Lantronix Xport Configuration

Adding the Xport

In HW version 1.0, the Xport devices is installed on the bottom side of the PCB. Unfortunately the Lantronix Xport does not match into the Box Kit since there is too few space between the box and the PCB. It all requires a 38mm inside high box for this selection.

Adding two capacitors (provided with Xport, maybe I will pre-do this for those ordering Xports) to the top side of the PCB

The small capacitor on the left side is 100nF, size 0603

The larger one on the right side is 4.7µF...47µF, minimum 5V, whatever available.

There is no need to cut the two mounting pins of the Xport as I did!

Install the Xport on the bottom side of the PCB
HW Version 1.0 "Series 1" only:
Adding a small wire bridge at the RS232 multiplexer for the TxD signal. (most probable I will pre-do this for those ordering Xports)

As you see it here, the output is routed to USB and Xport in parallel, while RTS and the eventual RxD input are routed to USB only.

Standalone 5V Power Supply

External 5V power can be supplied through the two solder pads on the board, here in the upper right corner.

Recognize the pad with 4 connections to the ground plane, this is [-], the other one is [+].

Any power supply should have 5V/1A minimum in order to ensure fast enough raise time that is needed for a safe reset.

DC input pads:
Here in large scale:
Left side the pad with four connections to the ground plane is GND,
the other one without is +5V

The power supply connector is connected as shown on the right side
The pad that is not used can be removed

Box Mounting

The standard box does not fit for the Xport, since there is too less space below the PCB. I found a bigger box with an inside height of 38mm that fits both, an Xport and an additional miniADSB. See here some impressions of how that was done.

This is the 38mm high box, it is a different style as the box kit. Front panel was drilled using the predrilled front panel as template


The box is cut for 62mm length, so the Xport fits perfectly to the back wall.

In the next HW Version I will place the Xport to the upper side of the PCB and also towards the front panel.


Another view, the miniADSB connector is still at the back side.

The additional miniADSB perfectly fits into the room between the PCB and the cover.
I then decided to move the miniADSB connector and the 33Ohm resistor to the 3rd postition and wired the signal line to the 1st position, see this picture:
 
I did not take care on the thickness of the cover, so there is a wrong drill for the BNC connector on the left side of the back wall.

Xport Configuration

Note: When using a Xport you have to set the RS232 baudrate to 921800 bit/sec. If you want to use two devices in parallel, like USB and Xport, it might work that the FT232R is configured for 1MBit in parallel. Otherwise you have to select a common baudrate, which is for example 115200 bits/sec for Xport and RS232.

Please be aware that the Xport is a network device and needs some higher sophisticated configuration!


Setting up for UDP mode

This mode is used in order to directly transfer data from the Mode-S Beast over the network to Planeplotter.
Planeplotter Setup
Xport Network Setup

Important Note:
While configuring, you always
have to press "OK" button at the
bottom, plus "Apply Settings"
in the left hand menu.
Xport Server Settings
Xport Connection Settings
Xport Serial Settings

The network load on a 100MBit LAN is quite low, I was surprised that it was less than 1%.
Always remember that DIP#3 is also needed to switch on the "AV" prefix at the Beast's output for Planeplotter in order to recognize AVR input.

Setting up for TCP mode / COM port over Ethernet

In the same way there is a driver for a virtual COM port that appears on the PC as serial interface. This way or some properitary modes require TCP configuration of the Xport.

If you cannot interface the UDP or TCP data into your application but need a COM port, have a look for the Lantronx Com Port Redirector.


FAQ