User Manual

MPR/MIB User’s Manual
Wireless Sensor Networks
Doc. # 7430-0021-06 Rev. A Page 37
12 MIB300 / MIB500 INTERFACE BOARDS
X NOTE: The MIB300 and MIB500 have been discontinued by Crossbow. The MIB500 has been
replaced by the MIB510.
M WARNING: When programming a MICA2 with the MIB500, turn off the battery switch. For a
MICA2DOT, remove the battery before inserting into the MIB500. The MICA2s and MICA2DOTs do not
have switching diodes to switch between external and battery power.
12.1 Programming the Mote
The MIB300/MIB500 interface boards are multi-purpose interface boards used in conjunction
with the MICA Family of products. They supply power to the devices through an external power
adapter option, and provide interfaces for an RS232 serial port and reprogramming port (using
the parallel printer interface). The MIB300 can only be used with an external 3 VDC supply, or it
can take advantage of the battery power supplied from the mote.
The MIB500 has an on-board regulator that will accept 5 to 7 VDC, and supplies a regulated 3
VDC to the MICA The MIB500 is delivered with a wall power supply. It also has monitor LEDs
that mirror the LEDs on the MICA.
There is a built-in low voltage monitor that disables reprogramming if the power supply voltage
is dangerously low. When the proper programming voltage exists—the Green LED adjacent the
parallel port is lit—D6. If the voltage goes below 2.95V, the Green LED D6 will turn off,
programming is disabled.
The MIB500 also has an interface connector for reprogramming the MICA2DOT. Programming
the mote is accomplished by connecting the MIB300/MIB500 to the parallel port of the
computer, and executing the required programming software—UISP—supplied with the TinyOS
install.
X NOTE: There have been numerous reported difficulties with programming motes through the
MIB500CA. These include program failure, flash verification errors, and dead Motes. The root cause of
these problems is almost always one of two issues: 1) low programming voltage or 2) UISP problems on
the Host PC. A detailed application note is posted at http://www.xbow.com under Support. Please review
this application note, if you have trouble programming. Programming the Motes improperly or with a bad
UISP install can result in permanent damage to the Mote CPU.
12.2 RS-232 Interface
The RS-232 interface is a standard single channel bi-directional interface with a DB9 connector
to interface to an external computer. It uses transmit and receive lines only.