WWiirreelleessss PPoocckkeett UUSSBB IEEE 802.11b/g User Manual Rev. 1.0 Setp. 2004 Model: Wireless Pocket USB FCC ID: RC6AWU-902W FCC Information to User FCC Caution To assure continued compliance, any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate this equipment. 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 Guidelines for Human Exposure This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance of 1.5 cm between the radiator and your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. Regulatory Compliance Information This section includes user requirements for operating this product in accordance with National laws for usage of radio spectrum and operation of radio devices. Failure of the end-user to comply with the applicable requirements may result in unlawful operation and adverse action against the end-user by the applicable National regulatory authority. FCC Requirements for Operation in the United States Radio Frequency Interference Warnings & Instructions 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 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 or more of the following methods:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver Connect the equipment into an electrical outlet on a circuit different from that which the radio receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Modifications made to the product could void the user's right to operate the equipment. 1 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Europe - EU Declaration of Conformity This device is a 2.4 GHz low power RF device intended for home and office use in EU and EFTA member states. In some EU / EFTA member states some restrictions may apply. Please contact local spectrum management authorities for further details before putting this device into operation. Note: CE certificate is not applied for module. R&TTE Compliance Statement This equipment complies with all the requirements of DIRECTIVE 1999/5/CE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL of March 9, 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunication terminal Equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (R&TTE). The R&TTE Directive repeals and replaces in the directive 98/13/EEC (Telecommunications Terminal Equipment and Satellite Earth Station Equipment) As of April 8, 2000. Safety This equipment is designed with the utmost care for the safety of those who install and use it. However, special attention must be paid to the dangers of electric shock and static electricity when working with electrical equipment. All guidelines of this and of the computer manufacture must therefore be allowed at all times to ensure the safe use of the equipment. Requirements For Operation in the European Community Countries of Operation and Conditions of Use in the European Community The user should run the utility program provided with this product to check the current channel of operation and confirm that the device is operating in conformance with the spectrum usage rules for European Community countries as described in this section. This device is intended to be operated in all countries of the European Community. Operation Using 2.4 GHz Channels in France The following radio channel usage limitations apply in France. The radio spectrum regulator in France, Autorit de regulation des telecommunications (ART), enforces the following rules with respect to use of 2.4GHz spectrum in various locations in France. Please check ART's web site for latest requirements for use of the 2.4GHz band in France: http://www.art-telecom.fr/eng/index.htm. When operating in the following metropolitan regions (dpartements) in France, this device may be operated under the following conditions:
Indoors using any channel in the 2.4-2.4835 GHz band (Channels 1-13) Outdoors using channels in the 2.4-2.454 GHz band (Channels 1-7) When operating outside of the following regions (dpartements) in France such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, St Pierre et Miquelon, Mayotte, this product can be operated under the following conditions:
2 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Indoors using any channel in the 2.4-2.4835 GHz band (Channels 1-13) Outdoors using any channel in the 2.4-2.4835 GHz band (Channels 1-13) When operating outside of the following regions (dpartements) in France such as Runion and Guyana, this product can be operated under the following conditions:
Indoors using any channel in the 2.4-2.4835 GHz band (Channels 1-13) Outdoors using channels in the 2.420-2.4835 GHz band (Channels 3-13) Please refer to the ART web site for further details. Metropolitan Regions:
