i-modul WLAN bridge

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i-modul WLAN

Copyright © 2004 by INSYS MICROELECTRONICS GmbH

Any duplication of this manual as well as the enclosed software is prohibited. All rights on this documentation and the devices are with INSYS MICROELECTRONICS GmbH Regensburg.

Restrictions of guarantee

This manual contains a concise description of the INSYS i-modul WLAN. The compilation of the text has been made with the utmost care. Despite all efforts, mistakes can never be prevented completely. No guarantee can therefore be given for the accuracy of the contents. We can neither take over a legal responsibility nor any liability for wrong information and their consequences. Suggestions for improvements and notification of errors are gladly accepted.

Trademarks

The use of a trademark not shown below is not an indication that it is freely available for use.

MNP is a registered trademark of Microcom Inc.

IBM PC, AT, XT are registered trademarks of International Business Machine Corporation.

INSYS ® is a registered trademark of INSYS MICROELECTRONICS GmbH.

Windows™ is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Publisher: INSYS MICROELECTRONICS GmbH Waffnergasse 8 93047 Regensburg, Germany Telefon: +49(0)941-560061

fax: +49(0)941-563471

E-Mail: insys@insys-tec.de Internet: http://www.insys-tec.de

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i-modul WLAN I

1 I-MODUL WLAN ETHERNET BRIDGE 1

1.1 EXAMPLE APPLICATION 1

1.1.1 Infrastructure Mode 1

1.1.2 Adhoc Mode 2

1.2 FIRMWARE VERSION 2

1.3 TECHNICAL FEATURES 2

1.4 PHYSICAL FEATURES 3

1.4.1 Dimensions 3

1.4.2 Height Profile 3

1.5 ELECTRICAL FEATURES 3

1.6 PIN LAYOUT 4

1.6.1 Connector Strip P1 4

1.6.2 Connector Strip P2 - Network 5

1.6.3 Connector Strips 6

1.6.4 RF Interface 6

1.7 IO SIGNALS 6

1.7.1 Reset 6

1.7.2 Indication Signals 7

1.7.3 RF Status 7

1.8 WLAN NETWORK STRUCTURE 7

1.9 ADDRESSING WITHIN THE IP NETWORK 8

1.10 OVERVIEW CONFIGURATION PAGES 9

1.10.1 Operation 9

1.10.2 Configuration 9

1.10.3 Status Page 10

1.10.4 Configuration Page HF Settings 11

1.10.5 Configuration Page Network Parameter 12

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1.10.6 Status Page “Bridge Table” 13

1.10.7 Konfigurationsseite „Administration“ 14

1.10.8 Firmware Update 15

1.11 BRIDGING FUNCTION “LAYER 2.5 NAT” 15

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i-modul WLAN 1

1 i-modul WLAN Ethernet bridge

The i-modul WLAN bridge forms a transparent bridge (Ethernet Bridge) between various local networks of the same network segment. For details regarding the function, see Chapter 1.11.

The same hardware can alternatively be used as i-modul WLAN serial with firmware, to map the serial interface on an IP port (see separate documentation “Designer’s Guide WLAN serial”)

1.1 Example Application

The wireless network according to the standard WLAN IEEE 802.11b enables the operation in two different modes:

1.1.1 Infrastructure Mode

All WLAN devices connect to an AccessPoint which routes data between the connected devices and also to a wire-bound LAN. Several AccessPoints can establish a joint WLAN (with the same SSID code) and also allow transparent handover.

The infrastructure mode is the standard operating mode.

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Designer’s Guide 2

Infrastructure Adhoc

1.1.2 Adhoc Mode

WLAN devices can also merge without a dedicated master and form an adhoc network (peer-to-peer communication). The first active device will assume the master role.

The adhoc mode is a part of the WLAN standard, but is not completely supported by all WLAN devices.

1.2 Firmware Version

Date Checksum Version Comment

19.02.2004 - V1.0 Pre-production series

1.3 Technical Features

Data transfer HF WLAN IEEE 802.11b, 11MBit/s, 5.5MBit/s, 2MBit/s, 1MBit/s

Frequency 2.4 GHz (ISM frequency band) – ETSI channel utilization, other standards optional

Interfaces Ethernet 10-Base-T, 10Mbit/s

Protocols ARP, IP, ICMP, TCP/IP, UDP/IP, http, DHCP

Configuration Via web interface (WLAN and Ethernet)

Bridging function Layer-2.5 NAT

Encryption WEP, 64 bit or 128 bit

Transmitting power Type 15dBm (30mW)

Sensitivity (BER<10-5) Type –84 dBm at 11MBit/s, -87 dBm at 5.5 MBit/s, -90 dBm at 2 MBit/s, -93 dBm at 1 MBit/s

