory Information Cirronet Product FCC ID: HSW-910M IC 4492A-910M Note: This unit has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 HopNet Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum Advantages ........................................ 1 HopNet Data Integrity................................................................................................... 1 Flexible Power Management........................................................................................ 1 Data Transmission .........
Recall Factory Defaults .......................................................................................... 28 Recall Memory ....................................................................................................... 28 Store Memory......................................................................................................... 28 Modem Command Summary ..................................................................................... 29 Typical HopNet Applications .............
HN-591 Introduction The HN-591 provides reliable wireless connectivity for either point-to-point or pointto-multipoint applications. The HN-591 is built around the WIT910 radio transceiver, which employs frequency hopping spread spectrum technology. This technology ensures: • Maximum resistance to noise • Maximum resistance to multipath fading • Robustness in the presence of interfering signals In addition, the HN-591 includes a rechargeable battery pack allowing 2+ hours of operation without mains power.
HN-591 Data Transmission The HN-591 can be used as either a base or as a remote. The HN-591 can usually transmit to 1000 feet indoors and in excess of 20 miles outdoors under ideal conditions. The automatic repeat requests (ARQ) and multinode protocol are transparent to the user equipment. User data rates of 115Kbps are supported with built-in CRC/ARQ error protocols. Data signals are EIA RS-232 standard for Data Communications Equipment (DCE) devices.
HN-591 Configuring the HN-591 Overview Introduction You can configure the HopNet network using the HNWizard software provided or a PC running a terminal emulation program. HNWizard is a software package that runs under Windows 98/NT/2000/XP. This chapter provides the information you need to configure your HN-591. The HN-591 is shipped from the factory initially configured as a remote with a 9600 baud rate.
HN-591 HopNet Configuration Wizard (HNWizard) Open the Wizard by double-clicking on the icon on the desktop. When the Wizard boots up, it will automatically detect the serial port to which the HopNet radio is connected and its baud rate. This process takes a few seconds to complete. During this process, the “Please wait” screen is displayed. Once the radio has been found and the Baudrate determined, the “Finished” screen is displayed. Click on the Continue button to enter the Wizard.
HN-591 When a parameter value is changed from the value currently in the HopNet radio, the parameter label and value will turn red and the Apply Settings button will appear. When the value is changed back to the value that is currently in the attached HopNet radio, the label and parameter value will return back to black. When new values are applied to the HopNet radio, the red values will turn black indicating the updated values in the radio.
HN-591 Parameters Tab The Wizard program opens the main screen with the Parameters Tab displayed. The parameters screen of the Wizard allows the following variables to be set; 1. Base or Remote 2. Point-to-Point or Multipoint 3. Baud rate 4. Network number 5. Lockout Key 6. Roaming Mode 7. Protocol Mode Depending on whether HopNet radio is configured as a Remote or Base when first connected, the heading on the Parameters page will display either “Remote Parameters” or “Base Parameters.
HN-591 Network Number This parameter is also known as Set Hopping Pattern. By using different network numbers or “hopping patterns”, nearby or co-located networks can avoid interfering with each other’s transmissions. BaudRate Sets the serial bit rate between the modem and the host. Lockout Key This parameter allows further network segregation beyond the network number. This feature allows multiple co-located networks in which global roaming is enabled.
HN-591 Roaming Mode This parameter allows remote radios to link to any base station or only link to specific base stations. Protocol Mode This parameter enables the base station to operate in a multipoint network. Depending on the user application, more or less acknowledgment may be desired by the application. Remotes can operate in transparent mode even though the base station is operating in one of the nontransparent modes.
HN-591 Default The Default button (shown above) returns all parameters to Factory settings. Network Tab Clicking on the Network tab will bring up a second configuration screen.
HN-591 Set Data Transmit Delay When used in conjunction with the minimum data length parameter, sets the amount of time from the receipt of a first byte of data from the host until the radio will transmit in transparent mode. Default is 0.0ms which causes transmission to occur without any delay. When a host is sending a group of data that needs to be sent together, setting this parameter will provide time for the group of data to be sent by the host before the radio transmits.
