Askey Computer WLF010 Wireless CF Card User Manual Draft WLF010 FCC

Askey Computer Corp Wireless CF Card Draft WLF010 FCC

Manual

Wireless CF Card

User Manual

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or

mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of the seller.

The seller provides this documentation without warranty, term, or condition of any kind. The seller may make improvements or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s)

described in this documentation at any time.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

2003/04/01

Rev:01

Safety Notes

Warning

• This equipment must be installed and operated in accordance with provided instructions and a minimum 20 cm spacing must be provided between computer mounted

antenna and person’s body (excluding extremities of hands, wrist and feet) during wireless modes of operation.

• This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this

device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Caution

• Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the authority to operate equipment.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

About This User Manual

For brevity, throughout this manual the “Wireless CF Card” will be referred to as “the wireless adapter” or “the card” and following terms or abbreviations are used

interchangeably:

• Access Point – AP

• Ad-Hoc – Peer-to-Peer

• Wireless LAN – WLAN

• Ethernet network – LAN – network

This User’s Manual contains information on how to install and configure your Wireless CF Card. From now on, we will guide you through the correct configuration steps to get

your device up and run.

iii

Contents

1 Introduction .......................................................1

1.1 Overview ........................................................................... 1

1.2 System Requirements ....................................................... 1

1.3 Unpacking ......................................................................... 2

2 Wireless LAN Basics.........................................1

2.1 Local Area Network (LAN)................................................. 1

2.2 Ad-Hoc Mode .................................................................... 1

2.3 Infrastructure Mode ........................................................... 2

2.4 Roaming ............................................................................ 2

3 Installing the Driver and CF Card......................3

3.1 Installing Microsoft ActiveSynch ........................................ 3

3.2 Installing the Driver............................................................ 3

3.3 Inserting the Wireless CF Cart .......................................... 5

4 Using Client Manger .........................................7

4.1 Accessing the Wireless PC Card....................................... 7

4.2 Configuration for Peer-to-Peer Group................................ 9

4.3 Configuration for Access Point Connection ..................... 13

4.4 Site Monitor ..................................................................... 16

4.5 Link Test .......................................................................... 17

4.6 Network Troubleshooting................................................. 19

4.6.1 Viewing Current IP Address ................................... 20

4.6.2 Renewing IP Address............................................. 21

4.6.3 Contacting a Computer .......................................... 21

4.7 Tools ................................................................................ 22

4.8 Checking Connection Status ........................................... 24

5 Setting Up TCP/IP...........................................25

Wireless CF Card User Manual

6 Troubleshooting ..............................................27

Appendix A: Glossary ............................................29

Appendix B: Specifications ......錯誤! 尚未定義書籤。

Software .................................................. 錯誤! 尚未定義書籤。

Hardware................................................. 錯誤! 尚未定義書籤。

This Wireless CompactFlash Card is designed for Windows CE–based Pocket PC to easily join an 802.11b wireless network with a range of up to 550 meters. With its CF Type

II extended form factor, low power consumption, advanced power management, and rugged design (with antenna on the card), the card is ideally suited for integration into your

Pocket PC. It allows your Pocket PC to wirelessly gain access to corporate networks and thereby to share resources on the network, such as file transfers or Internet Access.

This card features acknowledgment protocol and the option to be tuned to another frequency channel to ensure the wireless connectivity in environments with radio

interference.

This card transfers data at speeds of up to 11Mbps. Both Peer-to-Peer Group (also referred to as Ad-Hoc mode) and Access Point connection (also referred to as Infrastructure

mode) are supported. For network security concern, it also provides 64-bit or 128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption to ensure data security.

To use this Wireless CF Card, you will need:

• A computer to load driver:

− Windows 9x or higher with CD-ROM

− Microsoft ActiveSynch 3.0 or higher installed

• Pocket PC with Type II CompactFlash Slot

• Windows CE your Pocket PC

Wireless CF Card User Manual

The Wireless CF Card package contains the following items:

• One Wireless CF Card

• One Software and Utility CD-ROM

• Quick Start Guide

This section contains some Wireless LAN basics to help you better understand how the product work together to create a wireless network.

(

)

Simply put, a LAN is a network that exists in a relatively limited area. A network is two or more computers connected together sharing files and peripheral devices such as

printers.

The Wireless LAN Card allows you to interact with other computers without having to run cables normally associated with networks. This lets you move your computer around

while staying connected to your network.

There are two ways to use the Wireless LAN Card. One way is to connect directly to one or more Wireless LAN Card equipped computers, forming an Ad-Hoc wireless network.