Temperature range 32°F – 131°F (0-55°C)

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1.4 Physical Features

Physical Features

Dimensions w x l x h 2.22 in x 2.22 in x 0.65 in

Weight approx. 1.23oz

Pitch dimension of the connector 0.08 in

Diameter of the fastening holes 0.10 in

Plug height over board edge 0.24 in

1.4.1 Dimensions

1.4.2 Height Profile

To be determined

1.5 Electrical Features

Electrical Features

Voltage 5V DC ±5%, optional 3.3 V

Current consumption Typ. 300mA, max. 400mA

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1.6 Pin Layout

1.6.1 Connector Strip P1

24-pin connector strip for status signals and supply

Pin Type Signal Description

1 GND Ground

2 Supply VCC 5V DC supply voltage

3 GND Ground

4 Input TXD~ Not used

5 GND Ground

6 Output RXD~ Ethernet RX/TX indicator, TTL level, low-active

7 GND Reserved for 2nd ID pin

8 Input RTS~ Not used

9 Output ID PIN Modem, Ethernet: GND; ISDN: VCC

10 Output CTS~ Not used

11 Input RESET~ Reset input

12 Input DTR~ Not used

13 Output OH~ RF link status, TTL level, low-active

14 Output DCD~ Ethernet link status, TTL level, low-active

15 Output RI~ Not used

16 Output DSR~ Not used

17 Output UA Switch output; TTL level, not used

18 Input UE Alarm output; TTL level, not used

19 Output UA2 Switch output; TTL level, not used

20 Input UE2 Alarm output; TTL level, not used

21 GND Ground

22 NC Not switched

23 NC Not switched

24 GND Ground

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i-modul WLAN 5

1.6.2 Connector Strip P2 - Network

8-pin connector strip for RJ45 connection

Standard model (1 board) Pre-production series devices (sandwich board)

PIN Signal Connection to RJ45 Signal Connection to RJ45

1 Tx+ 1

2 Rx- 6 Tx- 2

3 Rx+ 3

4 Rx+ 3 Rx- 6

5

6

7 Tx- 2

8 Tx+ 1

Ethernet signals can be directly installed onto the RJ45 plug.

RJ45-Buchse

von vorn

Notes:

• Please note that there is a different layout of the network interface for tests with pre-production series devices and for series design!

• Between the Ethernet signals and each other potential, a blocking distance of at least 0.098 in (2.5 mm) must be observed (testing voltage 1kV).

• The transmit strip conductors must be at least 3.937 in (100 mm) wide, and run parallel with the same length.

• The receive strip conductors must be at least 0.984 in (25 mm) wide, and run parallel with the same length.

• The lines between the modul and the RJ45 must be as short as possible. They should have no kinks with 90° angles and have as little through-connections as possible.

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1.6.3 Connector Strips

Recommended connector strips to connect the modul to the customer application:

24- pin connector: SAMTEC TW Series 2-row 0.08in pitch

or Fischer SLY 6 / 81 24 Z

8- pin connector: SAMTEC TW Series 2-row 0.08in pitch

or Fischer SLY 6 / 81 8 Z

1.6.4 RF Interface

The antennas are connected via two RF plugs (Hirose U-FL series) on the mounting side opposite the connector strip:

• RF Main Ant Main antenna (plug closer to the edge of the board)

• RF Aux Ant Auxiliary antenna

The main antenna is used to transmit and receive; the auxiliary antenna is only used to receive. The modul independently selects the antenna with the better reception (Diversity). The connection of an auxiliary antenna is optional.

Adapter cables on reverse SMA to connect standard WLAN antennas can be acquired from INSYS.

1.7 IO Signals

1.7.1 Reset

Pin Signal Type Level

11 Reset Input TTL Normal state: 1 (internal pull-up resistor)

Reset: 0

Minimum reset time: tmin = 3s

Note: Furthermore, the RESET input can be used to restore the factory defaults of the i-modul WLAN bridge. For this, within 10 seconds at least 5 low impulses with a duration of 100 to 500 ms must be applied at the RESET input. 10 seconds afterwards, the i-modul WLAN bridge resets all parameters (including passwords) to the factory defaults and restarts.

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1.7.2 Indication Signals

Pin Signal Type Level Description

13 OH Output TTL Off Hook displays LINK OK for the wireless link

Normal state: 1

LINK OK 0

14 DCD Output TTL DCD displays the Ethernet LINK state

Normal state: 1

LINK OK 0

6 RXD Output TTL RX/TX indicator for the Ethernet interface. Is temporarily activated for data transfer via the Ethernet interface.

