Introduction, Range test setup – MaxStream 9XTend-NEMA 485 RF User Manual

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Requirements for Range Test

1 XTend-NEMA Weatherproof RS-232/485 RF Modem
1 XTend-PKG-R RS-232/485 RF Modem (or a second XTend-NEMA)
1 PC (Windows 98 SE, 2000 or XP) loaded with X-CTU Software
Accessories (CAT5 cable with DB-9/PWR adapter board, loopback adapter, 2 RPSMA
antennas (one is inside the NEMA enclosure), 2 power supplies)

Introduction

This guide provides step-by-step instruction on how to setup a wireless link and test
the modem's ability to transport data over varying ranges and conditions.

Install X-CTU Software

Double-click "setup_X-CTU.exe" file and follow prompts of the installation screens.
This file is located on the MaxStream CD and under the 'Software' section of the
following web page: www.maxstream.net/helpdesk/download.php

The X-CTU software interface is divided into the following four tabs:
• PC Settings - Setup PC com ports to interface with the RF modem
• Range Test - Test RF modem's range under varying conditions
• Terminal - Read/Set RF modem parameters and monitor data communications
• Modem Configuration - Read/Set RF modem parameters

Hardware Setup

Figure 1. Hardware Setup

Host PC

PKG-R

Loopback

adapter

RS-232 cable

The XTend-NEMA RF Modem (remote) will be referred to as “NEMA”. The
XTend-PKG-R RF Modem (base) will be referred to as “PKG-R”.
1. Verify DIP Switches of NEMA & PKG-R are set to their default

positions (RS-232, Point-to-point Mode: Switches 1 and 5

are ON (up) and the remaining 4 switches are OFF (down)).

[Refer to back page for important information regarding the DIP switch.]

2. Connect the female DB-9 connector of the PKG-R to the male DB-9 connector

of the host PC using an RS-232 cable [Figure 1].

3. Attach the serial loopback adapter to the female DB-9 connector of NEMA.

The serial loopback adapter configures the NEMA to function as a repeater

by looping data back into the modem for retransmission. [Figure 1]

4. Attach RPSMA antenna to PKG-R. (NEMA antenna is inside the enclosure.)
5. Power NEMA through the DB-9/PWR adapter

board and the PKG-R through its power

connector using the included power

supplies.

RPSMA antennas

Range Test Setup

O

N

1 2 3 4 5 6

NEMA

CAT5 cable

DB-9/PWR

Adapter Board (top view)

Power Supply

NEMA

Loopback

Adapter

DB-9

RJ-45

PWR

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