CAMBRIONIX OEM-U8S User Manual

OEM-U8S
User Manual
© 2023-02 Cambrionix Ltd. All rights reserved.
EN
1. Table of Contents
1. Table of Contents
2. Your OEM-U8S at a glance
2.1. Key Features
3. Safety
3.1. Signal word panel
3.2. Safety alert symbol
3.3. Pictograms
3.4. Product modification
3.5. Power supply
3.6. Storage and Installation
3.7. OEM
4. Getting Started
4.1. Unpacking your product
4.2. What's Included
4.3. Connecting to a Host
4.4. Charging
4.5. Cables
4.6. Connecting the OEM-U8S to the Power Supply Unit using Spade
Connectors
4.7. Registration
4.8. Help and Support
5. Using your OEM-U8S
5.1. Using without connecting to a host
5.2. Using when connected to a host
5.2.1 Connecting the Hub to a host computer
5.2.2 Charging
5.2.3 Data Transfer
5.2.4 Communication Interface and Protocol
5.2.5 Connecting U8S for API
5.3. Managing Ports & Your OEM-U8S
5.3.1 Port Modes
5.3.2 Switching port modes
5.3.3 Charging Profiles
5.3.4 Firmware
5.4. Software
5.4.1 Installing Software
5.4.2 LiveViewer
5.4.3 Cambrionix API
5.4.4 Updating Software
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5.4.5 Removing Software
5.4.6 Command Line Instructions (CLI)
5.5. Scalability
5.6. Cooling the OEM-U8S
5.7. Cleaning your OEM-U8S
6. Product Specifications
6.1. Input Power Requirements
6.2. Output Power
6.3. Rail value limits
6.4. Physical specifications
6.5. Consumables and Placing Orders
7. Troubleshooting
7.1. Common troubleshooting tips
7.2. Logging through LiveViewer
7.3. Hardware Failure
7.4. Device connection
7.5. Hub connection issues
7.6. Using with a headless system
7.7. Software troubleshooting
8. Returns and Damaged Products
8.1. What if my order arrives with an issue?
8.2. What happens after I have requested a Return?
9. Compliance and Standards
10. Terms and Conditions
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2. Your OEM-U8S at a glance
The OEM-U8Sprovides 10W of charging power to each of its USB 2.0 Type-A ports, allowing mobile
devices to be charged quickly, safely and reliably. All ports can be controlled using Cambrionix
software to enable charging and data transfer while monitoring important port and device
information.
The OEM-U8S can charge attached USB devices without using a local computer, and our intelligent
charging algorithm allows almost any device to be charged at its optimum rate (up to 2.1A). The
firmware can be updated to enable new charging profiles, ensuring the OEM-U8S can charge the
latest devices. It is ready to charge out-of-the-box and sync devices when attached to a host
computer.
When a local (host) computer is connected, the host can control the operation of the ports using
available software. Device charging and synchronisation can be monitored through
Cambrionix’s LiveViewer App, the Application Programming Interface (API) or Command Line
Interface (CLI). Cambrionix’s free monitoring and control software can be downloaded from
www.cambrionix.com/software
You can download the latest version of this manual and all product user manuals from our website at
the following link. www.cambrionix.com/product-user-manuals
2.1. Key Features
Up To
480(Mbps)
per Port
Up To
2.1A
per Port
Up To
32
Devices
Transfer Data
Seamlessly
Power
Scalability
Each high-speed port can
transfer data up to 480
(Mbps)
Each port can charge
devices up to 2.1A
(10W)
Up to 32 devices can be
connected at once using
multiple hubs
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3. Safety
This user manual is for informational purposes only, it contains information for the start-up and
operation of this product. Note: the contents and the product described are subject to change
without notice. To avoid injuries and damage, observe the safety instructions in the user manual.
This manual has been arranged to follow the IEC/ICEE 82079-1 standard. This is to facilitate the easier
understanding and location of information relating to the OEM-U8S. Any errors or omissions can be
reported using our support ticket system (seeHelp and Support). This way, any issues that are
discovered can be acted on quickly and we can update the documentation to reflect this.
Understanding and observing the instructions in this user manual are prerequisites for hazard-free
use and safety during operation. This user manual cannot cover all possible applications. If you would
like additional information or if problems arise that are not sufficiently addressed in this manual,
please ask your distributor or contact us directly using the means preferred, which are located on the
back cover of this manual.
CAUTION
Personal Injury and Damage to the product
Always observe the safety instructions in this user manual
3.1. Signal word panel
Depending on the probability of serious consequences, potential dangers are identified with a signal
word, the corresponding safety colour, and if appropriate, the safety alert symbol.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, may result in moderate or
minor (reversible) injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in damage to the
product and its functions, or to property in its proximity.
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3.2. Safety alert symbol
Use of the safety alert symbol indicates a risk of injury.
Observe all measures that are marked with the safety alert symbol in order to avoid injury
3.3. Pictograms
These symbols will be used throughout this documentation to alert to any potential dangers or any
actions that must be taken.
Warning Signs
Electrical hazard
Fire Hazard
Mandatory action signs
Read operating instructions
Mandatory regulation
3.4. Product modification
Cambrionix products are designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of UK and
international safety regulations. Modifications to the product could affect safety and render the
product non-compliant with relevant safety standards, resulting in injury or damage to the product.
CAUTION
An electric shock or personal injury may occur
Do not modify the product in any way.
Do not dismantle the product.
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CAUTION
Fire, or personal injury may occur
Do not obstruct air vents on the product.
