Step 1: Upgrade the LL-RXR-27 firmware

The network tester has two parts that need firmware images: the LL-RXR-27 module and the network tester host microcontroller (which is external to the module). We'll start the network tester firmware upgrade by upgrading the LL-RXR-27 firmware. More detail on upgrading the LL-RXR-27 can be found in the "Upgrading the Module Firmware" guide.

Perform the following steps if you wish to update the firmware of the module on the network tester.

Place the network tester in UART passthrough mode

The network tester must be put into UART passthrough mode to allow traffic to flow directly to the LL-RXR-27.

1. Connect the network tester to your computer using a mini-USB cable.
2. Turn on the network tester normally and click through to the UART Passthrough menu option. Select this option.
3. Wait for the network tester's LED to start blinking. The network tester display will indicate it is ready to receive traffic.

At this point, all traffic on the network tester's USB port is sent directly to the LL-RXR-27.

Use the module bootloader script to upload new firmware to the module.

Once the network tester is in UART passthrough mode, you can use the module bootloader script to upload new firmware to the LL-RXR-27.

This script uses the standard xmodem and pyserial Python libraries, so please add these libraries to your Python installation first. The script also uses the ll_ifc Python library, so please ensure it is in the same directory. From the command line, run:

 python bootloader_upload_firmware.py ~/path/to/encrypted/binary

 See that script's '--help' menu for more details on using the bootloader script. Watch the output of the script for success.

Exit UART passthrough mode

Deselect the UART Passthrough menu option on the network tester.

Once the LL-RXR-27 has new firmware, it's time to upgrade the network tester's firmware.

Source Code at Bitbucket

The source code of the network tester provides an example of how to control a Symphony Link module using an external host controller. The code is maintained at Link Labs' Bitbucket account.

network_tester

Demo Video

Using the Network Tester

A script to update network tester firmware - network_tester_bootloader.py

network_tester_bootloader.py

Demo Videos

Setting up your Gateway

Getting Started with the Evaluation Board

Components

The Symphony Link Development Kit provides all the hardware to setup and experiment with a Symphony Link network.

The development kit includes...

A gateway

A Wifi-enabled Symphony Link Gateway (model LL-BST-8-915-SYM-W-I-US), including peripheral components to operate the gateway:

• 915-MHz antenna (Linx Technologies ANT-916-CW-HWR-SMA)
• Wifi antenna (PC Engines antsma)
• Wall-plug adapter (PC Engines ac12vus)
• 7-foot span of Ethernet cable

USB-UART evaluation boards

One LL-RLP-20 evaluation board and one LL-RXR-27 evaluation board. Also included:

• mini-USB cable to connect each evaluation board to a PC
• 915-MHz antenna (Linx Technologies ANT-916-CW-HWR-SMA) for each

A network tester

The network tester is a device to test the coverage of a Symphony Link network. The network tester automatically relays GPS position and on-board sensor data (temperature, pressure, humidity) to a Symphony Link network using an LL-RXR-27 module. Also included:

• 3 AA batteries
• 915-MHz antenna (Linx Technologies ANT-916-CW-HWR-SMA)

Overview

Prelude is a program for controlling the LL-RLP-20 and/or LL-RXR-27 USB-UART evaluation boards. The program allows users quickly to start sending and receiving messages using the Symphony Link system. The software offers a graphical representation of the behavior of Link Labs' family of Symphony Link Modules as connections are established and messages are sent and received.

Prelude can control the LL-RLP-20/RXR-27 using Symphony Link mode or NoMac mode. In Symphony Link mode, the module is configured to participate in a Symphony Link network, and communicates using the automatic functionality of the Symphony Link media-access control (MAC) protocol. In contrast, NoMac mode offers direct access to the module's low-level radio parameters.

Download the Prelude Windows Installer

Start here for installing the PC application for using the LL-RLP-20 and LL-RXR-27 evaluation boards.

Prelude Windows Installer v 1.5.0

The following link is to download an installer for a deprecated version of Prelude, which is compatible with LL-RLP-20 and LL-RXR-27 firmware version 1.3.2:

Prelude Windows Installer v 1.3.4

Client Edge API

Documentation of the Client Edge API is maintained using Swagger.

Client Edge API

Conductor JavaScript API

The Conductor JavaScript API is published at

 http://conductor.link-labs.com/conductor-api.min.js