AvaLAN Wireless AW900R4-EVAL - Manual (Page 12)

User’s Manual
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AW900R4-EVAL
Example Test Method
If you already have a suitable RS-485 data source and an equally suitable destina-
tion, you will probably want to evaluate the AW900R4 capability with those. If you
do not, you might consider using USB to Serial converters and hyperterm or some
other terminal emulator program.
Here is a block diagram of a possible evaluation test setup:
PC
USB to RS-485
Converter
AW900R4
USB Data
USB Configuration & Status
RS-485 Data
RF Data
PC
USB to RS-485
Converter
AW900R4
USB Data
USB Configuration & Status
RS-485 Data
Notes about this test setup:
1. One PC could be used rather than two, but you then need 4 available high
power USB 2.0 ports and it is difficult to physically separate the radio antennas
sufficiently.
2. The PCs need to be running Windows XP or later.
3. There are a number of inexpensive USB to RS-485 converters on the market.
We used a pair of GC-ATC-820 USB-High Speed Serial Converters available from
Grid Connect (www.gridconnect.com). These converters have a driver CD in-
cluded and have a 9-pin DB9 connector plus a screw terminal breakout adapter
with the signals labeled.
4. You will need to install Virtual COM Port drivers for both the USB to RS-485 con-
verters and for the configuration and status ports on the AW900R4s. In device
manager on your PC, you will see COM ports for both the serial converter and
the AW900R4. Connect these one at a time and note the assigned port numbers
to keep them straight.
5. You will need to install EvkUtilityLite.exe and zedgraph.dll on the PC. If you
attempt to select the serial converter’s COM port with the utility, you will get