Thermo Scientific Portable XRF Analyzers

Transcription

1 Thermo Scientific Portable XRF Analyzers Bluetooth Troubleshooting Guide January 2012 Rev. 1

2 Presentation MUST BE in Slide Show Mode for Hyperlinks to Work Before proceeding: verify the software version! Version 7.x is required: 6.3i and higher software can be field upgraded; if the software is prior to 6.3i, the analyzer must be sent back to have the software upgraded; the analyzer will require a full calibration: If the analyzer has version 7 or 8 code, proceed to problem specific steps below. Issue: Unit fails to connect to PC through Bluetooth (for data download or NDTr) Issue: Unit fails to connect to Bar Code Reader ~50% (Niton XL3t Analyzer) or fails after getting to 100% (Niton XL2 Analyzer) Issue: Unit fails to connect to Trimble ~50% (Niton XL3t Analyzer) or fails after getting to 100% (Niton XL2 Analyzer) Issue: Unit fails to connect to Printer ~50% (Niton XL3t Analyzer) or fails after getting to 100% (Niton XL2 Analyzer) Issue: GPS device makes connection but no coordinate data is saved Issue: GPS device loses connection / stops updating coordinates during use Procedure: Basic Bluetooth connection Procedure: Troubleshooting signal level / interference issues Procedure: Disabling PIN code on barcode reader Notes: Signal level / interference Notes: PC Bluetooth stack compatibility 2 Proprietary & Confidential

3 Issue: Unit Fails to Connect to PC through Bluetooth* (for Data Download or NDTr) Does the customer s PC have a working + compatible Bluetooth stack? Have the customer check which Bluetooth stack their PC has (see PC Bluetooth stack compatibility below) Notes: PC Bluetooth stack compatibility If they don t have a compatible Bluetooth stack installed, ask if they got a Bluetooth card along with the analyzer: the card we sell and the supplied software (Blue Soleil Bluetooth stack) are known to work. If they don t have a compatible Bluetooth stack, and they didn t get a Bluetooth card with the analyzer, see if they can obtain a USB Bluetooth adapter that uses the Blue Soleil or Microsoft Bluetooth software. Run the customer through the Bluetooth connection procedure (see below) Procedure: Basic Bluetooth connection If the computer indicates that the PIN was not accepted, the analyzer has the PIN code bug, and will require updated code to fix the problem (upcoming release; currently unreleased!). - This issue is currently not resolved; ask the customer to try a different computer If the PIN code is accepted but the connection still fails, the issue most likely is with the PC s Bluetooth stack (see above). - Order Trendnet Bluetooth Adapter (includes Blue Soleil software): Part Number: *Bluetooth is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. 3 Proprietary & Confidential

4 Issue: Unit Fails to Connect to Bar Code Reader ~50% (Niton XL3t analyzer) or Fails after Getting to 100% (Niton XL2 analyzer) Try running through the connection procedure (listed below) with the customer. Procedure: Basic Bluetooth connection If the analyzer is definitely able to find the barcode reader but always fails to connect: disabling the Bluetooth security (4 digit PIN code), will be the only way to connect. See disabling PIN code on barcode reader below. Procedure: Disabling PIN code on barcode reader If the connection works intermittently: likely signal / interference issue. See troubleshooting steps for signal / interference issues (below) Procedure: Troubleshooting signal level / interference issues 4 Proprietary & Confidential

5 Issue: Unit Fails to Connect to Trimble* ~50% (Niton XL3t Analyzer) or Fails after Getting to 100% (Niton XL2 Analyzer) Try running through the connection procedure (listed below) with the customer. Procedure: Basic Bluetooth connection If the instrument fails to connect every time@ ~50% (Niton XLt3 analyzer) or after reaching 100% (Niton XL2 analyzer): the problem is a known issue and will be resolved in a future software revision. (on the analyzer) dealing with the security PIN. Have the customer disable the secure connection feature on the Trimble (enabling/disabling this feature is detailed in the GPS/GIS guide), or use the following link to the screen shots: Disabling the security pin feature for the Trimble If the instrument still fails to connect after disabling the security PIN on the Trimble: the issue could be due to weak signal or interference. Walk the customer through the troubleshooting steps for signal / interference issues (see below) Procedure: Troubleshooting signal level / interference issues *Trimble is a registered trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited. 5 Proprietary & Confidential

