Connect the PwrPak7 to Data Communication Equipment

The PwrPak7 can communicate with other devices in the system, such as computers and data loggers, using serial, USB, Wi-Fi or Ethernet ports.

Serial Ports

The PwrPak7 has three serial ports: COM1, COM2 and COM3. These ports are available on the HD26 COM PORTS connector. Refer to PwrPak7 Connectors for the pin out of this connector.

PwrPak7 Serial Port Protocol

Port

RS‑232

RS‑422

Flow Control

COM1

Yes

Yes

RTS/CTS

COM2

Yes

Yes

No

COM3

Yes

No

No

COM1 and COM2 can operate using RS-232 protocol or RS-422 protocol. To change the serial port protocol, use the SERIALPROTOCOL command.

COM1 can operate using hardware flow control when the protocol is set to RS-232. To enable or disable, hardware flow control (handshaking), use the SERIALCONFIG command.

Port settings (bit rate and parity, for example) are software configurable. See Communications with the Receiver for information about configuring the serial ports. Also see PwrPak7 Data Communication Specifications for the serial port specifications.

To connect to a serial port:

  1. Connect the PwrPak7 All I/O SPAN cable (PN: 01020004), or a custom made cable, to the HD26 COM PORTS connector.

    For information about the PwrPak7 All I/O SPAN cable, see PwrPak7 All I/O SPAN Cable. This section also has the connector pin out and connector recommendations for making a custom cable.

  2. Connect the appropriate DB9 connector (COM1, COM2 or COM3) to the serial port on the computer or other data communication device.

USB Ports

The PwrPak7 has two USB 2.0 compatible ports. However, only the one labeled COM PORTS can be used for communicating with other devices. The TRANSFER USB port is used for downloading files from the PwrPak7 onboard memory.

The USB ports operate at 480 Mb/s.

To connect to the USB port:

  1. Connect the micro USB connector of the supplied USB cable to the COM PORTS USB port on the PwrPak7.

  2. Connect the other end of the supplied USB cable to the computer or other data communication device.

The NovAtel USB drivers must be installed on your Windows or Linux computer before connecting your computer to the PwrPak7 using a USB port. For information about the NovAtel USB drivers, see USB Drivers.

PwrPak7M variants do not have the TRANSFER port.

Wi-Fi

The PwrPak7 has a Wi-Fi Access Point that is enabled by default. This provides for easy connection to any laptop/tablet/smartphone with Wi-Fi capability and a web browser.

PwrPak7M and PwrPak7Q variants do not support Wi-Fi connections.

  1. Once the receiver is installed and powered, use a Wi-Fi capable laptop/tablet/smartphone to locate the PwrPak7 in the list of detected Wi-Fi Networks and establish a connection.

    The PwrPak7 SSID is printed on a label on the bottom of the receiver. The format of the SSID is PwrPak7-<Receiver PSN>, e.g. "PwrPak7-ABCDEF1234567".

  2. When first connecting via Wi-Fi, the security key must be entered. The default security key is printed on a label on the bottom of the PwrPak7. The default security key is specific to that PwrPak7 receiver.

    Windows users: Note the PwrPak7 Wi-Fi security key is not a PIN. If you see an option such as Connect using a security key instead, you must click this option to enter your security key.

  3. Open up a web browser and enter 192.168.19.1. NovAtel Manage Web, a configuration and monitoring interface hosted on the PwrPak7, opens.

Manage Web is compatible with recent versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer and Safari.

Cookies should always be on and never blocked on the browser being used to connect to the Wi-Fi network.

For more information about using the Manage Web, refer to docs.novatel.com/Tools/Content/Home.htm.

To change the configuration of the Wi-Fi interface, including security key, refer to Wi-Fi Configuration.

If the Wi-Fi security key is lost, use the FRESET command to reset the security key. Contact Customer Support to get the default security key.

Ethernet Port

The PwrPak7 has an RJ45 socket that supports 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet for communications with external data communications equipment such as computers and data loggers. The Ethernet port supports IPv4 Internet layer, TCP/IP transport, ping and connection from a Telnet client. Users can conduct remote debugging, accept MRTCA (modified RTCA) data and download firmware. OEM7 receivers are also equipped with NTRIP Version 2.0 (Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol) client and server capability.

Refer to Ethernet Configuration for instructions on configuring Ethernet and NTRIP.

CAN Bus Port

The PwrPak7 has a CAN Bus port available on the HD26 COM PORTS connector.

To connect to the CAN Bus port:

  1. Connect the NovAtel All I/O SPAN cable (PN: 01020004), or a custom made cable, to the HD26 COM PORTS connector.

    For information about the NovAtel All I/O SPAN cable, see PwrPak7 All I/O SPAN Cable. This section also has the connector pin out and connector recommendations for making a custom cable.

    The PwrPak7 All I/O Extension Cable (01020005) is an accessory for the 0102004 that connects to the DB15 connector on the 01020004 and provides individual wires for the CAN Bus signals.

  2. Connect the CAN leads to the CAN Bus.

The PwrPak7 CAN bus port is unterminated. If the PwrPak7 is at the end of the bus, then the connecting cable must have 120 ohms integrated into the cable between CANH and CANL in close proximity to the HD26 COM PORTS connector.

For information about configuring CAN, see CAN Bus.