The second way is to connect to an Access Point that gives you access to an existing wired LAN, forming an Infrastructure wireless network.

-H

The Ad-Hoc mode offers peer-to-peer connections between workstations, allowing communication between computers within range that have a Wireless LAN Card installed.

A wireless Ad-Hoc network can also access a wired LAN’s TCP/IP service (such as e-mail and the Internet) by using a TCP/IP software router on an Ethernet equipped

PowerBook or notebook.

Figure 1-1 Ad-Hoc Mode

Wireless CF Card User Manual

The Infrastructure network uses an AP or several APs as a gateway, linking the wireless network to a wired LAN. As a result, portable workstations or desktops on your wireless

network have access to all of the features of your wired LAN including e-mail, Internet access, network printers and file server.

Figure 1-2 Infrastructure Mode

Multiple Access Points can be installed to extend the wireless service coverage area for seamless wireless access. Within an extended service area, all Access Points and

wireless clients must have the same Service Set Identity (SSID). Roaming among different Access Points is controlled automatically to maintain the wireless connectivity at all

times.

Figure 1-3 Roaming Across Multiple Access Points

The software provided with the Wireless CF Card supports Windows CE 2.11, 2.12, 3.0 and 4.0. Most Windows CE devices use a host computer with

Microsoft ActiveSynch software to synchronize data. Therefore you should synchronize your Pocket PC and a host computer before installing the driver and utility. The

Wireless CF Card is to be inserted into your Pocket PC at the last stage.

Follow the steps described in this chapter to complete the installation.

Pease have Microsoft ActiveSynch 3.0 or higher installed on your host compute and hooked up to your Pocket PC.

Most Windows CE devices came with ActiveSynch in the supplied CD-ROM. You can also download the latest version of ActiveSynch from Microsoft website.

Make sure your Pocket PC is connected to your host computer before proceeding.

1. Insert the provide Software Utility CD into the CD-ROM of the host computer.

2. Locate and run Setup.exe from D:\Utility&Driver of the Software Utility CD where D is the drive letter.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

3. When the Welcome screen pops up, click Next.

4. Click Yes to install the driver into the default directory. To change the directory, click No to locate desired directory and then click Yes to proceed.

5. If no additional steps are required on your Pocket PC as shown in the example figure below, just click OK. Otherwise you should follow the instructions on your Pocket PC

before you click OK on the host PC.

The screen on Pocke

PC indicates the

installation is

complete.

3. Installing the Driver and CF Card

6. Click Finish to complete the installation.

At the last stage, insert the Wireless CF Card into the Type II CompactFlash slot in your Pocket PC. If the card is securely inserted, the red LED should blink to indicate the

wireless connection.

Then you should be able to find the wireless icon in the system tray:

Now you are done with the installation procedure. Proceed to next chapter to configure or fine-tune your Wireless CF Card settings.

Note: If you need to set up the TCP/IP of your Wireless CF Card, refer to “Setting Up TCP/IP” for details.

Your Wireless CF Card program comes with a utility, Client Manager, which allows you to configure the device. This utility also includes a number of tools to display current

statistics and status information pertaining to your Wireless CF Card and to perform link test. See the appropriate subsection as required.

You can access the Client Manager by any of the following methods:

• Tapping the wireless icon on the system tray.

• If the wireless icon is not found on the system tray, tap Start > Settings and then the Agere Client icon.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

When the main screen of the Client Manager pops up, it displays the following information:

• Network: The current active configuration profile.

• Connection: The communications quality of your connection.

• AP: The MAC address of the AP your Wireless CF Card has associated with. This information is blank if your card is working in Peer-to-Peer Group mode.

• Channel: The channel used by the current wireless network.

• Encryption: Indicates whether encryption is enabled.

4. Using Client Manger

-t

-P

To connecting to other wireless clients to form a Peer-to-Peer group, please take out the steps below:

1. Enter the main screen of the Client Manager and tap on the Edit Wireless Profiles link at the bottom.

2. Tap on the Add button to add a new profile or select one existing profile from the Select Profile drop-down list and then tap on Edit to modify the settings.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

3. Enter these fields and then tap Next.

− Profile Name: Enter a unique name to identify this configuration. A maximum of 32 characters is allowed.

− Network Type: Select Peer-to-Peer Group.

4. In the Network Name field, enter a network name with a maximum limit of 32 characters. It is the name of the wireless group you want to participate in. The network name

for all stations in a single Peer-to-Peer Group must be the same.