HN-591 Set Packet Retries If ARQ Mode is set to 0, it sets the number of times the radio will attempt to send an unsuccessful transmission before discarding it. If ARQ Mode is set to 1, it is the number of times every transmission will be sent, regardless of success or failure of a given attempt. When this parameter is set to 255, RF flow control mode is entered for transmissions from the radio. This mode can be entered for one or both radios in a point-to-point system.
HN-591 Protocol Tab The Protocol tab brings up the configuration screen above. On the next page are descriptions of the commands/parameters that are available for modification.
HN-591 Set the Frequency Operating Range by clicking on the drop-down menu and making a selection. ¹ Set Radio Power Setting up by clicking on a selection. ² Note: This list will change depending on which radio is being used. Set Redundant Transmit by selecting either ARQ enabled or ARQ disabled. Set Maximum Number of Remotes from1 to 62. Choose to have the Banner Display or not by selecting Banner disabled or Banner enabled.
HN-591 RF Tools Clicking on the RF Tools tab brings up a screen that allows the receive signal strength to be monitored and the link quality to be observed. Range Optimization may be grayed out on certain radios. NOTE: RF Tools only work on HopNet radios operating as remote radios. The radio must be linked with its base radio for the functions on this screen to work.
HN-591 Click on OK and the Select Connect Range screen will appear. Click on the estimated distance between radios and click OK. A bar will appear showing the progress of Range Optimization. Once the process has completed, the Range Optimization radio button will clear and the Done radio button will fill in indicating that adjustment factor has been applied.
HN-591 Receive Only and Bi-Directional Transmissions The Receive Only function displays the percentage success rate for receiving transmissions from the base. This is an indication of how well the remote HopNet radio “hears” the base. The Bi-Directional function provides a round-trip success rate. That is, the base must successfully receive data from the remote and the remote must successfully receive data from the base. In theory, this percentage should be the square of the Receive Only percentage.
HN-591 The bars will change color depending on the level of the signal received. The points at which they change color have been set in the .INI file, default setting for RSSIMarginal is -60 whereas the default setting for RSSIPoor is -80. Therefore any bars rising above the -60 level will display green. Conversely, any bars falling below -80 will display red. Bars at levels between these two points will display yellow. These points can be modified by editing the INIT.
HN-591 Saving Configurations Configuration settings that have been applied from the Wizard can be saved for future use. The Wizard prompts to save changes on initial boot-up, after changes have been applied and on exiting the Wizard if the changes have not previously been saved. The default filename for the configuration settings is “hn_xxxxxx.cfg” where xxxxxx is the serial number of the radio in the HopNet (This serial number is also on the outside of the radio).
HN-591 Serial Commands These commands affect the serial interface between the modem and the host. The default settings are 9600 bps and protocol mode 0. Command sd[?|02..FF] Description Set Data Rate Divisor Data Rate Divisor (hex) 2400 bps = 8F 9600 bps = 23 14400 bps = 17 19200 bps = 11 28800 bps = B 38400 bps = 8 57600 bps = 5 115200 bps = 2 sp[?|00..
HN-591 Set Protocol Mode Enables the base station to operate in a multipoint network. Depending on the user application, more or less acknowledgment may be desired by the application. Remotes can operate in transparent mode even though the base station is operating in one of the nontransparent modes. When using a protocol mode, make sure to count in packet overhead when calculating network performance. Refer to the section on Protocol Modes for details on each format.
HN-591 Network Commands Network commands are used to set up a HopNet network and to set radio addressing and configuration.
HN-591 Enable Global Network Mode For networks with multiple base stations, remotes are ordinarily only able to link to one base station, set by the hopping pattern. Mode 1 enables the global mode that allows remotes to link to any base station they can hear, acquiring whatever hop pattern is required. In this mode a remote can only change base stations once it is no longer registered with a base station. Bases and remotes must be set to the same mode.
