TN-183: ProRAE Remote Host Controller
Contents
1. ee Technical Note TN 183 ProRAE Remote Host Controller Communication Troubleshooting Guide Introduction This technical note provides simple procedures that can be performed in the field to help identify and correct the cause of communication failure between the ProRAE Remote host controller and detectors equipped with RAELink or RAELink2 remote wireless modems Instructions on setup configuration and operation can be found in the ProRAE Remote User s Guide If setting up a system for the first time check all components and establish a radio frequency RF link prior to deploying detectors downrange If communication is not established or if communication fails after some time proceed to the troubleshooting steps Troubleshooting Steps The common causes of communication failure can be grouped into the three major categories listed below The remainder of this tech note provides detail on these troubleshooting steps in the sequence listed 1 Power Start up sequence e Host personal computer PC operating system power settings 2 Setup e Software e Compatibility with Firmware e Communication port e Units displayed e Hardware e Host RAELink modem e Detector mode of operation e Unit ID e Antennas and battery packs e Network ID 3 Interference e Duplicate Unit IDs e Wave coupling e Duplicate Network IDs Other sources lPi m z Les 1 Power Start Up Sequence The sequence in which the co2. housed remote RAELink modem that needs to be turned on by activating the RADIO button Other RAE Systems wireless detectors are connected to a remote RAELink modem via the serial communication port Ensure that all of these remote transceivers are turned on by following the same procedures for turning on the host modem Note RAE Systems Detectors and RAELink modems are equipped with rechargeable battery packs The detectors can also run on alkaline batteries via the alkaline adapter provided in the kit Communication will fail when batteries near complete depletion The entire system can run continuously using the AC power adapters if the application classification requirements permit this option Operating System Power Settings If the hosts PC s power settings turn off the monitor turn off the hard disk or put the system in standby or hibernate then ProoRAE Remote may malfunction and will require a reboot For optimal performance it is recommended that these power settings be disabled see Figure 3 Power Options Properties 2 xi Power Schemes Alarms Power Meter Advanced Hibemate Select the power scheme with the most appropriate settings for this computer Note that changing the settings below will modify the selected scheme R x Power schemes Powers uite Scheme z Save As Delete M Settings for PowerSuite Scheme power scheme When computer is Plugged in Running on 2 batteries Tu
3. the Unit ID defaults to 1 Antennas amp Battery Packs A bad antenna connection and or a faulty or weak battery pack can greatly reduce and in some cases terminate RF transmission success Swapping antennas with another detector is a quick way to identify a faulty antenna It may be necessary to inspect the internal connections as well because these can be damaged if too much torque is used QR E A a _ go G Technical Note TN 183 rev 2 bs 04 05 when installing the antenna If power issues are suspected swapping battery packs with another detector or switching to the alkaline adapter are quick ways to isolate a faulty or weak battery pack Network ID All RAELink modems within the system need to have the same Network ID The Network ID is identified on the modem or inside the housing of the AreaRAE detector The Network ID can also be located by contacting RAE Systems service department and providing the serial number of the RAELink modem An easy way to isolate the modems and identify the root cause of communication failure is to connect RAE Systems wireless detectors directly to the host PC as shown in Figure 8 To do this a RAE Systems communication cable part number 008 3003 000 provided with datalogging units is required With this configuration beginning to scan by selecting Begin F9 within ProRAE Remote should cause the unit status icon in Panel View to turn green Computer Interface Cab