Do not cover the product in or place near combustible material.
CAUTION
Damage to your product may occur
Do not bend or compress any part of the product.
3.5. Power supply
This section describes the safety precautions you must follow when using the external power supply.
CAUTION
An electric shock or personal injury may occur
Do not use a damaged power cord or plug, or a loose power socket.
Do not touch the power plug with wet hands.
Do not allow liquids to come into contact with the unit or power supply.
CAUTION
Damage to your product may occur
Do not short circuit the Power Supply Unit (PSU) supplied with your product.
Do not disconnect the power cord while the product is being used.
Do not bend or pull the power cord with excessive force.
Do not use a power supply that exceeds the power supply specifications
within this manual
3.6. Storage and Installation
This section describes safety precautions you must follow when installing and storing your OEM-U8S.
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CAUTION
An electric shock or personal injury may occur
Do not place the power cord near heat sources.
Connect the plug only to an earthed socket.
CAUTION
Damage to your Cambrionix product may occur
Operate the product only in an environment where the ambient
temperature is inside the operating temperature range.
Operate the product only in an environment where the relative humidity is
inside the operating range.
Be careful not to leave the power cord underneath a heavy object.
CAUTION
Overheated power sockets may cause a fire
Do not overload the power socket that your hub is connected to.
Insert the power plug all the way into the socket so that it is not loose.
CAUTION
Overloading the brackets may cause failure
The rack brackets for all our products are not designed to be used in a mobile
application, bracket failure could occur if the units are not supported fully e.g
Shock during road transport.
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3.7. OEM
CAUTION
Personal injury may occur
Cambrionix OEM modules have sharp edges, corners and suitable protective
equipment must be worn whilst handling. components.
CAUTION
Damage to your Cambrionix OEM module may occur
When mounting a Cambrionix OEM module, all mounting holes should be used
with appropriate spacers, screws and a torque level of 1.1Nm.
Cambrionix OEM modules are susceptible to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD).
OEM modules should be handled in an ESD safe area.
This product is not reverse-polarity protected. The power connections
MUST be connected correctly. If in doubt, please contact Cambrionix.
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4. Getting Started
This manual provides a reference for end-users installing for the first time and using their hub
afterwards. As well as a guide for product safety-related information.
The OEM-U8S is intended to be used in an indoor static environment in which the environment falls
within the tested specifications to provide charge, sync and management functionality. Please see
the physical specifications section of this manual for information on the environment specifications.
4.1. Unpacking your product
When you have received your product, please check the packing slip inside the box to ensure all
contents and quantities are correct before opening. This is to avoid retesting and repackaging any
items that are not required.
When opening the packaging, use a suitable method to open the box i.e, do not use a knife. This is to
ensure the product is not damaged.
CAUTION
Personal Injury and Damage to the product
There will be a label on the hub advising you to read the User manual before
use. This will need to be removed before use as it may be covering host ports,
vents etc.
4.2. What's Included
l
OEM-U8S Hub
4.3. Connecting to a Host
Once the power is connected, connect the OEM-U8S to your host system using a USB 2.0 Type-B
cable. Using an incorrect host cable may result in the hub and all subsequent ports not being
recognised by your host.
Please note that USB specifications require a minimum 100 mA charge current to be available during
data transfer. As indicated in above, if the attached device has a BC1.2 compliant CDP port, the
device can draw up to 2.1A whilst transferring data.
4.4. Charging
Your OEM-U8S will allow your device to charge at the maximum rate possible up to 2.1A. The way that
charging takes place is the OEM-U8S will provide the device with a capability to charge and the
devices USB charging controller will determine the maximum amount of charge it wants to draw
down.
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Although a maximum charge rate of 2.1A is possible, the device itself determines the exact rate and
as such you may not see the maximum amount of charging on every device type that is connected.
4.5. Cables
Some USB cables are data transfer only, and some are power delivery only. There are also options
that can handle both tasks. Be sure to verify a cable’s abilities before purchasing it and select a cable
which can handle the speeds and power transfer that you require. We would advise using the cable
that was provided with the device to connect to our hubs.
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4.6. Connecting the OEM-U8S to the Power Supply Unit using Spade
Connectors
Having ensured the output voltage of the DC power supply is 5V, and certainly does not exceed 5.6
Vdc, connect the PSU to the OEM-U8S using insulated copper cables of no less than six mm2 crosssection and no longer than 150 mm. Longer cables or smaller cross-sections are likely to cause a
voltage drop across the cable and improper board operation.
With the mains power supply disconnected, the PSU should be connected to the input spade
terminals on the OEM-U8S using the cable (described above) terminated (at the OEM-U8S end) with
crimp connectors. The positive voltage spade terminal is closest to the OEM-U8S board edge, and
Ground (GND) is marked on the OEM-U8S board close to the innermost spade terminal.
Taking appropriate safety precautions, turn the mains supply on. Periodic inspection should be made
to power supply cables and any USB cables for any signs of damage. If any damage is found then
replace damaged cord before further use.
4.7. Registration
You may register your product at www.cambrionix.com/product-registration
4.8. Help and Support
FAQs and help can be found on the Help page here
l www.cambrionix.com/help_pages/help.
You can raise a support ticket for more in depth support here
l https://cambrionix.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portals
You can also download any of our manuals and keep up to date at the link here
l www.cambrionix.com/product-user-manuals
When contacting support, please supply the product information for the hub in question. This can be
found on the Device Information Plate which is either on the underside or back of the unit.