3 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction...............................................................................................................5 1.1 Preface...............................................................................................................5 1.2 Key Features ......................................................................................................5 1.3 Kit Contents........................................................................................................5 1.4 System Requirements ........................................................................................5 1.5 LED Definition ....................................................................................................5 1.6 Two Basic Operating Modes ..............................................................................6 1.7 Location and Range ...........................................................................................6 Chapter 2 Driver and Utility Installation .....................................................................................7 2.1 Install the Wireless LAN Card.............................................................................7 2.2 Install the Driver and Software Utility..................................................................7 2.3 Uninstall the Driver and Software Utility ...........................................................10 Chapter 3 Quick Start to Join in a Wireless Network...............................................................13 Chapter 4 Software Utility - WLAN Configuration Utility ..........................................................15 4.1 Overview ..........................................................................................................15 4.2 Profiles Tab ......................................................................................................15 4.2.1 Profiles List Section................................................................................15 4.2.2 Buttons ...................................................................................................16 4.2.3 Icon ........................................................................................................16 4.3 Link Status Tab ................................................................................................16 4.4 Site Survey Tab................................................................................................17 4.4.1 Site Section ............................................................................................17 4.4.2 Buttons ...................................................................................................17 4.4.3 Icons.......................................................................................................17 4.5 Statistics Tab....................................................................................................18 4.5.1 Transmit Statistics Section .....................................................................18 4.5.2 Receive Statistics Section ......................................................................18 4.5.3 Button.....................................................................................................19 4.6 Advance Tab ....................................................................................................19 4.6.1 Drop Menu Section.................................................................................19 4.6.2 Checkbox Section ..................................................................................19 4.6.3 Icons & Buttons Section .........................................................................19 4.7 About Tab.........................................................................................................20 4.8 Add Profile.......................................................................................................21 4.8.1 Configuration Tab...................................................................................21 4.8.2 Authentication & Security Tab ................................................................22 Chapter 5 Configuration ..........................................................................................................25 5.1 Connect to an Access Point in Infrastructure Mode..........................................25 5.2 Connect to an Ad Hoc Station ..........................................................................27 5.3 Start a New Ad Hoc Wireless Network .............................................................28 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................31 4 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Preface The miniature Wireless Pocket USB gives you ultimate mobility in your office or while you are traveling. It frees you from traditional Ethernet wiring and helps you connect to an existing wireless network for sharing your broadband cable or DSL Internet access. It is designed for PC computers running Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP operating systems. It is USB 2.0 compliant and is backwards compatible with USB 1.1. Its auto-sensing capability allows high packet transfer at up to 54 Mbps for maximum throughput or dynamic range shifting to lower speeds due to distance or operating limitations in an environment with a lot of electromagnetic interference. The Wireless Pocket USB complies to IEEE 802.11b/g standards and provides 54 Mbps WLAN connectivity. It can protect data integrity with enterprise-level security. 1.2 Key Features Operate at 2.4GHz unlicensed frequency with data transmission rate up to 54Mbps IEEE standards support: IEEE 802.11b, 802.11g Advanced security features including WEP 64-bit, 128-bit USB 2.0 interface compliant with USB 1.1 Full-featured WLAN management software utility Compatible with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP 1.3 Kit Contents Wireless Pocket USB Set-up CD with User Manual & Software Utility Neckwear USB 2.0 cradle with 3.7 feet (1.1 meters) integrated cable (option) 1.4 System Requirements A computer must be at least equipped with the following requirements:
