Summary of Contents for DG Technologies lodestar
- Page 1 ® USER MANUAL 2018 DG Technologies 33604 West Eight Mile Road Farmington Hills, MI 48335 Phone: (248) 888-2000, FAX: (248) 888-9977 http://www.dgtech.com BEACON MANUAL ®...
- Page 2 Dearborn Group, and that the name “Dearborn Group Inc.” remains on all copies as on the original. lodestar® lodestar® The accompanying software, provided for use with the interface, is copyrighted by Dearborn Group Inc.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Introduction ............................5 Technical support .......................... 6 Related documents ........................6 Hardware Overview / Getting Started ....................7 Contents of the LODESTAR® Package ..................7 2.1.1 LODESTAR® Hardware provided ..................... 7 2.1.2 LODESTAR® Software provided ....................7 Hardware specifications / setup .................... - Page 4 Also, provides a reference to related documentation and technical support resources. Section 2 – Hardware Overview / Getting Started – Describes key features of the lodestar® hardware. Section 3 – Configuring the Host PC Connections – Describes how to set up the USB and Ethernet connections, IP address and how to modify the lodestar®...
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Page 5: Introduction
1 Introduction The Lodestar family of hardware interfaces provides remote connectivity for multiplexed automotive and automation communication networks. These products use an Ethernet or USB connection to the user’s PC to provide a high-speed user interface for applications such as diagnostics, monitoring, and troubleshooting, as well as for custom applications. -
Page 6: Technical Support
Typical applications for the LODESTAR include: ® PC-to-vehicle network adapter. Stand-alone node running custom applications. LAN gateway to one or more vehicle networks. End Of Line (EOL) test applications Technical support In the U.S., technical support representatives are available to answer your questions between 9 a.m. -
Page 7: Hardware Overview / Getting Started
Host PC via a USB cable. After the LODESTAR has booted, you will see in Windows file explorer that a new USB mass storage drive has appeared. It is named “BEACON_USB”. This USB mass storage drive will act like any other USB drive. -
Page 8: Hardware Specifications / Setup
The LODESTAR® will automatically begin the boot up process when power is applied. Note 1: When the LODESTAR is powered by only the USB connection the LCD front panel display and the CAN circuitry will not function. Vehicle Network connections 2.2.3... -
Page 9: Hardware Overview
Note: The pinout information for the vehicle connectors in your Lodestar is shown below, and it also may be found in the internal web pages of the Lodestar. Hardware overview Figure 1 Front panel of the LODESTAR® unit: Figure 2 Rear panel of the LODESTAR®... -
Page 10: Lodestar Front Panel
LCD display. ! Note that the LCD display will only be active if the Lodestar is powered by a 12 VDC power source. This may be either the external 12 VDC wall adapter or through one of the vehicle network connectors. If the Lodestar is powered only by a USB connection to the host PC, then the LCD display will remain powered off. -
Page 11: Lodestar Rear Panel
Power jack connector 2.3.2.2 One way of powering the LODESTAR® is through the standard 2.5 mm x 5.5 mm power jack (with positive center pin). The LODESTAR® operates with an input voltage between 6 and 32 VDC. Typical operating voltage supplied by the included power adapter is approximately 12 VDC. - Page 12 2.3.2.5 A CAT5e RJ45 Ethernet cable is provided with the LODESTAR® tool package. This cable may be used to connect the Ethernet port on the front panel of the LODESTAR® to the Ethernet port on the host PC or hub.
- Page 13 9 pin D connector Network Group B pin # Function CAN 6 Lo CAN 5 Lo LIN CH 1 Power GND Power GND CAN 6 HI CAN 5 HI Lin CH 2 Vin (Vbatt) (fused) lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19 13 of 35...