Providing serial and Purchase order numbers, can help identify your specific product and speed up
the process.
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5. Using your OEM-U8S
In this section, you can find information using your hub in charge or sync application. You can also
find information on managing your hub, changing port modes, connecting multiple hubs to one host
and using Cambrionix Software.
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5.1. Using without connecting to a host
When the Hub is switched on and is not connected to a local host computer it is automatically
configured to charge devices using its intelligent charging algorithm. Connect the devices to be
charged to any of the available ports (not the Host Port) using USB - compliant cables.
Once the devices are connected, the algorithm will detect the highest charge rate allowable for each
attached device. Charging at the optimum rate (up to 2.1)A specified by the manufacturer will
commence once profiling is complete. Depending on the state of charge of the device attached, this
may take tens of seconds.
5.2. Using when connected to a host
5.2.1 Connecting the Hub to a host computer
Connect the OEM-U8S to your host system using a USB 2.0 Type-B cable. Using an incorrect host
cable may result in the hub and all subsequent ports not being recognised by your host.
5.2.2 Charging
When the Host Port is connected to a local computer, the hub defaults to Sync mode and charge
currents are determined according to USB Implementers Forum (USBIF) Super-Speed USB3
specifications. If the attached device complies with USB-IF Battery Charging specification BC1.2 and
supports Charging Downstream Port (CDP), the hub can provide high-speed charging at 2.1A. If the
connected device does not comply with BC1.2, the charge current will be limited to 500 mA in
compliance with USB specifications.
If you wish to limit the charging to your devices whilst connected to your host system then you can
disable CDP. You can disable CDP through NVRAM settings either by going through the advanced
settings and turning "Sync charge" off or through the API and disabling it via code. For example, the
instructions would be below using the command line.
The CLI commands for turning off the sync charge options, with a 1 or 0 per port.
settings_unlock
settings_reset
settings_set sync_chrg 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
settings_set alt_sync_chrg 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
reboot
This can also be done via the API if this is easier. Just supply that string (joined with \n) like:
cbrxapi.cbrx_connection_set(handle, "settings", "settings_unlock\nsettings_reset\nsettings_set sync_chrg 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\nsettings_set alt_sync_chrg 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\nreboot")
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Note that settings_reset clears any previous settings, so if you need to retain something else, it would
be better to issue settings_display first, which gives you the entire settings which you can then
modify and re-issue in entirity.
5.2.3 Data Transfer
If you wish to transfer data, change applications, restore or update your mobile device, a data
connection to a local host computer is required. The hub is compatible with macOS®, Windows™ and
Linux® operating systems and can transfer data between these operating systems and many mobile
operating systems such as iOS™ and Android™.
In order to transfer data, connect the host port to your local (host) computer using a USB 2.0 Type-B
compliant cable. Any devices connected to the hub will now appear as if they were connected to the
host computer’s USB port.
5.2.4 Communication Interface and Protocol
The OEM-U8S appears as a virtual COM port (VCP). On Microsoft Windows™, the system will appear
as a COM port, the COM port number can be found in device manager. On macOS®, a device file is
created in the / directory. S is an alpha-numeric serial string unique to each device
/dev/tty.usbserial S
Devices incorporate a USB to UART converter IC from FTDI International. On Windows 7 or later, a
driver may automatically be installed (if Windows is configured to download drivers from the internet
automatically). If this is not the case, or if a Mac® or Linux® platform is used, the driver may be
downloaded from www.ftdichip.com. The VCP drivers are required. For Linux® or Mac computers, the
default OS drivers should be used.
The default communications settings are as below, ANSI terminal emulation should be selected.
Communication setting
Value
Number of bits per second (baud)
115200
Number of data bits
8
Parity
None
Number of stop bits
1
Flow control
None
5.2.5 Connecting U8S for API
In order for the U8S to work correctly with the API there must be a USB Type-A to Mini-B cable that
connects the control or update port to an expansion port on the same product. This is in addition to
the USB cable that connects the host port to the machine running the API.
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OEM-U8S
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5.3. Managing Ports & Your OEM-U8S
Each port on your OEM-U8S can be managed either individually, or all together. You can turn the ports
off and on, change the port mode, or change various other settings applicable to the OEM-U8S more
information can be found in the LiveViewer section under NVRAM settings. This can be done through
LiveViewer, the CLI or by connecting to the hub via the API.
5.3.1 Port Modes
Charge
Turn specific ports or the whole hub to charge only mode (no data
connection, hub emulates an OEM charger)
Sync
Turn specific ports or the whole hub to sync mode
Biased
Detect the presence of a device but it will not sync or charge it
Off
Turn specific ports on or off or switch the whole hub on or off (no power and no
data channels open, mimics unplugging the device)
5.3.2 Switching port modes
You can switch between port modes by using LiveViewer, the CLI or by connecting to the hub via the
API. If you switch a port off then this will stop any connection taking place to the USB device and
would mimic unplugging the USB device completely from the host system.
If you are in Sync mode and then switch to Charge mode the USB device will disconnect briefly whilst
the profiling process takes place. Once the profiling has taken place, and a charging profile is
selected, the device will then draw a charge rate, which will be defined by the charging controller
within the USB device. The charging profile will limit the maximum amount that the device is able to
draw.
If you are in Off or Charge mode and switch to Sync mode the USB device will disconnect briefly
whilst a data connection is opened, the USB device will then become available to the host as if the
USB device is connected directly to the host, and will be able to sync data at a maximum rate of 480
(Mbps). The OEM-U8S will also charge the device whilst connected. It is impossible to have a data
connection to a USB device without any power negotiating, you can reduce the charging rates
available by disabling CDP (Charging downstream port).
