XCABLE (id=256)
XCABLE

Tester Program

Introduction

Installation and Getting Started

Commands

Supported Equipment

Theory of Operation

Safety Procedures

License and Purchase


Commands (id=258)
Commands

Commands

File

Print

Test

Setup

Help


Introduction (id=259)
Introduction

XCable is designed to aid in the troubleshooting and identfication of

commonly used computer and electronic instrument cables.

With XCable sofware, you can see on-screen the shorts, opens and intermittent connections in a defective cable.

XCable will help you do continuity tests to determine how a

cable is wired. Custom cables can be duplicated easily.

XCable programs support the following equipment:

multimeters

 	two serial ports

a serial port probe

parallel ports (future).

******************* WARNING ********************************

XCable should not be used with cables that are connected to equipment. Disconnect the cable to

be tested before you use XCable.

XCable is NOT recommended for testing

---- in-the-wall telephone wiring

---- power wiring of any kind

---- antenna cables or outdoor wiring of any kind

---- any cable that is in close proximity to large

electrical equipment capable of inducing currents in the cable.

Failure to follow these guidelines can result in equipment damage, damage to the PC or even

personal injury and death.


File (id=260)
File

Open

Retrieves a cable from a CBL file that was supplied with XCable Tester.

Save

Saves the current cable, as shown on the screen, either with the old name (default) or with a new name that you specify. One cable can be stored in each file. You can use any filename or extension. We recommend you use the .CBL extension for easier reference.

Cable Specifications

Enter data such as cable wire guage, application, and ordering information here. This data can be printed with the diagram.


Test (id=262)
Test

Scan and Check

Initiates the continuity scan of the cable. Then the measurements are compared to the cable described in the CBL file that you previously selected.

Scan

Useful only if you thoroughly understand the limitations of PC serial port hardware. Refer to the manual for more details. This option is most useful if you have the cable design TOOL program which is shipped to registered users.

Clear

Erases the current cable conductors and jumpers from memory. Connector types and specifications are left unchanged. Use this option in conjunction with SCAN to create your own CBL files.


Help (id=263)
Help

This is the Help subsystem. You are in it now!


Supported Equipment (id=264)
Supported Equipment

Two Serial Ports

Xcable Tester will use a pair of the serial (COM) ports supported by Windows 3.1. Currently COM1,2,3,4 are supported by Windows 3.1. Some combinations are not recommended since they can create interrupt conflicts.

Normally, these two ports must NOT be shared by a mouse, trackball, modem or other serial device.

See the Install section for more information.


Theory of Operation (id=265)
Theory of Operation

What Does Xcable Do?

Xcable helps analyze the data from a continuity test to solve common PC and instrument cable problems.

How ?

A slight current is sent through each pin on the cable using either a multimeter, a serial port or scanner. A complete circuit indicates a connection between the pins, however the connection may go through other pins if there are jumpers or tied-together conductors. Xcable records these measurements in the PC memory. Mathematical algorithms derive the configuration of  direct pin-to-pin connections.

Limitations of Electrical Measurements

Xcable calculates an electrically accurate picture of the internal connections for the cable. However, two cables can be wired in physically different ways that are all electrically identical. In most PC applications this presents no difficulty. This is an opportunity to optimize the cable, as described below.

Cable Optimization

Xcable always calculates the most economical and efficient way to wire the cable. If the cable was put together in an ad hoc or inefficient manner then Xcable will show you how the cable should have been made, using the minimum number of conductors and connections! This can save time and money in duplicating the cable.


Setup (id=272)
Setup

COM Ports

Select the combination of COM ports you are using. This must match your Windows Control Panel settings and the hardware jumpers, if any.

Preferences

You can customize the way the pins are labeled on the screen display and on the printed diagram.

You can turn warning sounds on/off.


Purchase Information (id=276)
Purchase Information

How to Purchase Xcable Software

The following products are available by mail order,

 directly from San Ramon Systems.

To register this copy of Xcable Tester

--------------------------------------

In addition to registration you will receive:

1 bound manual

latest release of the software

copy of XCable TOOL to design CBL files

XCable-TSTR Registration package      $ 10.00

Corporations --- ask about multi-user license discounts.

Other Products

--------------

Serial Port Probe	      $ 10.00

10BT_L and _R Adapters for 10BaseT cable testing

      $ 20.00

Future Products

---------------

Xcable with Parallel Port Support

Xcable with data acquisition board support.

      Available SOON!

Send check or money order (sorry, we cannot accept credit cards at this time) to

San Ramon Systems

2491-1 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Suite 145

San Ramon, CA 94583

$ ___.__

$ ___.__

$ ___.__    CA Residents add Sales Tax

$   3.00    Shipping (Outside USA, $5.00 Surface Mail,$8.00 Air)

$ ___.__    Total

SHIP-TO:

Your Name __________________________________________

Company   ___________________________________________

Address   ___________________________________________

City,State/Province _________________________________

Zip       __________________  Country _______________

PRINTING THIS ORDER FORM

Select FILE, PRINT on the menu bar above this help screen.

Questions?

Send e-mail to srs@eabbs.com or write to the address above.


Installation and Getting Started (id=278)
Installation and Getting Started

Installation

Configuration Options

Getting Started


Installation (id=279)
Installation

UNUSUAL REQUIREMENT!  PLEASE READ THIS!

Two unused serial ports are required to use Xcable.

The PC hardware has a limited number of COM ports and associated IRQ's. Xcable will work with whatever you can configure into Windows. Xcable uses standard Windows interfaces.

