PointLink Release Notes

Release 2.2.1.0
PL\00004 Rev.2.0

Copyright © 2013 by Ceragon Networks Ltd. All rights reserved.

PointLink Release Notes Release 2.2.1.0

Notice
This document contains information that is proprietary to Ceragon Networks Ltd. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, modified, or distributed without prior written authorization of
Ceragon Networks Ltd. This document is provided as is, without warranty of any kind.

Registered TradeMarks
Ceragon Networks® is a registered trademark of Ceragon Networks Ltd. FibeAir® is a registered
trademark of Ceragon Networks Ltd. CeraView® is a registered trademark of Ceragon Networks Ltd.
Other names mentioned in this publication are owned by their respective holders.

TradeMarks
CeraMap™, ConfigAir™, PolyView™, EncryptAir™, and CeraMon™ are trademarks of Ceragon Networks
Ltd. Other names mentioned in this publication are owned by their respective holders.

Statement of Conditions
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Ceragon Networks Ltd.
shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damage in connection
with the furnishing, performance, or use of this document or equipment supplied with it.

Open Source Statement

The Product may use open source software, among them O/S software released under the GPL or GPL
alike license ("GPL License"). In as much that such software is being used, it is released under the GPL
License, accordingly. Some software might have changed. The complete list of the software being used
in this product including their respective license and the aforementioned public available changes is
accessible on http://www.gnu.org/licenses/.

Information to User
Any changes or modifications of equipment not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment and the warranty for such equipment.

Revision History
Rev Date Author Description Approved by Date
1.0 20.08.2013 Kjetil Aasgaard First issue – SW main release Eirik Nesse 20.08.2013
2.2.0.0
2.0 05.10.2013 Kjetil Alvestad SW patch release 2.2.1.0 Eirik Nesse 05.10.2013

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PointLink Release Notes Release 2.2.1.0

Table of Contents
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Purpose and scope ........................................................................................................ 4
1.2 Release timeline ............................................................................................................. 4
1.3 Determining your software release ................................................................................ 4
1.4 Type of release .............................................................................................................. 4

2. What’s new in release 2.2 ................................................................................ 5

2.1 PointLink release 2.2.0.0 highlights ............................................................................... 5
2.1.1 Support for Automatic Standby Mode ............................................................................ 5
2.2 PointLink release 2.2.1.0 highlights ............................................................................... 7
2.3 PointLink release 2.2.2.0 highlights ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.4 Bug fixes in release 2.2.0.0 ............................................................................................ 8
2.5 Bug fixes in release 2.2.1.0 ............................................................................................ 8
2.5.1 Evolution COM error ...................................................................................................... 8
2.6 Bug fixes in release 2.2.2.0 ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.6.1 Pointing data calculation ................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

3. Radio compatibility .......................................................................................... 8

4. Functionality – cumulative list of features...................................................... 8

5. OS compatibility ............................................................................................... 9
6. Known issues ................................................................................................... 9
7. Installation ...................................................................................................... 10
7.1 PointLink Software Installation Procedure ................................................................... 10
7.2 Preparing File Locations .............................................................................................. 13
7.2.1 Copying .ini files (for new installations only) ................................................................ 13
7.2.2 Preparing access rights (applicable for WIN7 operating system) ................................ 14
7.2.3 Startup folder ................................................................................................................ 15
7.2.4 Windows Security Settings .......................................................................................... 16

List of Figures
Figure 1 – PointLink version number .................................................................................. 4
Figure 2 – New StBy tab on the front panel. ....................................................................... 5
Figure 3 - Controls and information on StBy screen ........................................................... 6
Figure 4 – LocalSite.ini example ........................................................................................ 7
Figure 5 – Pointing Menu .................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

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PointLink Release Notes Release 2.2.1.0

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose and scope

This Release Note provides information about the latest release of Ceragon’s
stabilized antenna control program PointLink. The PointLink is a specialized
product for microwave point-to-point communication between moving
vessels/platforms offshore.
PointLink releases are cumulative. This release note includes modifications specific
to the release 2.2.1.0. For additional information please see release notes for earlier
releases.

1.2 Release timeline

SW package Version Release date
SW-POINTLINK-2.1.0.0 2.1.0.0 2012-10-16
SW-POINTLINK-2.1.3.0 2.1.3.0 2013-08-20
SW-POINTLINK-2.2.0.0 2.2.0.0 2013-08-20
SW-POINTLINK-2.2.1.0 2.2.1.0 2013-10-04

1.3 Determining your software release

To determine the version of software package installed on your unit, see the front
panel window of PointLink.