You can disable CDP through NVRAM settings either by going through the hub settings and turning
"Sync charge" off or through the API and disabling it via code. For example, using the command line,
the instructions would be as below.
settings_unlock
settings_set sync_chrg 0000000000000000
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5.3.3 Charging Profiles
To ensure attached devices charge at their optimum rate, our smart USB hubs come with the below
intelligent charging profiles built in:
0
Intelligent charging algorithm which will select a profile 1-6
1
2.1A (Apple)
2
BC1.2 Standard (this covers the majority of Android™ phones and other devices)
3
Samsung
4
2.1A (Profile 1 but with a longer timeout)
5
1.0A (Typically used by Apple)
6
2.4A (Typically used by Apple)
5.3.4 Firmware
The firmware can be kept up to date using our LiveViewer software. As part of delivering an easy user
experience, our LiveViewer application is now a set-and-forget solution. The LiveViewer application
will discover your USB hub’s firmware and present an update for you.
To update the firmware, first, go to the firmware section of LiveViewer. Here you can see the available
Firmware versions to install to the hub.
The current firmware version on the hub is displayed in the firmware section alongside the hub's
name. This will appear red if a newer version is available or green if it is the most up to date.
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To install the firmware onto the hub click the hub(s) connected that you want to update, the latest
firmware will be automatically selected, if you wish to change the firmware version you are updating
to then this can also be done. Once selected press the update button at the top and the update will
commence.
CAUTION
Your OEM-U8S may not function correctly
Do not downgrade firmware onto a new product
CAUTION
Your Cambrionix Firmware may get corrupted
Do not interrupt the Firmware update process.
Do not disconnect the power during the update process.
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CAUTION
Your Cambrionix Hub may not be visible or become unresponsive
If you have older hardware with Firmware version number lower than 1.83 then the
hub may not be compatible with the Cambrionix API and will need to be updated to
the latest version of Firmware using the Command Line Updater which can be
downloaded and installed from the following link.
https://www.cambrionix.com/firmware
CAUTION
A new version may be available
Ensure you have the latest version of Firmware installed on your hub. These updates will often
contain new features, fixes for bugs and performance improvements
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5.4. Software
Cambrionix provides interfaces by which the Hub can be monitored and managed:
l
l
l
l
LiveViewer
Cambrionix Connect
Cambrionix API
Command Line Instructions
LiveViewer or Cambrionix Connect can use the API to interact with the devices through a user-friendly
application, or the API can be used to provide other protocols that send translated string commands.
The OEM-U8S uses string commands to communicate with the host system. These can be sent via
the virtual serial port of the OEM-U8S directly,
There are different channels for both our LiveViewer application and the API. The channels are Beta
and Release. We would recommend using the release version of both the API and LiveViewer.
We will push bug fixes and updates through Beta before it is merged into the Release version. If you
have found a bug that we have a fix for, the Beta releases may already have addressed these and
implemented fixes.
5.4.1 Installing Software
Cambrionix has two pieces of software that can be used to manage the devices and your hub using
different host systems. This section has instructions and information on using our software on three
of the most popular host systems.
Our software is available to download from www.cambrionix.com/software, you will find software
available for Windows™, Mac® and Linux® Systems.
Linux® OS systems tested with our software are Ubuntu 18.04 LTS or Debian 9; some other OS
versions based on the two mentioned will work. Some different Linux® OS versions may work, but we
dont test against other distributions.
To install on Mac® and Windows™ systems, download the install files from the above link, once
downloaded run the install process and dialogue boxes will help you through installation and initial
set-up.
For Linux® systems, download the install files from the website at the above link. Once downloaded,
you can either install it from the desktop GUI or the command line via:
sudo apt install ./
after this command you will need to enter the file name that has just been downloaded from our
website.
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5.4.2 LiveViewer
LiveViewer is an application downloaded from www.cambrionix.com/products/liveviewer . Once
downloaded and installed on the host computer, LiveViewer allows you to switch the ports on and off
and set the port mode. LiveViewer’s home page shows the hubs available, by selecting a hub you can
obtain the following information about all the ports:
• Status (Attached/disconnected)
• Mode (Charge/Sync/Off)
• Profile (Charging profile)
• Duration (How long the device has been attached)
• End time (Time the battery reaches a threshold (full) level)
• Current (Quick charge current in mA)
• Energy (Present energy rate)
Tick boxes adjacent to each port symbol allow that port mode to be changed when the "enable port
controls" is selected. LiveViewer shows the hub rail voltages, time since switched on, total current and
power, and temperature. Further details on LiveViewer are available on our website.
www.cambrionix.com/products/liveviewer
NVRAM settings
Within your hub, there are some specific controllable settings called "non-volatile RAM settings",
which are referred to as NVRAM settings. These are a variety of different settings for your OEM-U8S.
You can navigate to the NVRAM settings by opening LiveViewer and selecting the hub you want to
connect to. Once you have chosen the connected hub, navigate to the below icon on the top right of
the screen from LiveViewer and then clicking advanced on the bottom of the page
Once you have pressed advanced this will take you to the advanced settings page where you can
view and change the NVRAM settings, including reverting back to default factory settings.
Setting name
Description
Friendly Name Define the friendly name for this device. Limit of 31 characters.
This name will appear in the device's system information if set.