Normal state: 1

Data transfer: 0

Model connection of the OH signals (use only low power LEDs):

1.7.3 RF Status

In the pre-production series, two LEDs are equipped to indicate the RF status:

• RF Link Connection

• RF RX/TX Data traffic

1.8 WLAN Network Structure

For a network structure according to IEEE 802.11b, the included devices must be coordinated regarding the following settings:

Description Website (see Chap. 1.10)

Radio channel (only for adhoc network)

Clear text name of the radio network (SSID)

Architecture: Infrastructure or adhoc

WEP Encryption

Wireless Settings (Chap.0)

Gateway for the local network segment

Network mask for the local network segment

Own IP address

IP Settings (Chap. 0)

Note: The BSI (German Federal Office for IT Safety) has drawn up an information brochure “Wireless LAN Safety” (Sicherheit im Funk-LAN), which clearly describes the set-up as well as safety aspects of the WLAN according to IEEE 802.11b: http://www.bsi.de/literat/doc/wlan/wlan.pdf

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1.9 Addressing Within the IP Network

Devices in IP networks – office or Internet networks – use 3 details to identify the own device, the own network segment, and the gateway for connections to other subnetworks.

All IP addresses consist of a sequence of 4 numbers in a range of values from 0 to 255, e.g. 192.168.100.45. For private networks without direct Internet connection, numbering areas such as 192.168.*.* are reserved. The IP address describes the network segment as well as the number of the individual device within this segment.

IP address: Own address of the i-modul WLAN bridge E.g. 192.168.100.45 Subnetwork mask: Part of the address which describes the network segment: The subnetwork 255.255.255.0 , for example, marks the first

three numbers 192.168.100 of the address 192.168.100.45 as network segment.

Standard gateway: All data packets to recipients outside the own network segment

are transmitted to the gateway to be forwarded.

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1.10 Overview Configuration Pages

1.10.1 Operation

The configuration pages allow simple and convenient configuration of the i-modul WLAN bridge with a web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera), regardless of the used operating system. No drivers, etc. are required for the configuration.

The web interface is protected by a password. During the factory configuration, the fields user name and password are empty, i.e. the pages can be accessed without entering a password. Note: A lost password can only be reset by completely resetting the factory configuration. See description of the RESET pin to reset the i-modul WLAN bridge to the factory configuration (Chap. 1.7).

The settings in the individual configuration windows will only be saved when the button “Apply” is clicked. To ensure that the settings are applied, a reboot of the INSYS WLAN bridge must be performed. This is also offered on the configuration pages.

After the settings have been transmitted to the INSYS WLAN bridge , the configuration pages must be reloaded (menu “Update” of the web browser).

The configuration pages are available in two languages - use the symbol for the English or German flag in the top right corner to switch between the two languages.

1.10.2 Configuration

To be able to configure the i-modul WLAN bridge, it must have a network connection to a computer with a web browser, either via the AccessPoint or the LAN connection (Ethernet). The standard settings for the network parameters after delivery or resetting to the factory settings are as follows::

IP = 192.168.100.203, Network mask = 255.255.255.0, Gateway = 192.168.100.1

Therefore, for the initial installation a PC is required which can access this network segment, i.e. which has an IP address from this network segment.

At simplest, the PC is set to an address from this network segment (e.g. 192.168.100.100). Administrator rights might be required, depending on the system. Then the PC is connected with the i-modul WLAN bridge, using a crossed network cable After the IP settings have been configured to the desired values, the PC can be set to the previous IP address, and the PC as well as the i-modul WLAN bridge can be connected normally with the network.

Note: At all events, avoid the LAN connection of the AccessPoints and the LAN connection of the i-modul WLAN bridge being connected to the same network. This will lead to bridging of the packets into the same network and will usually lead to serious malfunctions in the network and subsequently also to serious problems with your system administrator.

If the IP address has accidentally been adjusted and/or is not known, the i-modul WLAN bridge can also be reset to the factory settings without the web interface ,using the RESET pin. See description of the RESET pin for details (Chap. 1.7).

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1.10.3 Status Page

The status page displays the current state of the i-modul WLAN bridge. In detail, the following information is provided:

Connected to SSID: SSID of the remote terminal (AccessPoint or another bridge in adhoc mode), to which the modul has a connection

HF channel: Currently used channel

MAC address of the AP: MAC address of the remote terminal (adhoc) or of the AccessPoint

Data rate (Mbits/s): Currently reached data rate

Signal power (%): Current received signal level – should be more than 20%

Own MAC address: MAC address of the i-modul WLAN bridge (corresponds to the MAC address on the modul label)

IP address: Set (static mode) or allocated (DHCP mode) IP address of the i-modul WLAN bridge

Firmware version: Firmware version number

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1.10.4 Configuration Page HF Settings

On this page, the parameters for the WLAN interface are set:

Station mode: Determination of the WLAN architecture (see Chap. 0) “Ad Hoc” (Peer-to-Peer) or „Infrastructure“ (Connection to AccessPoint – default).

