AirLink Communications AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem User’s Manual AirLink Communications, Inc.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Copyright AirLink Communications, Inc, 1993-2001. All rights reserved. Please send comments to: email: pubs@AirLink.com Fax: 510-226-4299 Phone: 510-226-4200 Post: AirLink Communications, Inc. Attention: Technical Publications Dept. 472 Kato Terrace Fremont, CA 94539 AirLink Tech Support can be reached at 510-226-4200 Mon-Fri 9:00a-5:00p Pacific Time. Copyright 2001 AirLink Communications, Inc.
Table of Contents 1. Introduction.....................................................................................................1 1.1 The CDPD Network .......................................................................................1 1.2 Modem LEDs: What They Mean ...................................................................2 2. Getting Started................................................................................................3 2.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem User’s Manual 1. Introduction This manual covers information for first-time setup and configuration of your AirLink CDPD Raven II Modem, as well as technical details on this modem. For detailed information on specific modem parameters please read the AirLink Raven/PinPoint CDPD Modem User’s Manual. The parameters for the Raven II are at this time identical to those of the Raven. Updates to this manual and other manuals may be obtained online at: http://ww.airlink.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem The Raven's rugged form factor is ideal for industrial and commercial applications that require real-time communications. The Raven provides wireless data communications for a variety of applications, such as oil and gas monitoring, public safety, automated signs, financial transactions, and security systems. It works with Remote Telemetry Units (RTUs) from several manufacturers (configuration instructions are detailed in the Raven/PinPoint User’s Manual).
User’s Manual 2. Getting Started This section covers: • Getting an IP address from a CDPD Service Provider. • Setting up Windows to configure the modem with Wireless ACE. • Reading the lights on the modem to ensure your connection is working. 2.1 Contacting the CDPD Service Provider The first step you must take before using your AirLink modem, is to contact a CDPD Service Provider in your area.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem Wireless ACE needs a Dial-Up Networking (PPP) connection to talk to the modem via Windows. Before configuring the PPP connection, first do the following: • Verify no other modems are installed that will conflict with your AirLink modem, and verify there are no applications running that will interfere with the COM port you are using. (See Adding the Modem for more information.) • TCP/IP must be installed on the system. Verify this by checking Control Panel→ →Network.
User’s Manual PalmPilot can occupy the COM port even if you do not have your PalmPilot connected to that COM port at this time. Check any software that loads when your computer starts up - any software that appears as an icon on your Windows Taskbar - and Disable/Exit any applications that normally use a COM port. • Do you have another modem installed? Older internal modems can cause COM port conflicts. PC Card (PCMCIA) modems in laptops can switch the COM port number of your built-in COM port.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem 9. A driver information database is built and a list of modems is displayed. From the list of manufacturers, select AirLink. This should display and highlight AirLink CDPD Modem. 10. Select Next. This should display a list of available COM ports. 11. Select the appropriate one, usually COM1, then Next. 12. You should see a dialog box telling you that "Your modem has been set up successfully". Select Finish. 13. A list of installed modems will be displayed.
User’s Manual 14. Select the AirLink CDPD Modem from the list, then select Properties. 15. In the "AirLink CDPD Modem Properties" dialog box, set the Maximum Speed to the desired setting. The default is 9600. Note: If this is your first time setting up the modem, leave this setting at 9600 for now. Otherwise, be sure to set the speed to whatever speed you have configured the modem for. AirLink Communications, Inc.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem 16. Select the Connection tab and set the Connection Preferences to: Data bits: 8 Parity: None Stop bits: 1 Uncheck (disable) “Wait for dial tone before dialing.” 17. Select Port Settings. You should see the Advanced Port Settings dialog. Check the box for Use FIFO buffer if appropriate. If the button is enabled, it is probably appropriate. 18. Select OK. You should go back to the Connection tab. 19. Select Advanced. You should see the Advanced Connection Settings dialog. 20.
User’s Manual 2. Double-click on the Make New Connection icon. 3. In the "Make New Connection" dialog box, type in the connection name: CDPD Modem PPP Note: The PPP connection name is important as Wireless ACE will look for this entry name later. 4. For “Select a device” choose: AirLink CDPD Modem. 5. Select Next. 6. Make the following selections: Area code = (leave it blank) Telephone number = PPPP (this is not a typo) Country code = United States of America (unless you live somewhere else) 7.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem 11. Select the "Server Types" tab. Make the following selections: Type of Dial-Up Server = PPP: Internet, Windows 2000/NT, Windows ME. Uncheck (disable) all the other options except for TCP/IP. 12. Click on the TCP/IP Settings button. Page 10 AirLink Communications, Inc.
User’s Manual 13. Leave Server assigned IP address and Server assigned name server addresses checked. 14. (optional) If you will be using your modem as an internet connection for browsing websites, using FTP, etc., you will need Domain Name Service (DNS) servers listed here. To enter the addresses, check (enable) Specify name server addresses and enter the IP address of the Primary DNS and Secondary DNS servers.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem 17. Clear the User Name, Password and Domain field. 18. Uncheck (disable) all of the other options. 19. Select the "Scripting" tab. 20. Uncheck (disable) Start terminal screen minimized. 21. Select the "Dialing" tab. 22. Uncheck (disable) Enable idle disconnect, also Disconnect when connection may not be needed. Page 12 AirLink Communications, Inc.