OEM-U8S
Default
value
Empty
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Setting name
Attach
Threshold
(mA)
Charged
Threshold
(mA)
Default
value
Description
The attach threshold is the device current (mA) level at which the
hub can determine that a device (iPhone etc.) has been attached
to a port. The attach threshold may need to be increased if the
device (iPhone etc.) is connected to a Cambrionix port with a
cable which includes an LED or other electronics. It may also need
to be increased if you are using a device (iPhone etc.) with a 3rd
party sled/holder/case (such as a barcode scanner or battery
pack) which contains electronics or charging pass-through
The charged threshold is used to determine if the device is
probably charged. If the drawn power goes below this mark for 2
minutes, then we set a charged flag
10
100
Temperature
Max (°C)
Sets Maximum temperature before the shut-down of ports
70
Remap Ports
Change the ordering of the ports from the default
Sequential
order
Default
Profiles
Change the default profile for specific ports. Use 0 for default
operation
0
Ports On
Configure which ports to be always powered regardless of attach
status. This must only be used in conjunction with a default
profile
Off
Sync Charge
Enable CDP* on a per port basis
On
Alt Sync
Charge
Enable alternative method CDP* to support some hardware. This
has no effect if Sync Charge for that port is disabled.
On
Display Mode
Change display mode for hubs that have extended LEDs
Current
(mA)
Flags
Change various flags
None
selected
Stagger (ms)
Introduce a delay between ports turning on when either host is
detected or mode is switched to Sync. 0-9999ms
3000
Stagger_offset An additional delay to add before starting the staggered process.
0-9999ms
(ms)
OEM-U8S
0
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*Charging Downstream Port (CDP) Being enabled means that a port is capable of transferring data
and charging the device at the same time with a higher current than just data syncing alone. With
CDP enabled the hub can supply up to 1.5A
If you disable CDP you will receive the notification “This Hub has the Charge Downstream Port UCS
mode disabled. This could limit the maximum current seen on some ports.”
There is more information on the NVRAM settings and how to manage them in our CLI manual. which
can be found at the link here.
CAUTION
A new version may be available
Ensure you have the latest version of LiveViewer installed on your host system. These
updates will often contain new features, fixes for bugs and performance
improvements
5.4.3 Cambrionix API
The Cambrionix API allows you to monitor and control each port in detail and to integrate these
functions into your own workflow processes. The API comprises a daemon (which is a program
running in the background) that can be downloaded from www.cambrionix.com/products/api and
installed on the host machine. Port information and control can be provided through the API. Calls are
sent as a request to the API to “Get” port, device or Hub information, or “Set” port functions. A library
of sample code is downloaded along with the API from the following link
www.cambrionix.com/products/api and can be found within the program files under 'examples'.
These can help you integrate many of these functions into your process work-flow alongside the
complete user manual.
CAUTION
A new version may be available
Ensure you have the latest version of API installed on your host system. These
updates will often contain new features, fixes for bugs and performance
improvements
5.4.4 Updating Software
By using LiveViewer you will be able to automatically download and install the most up to date
software (LiveViewer and the Cambrionix API)
By going into the settings section on the left-hand side of LiveViewer, you can navigate to the general
tab, and under this can see the options for keeping both LiveViewer and the API up to date.
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By default LiveViewer will check for updates regularly or, if you prefer, you can change to a manual
update selection. You can also select which version of the software you would like to use between the
Beta or Release options. You can also select historic versions of the API and LiveViewer to install.
When you have some software updates available, you can select install now to begin the installation
process; a progress bar will appear to show the installation status. From this bar, you can also view
the release notes for the version of the software you are looking at.
5.4.5 Removing Software
If you wish to uninstall the software (Cambrionix LiveViewer, Cambrionix API and the Cambrionix
Recorder Service) from your host system, the following steps can do this.
Windows™
To remove the software from a Windows™ system, you can do so by going into "Add or remove
programs" finding the software you wish to remove, selecting it and pressing "uninstall"
macOS®
To remove the software from a macOS® system, locate the application in the Finder, drag the
application to the Trash, or select the application and choose File > Move to Trash. You may be asked
to enter the name and password of an administrator account on your Mac®. Then to completely
delete the application, choose Finder > Empty Trash.
Alternatively, use the below instructions.
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sudo /library/cambrionix/apiservice/bin/cambrionixapiservice --remove
sudo /library/cambrionix/apiservice/bin/cambrionixrecorderservice --remove
Linux®
To remove software on Linux® there are two options.
The first is to use the Software centre, then either the list of installed applications or the search bar to
find the software you wish to remove. Once you have selected the application, click on the remove
button and you will be prompted for a password, enter the password and the software will be
removed.
The second way you can remove software is by using the command line. All you need to do is to use
the command in the following fashion:
sudo apt remove program_name
Variable
program_name
Description
The file name of the program including any version numbers
You’ll be asked to enter your account password. When you enter it, nothing is visible on the screen.
You will need to confirm removal, it will ask for your confirmation, press the enter key or Y key: Keep
in mind that you’ll have to use the exact package name in the apt remove command otherwise, it will
show ‘unable to locate package error‘. You can type the first few letters of the program you want to
uninstall, and then hit the tab key. It will show all the installed packages that match those letters at
the beginning of their names.
5.4.6 Command Line Instructions (CLI)
Command Line Instructions can be used to control and monitor the functions of the hub and
attached devices. To use the command-line interface a serial terminal emulator must be installed on
the host computer. Examples include PuTTy, Serial, ZTerm, and Minicom. If you would like more
information, please look at our more in-depth information here: www.cambrionix.com/cli
Two example commands can be seen below, you can use these commands to check hub information
and health.