From the Channel Number list, select the channel to be used. In a Peer-to-Peer Group, all the wireless clients use the same channel for communication. If your Pocket

PC is the first station to start the workgroup, it will use the channel selected in the active profile.

5. If your are going to set security, check the Enable Data Security checkbox and choose to use Alphanumeric characters or Hexadecimal digits format to enter your WEP

key. Then enter your WEP key in the provided field.

When using Hexadecimal format, only digits 0-9 and letters a-f, A-F are allowed. Make sure to enter the character matching the required key format and length as below:

ASCII characters Hexadecimal digits

40 bit 5 alphanumeric characters 10 hexadecimal digits

104 bit 13 alphanumeric characters 26 hexadecimal digits

After completing all the required settings, tap on the Finish button.

4. Using Client Manger

6. You will return to the first screen. Make sure the profile appears in the Select Profile field is the one you want to apply. Then tap on OK on the upper right corner.

7. If you are prompted to remove and re-insert your Wireless CF Card to obtain a new IP address, just tap on OK.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

At this stage, you can see that current connection status on the main screen of the wireless utility. When you return to your desktop, the wireless icon always appears as the

figure below to indicate a Peer-to-Peer Grope mode.

4. Using Client Manger

To connect to a wired/wireless network through an Access Point, please take out the steps below:

1. Enter the main screen of the Client Manager and tap on the Edit Wireless Profiles link at the bottom.

2. Tap on the Add button to add a new profile or select one existing profile from the Select Profile drop-down list and then tap on Edit to modify the settings.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

3. Enter these fields and then Tap Next.

− Profile Name: Enter a unique name to identify this configuration. A maximum of 32 characters is allowed.

− Network Type: Select Access Point.

4. In the Network Name field, enter a network name with a maximum limit of 32 characters. It is the name of the Infrastructure you want to participate in. The network name

for all stations in a single Infrastructure network must be the same.

Connecting to “Open” Access Point

If this field is filled in with the special SSID name “any”, your Wireless CF Card will connect to the first compatible and “open” AP with the best signal strength within the

connection range. It allows your Wireless CF Card to wander across networks with different SSID.

Taping the Scan button will pop up a separate window to display the available “open” networks in the air. You can quickly retrieve the desired network name by Tappinging

the network you want to connect to.

Connecting to a “Closed” Access Point

The Scan feature will not be able to detect the “Closed” Access Point which are set to deny access of wireless clients with incorrect SSID or with the SSID of “any”. To

connect to such an Access Point, you will need to enter all the settings that apply to the Access Point.

5. If your are going to set security, check the Enable Data Security checkbox and choose to use Alphanumeric characters or Hexadecimal digits format to enter your WEP

key. Then enter up to four WEP keys in the provided fields.

Note: Your WEP keys must be the same as those keys used by the AP you want to associate with.

When using Hexadecimal format, only digits 0-9 and letters a-f, A-F are allowed. Make sure to enter the character matching the required key format and length as below:

ASCII characters Hexadecimal digits

40 bit 5 alphanumeric characters 10 hexadecimal digits

104 bit 13 alphanumeric characters 26 hexadecimal digits

After entering the keys, in the drop-down list below the Key 4 field, select one of the entered keys to encrypt the data you are going to transmit.

4. Using Client Manger

Note: When using WEP keys for data encryption, all the wireless stations and AP in an Infrastructure network must use identical encryption key values and key position.

To join a WEP-enabled wireless network, make sure to use the same WEP keys as your target AP.

6. Select whether to enable Card Power Management to adjust the power consumption behavior of the Wireless CF Card. Subject to the type of network traffic power

management may have some impact on network performance.

When enabled, your Pocket PC will go to ‘sleep mode’ whenever activity is low to minimize power consumption. At regular intervals it will wake up to verify whether there

is network traffic addressed to the wireless card.

After completing all the required settings, tap on the Finish button.

7. You will return to the first screen. Make sure the profile appears in the Select Profile field is the one you want to apply. Then tap on OK on the upper right corner.

At this stage, you can see that current connection status on the main screen of the wireless utility.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

You can use the Site Monitor feature to display the communications quality of your Pocket PC with multiple Access Point devices in its vicinity. The Site Monitor allows you to

conduct a site survey to:

• Determine the overall wireless coverage of your network.

• Optimize placement of your Access Points, to provide seamless connectivity to mobile stations.

• Roam throughout the wireless network environment with your Wireless CF Card. You will be able to identify areas that may not have adequate coverage, or that suffer

from interference by other (wireless) equipment such as microwave ovens or photo copiers.

