WLAN PC CARD (AR) .........................................................................................
Table of Contents Section 1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Package Contents.....................................................................................1-1 1.2 System Requirements...............................................................................1-1 1.3 AT76C502A Features ...............................................................................1-1 1.4 Firmware Features.................................
Section 1 Introduction The ATMEL PCMCIA Fast-VNET-R (5V) based on ATMEL AT76C502A Wireless Media Access Controller is a network card with a rate of 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps operating in the ISM band using Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) transmission implementing the IEEE 802.11b standard. For this card ATMEL currently provides Device Drivers for MS Windows® 98/2000, and Windows® Me. ATMEL also provides tools for the configuration and firmware upgrade of the cards.
The IEEE 802.11b firmware implementation for the AT76C502A-EK supports: – Distributed Coordination Function CSMA/CA Backoff Procedure NAV Management ACK Procedure Retransmission of unacknowledged frames – RTS/CTS Handshake – Duplicate Detection and Recovery – Beacon Generation (ad-hoc mode) – Probe Response (ad-hoc mode) – Fragmentation and Reassembly – Wired Equivalent Privacy Algorithm (WEP-40 bits, 128 bits) – Auto Rate Fallback – TSF synchronization – Short Preamble 1.
Section 2 Installation Overview This is a quick step by step guide on how to install your PCMCIA Fast-VNET-R (5V) card. Please follow the steps described below and refer to the appropriate sections for further details: • Power on the computer (laptop). • Please make sure that you don’t insert your PCMCIA CARD yet. • Install the drivers and application: Insert the given Installation CD into your CD-Rom drive. Select the Utilities & Drivers folder. Locate the executable file “setup.exe” and double click it.
Section 3 Installation and Configuration Procedures Under Windows 98/Me/2000 Use the procedures described in this chapter to install and configure the Fast-VNET PCMCIA card under MS Windows 98/Me/2000. 3.1 What You Need to Know About Windows 98/Me/2000 Although similar in appearance, Windows 98/Me/2000 have different philosophies when installing a new hardware.
Figure 3-1. Selection of adapter type Application & PCMCIA Drivers: • By selecting this installation option, you will install the Applications (Configuration & Monitor Utility and Firmware Upagrade Utility) and the latest PCMCIA drivers. If the PCMCIA drivers have been previously installed and they have not been uninstalled prior to the new installation the new drivers will ovewrite the old ones without prompting you.
Figure 3-2. Operating Mode Dialog When selecting the Ad-Hoc mode you have to specify the ESSID and the Channel parameters (Figure 3-3). • ESSID: Select the ESSID of the Ad-Hoc network. All stations participating in the AdHoc network should have the same ESSID. • Channel: Select the channel to be used. There are 14 channels available. Figure 3-3. ESSID and Channel Dialog As soon as you have set your selections, press the “Next” button and a window appears with a review of your installation settings.
Infrastructure Mode In Infrastructure Mode the use of an Access Point is necessary in order for the wireless clients to communicate with each other. Figure 3-4. Operating Mode Dialog When selecting the Infrastructure mode you need to specify the ESSID (Figure 3-5). • ESSID: Select the ESSID of the access point to which the wireless station will be associated with in infrastructure mode. Figure 3-5.
2. In the Windows 2000 installation procedure an extra window appears prompting you to select whether you would like to install the “Digital Signature Not Found” or not. You can safely select “YES”. 3.4 Uninstall Procedure Under Windows 98/Me In order to uninstall the Configuration & Monitor Utility from Windows 98/Me, you must select the “Unistall Configuration & Monitor Utility” option (Start -> Programs -> Atmel 802.11 Wireless LAN -> Unistall Configuration & Monitor Utility).
Section 4 Configuration & Monitor Utility The Configuration & Monitor Utility is a powerful application that helps you to configure the Fast-VNET card and monitor the statistics of the communication. Unlike the standard method of configuring the card via the operating system utilities (e.g. Control Panel), this application permits the dynamic modification of the configuration parameters while the card is operating. It also offers some more configuration options.
make your changes and then press “Submit” in order to save your changes. Figure 4-2. A typical screen of the Monitor Utility in Infrastructure mode. Statistics This option enables you to view the available statistic information (Data packets, Management Packets and Rejected packets). In order to renew or update this list of statistics, press the “Clear” button. In order to exit press the “Exit” button at the bottom of the screen. Figure 4-3.
Site Survey By choosing the Site Survey option in any of the two modes, you can scan all the channels in order to find all the access points within the range of your card. In Figure 4-4, the card can see four access points. The list includes information about the BSSID and SSID of the access point(s), the signal strength, the channel where the access point(s) operates, and whether or not WEP encryption is used. In order to update this list, press the “Rescan” button.
Encryption By choosing this option in any of the two modes, you can set four different WEP keys and specify which one of them to use. First, either enable or disable encryprion from the appropriate “Encryption” field (see Figure 4-5 below). If you decide to use encryption, you can choose any of the available WEP keys (1 to 4). You also have the option to select the WEP mode (Mandatory/Optional).
communicate with every other station regardless if they use WEP or not. Please keep in mind that the WEP keys must be in HEX format. Finally, you have the option to select whether Open System or Shared Key authentication will be used. In order to take effect the changes you wish to make, press the “Submit” button at the bottom of the screen. Figure 4-5.
Version By choosing this option, you can view basic information about the Utility like the Driver, Firmware and Application Version. Use the “Exit” button in order to exit the application. Figure 4-7.
4.3 How to Uninstall the Configuration & Monitor Utility In order to uninstall the Configuration & Monitor Utility, you must select the “Unistall Configuration & Monitor Utility” option (Start -> Programs -> Atmel 802.11 Wireless LAN -> Unistall Configuration & Monitor Utility). It is recommended to “Exit” the Configuration & Monitor Utility prior to starting the unistallation procedure. Finally a window will appear prompting you to reboot and you must select YES.
may damage your card. The Firmware Upgrade utility allows you to upgrade the firmware of your card while your card is running. It will download the new firmware and it will reset your card in order to start operating with the new firmware. ATMEL offers the Firmware Upgrade Utility for Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000. The Firmware Upgrade Utility is automatically installed when you run the program “setup.exe” of you installation CD (see Section 4- “How to install the Configuration & Monitor Utility”).
When the firmware has been upgraded, you will see a notification from the Firmware Upgrade Utility (Figure 5-3). Press “OK” to complete the upgrade. Figure 5-3.
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.