User’s Manual 23. Select OK. Now you may test the PPP connection you have created if you wish. Otherwise you will be configuring Wireless ACE to startup your PPP connection automatically, later in the manual. 1. Double-click on the "CDPD Modem PPP" icon in the Dial-Up Networking window. 2. You should see a "Connect To" dialog box. Verify the following settings: User name and Password are blank. Phone number = PPP (note that three P's appear here even though four were entered earlier.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem 2.3 Installing and Using Wireless ACE This section walks through installing Wireless ACE and then using it to initially configure your modem. Before proceeding with installing and using Wireless ACE, you must first have configured the Dial-Up Networking connection on your system. (See Configuring the Modem for details.) Wireless ACE (or ACE) is a Windows-based utility that is used for configuring or checking status on your AirLink CDPD Modem either locally or remotely.
User’s Manual modems. Also ensure you are set for the correct baud rate. Default is 9600. • see the Troubleshooting section for more. 5. Select the Maximize button (the arrows button). This causes Wireless ACE to display its Status Screen. 6. Select Tools→ →Communications Options. This causes ACE to display the Communications Options Dialog box. 7.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem 9. Select the Configuration button. This causes Wireless ACE to display its Configuration Screen: 10. Change the modem password. The default password is 12345. You need to change the password to your modem. Passwords can be case sensitive and include numbers. Use Options→ →Change Modem Password... or Ctrl-H. The password can be up to eight characters in length. 11.
User’s Manual 4 = B preferred • Device IP Address – enter the IP address you were given from your CDPD Service Provider. 12. If you know of other parameters you have to change, you may do so now. Otherwise go to step 13. Note: If you change the COM port speed, reset the modem before connecting to it at a different speed. If the baud rate is changed, it will have to be changed in both “CDPD Modem PPP” properties and Control Panel→ →Modems→ →Airlink CDPD Modem→ →Properties.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem 2.4 Finding CDPD Service When the modem is reset, it will start searching for CDPD service on the side specified. The only LED that will be on is the power On LED. The lights will do two quick sweeps from right to left as a self-check. Scanning - The modem will scan all the channels on the side, sort the channels by the signal strength (RSSI) and begin searching for CDPD service starting with the highest RSSI, the strongest signal. The Chan LED will be flashing while it scans.
User’s Manual Registering - After acquiring a link, the modem will perform an encryption key exchange, and register its IP Address. If the registration is successful, the Reg LED will be turned on. Again, the TxRx LED will flash briefly during this time.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem 2.5 Troubleshooting Error 629 or Error 630 Ensure you are set for the correct baud rate. Default modem speed is 9600. Check Properties for "CDPD Modem PPP", select Configure and ensure the speed matches what your modem speed is set for. OR Ensure there are no other applications running that use the serial (COM) port that your AirLink modem is using. Software like HotSync (for the PalmPilot), internal modems, PC Card (PCMCIA) modems, or IR ports, may interfere.
User’s Manual 3. Hardware Installation This section details the hardware specs of the Raven II and mounting it with other hardware, the power requirements, mounting bracket, etc. 3.1 Mounting the Raven II The Raven II should be mounted in a position that allows easy routing and access for the cables. There should be no binding or sharp corners in the cable routes. The Raven II should be mounted so that the LEDs on the front panel can be easily seen for ease of operational verification.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem Figure 2- Snap-in Mounting Bracket Page 22 AirLink Communications, Inc.
User’s Manual Connecting the antenna Install an appropriate external cellular antenna. Connect the antenna to the external jack of the bulkhead jack adapter with an appropriate RF cable. Connect the Raven antenna jack to the interior bulkhead jack with an appropriate RF cable. Connecting the serial cable Connect the RTU/PLC meter serial port to the Raven serial port with a DB-9 male connector.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem LIGHTNING ARRESTOR POWER DUCT TERMINAL BLOCK RTU BATTERY REGULATOR RAVEN BATTERY (BATTERY MOUNTED ON 1/2" THICK PLYWOOD.) Figure 4 Raven mounted in an enclosure with RTU Page 24 AirLink Communications, Inc.
User’s Manual Antenna RTU SERIAL PORT CDPD Modem SERIAL PORT CABLE COAX CABLE TNC Lightening Arrestor OUTSIDE ANTENNA CABLE (MOUNTED IN PANEL) Figure 5 - RTU to Raven II setup TO EXTERNAL POWER SOURCE (AC/DC) POWER CONVERTER VOLTAGE REGULATOR 12 VDC DC + DC + FUSES + 1A + 12V BATTERY RTU CDPD MODEM - - GND GND Figure 6 - Power Connections AirLink Communications, Inc.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem 4. Additional Information 4.1 Modem Technical Specifications Physical Characteristics Novatel Wireless CDPD Modem NRM6832 Weight: < 1 lb. Integrated TCP/IP Full Duplex Size: 5.1" x 3" x 1" Transmit Power 600 mW Status LEDs: Power Transmit 824-849 MHz Channel Acquired Receive 869-894 MHz Link Status RF Protocol CDPD 1.1 Network Registration Airlink Rate 19.
User’s Manual 4.2 More Information The AirLink Raven/PinPoint CDPD Modem User's Manual contains indepth details on modem parameters, Windows 2000 and NT 4.0 installations, and Modbus configuration, upgrading modem firmware, and more. The User's Manual is available online at http://www.airlink.com/modems, and selecting the Raven II support page. (If you are using another AirLink product, you may have a copy of the manual on your computer already.
AirLink Raven II CDPD Modem Page 28 AirLink Communications, Inc.