6 Disabling the Security Pin Feature for the Trimble 6 Proprietary & Confidential

7 Issue: Unit fails to connect to Printer ~50% (Niton XL3t Analyzer) or Fails after Getting to 100% (Niton XL2 Analyzer) Was the printer purchased from us, or is it a non-extek/apex printer that was purchased elsewhere? If the printer is not one that we sell: Below is the list of all Bluetooth accessories we sell: GPS10 i-blue 747Pro GPS GPS5 GlobalSat BT-368 GPS Trimble Juno SB (listed as Trimble GPS) Trendnet USB Bluetooth Adapter (with Blue Soleil software) Baracoda Evolution barcode reader Baracoda Pencil 2 barcode reader Datamax-O Neil Apex 4 printer Point them in the direction of making sure that the secure connection feature is disabled on the printer; we can t walk them through doing this on something that we don t sell or have any documentation on. If the printer is an Extek/Apex: walk the customer through connecting to the printer (Basic Bluetooth connection procedure). Procedure: Basic Bluetooth connection There should be no issues with secure connection because the printers we offer to customers don t use the security feature. If the printer s lights are flashing: have the customer refer to the printer manual to check what the light means. The printer could have a feed issue, it may simply be out of paper, or it may have a hardware issue and need to be replaced. 7 Proprietary & Confidential

8 Issue: GPS Device Makes Connection but No Coordinate Data Is Saved Is the GPS kept consistently within ~2 meters of the analyzer? If no advise the user to keep the GPS and analyzer close together: The CE coating on the inside of the analyzer s casing blocks signal transmission. The GPS must be kept close to the analyzer! Is the user connected to a GPS that we sell? If no suggest they use a 747Pro GPS (widely available, or they can get one from us), as they tend to provide stronger signal and better reliability. If yes find out the model of GPS they re using. The 747Pro works more reliably than the Garmin or GlobalSat GPS units. Strongly suggest purchasing the 747Pro Part Number: GPS10 (i-blue 747Pro GPS) GPS Trimble 8 Proprietary & Confidential

9 Issue: GPS Device Loses Connection / Stops Updating Coordinates During Use Is the user connected to a GPS that we sell? If no suggest they use a 747Pro GPS (widely available, or they can purchase one from us), as they tend to provide stronger signal and better reliability. If yes find out the model of GPS they re using. The 747Pro works more reliably than the Garmin or GlobalSat GPS units. Strongly suggest purchasing the 747Pro. Part Number: GPS10 9 Proprietary & Confidential

10 Procedure: Basic Bluetooth Connection 1. Restart analyzer and device 2. Log in to analyzer and go to System Bluetooth 3. Tap the reset button to clear the list of Bluetooth devices 4. Make sure the device is in discoverable mode and within 2 meters of the analyzer, then tap search on the analyzer 5. After the analyzer populates the list of devices, select the proper device and click connect a. Usually it will automatically detect the type; if it does not, hit >configuration and make sure the proper device type is selected. 6. If the device to which they re connecting is a PC or other Windows*- based device, a dialog will pop up indicating a connection request. Click Yes/Next/Accept, and enter 0000 as the PIN code. *Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation 10 Proprietary & Confidential

