<< Previous | Index | Next >>

2. Getting Started

This chapter shows how to make the necessary hardware connections and how to configure the network parameters for the RabbitLink.

2.1 RabbitLink Physical Connections

1. Attach the RabbitLink board to the plastic enclosure base.

   Position the RabbitLink board over the plastic enclosure base as shown below in Figure 2.1.0-1. Attach the RabbitLink board to the base at the top left and bottom right positions using the two 4-40 × ¼ screws supplied.

Figure 2.1.0-1 Attach RabbitLink Board to Plastic Enclosure Base

The plastic enclosure base facilitates handling the RabbitLink during development. It is available in the RabbitLink Tool Kit.

NOTE	Appendix B, "Plastic Enclosure," provides additional information and specifications for the plastic enclosure.

2. Connect the programming cable

   You must connect the programming cable to configure network parameters from your PC. Connect the 10-pin DIAG connector of the programming cable to header J8, which is labeled PROG IN, on the RabbitLink. Ensure that the colored edge lines up with pin 1 as shown. Connect the other end of the programming cable to a COM port on your PC.

Figure 2.1.0-2 Programming Cable Connections

3. Connect the power supply.

   Two options are available for powering the RabbitLink. Option 1 is an AC adapter to power supply jack J4; option 2 is a screw terminal header at J5. Option 1 is most convenient in a desktop environment, and Option 2 can be used to connect the RabbitLink to an existing power supply in a field installation. The LED labeled USER comes on for several seconds after power is applied.

   Option 1 - Via AC Adapter

   Plug the DC end of the power supply into jack J4, which is labeled POWER IN, as shown in Figure 2.1.0-3.

   Option 2 - Via Screw Terminal Header J5

Do not do this hookup if you have already connected the AC adapter (Option 1).

Connect the + lead (red) to +RAW on header J5 and connect the - lead (black) to GND as shown in Figure 2.1.0-3.

Figure 2.1.0-3 Alternative Power Supply Connections

NOTE	The RabbitLink (2110) has reverse polarity protection through header J5.

4. Apply power.

   Once the RabbitLink is powered up and connected to your PC, you are ready to configure the network parameters.

2.2 Configuring RabbitLink Network Parameters from your PC

There are two ways to set the basic network parameters for the RabbitLink: dynamically (DHCP) or statically (RabbitLink serial console) . The basic network parameters are:

• the IP address of the RabbitLink
• the IP address of the gateway
• the netmask

2.2.1 Dynamically Assigned Network Parameters

The easiest way to set network parameters is to use a DHCP server. This method is available starting with RabbitLink firmware version 2.00. It removes the need to connect to a PC to configure the RabbitLink, which may be desirable on PCs without a COM port. The RabbitLink tries to use the services of a DHCP server by default.

If there is not a DHCP server on the network, or it is desired to set the parameters by hand, the second method may be used.

2.2.2 Statically Assigned Network Parameters

This method is required for setting anything beyond the basic network parameters. A terminal emulator is used to communicate with the RabbitLink serial console.

1. Open a terminal emulator such as Tera Term or Windows Hypertermal on your PC. Configure the terminal emulator as follows.

Parameter	Setting
COM	port (COM1 or COM2) to which programming cable is connected
Baud Rate	57,600 bps
Data Bits	8
Parity	None
Stop Bits	1
Flow Control	None

TIP	If no characters appear when you type, press return, then type echo on to turn on the echoing of characters.

2. Cycle power on the RabbitLink. The RabbitLink boots up whenever the power cycles, and then displays the message,

   
   RabbitLink Serial Console Version X.XX
   

   This may take several seconds, so be patient. The RabbitLink serial console will respond OK after each command, or,

   
   "ERROR <errnum>" 
   

   if something went wrong.

3. Configure the RabbitLink network parameters. This is done using the serial console commands. Typing the command "show" results in a listing of the current network addresses.

   Please refer to Appendix E, "Serial Console Commands," for a description of all the commands. If a DHCP server was not used , the following serial console commands are required:

   
   set ip x.x.x.x          // factory default is 10.10.1.100
   set gateway x.x.x.x     // factory default is 10.10.1.1
   set netmask x.x.x.x     // factory default is 255.255.255.0
   
   

   An alternative for setting the required network addresses is to change the default values in the RabbitLink firmware, download.c.

2.3 Target System Connections to the RabbitLink

After network addresses have been set, put aside the programming cable and connect the program download cable as shown in Figure 2.3.0-1. One end of the program download cable connects to the programming header of the Rabbit-based target system. The other end connects to the PROG OUT header of the RabbitLink board.

Figure 2.3.0-1 Connect Rabbit-Based Target System to RabbitLink

2.4 Ethernet Connections

Before proceeding, you will need to have either two straight-through Ethernet cables and an Ethernet hub or one Ethernet crossover cable. The Ethernet cables and Ethernet hub are available from Rabbit Semiconductor or Z-World in a TCP/IP tool kit. More information is available at

www.rabbitsemiconductor.com or at www.zworld.com

Your PC must have an RJ-45 Ethernet jack. You can identify the RJ-45 Ethernet jack by looking for an 8-connector (as opposed to a 6-connector RJ-11 phone jack) jack labeled ETHERNET or <···> that will probably have an LED or two on it. If your PC does not have Ethernet access, you will need to install a 10BaseT Ethernet card.

Connect your PC and the RabbitLink board to an Ethernet hub as shown in Figure 2.4.0-1. The Ethernet hub may also be connected to your network.

Figure 2.4.0-1 Overview of physical connections.

Alternatively, you may use the crossover Ethernet cable to connect the RabbitLink directly to a PC RJ-45 Ethernet jack. This is useful when using RabbitLink as a high speed local programming interface.

2.5 Ready to Go

The green LED labeled LINK should light up once all the connections have been made correctly.

Dynamic C or the Rabbit Field Utility may now be used to download a program to the Rabbit-based target system from your PC. The red LED labeled USER on the RabbitLink blinks while a download or a debug session is in progress.