available USB 2.0 port or USB 1.1 port CD-ROM drive Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 or XP operating system Pentium II 450MHz or faster processor 64 Mbytes RAM 50 Mbytes free hard disk space 1.5 LED Definition Act : flash during data transmitting Link : lit when wireless connection established 5 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 1.6 Two Basic Operating Modes This Pocket USB can be operated in the following two basic modes:
1. Infrastructure Mode: An 802.11 networking framework in which devices and computers communicate with each other by first going through an Access Point (AP). For example, this mode is used when computers in a house connect to an AP that is attached to a router that lets multiple computers share a single Cable or DSL broadband Internet connection. 2. Ad Hoc Mode: An 802.11 networking framework in which devices or computers communicate directly with each other, without the use of an AP. For example, Ad Hoc Mode is used when two Windows computers are configured with file and print sharing enabled and you want to exchange files directly between them. Both of these configuration options are available with this Pocket USB and are instructed in this user manual. 1.7 Location and Range Computers can connect over wireless networks indoors at a range which vary significantly based on the physical location of the computer with the Wireless Pocket USB. For best results, avoid potential sources of interference, such as:
Large metal surfaces Microwaves ovens 2.4GHz Cordless phones In general, wireless devices can communicate through walls. However, if the walls are constructed with concrete, or have metal, or metal mesh, the effective range will decrease between the devices. 6 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Chapter 2 Driver and Utility Installation This chapter explains how, and what, is needed to install driver and software utility. These include:
Installing Driver and Software Utility
Disabling the Windows XPs Zero Configuration
Invoking the Driver Utility 2.1 Installing the Pocket USB Turn on your PC, log in the operating system, connect this Wireless Pocket USB via the USB 2.0 cable or the USB 2.0 cradle or simply directly plug it into your PC. 2.2 Install the Driver and Software Utility 1. Insert the packaged CD into your CD-ROM drive. The CD will automatically start to install the driver and utility into your PC. USB 2.0 cable & cradle USB 2.0 cable 7 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 2. Click Yes to proceed the WLAN Utility installation. 3. The utility shortcut will appear on your desktop. 8 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 4. After clicking desktop icon then you will see this Pocket USBs system tray icon on the lower right portion of the Windows task bar. 5. For Windows XP users, you will be asked to select the Launch Config Utility installed or the RaConfig as Configuration Utility. This manual instructs the former. 9 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 2.3 Uninstall the Driver and Software Utility 1. Open Control Panel. 2. Double click Add or Remove Programs. 10 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 3. Select the Pocket USB from the list. 4. Click the Change/Remove button. 11 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 5. Select Yes, I want to restart my computer now., and then click Finish. 12 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Chapter 3 Quick Start to Join in a Wireless Network 1. Double click the Pocket USBs system tray icon to open the WLAN Configuration Utility. 2. Click the Site Survey tab. 13 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 3. This Pocket USB will auto-select the best wireless network to connect. You can also select one network with strongest signal and no security, and click the Connect button. A Connected icon will appear when the Pocket USB is linked to the selected network. 4. Refer to Chapter 5 Configuration for more configuration details. 14 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Chapter 4 Software Utility - WLAN Configuration Utility 4.1 Overview Profiles: A set of preset system parameters, or snapshots, of the available APs within a wireless network. You can record these snapshots. After this Pocket USB is connected to an AP, you can save the system parameters as these specific profiles. It significantly minimizes access time to the same wireless network while this Pocket USB is initializing. Link Status: A status screen that tells you information of this Pocket USB and link condition of the current network. Site Survey: Initiate a survey of the current available wireless networks and display these APs, the Ad Hoc stations, and their associated information. Statistics: Monitor the Pocket USB's current traffic activity when connected to a wireless network. Advance: Configure advanced operation parameters and display extra options. Note that some options are not supported currently. About: Hardware information of this Pocket USB and its software elements. 