FarSync - The Synchronous USB Adapter
The FarSync Flex USB adapter has been developed to provide high performance sync communications support for Linux and Windows systems.
Overview
The FarSync Flex USB adapter is a high quality synchronous solution for business, government and military applications, it has been developed to provide a high performance, neat, durable and versatile connectivity for Linux and Windows systems.
The bus powered USB adapter will support a synchronous line at speeds of up to 2.048 Mbits/s continuous, higher speeds can be supported in bursts. The highly flexible universal network connector supports RS232C, X.21, RS530 (RS422 signaling), RS449 , RS485 and V.35 network interfaces.
The adapter can support the host computer's TCP/IP protocol stack or an Application can be written to use the low level API for a variety of different functions. The FarSync Flex SDK provides a Developers Toolkit for the product.
The Flex can be used for line monitoring with the addition of a special Monitor cable. A monitoring application is included. The monitoring support is also compatible with Wireshark.
The FarSync Flex supports PC connections to secure BRENT units using an X.21 connection.
For DAB connections the FarSync Flex supports ETI (NI, V.11) and STI(PI, V.11).
Features under Linux:
The Flex adapter installs seamlessly as a plug and play device under the popular Linux 32 and 64 bit distributions. The 2.0 USB adapter supports Linux kernel version 2.6 in 32 and 64 bit formats, including the leading distributions supplied by Redhat, SuSE, Mandriva, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Slackware and more. SMP (multi-processor) systems are supported.
The low level API is based on the raw socket interface supports HDLC framed and transparent bit stream data.
The Flex adapter can use the TCP/IP stack to allow access to IP based networks such as the Internet.
FarSite is committed to supporting the FarSync Flex on new versions of Linux and Linux kernels as they are released. The source code for the driver is supplied with the product, allowing rebuilding by the end user for use with almost any of the current or future Linux variants.
Features under Windows:
The adapter installs seamlessly as a plug and play device under Windows XP, Windows 7, Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 on both 32 and 64 bit, single and multi-core systems. The FarSync Flex drivers are signed by Microsoft for easy installation.
The low level API is based on an extended SDCI interface and supports HDLC framed and transparent bit stream data.
The Flex adapter can installed to appear as a NDIS (LAN) interface so can simply use the TCP/IP stack to allow access to IP based networks such as the Internet.
Developers Toolkit:
The FarSync SDK provides a Developers Toolkit with full documentation, a bitstream encoding and decoding library, useful utilities such as a line monitor and many sample applications for Linux and Windows. Support from FarSite's engineering department is provided to customers purchasing the FarSync SDK who have technical questions using the API.
Typical Applications
The FarSync Flex adapters are suitable for a very wide range of uses. Typical applications include:
- Internet Access and remote office access over leased lines
- HDLC framing support for non standard or specialist protocols
- Connection to secure BRENT units
- Interfacing video and voice bitstreams such as T-DMB, DAB ETI (N1, V.11) and STI (P1, V.11)
- Interfacing high speed MPEG Video bitstreams to Servers
- Line monitoring
- Data generators for test systems
- Engineering monitoring and control systems
- Master or slave in a RS485 half duplex multidrop environment
FarSync Flex - Product Details
The FarSync Flex is supplied with support for Windows and Linux. This includes a low level driver that allows access to the communications features available in the hardware and an optionally installable driver that connects with the standard TCP/IP protocol stack to allow access to IP based networks such as the Internet. Multiple devices can be installed.
Key Features
The intelligent FarSync Flex is designed for reliability, high performance and flexibility. The adapter uses a fast ARM processor with Flash and RAM for the onboard code.
- Network interfaces for X.21
(V.11), V.35, RS232C
(V.24, X.21bis), RS449, RS530
(EIA530, RS422), and RS485.