To use the Site Monitor function:

1. Enter the main screen of the Client Manager. Tap on the Advanced link at the bottom and then the Site Monitor option.

4. Using Client Manger

2. This will open the Site Monitor tab to display the scan results. To view detailed information of a certain Infrastructure network, tap on the network you want to monitor and

then tap on the Open button.

Note: The Site Monitor list will only display “open” Access Points.

3. You will be provided with the following indicator options:

− AP MAC Address: The MAC address for the AP.

− SNR: The Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) is the primary diagnostic counter to diagnose wireless performance. SNR indicates the relative strength of the received

Signal Level compared to the Local Noise Level.

In most environments, SNR is a good indicator for the quality of the radio link between transmitter and receiver. A higher SNR value means a better quality radio link.

− Signal: Indicates the strength of the wireless signal as received at the Wireless CF Card. As the wireless system may perform quite well even when the signal level

is low, the primary indicator to diagnose the communications quality is the level of SNR.

− Noise: Reflects the level of radio interference as measured at the Wireless CF Card.

In a Peer-to-Peer Group, you can use the Link Test feature to analyze your link quality with another peer in the same group. In Link Test Mode, your computer will actively

exchange messages with your Link Test Partner at an interval of 4 messages per second. The Link Test mode will analyze the messages as received on your adapter and the

test partner of the link to determine:

• Radio Quality, comparing the Signal Level to the Noise Level and calculate the SNR.

• Throughput Efficiency, by comparing:

− the total number of Sent Messages to Received Messages, and calculate the number of Messages Lost.

− the number of messages transmitted at the supported Transmit Rates

Wireless CF Card User Manual

To start the Link Test function:

1. Enter the main screen of the Client Manager. Tap on the Advanced link at the bottom and then the Link Test option.

2. From the Select Partner drop-down list, select a test partner. The link test results will be then displayed.

4. Using Client Manger

If your Wireless CF Card cannot connect to a wireless network, you can use the troubleshooting function to identify possible reasons.

To use the troubleshooting function:

Enter the main screen of the Client Manager. Tap on the Advanced link at the bottom and then the Network Troubleshooting option. This will open the main screen of

Network Troubleshooting.

The Network Troubleshooting function allows you to perform a couple of tasks. See the ensuing sections for more information.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

4.6.1 Viewing Cur rent IP Address

In the Network Troubleshooting screen, you can see the IP address assigned to your device. It could be a fixed IP address you manually specified or a dynamic one assigned

by the DHCP server on the network.

Tapping the Advanced button allows you to view detailed IP information.

4. Using Client Manger

4.6.2 Renewing IP Address

If your Wireless CF Card is set to use a dynamic IP address assigned by the DHCP server on the network, you can tap on the Repair button to update the IP assignment.

Note that to request a new IP address, the prerequisite is your Wireless CF Card has successfully connected to an Infrastructure network where a DHPC server is available.

Otherwise your IP update process will fail.

4.6.3 Contacting a Computer

You can also connect a computer on the network to see if your network is functioning.

To do this, enter the name of the target remote computer in the Computer field and then tap on the Contact button. If the target computer did not response, make sure you have

entered a correct IP address or name per on-screen instructions.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

This section describes the Tools menu of the Client Manager.

• Enable/Disable Radio

Allows you to enable or disable the radio.

• Suspend While Connected

If this option is checked, when the inserted Wireless CF Card is not in use, your Pocket PC will enter suspend mode and the Wireless CF Card will be powered off to

prevent draining your battery.

Note: If you have changed the suspend options, you will be prompted to reset your device to enable the new settings.

4. Using Client Manger

• Version Info

Allows you to verify the version of individual software components.

Note: The displayed information is subject to release version.

• Edit Wireless Profiles

Allows you to edit the wireless profiles. Selecting a profile from the drop-down menu and then tapping Edit will launch a step-by-step editing process. You can end the

editing at any point by tapping on the OK at the upper right corner.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

You can check your wireless link quality via the Client Manager icon on the system tray. The communications quality is expressed in different color coding and indicators. The

corresponding link quality is given in the table below.

Note: The indicator is always blank if your Wireless CF Card is in Peer-to-Peer Group mode.

Indicator Color Radio Connection Quality

Green Excellent radio connection

Your Wireless CF Card has an excellent radio

connection with the network, allowing excellent

network communication at the highest transmit rate.

Green Good radio connection

Your Wireless CF Card has a good radio connection

with the network, allowing normal network

communication.

Yellow Marginal radio connection

The radio signal is weak. Your Wireless CF Card

has a marginal radio connection with the network.