4.2 Profiles Tab 4.2.1 Profiles List Section Profile Name: List all profiles you named. SSID: The specific name of each AP or Ad Hoc station in your profiles. Channel: Current channel adopted by this network. Authentication: The authentication type adopted by each AP or Ad Hoc station. 15 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Encryption: The encryption type adopted by each AP or Ad Hoc station. Network Type: Infrastructure mode or Ad Hoc mode. 4.2.2 Buttons Add: Define a new profile. Refer to 4.8 Profile. Delete: Delete a profile. Edit: Alter an existing profile. Activate: Connect the Pocket USB to the selected network. 4.2.3 Icon Connected: Connection built with this specified network. Disconnected: Fail to build connection with this specified network. 4.3 Link Status Tab Status: SSID and BSSID of the currently connected network. Channel: Current channel and its corresponding frequency. Link Speed (Mbps): The data transfer speed adopted by this network (measured in Mbits per second). Throughput (Kbps): Current transmit rate (TX) and receive rate (RX) (measured in Kbits per second). Link Quality: Throughput Level where 100% equals the maximum connection quality. Signal Strength: The receive signal strength level. Check the dBm checkbox to display in dBm format. 16 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Noise Level: Current interference level where 0% equals the best connection quality. 4.4 Site Survey Tab 4.4.1 Site Section SSID: The name of each AP or Ad Hoc station. BSSID: The MAC address of SSID. Signal: Indicate each associated networks link quality measured in percentage. Channel: Current channel adopted by this network. Encryption: The encryption type adopted by each AP or Ad Hoc station. Authentication: The authentication type adopted by each AP or Ad Hoc station. Network Type: Infrastructure mode or Ad Hoc mode. 4.4.2 Buttons Rescan: Update associated networks. Connect: Connect to the selected network. Add to Profile: Save the selected network connection status into a profile. Refer to 4.8 Add Profile. 4.4.3 Icons Connected: Connection built with this specified network. A status bar on the left-bottom side of the window will show the connected SSID. 17 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 4.5 Statistics Tab 4.5.1 Transmit Statistics Section Frames Transmitted Successfully: The number of successfully transmitted frames. Frames Transmitted Successfully without Retry: The number of successfully transmitted frames without any retry. Frames Transmitted Successfully after Retry(s): The number of successfully transmitted frames with one or more retries. Frames Fail to Receive ACK After all Retries: The number of unsuccessfully transmitted frame with many retries. RTS Frames Successfully Receive CTS: The number of successfully received the CTS
(Clear To Send) response after this Pocket USB sends out the RTS (Request To Send) message. RTS Frames Fail to Receive CTS: The number of unsuccessfully received the CTS response after this Pocket USB sends out the RTS message. 4.5.2 Receive Statistics Section Frames Received Successfully: The number of successfully received frames. Frames Received with CRC Error: The number of received frames with CRC (Cyclical Redundancy Checking) error. Frames Dropped due to Out-of-Resource: The number of dropped frames. Duplicate Frames Received: The number of duplicate frames. 18 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 4.5.3 Button Reset Counter: Restart the displayed statistics. 4.6 Advance Tab 4.6.1 Drop Menu Section Wireless mode: Choose 802.11b only mode or 802.11b/g mix mode. Ad Hoc mode: When starting Ad Hoc network, you can specify 802.11b only mode or 802.11b/g mix mode. B/G Protection: 802.11b uses CCK modulation and 802.11g uses CCKcompatible OFDM modulation. Enable this to prevent the data collision in the concurrent 802.11b/g network. Auto (auto-detect) selection is recommended. Tx Rate: The selected link rate. 4.6.2 Checkbox Section Tx BURST: Check to enable the Pocket USB to transmit more data in a frame interval. 4.6.3 Icons & Buttons Section Apply: Confirm your settings. Radio On: Enable radio transmission. Radio Off: Disable radio transmission. 19 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 4.7 About Tab RaConfig Version: Version and released date of this Pocket USBs utility. Driver Version: Version and released date of this Pocket USBs driver. IP Address: IP address of this Pocket USB. Phy_Address: Phy_address of this Pocket USB. Sub Mask: Sub Mask of this Pocket USB. Default Gateway: Default gateway of this Pocket USB. 20 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 4.8 Add Profile 4.8.1 Configuration Tab Profile Name: Specify a name for this profile. SSID: Specify a network name identified in the wireless network. PSM(Power Saving Mode): Select one power save scheme from CAM (Constantly Awake Mode) (No power save option adopted by the Pocket USB.) and PSM(Power Saving Mode)