Command
Action
system
Show hardware and firmware information
health
Show voltages, temperatures, errors and boot flag
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5.5. Scalability
If you wish to synchronise more devices, multiple OEM-U8S can be connected together (either in a
star topology or daisy chained) to allow up to 32 devices to be managed from a single host computer
simultaneously
In order to daisy-chain multiple OEM-U8S, each OEM-U8S needs to be connected to mains power
individually and the first OEM-U8S in the chain should be connected to the local computer through
the "host port". The host port of the next board in the daisy-chain is then connected to any of the first
OEM-U8S downstream USB ports. More boards are added in the same way.
Using this daisy-chain approach, a maximum of three additional boards can be linked, allowing a total
of 32 devices to be sync'd from a single host computer.
The green connections above are optional under normal circumstances when performing peer
control, monitoring and data transfer (syncing) and are only required if you wish to up-date the
firmware on all boards simultaneously.
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5.6. Cooling the OEM-U8S
The safety features of the product include an over-temperature feature that causes the board to
temporarily shut down when the board temperature exceeds 65°C board temperature can be
measured using a temperature sensor placed at the location shown in the diagram below.
Temperature can also be monitored via our API, LiveViewer App and the command line interface.
When measuring temperature to determine if forced cooling is required, the temperature should be
measured whilst the OEM-U8S is under
full load and at the highest ambient operating temperature.
Forced cooling may be required if the board is operated inside an enclosure and/or at high ambient
temperatures. We recommend using a fan monitoring fan flow-rate and position to ensure the unit
remains below 60°C.
The fan connections are made using 2/3 pins of the 4-pin connections. Two types of connection are
possible:
a) Constant speed – Connect the fan using two wires to +5Vdc and GND
b) Variable speed – connect the fan using +5Vdc, GND and PWM
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5.7. Cleaning your OEM-U8S
Cleaning the product is generally not required, although in some instances it may be necessary if
excess dirt/ dust/ hair has accumulated, or if minor liquid spillages have occurred on the module
during operation or storage.
CAUTION
Electric shock or personal injury may occur
If there is a dirt/ spillage over a ventilation slot, external data/ power
connector or product aperture, please remove power from the unit without
touching the liquid and seek advise before reapplying power
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Ensure that the product is switched off and the power cord is removed from the product. Hold
the power cable by the plug and do not touch either the plug or the power cord with wet or
damp hands as an electrical shock may result
Wipe the product with a clean, dry and soft cloth. Do not use detergents which contain alcohol,
solvent or surface-active agents. Do not spray water or detergent directly onto the product
Mildly dampen a soft and dry cloth in water and wring thoroughly to clean the product as
required
Dry the product thoroughly once the cleaning has finished
Reconnect the power cord and use your product as advised once cleaning is complete
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6. Product Specifications
The OEM-U8S is manufactured in the UK
6.1. Input Power Requirements
Input Voltage (V)
100 - 250 VAC
Input Current (A)
3.5A @ 115VAC
Input Connector
Spade Connectors
6.2. Output Power
Output Voltage (V)
5
Output Voltage Tolerance (%)
+/-5
Output Current, Max per Port (A)
2.1
Output Power, Max per Port (W)
10
Output Power, Total (W)
87.4
6.3. Rail value limits
Five volt rail Max (V)
5.58
Five volt rail Min (V)
4.5
6.4. Physical specifications
Upstream connector type
USB 2.0 Type-B
Expansion Port
Downstream connector type
USB 2.0 Type-A
Maximum Downstream Data Speed per Port (Mbps)
480
Ambient Operating Temperature range °C
0 - 35
Relative, non-condensing, humidity operating range (%)
5 - 95
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Dimensions WxDxH (mm)
104 x 90 x 20
Weight (g)
75
Number of Downstream ports
8
Ports Lifetime
Standard USB connections have a minimum rated lifetime of 1,500 cycles of insertion and removal.
USB-C receptacles have a minimum rated lifetime of 10,000 cycles of insertion and removal. This is
an industry-standard.
One thing you can do to prolong the lifetime of the ports on your OEM-U8S is to use "sacrificial
cables" in between the hub and your charging cables so when you repeatedly connect/ disconnect
you are only going to wear the cables rather than the hub.
6.5. Consumables and Placing Orders
Below is a list of any Consumable products you may require for your OEM-U8S including the cables
you will require to connect devices to the hub.
Cables
USB 2.0 Type-A
If you require any spare parts, such as the power cable or USB 2.0 Type-B cable, these can be ordered
by quoting the product part number and the spare part number (available from the Getting Started
section).
These can be ordered from the reseller or solution partner you purchased your OEM-U8S from, or
from Cambrionix directly.
To find one of our partners local to you please visit www.cambrionix.com/partners where you can
learn about the local vendors and distributors that can assist you and find their contact information.
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OEM-U8S
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7. Troubleshooting
If you experience any issues with your OEM-U8S; please try the following troubleshooting steps, if the
issue is not addressed in this section, please get in touch with your local vendor or Cambrionix. To
contact Cambrionix Support please see Help and Support.
7.1. Common troubleshooting tips
Some tips and information to check first.
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If you plug a device (phone, USB stick) into the hub, does it appear to the OS (device manager/
system info etc.).
If you directly connect the same device to the port the hub is in, does it appear to the OS.
Try switching the cables with ones that are working/ use cable from a hub that is working.