HN-591 Protocol Commands These commands can be used to tune the transceiver for optimum transmission of data across the RF link. For most applications, the default values are adequate. Command Description pe[?|0-1] Set Alternative Frequency Band 0 = 902.5MHz to 926.2MHz (default) 1 = 902.5MHz to 924.
HN-591 Set Hop Duration Sets the length of time the transceiver spends on each frequency channel. A smaller value will allow the remote to lock on to the base signal faster at system startup, and will generally decrease packet latency. A larger value increases network capacity, due to decreased overhead in channel switching. The hop duration is specified in 185.2µs increments. The default value of 87H corresponds to a duration of 25ms. The maximum value of FEH is 47.02ms.
HN-591 Set Data Transmit Delay When used in conjunction with the minimum data length parameter, this sets the amount of time from the receipt of a first byte of data from the host until the radio will transmit in transparent mode. Default is 00H which causes transmission to occur without any delay. When a host is sending a group of data that needs to be sent together, setting this parameter will provide time for the group of data to be sent by the host before the radio transmits.
HN-591 Status Commands These commands deal with general interface aspects of the operation of the HopNet. Command Description zb[?|0|1] Banner Display Disable 0 = disabled 1 = enabled (default) zc[?|0..2] Set Escape Sequence Mode 0 = disabled 1 = once after reset (default) 2 = unlimited times zh? Read factory serial number high byte. zm? Read factory serial number middle byte. zl? Read factory serial number low byte.
HN-591 Read Factory Serial Number High, Middle and Low Bytes. These read only commands return one of the three bytes of the unique factory-set serial number, which are also visible in the startup banner. Set Duty Cycle Allows reduced power consumption by having a remote wake up only every 2N hops to receive and transmit. Power consumption is roughly proportional to the duty cycle selected. For example, if N=2, the remote will wake up every fourth hop.
HN-591 Memory Commands The user is able to store a configuration in nonvolatile memory, which is loaded during the initialization period every time the radio is powered up. Note that changes to the serial port baud rate- from recalling the factory defaults or recalling memory will not take effect until DTR is toggled or power to the radio is cycled. Command Description m0 Recall Factory Defaults m< Recall Memory m> Store Memory Recall Factory Defaults Resets the HopNet to its factory default state.
HN-591 Modem Command Summary sd[?|02..8f] sp[?|00..14] Serial Commands Set Data Rate Divisor Set Protocol Mode wb[?|0|1] wd[?|1..3f] wn[?|00..1f] wg[?|0|1] wp[?|0|1|2] wr? dx[?|0..62] Network Commands Set Transceiver Mode Set Default Handle Set Hopping Pattern Enable Global Network Modes Set Transmit Power Read Receive Signal Strength (remote only) Set Range Optimization (remote only) pe[?|0|1] ph[?|00..fe] pl? pn[?|01..3e] pk[?|00..d4] pr[?|00..ff] pt[?|00..ff] pv[?|0|1] pw[?|00..
HN-591 Typical HopNet Applications Introduction The illustration below shows a complete network of multiple data sources connected to a central base. Units that are out of range are connected through a repeater. See the illustration of a point-to-point application on the next page. Point to Multipoint This common application consists of a central host and remote terminal units or other data collection devices.
HN-591 Point-to-Point A point-to-point application as shown below provides a communication data link between two locations.
HN-591 Troubleshooting Overview Introduction Troubleshooting the HopNet products is not difficult, but it does require a logical approach. It is best to begin troubleshooting at the base station because the rest of the system synchronizes to it. If the base station has problems, the entire network will be compromised. This chapter provides troubleshooting information for your HopNet products.
HN-591 Common System Problems The following table offers suggestions for resolving some common system problems that the operator may experience from the radio system. If problems persist, contact the factory for further assistance. Problem System Checks Unit is inoperative 1. Check for proper DC voltage at the power connector. 2. Momentarily remove and reapply power. No Carrier Detect at remote units or intermittent 1. Check for secure interface connections at the transceiver. 2.