(Power Save option adopted by the Pocket USB). Network Type: Select Infrastructure mode or Ad Hoc mode adopted by this network. TX Power: Select the transmit power of this Pocket USB. 100% is recommended. Preamble: Select the length of the CRC block for communication between the AP and this Pocket USB. Make sure to select the appropriate preamble type the same as APs. High network traffic areas should use the shorter preamble type. Auto (follow APs preamble type) selection is recommended. This field is supported only in Infrastructure mode and currently disabled. RTS Threshold: Designed to prevent the Hidden Node issue, a problem happens in the wireless network when two wireless adapters served by the same AP cant communicate each other or have collision. Normally, the value of RTS Threshold is needless to change. The default value is 2312. Fragment Threshold: Enable to increase the transmission efficiency by split mechanism. The default value is 2312. 21 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 4.8.2 Authentication & Security Tab Authentication Type: Select the Authentication type adopted by the network. These types include None, Shared, WPA and WPA-PSK. 802.1X Setting: This button is enabled when you choose Open/Shared/WPA authentication types. Below table lists all different authentication types that you can use. Each type requires unique certificate or ID/password. You may need to consult the network administrator about the 802.1X settings adopted by the wireless network. 22 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Encryption: Select the Encryption type adopted by the network. These types include None, WEP, TKIP and AES. WPA Preshared Key: Input the key when using WPA-PSK authentication. WEP Key: Define up to four keys as follows:
- Hex40bits10 hexadecimal letters
- Hex104bits32 hexadecimal letters 23 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB
- ASCII40bits5 ASCII letters
- ASCIIB104bitsG16 ASCII letters 24 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Chapter 5 Configuration 5.1 Connect to an Access Point in Infrastructure Mode 1. Refer to Chapter 3 Quick Start to Join in a Wireless Network to proceed step 1 ~ 2. 2. Select an AP that is in Infrastructure Mode and click the Connect button. 25 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 3. You may need to input security key when the selected AP is adopting wireless security algorithm such as WEP, WPA, etc. 4. If the security key matches, a Connected icon will appear. 26 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 5.2 Connect to an Ad Hoc Station 1. Refer to Chapter 3 Quick Start to Join in an Open Wireless Network to proceed step 1 ~ 2. 2. Select a station that is in Ad Hoc mode and click the Connect button. 3. You will need to input the security key when the selected station is adopting wireless security algorithm such as WEP, WPA-PSK, etc. 27 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 4. If the security key matches, a Connected icon will appear. 5.3 Start a New Ad Hoc Wireless Network 1. Refer to 4.8 Profile to define a new profile. 28 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 2. Assign a Profile Name and its SSID and select Ad Hoc network type. 3. You can use WEP security algorithm and to do so, you will need to define at least a set of 40/104bits security key. 29 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB 4. Select this profile and click Activate. A new Ad Hoc wireless network starts now. 30 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Chapter 6 Troubleshooting 1. Question: The product literature says this Wireless Pocket USB can operate at 54 Mbps. Why do I see no more than 11 Mbps speed on my WLAN Configuration Utility status?
Answer: While you are connecting to an 802.11b network, the maximum 802.11b speed is 11Mbps. Moreover, the wireless connection quality between this Pocket USB and other stations will be limited to the space layout and thus the connection speed cant reach to 54Mbps. 2. Question: The Wireless Pocket USBs LEDs are not lit?
Answer: Remove and reinsert the Wireless Pocket USB. Check the Windows device manager to see if this device is recognized and enabled. Reload the Wireless Pocket USBs software, if necessary. Try to install it in a different slot on your system. 3. Question: I cannot connect to the Access Point or the wireless Router?
Answer: Make sure the same settings such as SSID, Channel and Security on the Wireless Pocket USB is the same as those on the Access Point or the wireless Router. Move closer and try again. 4. Question: I can connect to the Access Point, but I cannot connect to other computers on the network or the Internet?
Answer: Check to make sure that the access point is physically connected to the Ethernet network. Make sure that the IP address and the Windows networking parameters are all configured correctly by the connected AP. Restart your cable/DSL modem, router and access point. 5. Question: Why my Wireless Pocket USB suddenly stop response, yet it was working regularly before?
Answer: When changing the APs configuration from non-WEP to WEP enabled, while the Wireless Pocket USB is connected, the device will enter infinite scan mode, and only un-plugging the device will stop this phenomenon. 6. Question: The product literature says this Wireless Pocket USB can operate far to 328 feet
(100 meters). Why cant it reach that range when I am using it?
31 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB Answer: In optimal condition, this device can reach the maximum range. However, environmental factors such as other electric equipments and layout of building may adversely affect the effective range. 32 User Manual for the Wireless Pocket USB