This connection does allow network communication,

but you might observe a degradation of the network

response times due to (re)transmissions at a lower

transmit rate. Move closer to the target Access

Point.

Red Poor radio connection or no radio connection.

The radio signal is very weak. Save your files and

move closer to the target Access Point.

Blank No Connection

You have moved out of range of the wireless

network or your card has been set to operate in

Peer-to-Peer Group mode.

No network connection

The wireless program could not detect the presence

of the Wireless CF Card.

This chapter contains instructions for configuring the TCP/IP protocol of the Wireless CF Card. The IP address policy depends on your wireless network. You should configure

your TCP/IP protocol as instructed by your network administrator.

To configure the TCP/IP settings in Window CE, carry out the steps below:

1. Tapping Start > Settings > Connections > Network Adapters.

2. In the Adapters installed list, tap on your Wireless CF Card, e.g., Agere Wireless Network Driver, and then tap on Properties.

3. On the IP Address tab, choose one of the methods as required:

Option A: User server-assigned IP address.

Then an IP address will be automatically assigned to your computer.

Option B: Use specific IP address.

Manually enter the IP address, subnet mask and default gateway in corresponding fields as instructed by your network administrator.

4. After finishing the settings, tap on the OK on the upper right corner. If the Wireless CF Card is inserted to your Pocket PC, remove and re-insert it to activate the new

settings.

Radio interference.

You may be able to eliminate any interference by trying the following:

• Reseat the Wireless CF Card.

• Increase the distance between the Wireless CF Card and the device causing the radio interference.

• Keep the device with the Wireless CF Card away from the microwave oven and large metal objects.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio technician for help.

No radio link.

If your Wireless CF Card cannot make a connection to another AP or wireless client, it could be due to one of the following reasons:

• Incorrect SSID. Make sure the SSID is the same as your targeted AP or wireless client.

• Make sure you use correct WEP settings (if applicable) as your targeted AP or wireless client.

Poor link quality.

If the link quality is poor (e.g., less than 20%), it could be due to one of the following reasons:

• Check that there is no radio interference in the radio network.

• Decrease the distance to your targeted AP or wireless client.

10BaseT

An IEEE standard (802.3) for operating 10 Mbps Ethernet networks (LANs) with twisted pair cabling and a wiring hub.

Access Point

An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks. Access Points combined with a distributed system support the creation of multiple radio cells

that enable roaming throughout a facility.

Ad Hoc

A network composed solely of Wireless CF Cards within mutual communication range of each other (no Access Point connected).

BSS

Basic Service Set. A set of Wireless CF Cards controlled by a single coordination function.

Channel

A medium used to pass protocol data units that can be used simultaneously in the same volume of space by other channels of the same physical layer, with an acceptably low

frame error ratio due to mutual interference.

ESS

Extended Service Set. A set of one or more interconnected Basic Service Sets (BSSs) and integrated Local Area Networks (LANs) can be configured as an Extended Service

Set.

Ethernet

The most widely used medium access method, which is defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard. Ethernet is normally a shared media LAN; i.e., all the devices on the network

segment share total bandwidth. Ethernet networks operate at 10Mbps using CSMA/CD to run over 10BaseT cables.

Gateway

A network component that acts as an entrance to another network.

IEEE 802.11

Wireless CF Card User Manual

The IEEE 802.xx is a set of specifications for LANs from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Most wired networks conform to 802.3, the specification for

CSMA/CD-based Ethernet networks or 802.5, the specification for token ring networks. 802.11 defines the standard for wireless LANs encompassing three incompatible

(non-interoperable) technologies: Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), and Infrared. IEEE standards ensure

interoperability between systems of the same type.

Infrastructure

A wireless network centered about an Access Point. In this environment, the Access Point not only provides communication with the wired network but also mediates wireless

network traffic in the immediate neighborhood.

Internet Protocol. The standard protocol within TCP/IP that defines the basic unit of information passed across an Internet connection by breaking down data messages into

packets, routing and transporting the packets over network connections, then reassembling the packets at their destination. IP corresponds to the network layer in the ISO/OSI

model.

0. Appendix A: Glossary

Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide

reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and

used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a

particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user

is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures:

- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that

to which the receiver is connected.

- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device

must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

Wireless CF Card User Manual

IMPORTANT NOTE:

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement:

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. End users must follow the specific operating instructions for satisfying

RF exposure compliance.

This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

Askey Computer WLF010 Wireless CF Card User Manual Draft WLF010 FCC

Askey Computer Corp Wireless CF Card Draft WLF010 FCC

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