VerV
er

Figure 1 – PointLink version number

1.4 Type of release

There are two types of releases. Main releases and patch releases. Software release
2.2.1.0 is a patch release.
X. X. Y. Y

Patch Release
Main Release

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PointLink Release Notes Release 2.2.1.0

2. What’s new in release 2.2.

This section summarizes the new features in the 2.2 release

2.1 PointLink release 2.2.0.0 highlights

2.1.1 Support for - Nomadic & Automatic Standby Mode

The version 2.2.0.0 of PointLink software introduces a new mode in PointLink –
“Standby”. When the system is in Standby mode, the radio transmitters are muted
and the antenna servo motors are in a fixed position (locked). This feature allows a
ship to move between locations such as different wells in an oil-field, and to
shore/harbor without concern for radiating microwave signal in an area the user
does not have license for operating the microwave radio. In addition, the antenna
servo motors will also be locked as it does not require antenna pointing in this
mode.
In the standby mode, no user traffic is transferred over the microwave link.
The feature has support for multiple pre-defined “Local Sites”, and selection of
current local site is done by an easy drop down selection menu.
The system continuously monitors the current position (GPS based) and when the
software detects that the ship’s current position deviated more than a user defined
range, the system will enter the Standby State. Once the software detects that the
current position is inside the user defined range, the system will enter Active State.
A new Tab is introduced in the GUI front panel; “StBy”

Figure 2 – New StBy tab on the front panel.

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PointLink Release Notes Release 2.2.1.0

The StBy tab contains the controls and indicators for operation of mobility between
local sites. The upper part of the tab contains two control buttons;
 Manual StBy (forces the system in Standby mode, overrides auto mode)
 Auto (standby mode is controlled by software logic – normal operation)

In addition the user defined maximum allowed distance from the wanted location
and the current distance from the wanted location is displayed.
In the mid part of the tab, the control for selection of local site and information
about the selected site is shown.
Maximum distance from the
selected site, before entering
Button for setting standby mode
the system in
Manual standby Current distance
from the selected
site
Button for setting
the system in Auto
mode Current Status
(Active | Standby)

List of defined “local

sites”
Coordinated of the
“selected” local site

Figure 3 - Controls and information on StBy screen

In addition to the Status Indicator on the tab screen, a new status indicator is
introduced between the Antenna Motion Scope and the Receiver Input Level chart
in the bottom of the front panel. See Figure 2. This indicator is always visible (even
if other tab screens are selected) and shows the text “Standby” in red when the
system has entered standby mode.

Pressing the Manual StBy button is affecting the user traffic. This
will mute all radio transmitters and set the antenna servo
motors in a locked position. The Manual StBy button overrides
the automatic control, and after releasing the Manual standby,
Auto must be pressed again to engage the automatic control of
the system.

Two new .ini files are introduced in this version and are required for operation of
the Standby feature.
• LocalSites.ini
• Selection.ini
The files shall be located on the PointLink PC in the folder C:\Program Files\Nera\
and the details to be filled in have some strict rules to be followed:

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PointLink Release Notes Release 2.2.1.0

 [Text] in brackets must never be changed.

 Text to the left of the equal sign must never be changed.
 Decimal divider is always [.] (Period).
 Text selections indicated in “ “, must be entered in the case show.

The Selection.ini is generated by the software and must not be changed manually.
The LocalSite.ini contains information about the operation sites.

[Local-1]
Name=Well 1 Under [Local-#] the information about the various
Latitude=60 02.1000' operation sites is entered.
Longitude=4 58.9000'
ASL=25 Name= Name of the local operation site.
Remote Latitude=60 00.1000'
Latitude=, Longitude= Geographical coordinates of the
Remote Longitude=5 00.1000'
Remote ASL=25 local operation site.
Tx1=
Rx1=
ASL= Height above sea level for antenna.
Tx2= Remote Latitude=, Remote Longitude= Geographical
Rx2=
Max Distance=5.2
coordinates of the remote site.
[Local-2] Remote ASL= Height above sea level for remote antenna.
Name=Well 2
Latitude=60 02.5400' Tx1=, Rx1=, Tx2=, Rx2= for future use.
Longitude=5 02.0000'
ASL=25 With multiple local sites, the information about the
Remote Latitude=60 00.1000' remote site must be entered for all. Normally this
Remote Longitude=5 00.1000' information is the same for all local sites, but if the
Remote ASL=25
Max Distance=2
various local sites has different remote sites, this can be
[Local-3] entered in the ini file.
Name=Well 3
Latitude=62 03.1000'
Max Distance= is the maximum allowed distance from
Longitude=5 03.0000' the selected operation site, before the system enters
ASL=25 Standby Mode.
Remote Latitude=60 00.1000'
Remote Longitude=5 00.1000'
Remote ASL=25
Max Distance=0.5

Figure 4 – LocalSite.ini example

2.2 PointLink release 2.2.1.0 highlights

None

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2.3 Bug fixes in release 2.2.0.0

None

2.4 Bug fixes in release 2.2.1.0

This section describes the issues resolved in release 2.2.1.0

2.4.1 Evolution COM error

When one of the Evolution IFU`s are in Standby mode, PointLink messages are not
sent frequently to keep up the http session. The PointLink program will be logged
off and lead to COM error.
The defect is now fixed in this release.