- Line speeds of up to 2.048 Mbits/s (E1 Speed)
- USB 2.0 high-speed mode (480mb/s) and 1.1 compatible
- Multiple Flex operation from a single server
- High efficiency USB Bus powered, energy saving design
- NRZI, NRZ, FM0 and FM1 line signaling formats, tri-state transmitters and receivers
- Half duplex multidrop for 2 wire (NRZI, FM0 or FM1) RS485 operation
- Internal and external line clocking with multiple clock selection options
- Dual bank flash for secure in field upgrades and previous system restore capability
- Software selectable Synchronous HDLC and Transparent Bitstream formats
- New releases of the software available for free download from the Download page in this web sites Support section
Key Features supported on Linux
The FarSync Flex installs seamlessly under Linux kernel series 2.6 on both single and multi-core 32 and 64 bit systems. All the popular distributions are supported including Red Hat, SuSE, Slackware, Ubuntu, Mandriva, Debian and Fedora.
Installation is simple, the driver is dynamically loadable so a kernel rebuild is not required for the driver to be installed. The driver acts as a dynamically loadable module. The link level protocol can be PPP, Cisco HDLC or Frame Relay with optional authentication by CHAP, MSCHAP or PAP (RFC 1334) providing a standard point-to-point network interface. The driver is supplied with source code.
The Raw Sockets API allows applications developed using the FarSync Flex SDK to access the full feature set of the hardware, these include bit synchronous (HDLC framed) data, transparent bitstream data (eg DAB STI, ETI on V.11), asynchronous data and signal modes NRZ, NRZI, FM1 and FM0.
A configuration utility is provided to set the line speed, interface type and protocol, after which the ports may be configured with standard networking tools.
Key Features supported on Windows
The FarSync Flex installs easily under Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 on single or multi-core 32 and 64 bit systems. A low level SDCI driver is installed with the optional installation of an NDIS (LAN) driver. The NDIS driver supports TCP/IP running over PPP with optional authentication by CHAP or PAP (RFC 1334) providing a standard point-to-point network interface. The drivers are signed by Microsoft for easy installation.
The product is supplied with a comprehensive configuration utility and its own Line Monitor that allows the user to record, display and store line traffic with WAN protocol decoding for fast debugging. The Line Monitor application is also suitable for standalone use with a special cable. The line monitor function is compatible with Wireshark via a DLL supplied with the Flex.
FarSync Flex's enhanced SDCI API allows applications developed using the FarSync Flex SDK to exactly control the type of data sent and received in bit synchronous (HDLC framed) data and transparent bitstream formats (eg DAB STI, ETI on V.11) in signal modes NRZ, NRZI, FM1 and FM0.
FarSync Flex SDK - The Developers Toolkit
The SDK includes support for writing applications on both Linux and Windows and contains documentation, working sample applications, development and test utility applications. There is everything a user needs to rapidly develop and test a wide variety of applications such as specialist synchronous (HDLC framed) protocols or transparent bitstream data requirements including Audio, MPEG Video T-DMB and DAB ETI and STI with bitstream encoder and decoders. Also included are details on using the Flex with RS485 networks.
The FarSync SDK is ordered separately from the FarSync Flex.
Our Engineering department provides free email and telephone assistance to application developers using the API as part of the package provided when the FarSync SDK is purchased.
See details on the FarSync SDK Developers Toolkit and the APIs supported.
Configuration
For Windows configuration is by a GUI application, a typical screen is shown on the right.
The line can be reconfigured and restarted without reloading the software.
There is context sensitive help and an on-line manual should it be required. An advanced tab permits users to exactly specify the configuration of the line if necessary.
For Linux a configuration utility is provided, alternatively text files can be used.