11 Procedure: Troubleshooting Signal Level / Interference Issues Have the customer move away from sources of RF noise such as high voltage / switching power supplies. Have the customer reset the Bluetooth connection list on their analyzer and then search for devices. If there are more than 2 or 3 other devices listed, see if they can move to an area with fewer Bluetooth devices nearby. Ensure that the analyzer is within 2 meters of the Bluetooth device. Does the issue usually occur in a specific room/area? This is an indicator of an interference issue. Is the device the customer is using one that we sell? Not all Bluetooth devices are created equal: some have weaker signal than others! If possible, have the customer try connecting to a different type of Bluetooth device. 11 Proprietary & Confidential

12 Procedure: Disabling PIN Code on Barcode Reader The customer must have a working Bluetooth connection on their PC, internet access, and a reasonable degree of savvy with computers. Baracoda has a specific list of PC Bluetooth stacks that their device will work with. The Microsoft Bluetooth stack is preferable. The Broadcom and Blue Soleil Bluetooth stacks are known to be problematic connecting for connecting to the barcode reader from a PC. 1. Go to 2. Register for a login/password on their site 3. Once able to login, download the Baracoda Manager software and install it 4. Turn on the barcode reader and open the Baracoda Manager software 5. Click Search all devices and select the barcode reader when it appears 6. Under My Paired Devices the BC Reader should be connected. Click on the device and then click Settings 7. Click the button labeled Bluetooth. Under security there will be a checkbox marked enable connection. Uncheck this and save settings 12 Proprietary & Confidential

13 Procedure: Disabling PIN Code on Barcode Reader 5. Click Search all devices, select the barcode reader when it appears, and click Add selected Return to: Disabling PIN Code on Barcode Reader 13 Proprietary & Confidential

14 Procedure: Disabling PIN Code on Barcode Reader 6. Under My Paired Devices the BC Reader should be connected. Click on the device and then click Settings Return to: Disabling PIN Code on Barcode Reader 14 Proprietary & Confidential

15 Procedure: Disabling PIN Code on Barcode Reader 7. Click the button labeled Bluetooth. Under security there will be a checkbox marked enable connection. Uncheck this and save settings. Return to: Disabling PIN Code on Barcode Reader 15 Proprietary & Confidential

16 Notes: Signal Level / Interference Random disconnect issues may be influenced by: transmission strength of the Bluetooth device, background noise/interference, and distance between the analyzer and Bluetooth device. The CE coating on the inside of the analyzer s casing blocks signal transmission. Bluetooth devices must be kept close to the analyzer! Areas with many wireless devices (Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.) and/or many sources of RF noise (i.e., high voltage and/or switching power supplies) may cause difficulty with starting/maintaining a Bluetooth connection. It is preferable to have the analyzer search for Bluetooth devices in an area that has fewer active Bluetooth devices, and fewer WiFi networks / sources of RF noise. This is also preferable for making a connection and maintaining a connection, although it s not always an option. GPS device signal strength: 747Pro GPS seems to have best signal by far; GlobalSat GPS modules (ones we currently offer under the same part number as Garmin don t work quite as well. The old Garmin GPS modules work very poorly with version 7 software and should be avoided. Issues with signal strength may be improved with better software robustness and/or better transmission power. These improvements are being looked into currently, and may be implemented in the future. 16 Proprietary & Confidential

17 Notes: PC Bluetooth Stack Compatibility Bluetooth stacks known to be problematic: Broadcom, Toshiba Bluetooth stacks known to work for PC connection: Microsoft, Blue Soleil (included with the wireless card we sell) Checking which Bluetooth stack is installed on a PC 1. Right click on My Computer and select Properties 2. In the System Properties window, select the Hardware tab and click Device Manager 3. In the Device Manager window, find the icon for Bluetooth Radios and click the + next to it to expand it. 4. There should be two devices listed: a module and an enumerator. If the enumerator has a manufacturer listed (i.e., Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator ) the Bluetooth stack is from that manufacturer. 5. If a manufacturer isn t listed in the name of the enumerator, double click on it. In the General tab of the window that appears, the manufacturer will be listed. 17 Proprietary & Confidential