GageWay Wireless MiniStation

Measurement Collection Technology
for Today & Tomorrow!

GageWay Wireless System
MiniStation - Base, Relay & Remote

The MiniStation can be configured by the user to operate in 3 different modes: Base, Relay or Remote.

The MiniStation operating in the Base mode is in charge of the wireless network in which it is operating.

The Relay mode is used when you need to extend the range of your wireless system. The firmware for the Relay mode is scheduled for future release.

The Remote mode is used when you have an RS-232 serial device such as a gage interface or a scale in a non-mobile setup that you want to connect to the wireless system.

The serial port on the Remote looks like a serial port on a PC and can accept data from any RS-232 serial device.

Connect an external read switch (hand switch, foot switch, etc.) to the Remote so that you can send a user-defined command to your RS-232 serial device.

When configured as a Base, the MiniStation can receive data from Mobile Modules and MiniStations configured as Remotes.

The MiniStation Base supports a maximum of 50 unique MiniStation Remotes and Mobile Modules.

Configured by an easy-to-use Windows setup program.

Field upgradeable firmware.

About the GageWay Wireless System
The GageWay Wireless System is a measurement collection system consisting of one or more MiniStation Bases connected to PCs receiving wireless data from multiple MiniStation Remotes or Mobile Modules. The wireless system supports gages from CDI, Fowler, Mahr Federal, Mitutoyo, Starrett, Sylvac, and any RS-232.

About the MiniStation
The MiniStation has been designed so it can be configured to operate as a Base, Relay or Remote. It can also be reconfigured by the user in the field. The advantage to the user of being able to reconfigure the MiniStation mode of operation allows the user to modify their wireless setup and use MiniStations they already own in other configurations. The MiniStations can be reconfigured to operate as Base, Relay or Remote by loading new firmware into the MiniStation. The latest firmware for the MiniStation modes of operation can be downloaded, at no charge, from the GageWay Wireless Software & Firmware Updates page.

Base Mode

The MiniStation Base is used to receive the data from one or more MiniStation Remotes and Mobile Modules.

Works with any operating system. You do not have to load any special software onto your computer to use the MiniStation Base.

You can have several MiniStation Bases adjacent to each other, and each MiniStation will only receive the data from MiniStation Remotes and Mobile Modules that have been associated with the MiniStation Base.

As in all of our GageWay interfaces, the output to the PC from the MiniStation Base consists of user-definable ASCII strings. Virtually all SPC/DAQ programs readily accept this type of ASCII input string.

The output from the MiniStation Base to the PC can be RS-232 or USB.

Relay Mode

The MiniStation Relay can be used to extend the 100' range of the Mobile Module and the 300' range of the MiniStation.

The Relay mode is scheduled for future release.

Remote Mode

The MiniStation Remote is used to connect RS-232 serial devices to the GageWay Wireless System.

The MiniStation Remote is typically used when you need a non-mobile wireless connection.

The serial port on the MiniStation Remote looks like a serial port on a PC and can accept data from any RS-232 serial device.

You can connect an external read switch (hand switch, foot switch, etc.) to the MiniStation Remote so that you can send a user-defined command to your RS-232 serial device.

MiniStation End Panel Views

Front View

The front panel consists of the RS-232 connection and 6 status LEDs.
The 9-pin serial port is used to connect the MiniStation to your PC or to an RS-232 serial device such as a gage interface, scale, etc. The 9-pin serial port is also used to connect a MiniStation to a USB port on a PC by using the Serial to USB cable.
The green status LEDs labeled High, Med, and Low show the RF signal strength of the data received from a Relay or Remote unit.
The red/yellow/green LEDs indicate data reception and power on status.

Back View

The back panel consists of a reset button, antenna connector, power supply connector and read switch connector.
The antenna connector is shown without the antenna attached. When you receive a new MiniStation, the antenna is unscrewed from the connector for shipping.
In the Base mode, a read switch (hand switch, foot switch, etc.) is used to associate a Mobile Module with a MiniStation Base in the field.
In the Remote mode, the read switch is used to send a user-defined command to the RS-232 serial device connected to the MiniStation.

Revised September 5, 2008