FarSync Flex - Software Technical Specifications
| Linux | |
|---|---|
| Distribution Support | Distributions by Red Hat, SuSE, Slackware, Mandriva, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and more. |
| Kernel Support | Sub versions of kernel releases from 2.6.12 onward. The products may operate successfully with earlier versions of the kernel but no specific testing has been undertaken by FarSite |
| Protocol Supported | TCP/IP, PPP, Cisco HDLC, Frame Relay, CHAP, MSCHAP, PAP (RFCs 1661, 1332, 1334) |
| API and Interfaces | Raw Socket API |
| Windows | |
| O/S Types | Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 |
| Protocol Supported | TCP/IP, PPP, CHAP, PAP (RFCs 1661, 1332, 1334) |
| API and Interfaces | Extended SDCI API, NDIS (LAN) where the line appears as a LAN interface |
| Utilities | Line Monitor to record, display and store line traffic included |
| FarSync Flex - Hardware Technical Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| General | Intelligent USB adapter with ARM processor, dedicated RAM and dual bank Flash memory, Field upgradeable onboard firmware, USB bus powered, USB 2.0 (high-speed - 480mb/s mode) and 1.1 compatible, Network line connector: HD26 for connection of network cables |
||
| Physical characteristics | Size: - Height 30mm, Length 126 mm, Width 62mm Weight: 190g 0.6 metre A to B USB cable with screw in connection on the B end |
||
| Network connections supported |
X.21 (V.11) - DTE 15 pin male D type, V.35 - DTE MRAC-34 male 'brick' type, RS232C (V.24, X.21bis) - DTE 25 pin male D type, RS530 (RS422) - DTE 25 pin male D type, RS449 - DTE 37 pin male D type, RS485 - network dependant, DCE type cables are also available |
||
| Link speed range | RS232C: up to 128 Kbits/s |
||
| Line Signal Modes | NRZI, FM0 and FM1 up to 512 Kbits/s, NRZ up to 2.048 Mbits/s | ||
| ESD protection | Yes, Littelfuse high speed ESD and over-voltage protection | ||
| Indicators | LED displaying network line status | ||
| Approvals | EN55022 class B, CE, FCC class B | ||
| Power requirements | USB Bus powered, < 100 mA on startup, < 500 mA on full load, < 1.6 watt | ||
| MTBF | 308,000 hours - calculation based on Bellcore Method 1 Case 3, 40 deg.C ambient, 15 deg.C case temperature rise above ambient. | ||
| Operating Temperature Range | 0–70°C | ||
| Line clocking (internal/external) | Internal and Externally generated line clocking is supported. Internal clock range 75 baud to 2.048 Mbits/s on X.21, V.35, RS530, RS422 and RS449 Internal clock range 75 baud to 128 Kbits/s on RS232C (V.24) Internal clock range 75 baud to 512 Kbits/s on RS485 |
||
| Extra Line Control | Bit reversal, receive clock inversion, configurable resistive interface signal termination. |
||
| Cable type compatibility | Cables are ordered separately see list of cables available | ||
| Warranty | 5 years | ||
| RoHS Compliant | Yes | ||
Order Information
| Product Name | Photo | Description | Product Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| FarSync Flex | 1 port synchronous USB Adapter with Linux and Windows software. This is the base product, it includes the Flex hardware, USB cable, drivers, utility programs, documentation on CD-ROM and a quick start guide. | FS4100 | |
| FarSync SDK | The Linux and Windows Developers Toolkit for the FarSync Flex - required if you want to write software to use the adapters API | FS9610 | |
| FarSync Flex X25 | Supports all the features of the FarSync Flex plus X.25 support, click for details | FS6100 | |
| Cable Options | |||
| KCR1 |  |
Cable - RS232C (V.24, X.21bis) and RS530 (EIA530, RS422), same cable for both interfaces, 1.5 metres | FS6011 |
| UCX1 |  |
Cable - X.21 (V.11), 1.5 metres | FS6062 |
| UCV1 |  |
Cable - V.35 with standard MRAC-34 (brick) male connector, 1.5 metres | FS6063 |
| KC449 | Cable - RS449 (RS422), 1.5 metres | FS6019 | |
| KCR-MON |  |
Monitor Cable - RS232C (V.24) and RS530 (RS422, EIA530) with DB25M to DB25F passthrough, 1.5 metres | FS6016 |
| KCX-MON |  |
Monitor Cable - X.21 (V.11) with DB15M to DB15F passthrough, 1.5 metres | FS6017 |
27-Aug-2010
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