4. 95134 1708 USA Phone 1 888 723 8823 Email raesales raesystems com Web Site www raesystems com A Host RAELink Modem The RAELink modem connected to the host PC must be programmed as a host modem as opposed to a repeater or remote modem Host modems can be identified by the label on top of the RAELink housing RAELink Host or RAELink2 Host Mode Of Operation The detector s must be in regular operation mode If any of the maintenance configuration submenus have been entered e g Calibrate Monitor then communication will fail Unit ID ProRAE Remote identifies remote detectors via a Unit ID If each remote detector does not have a unique Unit ID the host will experience congestion and those detectors with overlapping Unit IDs will not appear on the host interface To verify the unit ID of a RAE wireless unit 1 Turn the unit on in Diagnostic Mode by holding the Y and Mode keys while the unit is turned OFF 2 Once the unit is done warming up hold the N and Mode keys to enter the Programming Mode If prompted for a password enter the appropriate password factory default is all zeros 3 Hit N until the Change Monitor Setup screen appears Hit Y to enter this menu 4 Hit N until the Change Unit ID screen is reached Hit Y to enter this submenu and confirm that each sensing unit has a unique Unit ID number Caution Upon reloading the configuration file into RAE detectors when using ProRAE Suite
5. Notes on the Internet at http www raesystems com RAE Systems Inc 3775 N First St San Jose CA 95134 1708 USA Phone 1 888 723 8823 Email raesales raesystems com Web Site www raesystems com
6. RAE wireless system has a unique Network ID number Upon the request and approval of all involved parties some systems are programmed with the same Network ID If multiple systems with the same Network ID are deployed within range of each other interference will occur A quick way to identify if another host RAELink is operating within range 1s to shut down the host and see if any of the remote RAE Systems detectors continue to display an antenna symbol on the LCD after a few minutes see Figure 9 An antenna symbol on the detector LCD indicates that a host RAELink is able to communicate with the remote RAELink connected to the detector TOX1 VOC TOX2 0 0 0 0 LEL 0 Y 20 9 OXY Figure 9 Host to Remote Link Indicator Note The antenna symbol does not indicate whether the remote RAELink is able to communicate back to the host RAELink Other Sources High power output devices located near RAELink modems can cause interference Obstacles in the line of sight containing materials that highly attenuate RF signals can also affect communication e g lead lined windows RAE Systems offers extension cable antennas and repeaters that can be used as necessary to bypass such obstacles Technical Note TN 183 rev 2 bs 04 05 Contact Us For further assistance or to request RMAs please contact RAE service at tech raesystems com 888 723 4800 Updates Watch for updates of this and all other Technical Notes and Application
7. le Sertal to Serial Cable iT Serial to USB Cable Figure 8 Hardwiring RAE Wireless Detectors NOTE If AreaRAE detectors are going to be hardwired into the host PC then the Radio button must first be disabled 3 Interference Duplicate Unit IDs As discussed earlier remote detectors with the same Unit ID will cause interference A quick way to identify if multiple units have the same Unit ID is to broadcast a text message to the entire system see Figure 9 If some remote units are able to receive the message but do not appear on the host interface then there is a good chance that these units have overlapping Unit IDs Proceed to change Unit IDs as described in the Unit ID section covered earlier RAE Systems Inc 3775 N First St San Jose CA 95134 1708 USA Phone 1 888 723 8823 Email raesales raesystems com Web Site www raesystems com Unit Name Title Bar Sensor Name Serial Number Concentration nit Real Time Data Status Sensor Status m Message Up to 32 Characters Watch Out Send Message Broadcast Message GPS Coordinates GPS Signal Indicator Message Box Unit Status Figure 9 Broadcasting text message Wave Coupling If two or more remote detectors are located too close to each other coupling of their antennas can occur causing interference To ensure no such interference deploy remote units as least 5 apart Duplicate Network IDs Each
8. mponents of the system are turned on can affect communication especially when using USB adapters and or RAELink repeaters For best results use the following sequence when starting the system 1 Turn on the host PC 2 Launch ProRAE Remote 3 Begin scanning press the Begin F9 key 4 Turn on the host modem RAELink The power switch on the back of the host RAELink should be in the up position and the CD LED glowing see Figure 1 O h mp TTIE A Sea a ge ma she etn a LES ee N om I Figure 1 RAELink turned on RAELink2 2 Press ON on off power switch and hold until the LED glows steadily Release the ON button when the Power LED steadily glows green see Figure 2 aes 0 RAELink 7 Power O LED or Glowing Figure 2 RAELink2 turned on 5 Turn on RAELink repeater if one is being deployed Note For complete instructions on deploying repeaters and precautions to take when deploying RAE Systems Inc 3775 N First St San Jose CA 95134 1708 USA Phone 1 888 723 8823 Email raesales raesystems com Web Site www raesystems com a multiple repeaters refer to Technical Note TN 184 RAELink Repeater Deployment Procedures 6 Turn on passive monitor PC s if any are to be used 7 Turn on passive RAELink modem s as necessary for passive monitors 8 Turn on RAE Systems wireless detector s 9 Turn on remote RAELink modem s AreaRAE detectors come equipped with an internally