7.2. Logging through LiveViewer
If you are experiencing a bug or an issue, we may ask you to obtain some logs of the behaviour, to see
in more detail what is happening. To get logs of the behaviour use the following steps to get a zip file
of the logs.
1. Open LiveViewer (if this is not already downloaded, then go onto our website and download
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
both the API and LiveViewer) www.cambrionix.com/software
Once in LiveViewer, on the left-hand side of the screen, select the settings section.
Once in the settings section, select the API tab.
In the API section click the "cog" button on the right hand side of the local API
Click the “select all” tick box and then the save button.
After this is enabled, use the hub in a way that causes the issue you are seeing.
Wait for the issue to occur, i.e. device disconnects.
Make a note of the time and date that the issue occurs then go back to the API page in
LiveViewer, and press the zip logs.
Once you have the logs un-tick the “select all” box and save your settings.
Send the logs to us for us to take a look at.
The API keeps a maximum of 20 logs at 256Mb each, so the latest one is usually smaller. If a crash
occurs, you would see a smaller log file and the next instance of API shuffles the existing ones
7.3. Hardware Failure
If the Hardware fails the LEDs can flash in a pattern to determine the type of failure. The power
LED will flash the pattern if no LEDs are present on the downstream ports.
The unit will blink four times, followed by eight long or short flashes, which then repeat. The flashes
are a number in binary which match a number in our error code list.
i.e if the LED flashes the following - BBBB SLSSSLSS, the binary number is 01000100.
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7.4. Device connection
If you are seeing any device connection issues please read through the following trouble shooting
steps to see if this resolves the observed behaviour.
Device issues when updating
We have found that during updates on some devices the connection can be dropped or lost on the
device, this is due to devices going in and out of the bootloader and requiring different power levels.
In most instances disabling CDP has resolved this issue for our customers.
You can disable CDP through NVRAM settings either by going through the advanced settings and
turning "Sync charge" off or through the API and disabling it via code. For example, the instructions
would be below using the command line.
settings_unlock
settings_set sync_chrg 0000000000000000
Unstable device connection
Some devices can have unstable connections with your host system through the OEM-U8S. We have
only observed this behaviour in a very few amount of devices, disabling CDP this has resolved all
issues and the connections are stable.
You can disable CDP through NVRAM settings either by going through the advanced settings and
turning "Sync charge" off or through the API and disabling it via code. For example, using the
command line, the instructions would be as below.
settings_unlock
settings_set sync_chrg 0000000000000000
Battery information for Android
If you are observing an issue displaying battery information on Android devices ensure firstly you
have ADB tool installed and open then try these things in order.
1. Check that developer options are enabled on the android device, and then that USB debugging
is also enabled.
2. If you have done this step and it still does not work, go to Developer Options and click ‘Revoke
USB debugging authorisations’. Unplug the cable and reconnect.
3. If this still doesn’t work, turn off the developer options at the top, re-enable it, and re-enable
‘USB Debugging’.
4. You can get detailed info directly from ADB at each step to diagnose things:
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adb.exe shell dumpsys battery # use -s serial_number as first options
if you have more than 1 android attached
Unknown devices
Sometimes, within Liveviewer and device manager, the connected device may show up as an
unknown device.
This can be due to the host system needing to be trusted on the device. This can be done on the
device itself on the initial connection.
This could also be due to an insufficient number of endpoints available on the USB controller in the
host system. This limitation within the USB controller can only be resolved if you connect fewer
USB devices to the controller in question.
For Apple devices there is a setting called "USB accessories" which can be activated, Once activated it
will reduce the amount of times a device will need to be unlocked/ trusted. More information can be
found at the link https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208857.
Cannot connect any more devices
Sometimes, you may reach the endpoint limit of your USB controller and this may stop you from
being able to attach any more devices to your host system.
You can create more space is to change connections from USB3 to USB2. You can change the
connection by disabling USB3 in the BIOS on startup.
A much simpler way is to use USB2 cables instead of USB3 cables, limiting the connection to USB2.
7.5. Hub connection issues
If you there are issues with the hub and connecting to your host system, please see below
troubleshooting solutions.
Hub not connecting to host
If you see that the OEM-U8S is not connecting to the host system, one of the issues may be caused
by the USB drivers on your host system not being up to date. It is good practice to ensure you have
the latest drivers and updates installed on your host system, which is usually handled by the OS, but
sometimes may require an update directly from the USB host controllers manufacturer, which will be
found on their website.
USB drivers required are FTDI drivers, which can be found on the site https://ftdichip.com/drivers/.
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Cannot access the COM port
You may get an error message stating "COM (and then a number) could not be opened (Access is
denied)".
This is because an application has control over the COM port that the hub is connected to, and no
subsequent application can access the hub. To resolve this, you will need to close any other
applications that are using the COM port before trying to use the COM port.
7.6. Using with a headless system
If you are using a headless system with no GUI, then and you require to enable logging for support
issues, you can use the following command to create the logging cfg file manually:
echo
*=debug>/etc/opt/cambrionix/cambrionix.log.cfg
Then after re-producing the problem, you can zip the logs from the folder
/var/log/cambrionix
You may delete the file below when you are finished with it.
/etc/opt/cambrionix/cambrionix.log.cfg
7.7. Software troubleshooting
Some users have noted that the API can cause a high level of CPU usage. This can sometimes be
linked to the API recorder service. If you are finding this and you are not using it then we would
recommend to uninstall it from your system entirely. Information on how to uninstall programs can
be found in the Removing Software section.
