Global Caché GC-100-12 / GC-100-18 — Network Adapter Quick Start Guide

Quick Start Guide for the Global Caché GC-100-12 and GC-100-18 Network Adapters — network-based control modules that let a single box handle infrared (IR), relay, serial, and sensor connections for previously unconnected home, school, or business devices over TCP/IP.

Overview

The GC-100-12 and GC-100-18 connect diverse devices and appliances into a network-based automation environment. A single unit provides commonly needed controls and sensor inputs, reducing wiring complexity and eliminating piggybacked components and multiple power supplies. Commands sent over the network can turn up audio/visual equipment volume via infrared (IR), lower shades via relays, or select a DVD input via serial communications — all triggered by simple network commands. Because the GC-100 uses open standards (TCP/IP), any networked device — a PC, control system, etc. — can send and retrieve GC-100 data.

The GC-100 is designed to work with popular control software packages, which supply the drivers needed for proper operation plus an easy interface for configuring the automated environment. Such a package is required to use the GC-100 product family.

Getting Started

1. Connect power: an AC wall adapter rated for 9V to 18V DC @ 300mA. On power-up, all IR indicators briefly turn on then off, signaling completion of the self-test. The unit is ready once the power (PWR) indicator glows steadily (not blinking, which would indicate a self-test fault).
2. Connect the LAN cable. The GC-100 is initially reachable at its default IP address 192.168.1.70. Best practice for first-time setup is a direct, isolated connection to a PC (crossover cable or isolated hub), with the PC set to an address on the same subnet (e.g. 192.168.1.102). The LINK indicator lights when cabling is connected properly.
3. Browse to http://192.168.1.70/ to access the internal configuration web pages. Assign a suitable static IP address for your network (outside the DHCP range, if DHCP is used), along with the default gateway and subnet mask.
4. Once on the network, further configuration continues at the new IP address. All data commands except serial are sent over TCP/IP port 4998 (IR, sensor, relay). Each serial connection has its own port starting at 4999 for serial 1, 5000 for serial 2, and so on.

Restoring Factory Defaults

During power-up, jumper pins 7 and 2 on serial connector 1 (a wrap-back connector or a flat-blade screwdriver works) to force factory defaults, including disabling Configuration Lock. IR indicator 1 blinks on then off to confirm the reset.

Web-based configuration pages use pull-down menus; changes take effect after clicking "Apply," at which point the GC-100 resets (all indicators blink on then off) to complete the update.

Serial Communication (DB9)

Serial uses a male 9-pin DB9 connector. At minimum, TxD, RxD, and Gnd must be connected between devices; correct baud rate and parity are also required, and — if used — flow control signals must be asserted above +3V. Because serial pin-out standards aren't always followed consistently, a common troubleshooting step is swapping the TxD and RxD lines by trial and error (this will not damage RS232 drivers). Erroneous characters usually indicate an incorrect baud rate.

Serial DB9 Pin Reference

The GC-100 always asserts DTR and ignores DSR (no modem flow control). For data flow control, it stops transmitting when CTS is asserted by the other device, and asserts RTS to signal the other device to stop transmitting when its own input buffer exceeds 192 bytes (de-asserting below 64 bytes). The serial input buffer is 256 bytes, larger than most short/infrequent command transmissions, so flow control can typically be disabled if the connected device lacks it — though using flow control when available is good practice. The GC-100 records all serial buffer overflows on the Network web page.

IR / Sensor Connector (3.5mm Audio Jack)

IR output and sensor input share a common connector and indicator. Each 3.5mm audio connector is independently configured via the internal web pages as an infrared (IR) output, Control-S output (IR with no carrier), or sensor input.

• As an output: the indicator blinks as an IR command transmits. IR outputs can optionally be sent without a carrier frequency (as waveform envelopes) — useful for direct audio/video inputs such as Control-S, or for modulating RF signals.
• As a sensor input: the indicator is "on" for a positive input or no connection. Maximum sensor input voltage is ±24V, registering "on" above 2.5V and "off" below 0.8V, with an input impedance of ~100KΩ.

Sensor Notifications automatically signal changes in sensor state; any connector configured as an input sends notification unless this feature is disabled.

Relay Terminal Block

Relays switch devices on and off using "normally open," non-directional contacts rated for 500mA at 24V (DC or AC) — wires may be connected in either order to the screw-terminal mating connectors. Relay contacts are protected against transients greater than 150 volts (caused by switching inductive loads such as motors and relays); a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) clips positive and negative voltage spikes above 150 volts to prevent contact arcing.

Manufacturer / Support

Global Caché, Inc. — 160 East California Street, PO Box 1659, Jacksonville, Oregon 97530. Phone (541) 899-4800, Fax (541) 899-4808. Support: support@globalcache.com · Sales: sales@globalcache.com · www.globalcache.com