If you are using a serial mouse, internal modem or other serial (COM) device, then you will have to carefully plan your use of COM ports and IRQs. If you make a mistake and have two devices sharing the same port and IRQ then your PC, or the serial deice or Xcable Tester program will perform erratically or lock up.

Here are some things to watch out for:

You cannot have a mouse, trackball, modem or other device sharing the  COM port number (e.g. two devices on COM1).

Each COM port requires a different IRQ and software address. These can be changed in the Windows control panel.

You probably cannot have a COM port and another device, e.g. a modem, sharing the same IRQ. Sometimes you can get away with this. It depends entirely on your hardware. Be prepared to read the reference manuals and call your hardware technical support people.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If you run into difficulties, disable or remove all serial devices (serial mouse, modem, etc.), install the Xcable Tester software, run Xcable to verify that it works, and then add back the other equipment, one item at a time. When the problem recurs, then you know the culprit. This is a time-consuming troubleshooting method but it works.

Another faster way to troubleshoot is to run a diagnostic program like CheckIt or DiagSoft to detect IRQ conflicts. (Some modems, and modem programs come with utilities that will do this.) IRQ conflicts are the most common problem. These programs work well with 100%-compatible PCs. Some clones deviate so much from standards that diagnostic programs will miss a problem. Check the program reference manuals to see whether it will handle your brand of computer.


Configuration Options (id=281)
Configuration Options

COM Port

Choose Setup, Ports and click on the COM ports your cable is connected to. The Tester program will record these settings in the TSTR.INI file for use the next time you start up the program.

Preferences -- Pin Labels, Sound

Choose Setup Preferences.


License Agreement (id=282)
License Agreement

Product License Agreement

Copyright to this software is held by San Ramon Systems, USA.  In consideration of your payment of the agreed purchase price and your agreement to these terms you are hereby licensed to use the software.

You must treat the software as if it were a book.

For example: you may loan the software to someone - but you must not

retain a copy for your own use if you do so.  You must not allow the software to be used by any other individual or company to the extent that San Ramon Systems could be deprived of a further sale.  You

agree not to copy the software except for the purpose of making a backup and protecting your investment.  You may not copy or reproduce the printed and electronic manuals in any form for any reason.

You may copy the software to a hard disk or to memory for your own use.  Multiple copies of the software must not be used by two or more persons without the written permission of San Ramon Systems in the form of a site or multi user license.  You may use the software on a network or multi user system provided that it is accesed by only

on user at any one time.

San Ramon Systems has chosen not to use copy protection on the diskettes in the package for your convenience.  Files generated using this software may be distributed free of charge.  They may be used with the shareware version of the software.  The shareware version of the software may also be copied and distributed free of charge if the proper information notice is attached to the copy.  The shareware version of the software may not be distributed for a fee without the written permission of San Ramon Systems.


Safety Procedures (id=283)
Safety Procedures

******************* WARNING ********************************

Before you use Xcable, disconnect the cable to be tested from all equipment.

Xcable is NOT recommended for testing

---- in-the-wall telephone wiring

---- power wiring of any kind

---- antenna cables or outdoor wiring of any kind

---- any cable that is in close proximity to generators or motors or other high voltage equipment with strong magnetic fields that could induce a current in the cable.

Failure to follow these guidelines can result in equipment damage, damage to the PC or even personal injury and death.


License and Purchase (id=284)
License and Purchase

License Agreement

Purchase Information


Print (id=285)
Print

Print Cable Diagram

Prints a cable schematic diagram and the Cable Specification Data.

Print Pin List

Prints three pin cross-reference tables:

              end-to-end conductors

              left connector jumpers

              right connector jumpers.


Getting Started (id=286)
Getting Started

XCable can help you test a cable and avoid repair service calls. The basic concept is to compare your cables actual connections to a standard cable configuration which is stored in a .CBL file that comes with the program.

Follow these steps:

1. Get your cable documentation that shows the connections. This is usually in the back of the manual that came with your printer, modem, etc.

2. The .CBL files contain standard cable configurations. Find the one that matches your cable documentation.

 For example, if you are testing a null modem cable, then you probably should look at the NULLxx.CBL files. Select FILE, OPEN, select the file, and view the connections on the screen. If it looks like a match, then go to step 3, otherwise look at another .CBL file.

HINT: Set the pin i.d. labeling  option (select SETUP, PREFERENCES) to "numbers" or "labels" to match your documentation.

3. Print the diagram, by selecting PRINT, DIAGRAM. You could skip this step but it makes the next step easier.

4. Starting with the first pin of the left connector. Check each pin on the XCable printout to each pin in the documentation, to make sure that they are connected the same way.

5. If the cable diagram does not match the documentation on every pin, then go back to step 2 and try another .CBL file.

6. Connect your cable to the serial ports on your PC. Refer to the help screen concerning Equipment Installation.

It is alright to use 9-to-25 and 25-to-9 pin straight-through adapters to make the ports match your cable's connectors. Make sure that the adapter is not labeled "NULL" or "NULL MODEM" since these do not have straight-through connections and will cause false test results.

7. Select TEST, SCAN and CHECK. The test results will be displayed on the screen.

8. On the screen, the color of the wires shows how the cable compares to the CBL file:

black wires	= OK

 	solid red  	= short or miswire

dashed red 	= missing wire

9. Some cables ALWAYS fail the test. Read the NOTES for your cable, select FILE, CABLE SPECIFICATIONS.

These cables are wired in a way that they cannot be completely tested by XCable, so it FAILs them. You must probe the other wires using a multimeter or the probe capability that is provided in the registered version of the XCable Tester program.

10. You can print the cable diagram showing the problem areas. Select PRINT, DIAGRAM.