3. Radio compatibility
This table lists all supported radio variant in the system. The software revision
shows the first PointLink version to support this variant, and the Embedded
Software revisions shows the minimum required embedded radio software. Legacy
radio variants are not included in the overview.

Unit First PointLink Radio

Software revision Software revision
Evolution METRO/XPAND 2.1.0.0 R1A00
Evolution XPAND IP 2.1.3.0 R1A00

4. Functionality – cumulative list of features

This section lists all functionality for the PointLink starting from release 2.1.0.
PointLink release 2.1.0 supports:
PointLink Radio Configuration
 1+0
Evolution  1+1 HSB
XPAND IP / METRO / XPAND  1+1 FD
Single IFU / Single Sector  2+0
 1+1 FD/SD
System Evolution
 1+1 FD (PointLink only on one side of the hop)
XPAND IP / METRO / XPAND
 1+0 Node
Single IFU / Dual Sector
Evolution METRO / XPAND
 1+1 HSB
Single IFU / Dual Sector

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PointLink Release Notes Release 2.2.1.0

PointLink Radio Configuration

Evolution
XPAND IP / METRO / XPAND  1+1 HSB
 1+1 FD
Dual IFU / Dual Sector
 Single sector operation
 Dual sector operation
Evolution  Offset between GPS antenna and PointLink
Features
XPAND IP / METRO / XPAND antenna
 Horizontal plane tilt in installation

In addition the following PointLink release 2.1.3 supports:

PointLink Radio Configuration

Evolution XPAND IP
System  1+1 HSB
Single IFU / Dual Sector

In addition the following PointLink release 2.2 supports:

PointLink Radio Configuration
Evolution
Features  Support for Nomadic & Automatic Standby Mode
XPAND IP / METRO / XPAND

PointLink release 2.2.1.0 does not include any new features.

5. OS compatibility
This table lists compatibility between PointLink Software revisions and Operating
Systems of the PointLink Console Computers.

PointLink PointLink Console

Software revision Computers OS

2.0.0.0 and earlier XP

2.1.0.0 and later XP, Windows 7

6. Known issues
None

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PointLink Release Notes Release 2.2.1.0

7. Installation

7.1 PointLink Software Installation Procedure

Start the installation by starting the setup application found in the “Volume” folder
under folder with the version number.

Ver
Ver

Press Next

Press Next or select other installation directories

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Select “I accept the above 2 License Agreement(s)” and press Next to start the
installation.

Press Next

The Installation progress will be shown during the installation.

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PointLink Release Notes Release 2.2.1.0

When the installation is complete, press Finish.

Press Restart to complete the installation.

Applicable for new Installation only

Next install the COMDisable program found under the COMDisable directory. This
program fixes situations when Windows incorrectly detects a serial device that is
connected to your computer as a serial mouse, causing erratic behavior for the
scree cursor.

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7.2 Preparing File Locations

7.2.1 Copying .ini files (for new installations only)
1. Create a new directory under C: (if it’s not existing): “C:\Program Files\Nera”
2. Create two new directories inside the “C:\Program Files\Nera” directory : “Log
files” and “Log files\Events”
3. Copy the “COM.ini”, “Template PointLink.ini” and “Template LocalSite.ini” files
from the PointLink installation directory (C:\Program Files (x86)\Nera) to the
C:\Program Files\Nera directory.
4. Rename the “Template PointLink.ini” to “PointLink.ini”. The values are explained
in the User Manual.
5. Rename the “Template LocalSite.ini” to “LocalSite.ini”. The values are explained in
chapter 2.2.1 of this document. The values are also explained in the User Manual.

Files in the installation directory.

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7.2.2 Preparing access rights (applicable for WIN7 operating system)

1. Right click with the mouse on the C:\Program Files\Nera directory.
2. Select the Properties and select the Security tab
3. Press Advanced
4. Select “Users” and press Change Permission
5. Select the “Full Control”, “Create files”, “Create folders” and “Write attributes”
check boxes under the “Allow” column and press OK

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7.2.3 Startup folder

Copy a shortcut for PointLink application to the Windows Startup folder. It also
convenient to create a shortcut to the PointLink application on the desktop.

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7.2.4 Windows Security Settings

The PointLink program is designed to operate on a continuous mode. It’s important
the others settings or programs on the compute do not automatically shut down the
computer. The security settings on the computer are typically subject to company IT
policies, but it strongly recommended that the Windows Update function is managed
manually.

Select “Windows Updates” settings under the Control Panel and select “Never check
for updates”.
The Windows updates should be done in a controlled manner, where updates and are
installed when the administrator has full control over the system and when a
computer restart does not seriously affect the radio link operation (i.e. calm water and
no heading change, or when the system is shut down for maintenance purpose.

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In addition make sure that the Windows power option does not suspend or put the
computer in sleep mode. Open the Control Panel and select Power Options.

Select “Change plan setting”

select “Never” on “Put the computer to sleep”

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