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Page 14: I/O Connections
The IIC Clock and Data signals are 3.3V logic level signals. The Trigger and IIC Inputs and Outputs may be used by User Developed applications hosted on the Lodestar unit. Please contact DG Technologies Tech Support for details if you wish to create your own applications using the I/O signals. -
Page 15: Configuring The Host Pc Connections
The LODESTAR uses RNDIS on the PC to provide a TCP/IP communication path between the LODESTAR and the PC. The Lodestar will act as a server and assign an address to your PC. The address will be of the form 10.X.X.X and the address assigned is unique to each Lodestar. -
Page 16: Configuring The Wired Ethernet Ip Address
TCP/IP parameters can be reset to the factory default settings (Server, with DHCP) by using the reset pushbutton. Reset Pushbutton The reset pushbutton is located on the front panel of the Lodestar, just to the left of the LED. To reset the Lodestar settings to factory defaults: ... -
Page 17: Firmware Updating
Green color: Reflashing complete Red color: Reflashing failed / other error After the reflash process has completed successfully, power cycle the Lodestar before using it again. If the reflash was not succesful, you can try the proces again. The boot code within the unit is ot modified or deleted during the reflash process. -
Page 18: The Lodestar Internal Web
4 The Lodestar Internal Web Pages The Lodestar hosts an internal web page that allows you to control many aspects of the Lodestar and to get information about the Lodestar. The following sections will walk you through the internal web pages and explain the various items. -
Page 19: Login Screen
The default user name is sysadmin; the default password is dgbeacon Once logged in, the DG Lodestar System Administration page will appear. On this page, you may: access the DG Lodestar Configuration page, configure the connection parameters, change the time and date, or change the sysadmin password. -
Page 20: Configuration Tab
4.2.1 Set Date and Time – You can either have the Lodestar take the Date and Time from the host PC, or you can enter the new values manually. When you are done updating the Date and Time click Submit Date Changes. The new values and confirmation will then appear on the display. -
Page 21: Device Name Tab
The name created is linked to the IP address for the unit. The Identify ON / OFF key is useful when more than one LODESTAR® units are being used in the same proximity. With this function turned ON, there are three indications to help you identify the unit. -
Page 22: Network
Server) and any Static Configuration Parameters, as necessary. To make changes, provide new values where necessary, and click Save Ethernet Changes. Then turn the LODESTAR® unit off and back on, (i.e., reboot), to invoke the changes. Clicking on Reset will display the previous settings. - Page 23 Note: If equipped with an 802.11 b, g, or n adapter, a Wireless Configuration section will appear as indicated in the view shown below. lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19 23 of 35...
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Page 24: Dns Configuration
DNS Configuration – The initial setting for DNS is Not Enabled. If you wish to use DNS on the Lodestar, check the Enable DNS box (Domain Name Service), fill in the required information and then click Submit DNS Configuration Changes. Confirmation of the changes will appear on the display. -
Page 25: Default Route Configuration
Enable Default Route box and fill in the default address. Click on Submit Default Route Configuration Changes to accept the new default configuration. A conformation of the change will be displayed. The Reset button will return the settings to the previous parameters. lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19 25 of 35... -
Page 26: Programs Tab
Any changes are subject to the capabilities of current firmware. If you want a program to run that is not currently enabled, then check the box, and reboot the Lodestar. The program will run after the Lodestar has been rebooted. lodestar®... -
Page 27: Lcd Tab
LCD. You can try different settings and save or revert the changes on this page. You can also change the backlight brightness of the front panel keypad and enable or disable the beeper in the front LCD panel. lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19 27 of 35... -
Page 28: Password Tab
Change Sysadmin Password – You may enter a new sysadmin password and then click Submit Password Change. Clicking on Reset will revert to the previous password. Note: Please be advised that only the sysadmin password, not the root password, will change. lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19 28 of 35... -
Page 29: Update Tab
PC to tell you when the process is complete. It usually only takes a few seconds to do an update. After updating the firmware, a power cycle is required. lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19... -
Page 30: Pinouts Tab
Pinouts Tab Under the Pinouts tab is a list of all protocol channels, with their associated pin outs and channel ID assignments. lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19 30 of 35... -
Page 31: Channels Tab
Channels Tab Under the Channels tab is a listing (by channel with version and serial number) of the modules installed on the hardware. It also contains Channel Statistics and driver information. lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19 31 of 35... - Page 32 Termination ON or OFF Error reporting Save as startup defaults Bus speed (customized or one of several presets). For changes to become valid, check the Apply button on the Lodestar Channel Setup screen. lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19 32 of 35...
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Page 33: System Tab
System Tab This page provides information about the current state of the Lodestar CPU and the Linux Operating System. lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19 33 of 35... -
Page 34: Utilities Tab
This page provides links to a number of on-board utilities, including a utility to manage LIN Definition Files, utilities for use with the built-in data logger program, DBC file management and a programming multiplexor for interfacing to multiple ECUs in an End Of Line or programming environment. lodestar® MANUAL REVISED 1/08/19 34 of 35... -
Page 35: Documentation Tab
Documentation Tab This page provides technical information for the Lodestar. In addition to DG supplied technical information, it is possible for the user to load their own technical documentation, such as PDF files or even flash video files for technical instruction.
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