Firmware Update
If you have older hardware with Firmware version number lower than 1.83 then the hub may not be
compatible with the Cambrionix API and will need to be updated to the latest version of Firmware
using the Command Line Updater which can be downloaded and installed from the following link.
https://www.cambrionix.com/firmware
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8. Returns and Damaged Products
If you wish to return or fix a damaged product first look at the terms on our website
www.cambrionix.com/terms-conditions
Before a product is returned please contact support using the methods detailed in the Help and
Support section.
8.1. What if my order arrives with an issue?
If you have received your order in a damaged box and/or the product has physical damage
please contact Cambrionix Customer Support or your distribution partner. Please provide
photos of the damaged box and/or product when contacting Customer support.
l If an item in your order does not have physical damage but is not functioning properly or will
not power on, please contact Customer Support or your distribution partner and provide as
much information as possible and including any steps followed to troubleshoot internally.
l Please include photos of the damaged box and product when contacting Customer Support.
Note: If you have received your order in a damaged box and the damage was indicated to the courier,
please provide us with a copy of the delivery note detailing this.
l
8.2. What happens after I have requested a Return?
l
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If you have not purchased the Product(s) direct from Cambrionix please contact the vendor the
item was originally purchased from for their returns process.
Once you have notified Cambrionix of your return, Cambrionix will arrange for the collection of
the product(s), or provide instructions and details for you to return the product direct.
When returning your product(s), please only send back the items that were advised through the
support process.
Return your product(s) in the original packaging where you can. Where original packaging is not
available, use suitable packing methods, which will ensure that the product cannot be subject
to impact damage. i.e. double-walled cardboard box with 50mm of soft material.
Product(s) not returned in their original condition may result in additional costs, please refer to
the warranty and terms section on our website.
Where Cambrionix arranges collection, return shipping will be free, unless Cambrionix notified
you otherwise.
When contacting us about returning a product please provide the following information.
- Collection Address
- Weights and Dimensions WxDxH (m) of shipment
- Preferred collection date and time.
- Product serial number(s) (this can be found on a label on the rear or underside of the unit)
- Purchase order number(s)
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9. Compliance and Standards
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CB Certificate
CE Tested and marked
FCC Part 15 Tested and marked
RoHS Compliant
Independently safety tested by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) under file #E346549
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10. Terms and Conditions
The use of Cambrionix hubs is subject to the Cambrionix Terms and Conditions, the document can be
downloaded and viewed using the following link.
https://downloads.cambrionix.com/documentation/en/Cambrionix-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf
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Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other Protected Names and Symbols
This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other protected names
and /or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to Cambrionix. Where they occur
these references are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent an
endorsement of a product or service by Cambrionix, or an endorsement of the product(s) to which
this manual applies by the third-party company in question.
Cambrionix hereby acknowledges that all trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, and
other protected names and /or symbols contained in this manual and related documents are the
property of their respective holders
"Mac® and macOS® are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and
regions."
"Intel® and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries."
"Android™ is a trademark of Google LLC"
"Chromebook™ is a trademark of Google LLC."
"iOS™ is a trademark or registered trademark of Apple Inc,in the US and other countries and is
used under license."
"Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries"
“ Microsoft™ and Microsoft Windows™ are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.”
OEM-U8S
Page 40 of 43
Cambrionix Patents
Title
Link
Application
Number
Grant Number
Syncing and Charging Port
GB2489429
1105081.2
2489429
CAMBRIONIX
UK00002646615
2646615
00002646615
CAMBRIONIX VERY
INTELLIGENT...
UK00002646617
2646617
00002646617
MOD IT DS
GB2591233
6089600
6089600
MOD IT
eSearch
007918669
007918669
MOD IT
90079186690001
007918669-0001
90079186690001
MOD IT
90079186690002
MOD IT
90079186690003
MOD IT
90079186690004
MOD IT
90079186690005
MOD IT
90079186690006
007918669-0002
007918669-0003
007918669-0004
007918669-0005
007918669-0006
90079186690002
90079186690003
90079186690004
90079186690005
90079186690006
MOD IT
195761
195761
MOD IT DS
30202007995X
30202007995X
MOD IT MM
30202007994Y
30202007994Y
MOD IT STACK
30202007993P
30202007993P
MOD IT DS
6077253
6077253
6077253
MOD IT DS
3a2f8b88e935
202012311
202012311
MOD IT DS
195759
195759
MOD IT DS
329440-001
OEM-U8S
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Title
Link
MOD IT DS
Application
Number
Grant Number
29/735,477
D936,001
MOD IT
6077254
6077254
6077254
MOD IT MM
6077255
6077255
6077255
MOD IT MM
2a6ebe915fe9
202012310
202012310
MOD IT MM
195758
MOD IT MM
329441-001
MOD IT MM
29/735,479
MOD IT
6077256
6077256
6077256
MOD IT STACK
6077257
6077257
6077257
MOD IT STACK
081a4b9c69eb
202012312
202012312
29/735,475
D936,000
MOD IT STACK
MOD IT DS LUGS
6089601
6089601
6089601
MOD IT MM
6089602
6089602
6089602
MOD IT DS LUGS
6089603
6089603
6089603
MOD IT STACK
6089604
6089604
6089604
MOD IT
6089605
6089605
6089605
OEM-U8S
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Cambrionix Limited
The Maurice Wilkes Building
Cowley Road
Cambridge CB4 0DS
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 1223 755 520
[email protected]
www.cambrionix.com
Cambrionix Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales
with the company number 06210854
© 2023-02 Cambrionix Ltd. All rights reserved.
EN
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