9. rn off monitor Never After 10 mins bad Turn off hard disks Never EEN v System standby Never 7 After 5 mins Technical Note TN 183 rev 2 bs 04 05 Figure 3 Power Options Properties For Windows operating systems the power settings can be verified under Classic View Category View e Start eStart eControl Panel eControl Panel ePower settings ePerformance amp Maintenance Power Options 2 Setup Compatibility With Firmware Refer to Table 1 to verify that the firmware on the detectors and the version of the ProRAE Remote are compatible for wireless communication The firmware version of the detector is listed as the unit goes through its initial warm up sequence Note In addition to the correct firmware MultiRAE MiniRAE 2000 and ppbRAE Plus detectors require the wireless communication protocol within the firmware to be enabled This is performed at RAE headquarters at the time of purchase or can be done as an upgrade DETECTOR ProRAE J ProRAE ProRAE ic V1 30 V1 40 Vi 41 MultiRAE gt 3 11 gt 3 11 gt 3 11 Plus MiniRAE 2000 AreaRAE AreaRAE gt 3 00 Gamma Table 1 Compatibility chart of ProRAE Remote and remote detector firmware RAE Systems Inc 3775 N First St San Jose CA 95134 1708 USA Phone 1 888 723 8823 Email raesales raesystems com Web Site www raesystems com C Technical Note TN 183 rev 2 bs 04 05 The
10. software version can be found by accessing the legend Note For complete instructions on using USB adapters at the top right within ProRAE Remote see Figure 4 refer to TN 170 USB to Serial Port Adapter ae File Action View Help m Fenne ril is riell m jeja EBE FESHEIKHANPC Nemets uit slabs s IK E w Batteries aF Bluetooth YCOMM Port 9 Computer amp Disk drives 2 Display adapters P oRAE Remete Honole urn ie cn lar 3uid 229 Ayu PR Afi Seral Numzer Nenze unts s l ins t Arexlanr 2h Wecore to RAE Syrere ne 2 DYD CD ROM drives gj Human Interface Devices 3 IDE ATASJATAPI controllers IEEE 1394 Bus host controllers gt Keyboards Mice and other pointing devices Be Modems 2 Monitors E Network adapters E PCMCIA adapters s Processors Sound video and game controllers Storage volumes System devices Universal Serial Bus controllers Renze unt is beng Poled E E E3 E3 z a z A A http www raesy stems com H A A AA H A Figure 4 ProRAE Remote legend Figure 6 Device Manager Communication Port The host RAELink is connected to the host PC via a To ACCESS the Device Manager for Windows serial computer interface cable A serial to USB operating systems proceed to adapter is required when connecting to a USB communication port on the host computer The Cla
11. ssic View Category View communication port that the RAELink modem is y eStart eStart connected to must be set within ProRAE Remote eControl Panel eControl Panel Enter the setup menu press the Begin F9 key and h p HaT eSystem ePerformance amp under the Host tab enter the correct communication Hardware Maintenance port number see Figure 5 eDevice Manager ePower Options ePorts COM amp e System LPT e Hardware Host arr Unit Data Connection e Device Manager Host Com Port to RAELink e Ports COM amp LPT Host ID 1 250 fi BEN Master Interval s f Eaa U A Di d Number of Polling Retries 1200 nits Isp aye Uni Status window PO ProRAE Remote can display up to 32 wireless I Activate Remote Alarm Notification Set as Host Controller detectors By default the number of units the oe TN ee software displays is 8 If any of the sensing units Cie a ee i have a unit ID higher than 8 then the Define Max Manual Units function must be initiated and the number of C OnAlarm units displayed increased see Figure 7 eer ma p mh m ar el gredem i ia FE Figure 5 Selecting COM Port When using a serial to USB adapter the operating cre Lal F a system may assign a different number to the port in ie i use The communication port number can be verified within the host PC operating system s Device Manager see Figure 6 Figure 7 Defining Max Unit RAE Systems Inc 3 3775 N First St San Jose CA
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