HN-591 Guidelines for Reducing Interference Introduction The transceivers share the same frequency spectrum with other services and other Part 15 devices in the US. Because of this, you may not achieve 100 percent error free communications in a given location. You should also expect some level of interference.
HN-591 Customer Support Introduction Cirronet, Inc. products are designed for long life and trouble free operation. The following information is provided if servicing becomes necessary. Technical Assistance Technical assistance for Cirronet products is available during the hours of 9:00 A.M – 5:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. When calling, please have available the complete model name, serial number, and a complete description of the problem.
HN-591 Glossary of Terms Refer to the following list of terms that may be unfamiliar to you. These terms are used throughout this document. Definition Term ARQ Automatic Repeat Request. The operation in which the radio will re-send the data until it is received correctly. bps Bits-per-second. A measure of information transfer rate of digital data across a channel. Decibel A measure of the ratio between two signal levels. Used to express either loss or gain.
HN-591 Technical Specifications General Specification Value Frequency Band • 902 to 927MHz (USA) Number of Channels • 54 US Approvals • US FCC: Part 15. 203 Data Rate • Up to 115Kbps Async Throughput Channel Data Rate • 172.
HN-591 Mechanical Specification Value Case • Metal Size • • 5 in. x 3.5 in. x 1 in. 127mm x 89mm x 25mm Weight • • 0.
HN-591 Appendix A HNWizard INIT.INI File One of the files unpacked with the program is the INIT.INI file. It contains the entries below and an explanation has been included on how each parameter may be used. ErrorLevel=0 Leave this value as is. Only change it at the request of Cirronet Tech Support. BiDirectionalHigh=55 BiDirectionalMedium=40 ReceiveHigh=55 ReceiveMedium=40 These parameters change the color levels (in percent) on the RF Tools bar graphs/pie charts.
HN-591 HNWizard’s WinCom Window Normally, the WinCom Window is not displayed and no tab will appear to the right of the RF Tools tab. To display the WinCom tab, place the cursor in any hot field and press the CTRL+F10 key. Clicking on the WinCom tab will display the following screen. When first initialized, WinCom will automatically put the radio in Config Mode and two prompts will display as shown above.
HN-591 NOTE: If the banner does not display, check the Banner Display Disable command (zb0) which may have been enabled. The COM port and baud rate can be changed using the drop down menus on the bottom right. All the available COM ports will be listed in the menu but will have OK or N/A designated. If another program that uses a COM port is open, that COM port will not be available for use by WinCOM.
HN-591 If an invalid command or value is entered, the radio will respond with “Error” as shown above Until the command to save the parameters (m>) is issued, the new parameters will only be valid until power is cycled or DTR is toggled by pressing the F1 key twice. New parameter values that have been issued are saved to non-volatile memory using the “m>” command. Refer to the Memory Commands section for details on this and other helpful memory commands.
HN-591 The Clear Screen button deletes all the text in the display window. The Clear CTS and Clear DCD buttons reset the respective changes counters to zero. Function Keys All of the function key shortcuts are described below: F1 Toggles state of DTR (Sleep). State is shown in status line. F2 Toggles state of RTS. State is shown in status line. F3 Transmits “:wit2400”. Used to enter control mode. F5 Toggles local echo.
HN-591 Restart The Restart button on the Wizard causes the program to start the radio search and parameter load process again without shutting the program down. This is particularly useful when USB-to-RS-232 adapters are used that prevent the Wizard from detecting that a radio has been disconnected from the computer running the Wizard. If a radio is disconnected from the computer and the Wizard does not detect it, the Restart button should be clicked when it or another radio is connected.
HN-591 Warranty Seller warrants solely to Buyer that the goods delivered hereunder shall be free from defects in materials and workmanship, when given normal, proper and intended usage, for twelve (12) months from the date of delivery to Buyer. Seller agrees to repair or replace at its option and without cost to Buyer all defective goods sold hereunder, provided that Buyer has given Seller written notice of such warranty claim within such warranty period.