SSID: Enter the WLAN network SSID (default “WLANDEMO”). No entry means that a connection with any available network is possible.

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Channel: Radio channel when using the adhoc mode. In adhoc mode, all involved modules must be set to the same channel. This radio channel may not be used by other WLAN networks in the reception area (default „6“). In infrastructure mode the channel is assigned by the AccessPoint.

Transfer rate: Fixed data rate directly in Mbit/s or fallback behavior (“default “Auto Fallback”).

AccessPoint density: This setting influences the search behavior for AccessPoints depending on their quantity within the environment. In general, there is no need to adjust this setting – only when many AccessPoints are present and problems occur when registering to the correct AccessPoint (default “Small Distance”).

WEP Encryption: When this button is activated, the WEP encryption as well as the Shared Key Authentication are switched on (default “Deactivated”).

WEP length of key field: Setting for the length of the WEP key field for encryption. The following lengths are allowed: 64 bit and 128 bit

WEP key: Enter a maximum of 4 WEP keys: For 64 bit encryption each WEP key consists of 10 hexadecimal digits (5 bytes); for 127 bit encryption each WEP key consists of 26 hexadecimal digits (13 bytes). The hexadecimal digits (‚0’..’9’, ‚A’..’F’) are entered without spaces.

Key to be used: Selects the key to be used from the 4 defined WEP keys.

1.10.5 Configuration Page Network Parameter

The i-modul WLAN bridge supports two possibilities for IP address allocation: “Static” and “DHCP”.

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When the option “Static” (default) is activated, the IP addresses are configured manually. The configuration takes place in the displayed window (IP address, subnet mask, default gateway).

When the option “DHCP” (adjustable in the field “IP address mode”) is activated, the i-modul WLAN bridge attempts to retrieve your IP configuration from a DHCP server at the start. In this case, a DHCP server must be available in the local network, which will allocate an IP address to the i-modul WLAN bridge.

The default settings are IP=192.168.100.203, Subnetwork mask=255.255.255.0, Gateway=192.168.100.1

1.10.6 Status Page “Bridge Table”

This page displays all devices which are connected “behind” the i-modul WLAN bridge (IP address and MAC).

For more information on the function of the bridging functionality “Layer 2.5 NAT”, see Chapter 1.11.

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1.10.7 Konfigurationsseite „Administration“

On this page, the access protection for the web interface is set (user name and password). The default settings for user name and password are both empty, i.e. there is no user name and no password.

In addition, this page offers the opportunity, to restart the i-modul WLAN bridge or to restore the factory defaults.

Note: The password can be reset using pin 11 from the connector strip P1 (hardware reset) (see Chapter 1.7).

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1.10.8 Firmware Update

This page will enable you to update the firmware of the i-modul WLAN bridge in a simple way.

Click on the button “Browse” to select a firmware update file (in general “update.hex”) from a local directory. Press the button “Here” to load the firmware into the i-modul WLAN bridge.

This process takes approximately 30 seconds. Afterwards the i-modul WLAN bridge is restarted. Some updates also reset the configuration to the factory defaults.

1.11 Bridging Function “Layer 2.5 NAT”

The bridging function “Layer 2.5 NAT”, which is built into this i-modul WLAN bridge Ethernet bridge, enables safe and convenient bridging between two network segments.

The bridging function works transparently for IP connections and requires no special network settings for the individual devices. All devices must simply be located in the same network segment, like for a direct cable connection. A gateway setting is not required either.

The i-modul WLAN bridge itself must be allocated its own IP address from the available local address area. This IP address is basically required for the configuration.

Regarding network technology the bridging function works on MAC level. To reach a device that is connected to a network, an ARP request is sent, which inquires at which MAC address the required device is located. The i-modul WLAN bridge forwards these ARP requests to all connected devices (wireless or not). When the ARP request has arrived on one side of the i-modul WLAN bridge (e.g. on the WLAN side), and a device on the other side of the i-modul WLAN bridge (e.g. LAN interface) replies, the i-modul

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WLAN bridge sends its own MAC address as response and saves IP and MAC of the device “behind” it in a table.

With this, the i-modul WLAN bridge virtually passes itself off as the required end device (which is located on the other side of the i-modul WLAN bridge and cannot be contacted directly), and thus receives all packets, which were meant for the end device. These packets are then forwarded to the end device behind the i-modul WLAN bridge.

Version overview documentation

Date Version

01.04.04 0.90 Preliminary version – not released

02.04.04 0.91 Preliminary release

23.11.04 0.91 English version

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