May 22, 2014

iTuner Communication Troubleshooting

Procedure
This procedure provides a guide in order to overcome communication issues with iTuners either with
Focus Device Characterization Software (FDCS) or telnet control. This procedure can also be used for
Focus Switch Boxes (Ethernet) and Focus Pulsed IV Controllers. Possible reasons for failure include:
1.
2.
3.
4.

PC Configuration
Physical iTuner connection
FDCS communication issues
iTuner hardware issue

Before continuing to next sections, ensure that the tuner is powered by verifying that the display is on
and is displaying the IP address. If the display does not show the IP address, skip to section 4.
As well, if you reset (power cycle) the tuner, the tuner should initialize horizontally and vertically. The
LEDs for movement should come on and turn off when initialization is complete. If this does not happen,
skip to section 4.

1 PC Configuration
This step may cause other network features to stop working depending on your LAN setup. For more
information see your network administrator.
iTuners are shipped from the factory with the following IP addresses:
1. Load Tuner: 10.0.0.1
2. Source Tuner: 10.0.0.2
These addresses should be displayed on the front display of the tuner. If the display is not powered,
refer to section 4.
To control the tuners with these addresses, the PC needs to have a fixed IP address (with DHCP
disabled). The tuner uses a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0. Therefore the first to numbers of the PC IP
address must match the first two numbers of the IP address of the iTuner. Therefore 10.0.0.100 is a
common choice of IP address for the client PC.
To change the IP address of the PC (in Windows 7):
a) Open the Windows Control Panel and choose Network and Internet (or Network Connections).

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Figure 1-1

b) Select Network and Sharing Center.

Figure 1-2

c) Select Change adapter settings.

Figure 1-3

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d) On the network adapter dedicated to iTuner communication, right-click and select

Properties.

Figure 1-4

e) In the list of items, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

Figure 1-5

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f)

Select Use the following IP address. Enter a compatible IP address for the PC. The default
subnet mask for the PC is 255.0.0.0 and can be entered in the subnet mask field. Press OK.

Figure 1-6

2 Physical iTuner Connection

After verifying the computer settings, the following verification should be the physical tuner connection
to the computer.
The simplest connection is a direct crossover cable connection between the tuner and the computer.
Make this connection and telnet the tuner (Start -> telnet <IP address>). Telnet is not installed by
default on Windows 7. To activate the installation: Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn
Windows features on or off -> Telnet Client -> OK.

Figure 2-1

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A command prompt window should appear with a similar output to the following:
********** FOCUS MICROWAVES TUNER CONTROLLER *********
iCCMT1808 SN#447
IP: 10.0.0.1

[0]Result=-1
CCMT->
This successful connection confirms that the tuner is functional and that it is capable of communication.
If the connection works with a direct cable connection, but does not work when connected through a
router/switch, the router/switch may not be functional.
If this step is not successful, then possible problems areas are
-

The network cable is broken (or not crossover)

the network card of the computer is not functional
the network connector on the tuner is damaged (see section 4)
the tuner is has an electronics issue (see section 4)

3 FCDS Communication
If all of the connections in section 2 are working, but the tuner does not work when used in FDCS, then
the following steps should be verified
Check the tuner definition window in FDCS. The tuner definition should have the controller defined as
TCPIP and the IP address as shown on tuner display.

Figure 3-1

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The only other possible issue is with the VISA installation. The software uses the VISA standard to
communicate with the tuner. If VISA is not installed on the target PC, the packaged version of NI-VISA
can be found on the installation DVD. Do not install multiple versions of VISA on the same computer. If
you suspect VISA as the possible cause, uninstall the current installation and reinstall it.

4 iTuner Hardware
There are only a few verifications that the customer can do to diagnose hardware issues of the tuner.
If there is nothing displayed on the display (seems unpowered), verify that the power adapter is plugged
in and functional. The normal power adapter is 12V/5A.
If the display appears with darkened squares on the display, ensure that there is nothing attached to the
serial connector on the tuner.
If the display shows an error message (such as ppmc error), there is an electronics issue with the tuner.
The power connection and network connection may become damaged or detached from the electronics
due to improper handling. The user can attempt to determine this by moving the cable when attached
to the connector and inspecting the connector.
The most likely outcome from an iTuner hardware issue is that it should be returned to the factory for
repair. Contact Focus Microwaves at 514-684-4554 if you believe this to be the case.