4. Hardware and Software Setup
In this chapter we will explain the steps necessary to set up your RAD-Star 2 to work with vehicle networks. This will include showing you how to install the required software and drivers, connect cables between the RAD-Star 2 and your vehicle networks, and link the unit to a PC. Note that because vehicle and test bench setups will vary, we can only show a typical case here. You may need to alter these instructions to suit your particular needs.
4.1. Vehicle Spy and Driver Installation and Setup
It is possible to install your hardware and software in either order. However, the RAD-Star 2 requires drivers to function properly, which are installed automatically by the included software setup programs. If you connect the hardware before the drivers are installed, it will not work correctly. For this reason, we recommend installing the software first.
As mentioned earlier, a full licensed version of Vehicle Spy is recommended in order to allow you to get the most from your RAD-Star 2. If you purchase Vehicle Spy, its installer will be included on the software disc that comes with the device; if not, a more limited trial version will be provided instead.
Note
Note: A separate driver installer is provided for those who will be interfacing to the RAD-Star 2 using its API, rather than using Vehicle Spy. Please see Section 4.2 for details.
Installing Vehicle Spy (Professional or Trial)
The installation process is very similar for both the full and trial versions, though there may be some slight differences between the figures in this document and what you see on your screen. Vehicle Spy 3 uses an automated installer, which will do most of the work for you. Simply follow the instructions below to set up the program on your computer.
1. Load the Software and Documentation Disc: Put the disc that came with your RAD- Star 2 into the optical drive of your computer. A few seconds later, the ICS software installation menu should appear on your computer screen, as shown in Figure 10.
Note
Note: On some computers this window may not appear automatically. If this occurs, start Windows Explorer, navigate to the disc’s letter under Computer, and then double-click the file icsAutoPlay.exe to open the menu.
Figure 10: RAD-Star 2 Software Install Dialog Box.
From this menu you can start installing Vehicle Spy 3, install the API support files, and access videos, documentation and online support materials.
2. Start Vehicle Spy 3 Installation: Click Vehicle Spy 3 Install.
3. Select Language: Select your preferred language, and then click OK to proceed. (For the remainder of these directions, we will assume that English has been used.)
The Vehicle Spy 3 setup wizard will now start, displaying a welcome screen as shown in Figure 11 (though the exact version number is likely to differ from the one seen here).
Figure 11: Vehicle Spy 3 Setup Wizard Welcome Screen.
4. Start Vehicle Spy 3 Setup Wizard: Click Next > to start the setup wizard.
5. Review and Accept License Agreement: Review the license agreement, and assuming its terms are acceptable, select I accept the agreement, then click Next > (Figure 12).
Figure 12: Vehicle Spy 3 License Agreement.
6. Select Installation Type: We are doing a new installation so simply click Next > to continue.
7. Select Destination Location: Choose where you want to install Vehicle Spy 3 (Figure 13). We normally recommend using the default location. Click Next >.
Figure 13: Choosing the Destination Location.
8. Select Data Directory Location: Next, choose where you want Vehicle Spy 3 to store its data files. We recommend sticking with the provided default, C:\IntrepidCS\Vehicle Spy 3 (Figure 14). Click Next > to continue.
Figure 14: Selecting the Vehicle Spy 3 Data Directory Location.
9. Select Start Menu Folder: Choose where you want your Windows shortcuts for Vehicle Spy 3 to reside. Again, the defaults are generally fine here, though you can change them if you wish. Click Next > to proceed.
10. Select Additional Tasks: The one option here is to create a desktop icon for Vehicle Spy 3, which is selected by default. Uncheck the box if you do not wish to have this icon created, then click Next > .
You have now provided all of the information the wizard needs to install Vehicle Spy 3. Your selected options will be displayed in a review box, as shown in Figure 15.
Figure 15: Installation Options Review.
11. Review Installation Options and Begin Installation: Ensure that the options you have chosen are correct, and then click Install .
The wizard will now begin installing Vehicle Spy 3. A window will appear showing you the progress of the installation (Figure 16).
Figure 16: Installing Vehicle Spy 3.
After completing installation of the software itself, the wizard will automatically install various drivers required by Vehicle Spy 3 and the RAD-Star 2. The first install will be guided by the VCP Driver Installer.
12. Install VCP Drivers: Click Next > to begin installing the first set of drivers. This will usually take only a few seconds, and when completed, a message will appear like the one in Figure 17. Click Finish to complete this initial driver installation process.
