FL-2000/4000: How to run loopback tests on displays with wireless (serial radio) communication.

Topic

  • How do I run loopback tests on FL-200/4000 Fuelight displays that is using wireless (serial radio) communication?

Environment

  • Product Family: Digit and Price Displays
  • Product: FL-2000, FL-2100, FL-2109, FL-2300, FL-4000, DF-2000, DF-2009, DF-2100, DF-2109, DF-2300, DF-4000
  • Component: FLR-1500, Gen 2 Serial Radios, POS systems
  • Control System: DM-100 handheld (ED-13374 version 5.4, 5.8)

Steps

Tools Required:

  1. 2 paper clips or small conductors.
  2. Small flathead screw driver (eyeglass or jeweler's size).
  3. Phillips head screw driver for opening radios or j-boxes.
  4. Alternate power source for DM-100 as testing requires disconnecting serial connection between DM-100 and J-box (uses 12vAC wall pack Transformer).

Step 1: Set DM-100 in loopback mode.

  • DM-100 - ED-13374 (Rev 5.4 or higher). (This is displayed on the boot up of the handheld).
    1. Press MENU.
    2. Using the arrow buttons, scroll to DIAGNOSTICS and press Enter.
    3. Using the arrow buttons, scroll to PORT TESTS and press Enter.
    4. Using the arrow buttons, scroll down to RS232 COM0 and press Enter. (If loopback is not already in place, DM-100 will tell you which pins to connect; these pins are only for testing the DB9 output on the DM-100 and on the RS232 Cable).

Step 2: Put loopback in place at the desired test point. Test points are listed below.

DM-100 and RS232 cable
  • To test the DB9 output on the DM-100, connect pins 2 & 3.
  • To test the DB9 RS232 cable, connect pins 2 & 3.
  • Verify the loop back test is passing on both. (DM-100 will display "Loop back pass"). (Indicates good DM-100 and RS232 cable).
  • Note - If loopback test passes, remove the loopback and test again to ensure test fails.
Note: Paper clips or another conductor can be inserted into the DB9 female port on the DM-100 or the DB9 RS232 cable to connect the pins.
 
Radio j-box
  • Do a loopback test on the radio j-box. Jumper pins TX-P and RX-P, as well as TX-N and RX-N together. Fig. 2
  • Verify the loop back test is passing. (DM-100 will display "Loop back pass"). (Indicates good radio j-box).
  • Note - If loopback test passes, remove the loopback and test again to ensure test fails.

DD2032686_2.png
 

 

Server radio cable

  • Do a loopback test on the cable at the server radio by disconnecting and twisting together TX-P and RX-P, as well as TX-N and RX-N wires. Fig. 3
  • Verify the loop back test is passing. (DM-100 will display "Loop back pass"). (Indicates good server radio cable).
  • Note - If loopback test passes, remove the loopback and test again to ensure test fails.

 DD2032686_3.bmp
 

Server radio

  • Power the display down before performing this loopback test.  Having the client radio powered up may affect testing conditions as it will continue to transmit/receive signal.
  • Connect RX to TX(pins 5 and 6) on TB1 signal out.
  • Verify the loop back test is passing. (DM-100 will display "Loop back pass"). (Indicates good server radio).
  • Note - If loopback test passes, remove the loopback and test again to ensure test fails.
 
                                                                           
Capture[1][1].png
Client radio
  • Remove wires from RX (White)pin5 and TX (Green)pin6 and jumper RX to TX(pins 5 and 6) on the radio.
    • Note: the pin-out of the wires prior to removing for re-installation.
  • Verify the loop back test is passing. (DM-100 will display "Loop back pass"). (Indicates good client radio. NOTE: This does not test the cables between the client radio and driver. This is only testing the board inside the client radio). 
  • Note - If loopback test passes, remove the loopback and test again to ensure test fails.
DD2032686_4.bmp 
 

KB ID: DD2866341


DISCLAIMER: Use of this content may void the equipment warranty, please read the disclaimer prior to performing any service of the equipment.

DAKTRONICS DOES NOT PROMISE THAT THE CONTENT PROVIDED HEREIN IS ERROR-FREE OR THAT ANY DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT YOUR USE OF THE CONTENT WILL PROVIDE SPECIFIC RESULTS. THE CONTENT IS DELIVERED ON AN "AS-IS" AND "AS-AVAILABLE" BASIS. ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. DAKTRONICS DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF ACCURACY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. DAKTRONICS DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR THE ACTS, OMISSIONS AND CONDUCT OF YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE CONTENT. ADJUSTMENT, REPAIR, OR SERVICE OF THE EQUIPMENT BY ANYONE OTHER THAN DAKTRONICS OR ITS AUTHORIZED REPAIR AGENTS MAY VOID THE EQUIPMENT WARRANTY. YOU ASSUME TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR USE OF THE CONTENT AND ANY LINKED CONTENT. YOUR SOLE REMEDY AGAINST DAKTRONICS FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE CONTENT IS TO STOP USING THE CONTENT. THIS LIMITATION OF RELIEF IS A PART OF THE BARGAIN BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

The above disclaimer applies to any property damage, equipment failure, liability, infringement, or personal injury claim arising out of or in any way related to your use or application of the content, whether such claim is for breach of contract, tort, negligence or any other cause of action.