Figure 17: VCP Driver Installation Complete.
Next, support files for Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 and 2005 will be installed, if they are not already on the computer. This happens automatically, and you may briefly see a dialog box like the one in Figure 18. Many systems already have these files, however; if that is the case, a message may appear telling you that they are already present; just hit OK to continue.
Figure 18: Installing Support Files for Microsoft Visual C++ 2005.
The WinPcap installer will start next. This is a special support program that allows Ethernet traffic on a PC to be captured and displayed by Vehicle Spy 3. You will see a window similar to the one shown in Figure 19.
Figure 19: WinPcap setup wizard.
13. Install WinPcap: Click Next > to start the installation process. Review the WinPcap license agreement and click I agree if you are willing to abide by its terms. Leave the box on the next screen checked so that WinPcap starts automatically, and click Install. After a few seconds a message will appear saying that the installation is complete; click Finish to exit this installer.
The setup wizard will now install SMSC LAN9500 device drivers. This only takes a few seconds and requires no user intervention; you may see a dialog box on the screen like the one in Figure 20.
Figure 20: SMSC LAN9500 device driver installation.
Another ICS driver installer dialog box will now appear, similar to the first one.
14. Install ICS Port Drivers: Click Next to begin installing the ICS port drivers. At this point you may receive a prompt from Windows like the one shown in Figure 21. Please click Install to authorize driver installation.
Figure 21: Windows Security Dialog Box.
Once installation begins, it will take only a few moments, and when completed, a message will appear like the one in Figure 22.
15. Complete Port Driver Installation: Click Finish to exit this part of the install.
Figure 22: Port Driver Installation Complete.
You will now see a window similar to Figure 23, indicating that the setup process is complete.
Figure 23: Vehicle Spy 3 Setup Complete.
16. Exit the Setup Wizard: Click Finish.
Congratulations, you’re done!
4.2. Driver and API Support File Installation and Setup
If you plan to use the RAD-Star 2 without Vehicle Spy 3, you will need to install drivers and support files to allow the hardware to be accessed via its API. Please follow the steps below.
All of these files are installed automatically with Vehicle Spy 3, so if you followed the instructions in Section 4.1, you can skip the directions here.
1. Load the Software and Documentation Disc: Insert the disc that came with your RAD-Star 2 into the optical drive of your computer. A few seconds later, the ICS software installation menu should automatically appear on your computer screen, as shown in Figure 24.
Note
Note: On some computers this window may not appear automatically. If this occurs, start Windows Explorer, navigate to the disc’s letter under Computer, and then double-click the file icsAutoPlay.exe to open the menu.
Figure 24: RAD-Star 2 Software Install Dialog Box.
2. Start Support File Installation: Click RP1210 J2534 Intrepid API Install.
3. Select Language: Select your preferred language, and then click OK to proceed. (We will assume that English has been used.)
The setup wizard for the ICS API and driver kit will now start, displaying a welcome screen as shown in Figure 25. (The version number you see may be different from the one shown here.)
Figure 25: API and Driver Setup Wizard Welcome Screen.
4. Start API and Driver Setup Wizard: Click Next > to start the setup wizard.
5. Review and Accept License Agreement: Review the license agreement, and assuming its terms are acceptable, select I accept the agreement, then click Next > (Figure 26).
Figure 26: API and Driver File License Agreement.
6. Select Installation Type: We are doing a new installation so simply click Next > to continue.
7. Select Destination Location: Choose where you want to install Vehicle Spy 3 (Figure 27). We normally recommend keeping the default location. Click Next >.
Figure 27: Choosing the API Kit Destination Location.
You have now provided all of the information the wizard needs, and it will display a summary as shown in Figure 28.
Figure 28: API Installation Options Review.
8. Review Installation Options and Begin Installation: Ensure that the options you have chosen are correct, and then click Install.
The wizard will now begin installing Vehicle Spy 3. A window will appear showing you the progress of the installation (Figure 29).
Figure 29: Installing API and Drivers.
After completing the basic setup, the wizard will automatically install various drivers required by the RAD-Star 2. The first install will be done by the VCP Driver Installer.
9. Install VCP Drivers: Click Next to begin installing the first set of drivers. When completed, a message will appear like the one in Figure 30. Click Finish .
Figure 30: VCP Driver Installation Complete.
Next, support files for Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 and 2005 will be automatically installed, if they are not already on the computer. You may briefly see a dialog box like the one in Figure 31. If a prompt appears saying the files are already installed, hit OK to continue.
Figure 31: Installing Support Files for Microsoft Visual C++ 2005.
Another ICS driver installer dialog box will appear now.
10. Install ICS Port Drivers: Click Next > to begin installing the ICS port drivers. If you see a Windows dialog like the one in Figure 32, click Install to authorize installation.
Figure 32: Windows Security Dialog Box.
Once installation begins, it will take only a few seconds, and when completed, a message will appear like the one in Figure 33.
11. Complete Port Driver Installation: Click Finish to exit this part of the install.
Figure 33: Port Driver Installation Complete.
You will now see a dialog box like the one shown in Figure 34, indicating that the setup process is complete.
Figure 34: Vehicle Spy 3 Setup Complete.
12. Exit the Setup Wizard: Click Finish . Congratulations, you’re done!
4.3. Hardware Hookup Diagrams
The hookup diagrams below show you at a glance how to physically connect your RAD-Star 2 to your vehicle networks and PC. The exact configuration depends on how you are using the device, but since its operation is relatively straightforward, hardware hookup is quite easy.
Standard Active Tap and Media Converter Hardware Hookup Diagram
Figure 35 shows the basic hookup of components for the RAD-Star 2 when used in its normal active tap or media converter modes. In active tap mode, naturally, both AE nodes must be connected; when using the device as a media converter, you can connect one or two nodes. Either the Ethernet or USB connection to the PC can be used, but not both at the same time.
Raw Media Converter Hardware Hookup Diagram
Figure 36 is the same as Figure 35 but modified slightly to show the relevant connections in raw converter mode. As described earlier, in this mode only one Automotive Ethernet channel (BR1) is enabled in the RAD-Star 2, and only the Ethernet link to the PC may be used.
4.4. Vehicle Network and Power Connections
Let’s start our hardware connections by attaching the RAD-Star 2 to its power supply and the vehicle networks it will monitor. Please follow these steps.
1. Connect the Power Supply: Plug the included power supply into a standard wall outlet, then attach the barrel connector to the mating connector on the left side of the RAD-Star 2. You should immediately see an LED begin blinking on the top surface of the device.
If you are using a different means of providing DC power to the RAD-Star 2, then make the appropriate connections instead.
2. Attach BroadR-Reach Cable Nano MQS Connector to RAD-Star 2: Carefully slide the Nano MQS plug of the cable assembly you created for BroadR-Reach into the matching socket on the RAD-Star 2. The connectors are keyed, and you should hear a slight click when the plug is correctly seated. Notice the release tab, which you will use if you want to remove the connector later on.
3. Connect BroadR-Reach Cable to Automotive Ethernet Nodes: Attach the terminated ends of the Nano MQS cable assembly to the appropriate ECUs and/or switch ports. The exact means of doing this will depend on how the wires are terminated, and whether you are using the device as an active tap or a media converter. Remember that in raw media converter mode, only the BR1 channel is operational.
4. (Optional) Connect Conventional Vehicle Networks: If using the RAD-Star 2’s CAN channels, attach the appropriate cable to your network and to the RAD-Star 2’s DB-9 connector.
The RAD-Star 2 should now be fully connected to your vehicle or bench network.
4.5. PC Connection
Now we are ready to connect the RAD-Star 2 to the PC. Since all data is conveyed over a single link, this is quite straightforward:
- Ethernet Link: If using Ethernet to connect to your PC, connect one end of the included Ethernet cable to the RAD-Star 2 and the other to the Ethernet port of your PC.
Note
Note: The RAD-Star 2 was designed to be connected directly to a PC Ethernet port. Intrepid does not support using a conventional Ethernet switch between the RAD-Star 2 and the PC.
If the supplied Ethernet cables are too short for your application, you can use a longer one, as long as it is certified for Gigabit Ethernet operation.
Since the RAD-Star 2 is capable of transmitting up to 200 Mb/s of data bidirectionally, we strongly recommend using a PC with a Gigabit Ethernet controller. A 100 Mb/s Ethernet connection may be sufficient, however, for low-bandwidth applications.
- USB Link: If using USB to connect to your PC, attach one end of a standard USB 2.0 “A/B” cable to the RAD-Star 2 and the other to a USB port on your PC.
Again, remember that USB cannot be used for raw media converter mode.