ADDERLink XD150 Manual

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Local power connection
There is no on/off switch on either of the AdderLink XD150 modules, so operation 
begins as soon as power is applied. The power adapters supplied with the modules 
use locking-type plugs to help prevent accidental disconnections; please follow the 
instructions given right whenever disconnecting a power adapter.   
To connect the power adapter
1 Attach the output plug of the supplied power adapter to the 
power input socket on the left side of the rear panel.
2 If any mode changes need to be made, adjust the switch settings before applying power 
to the local module. Please see the section Mode switch settings for details.
3 Connect	the	IEC	connector	of	the	supplied	country-specific	power	cord	to	the	socket	
of the power adapter.
4 Connect the power cord to a nearby main supply socket.
To disconnect the power adapter
1 Isolate the power adapter from the mains supply.
2 Grasp the outer body of the power adapter plug 
where it connects with the module.
3 Gently pull the body of the outer plug away from 
the module. As the body of the plug slides back, 
it will release from the socket and you can fully 
withdraw the whole plug. 
IMPORTANT: Please read and adhere to the electrical safety information 
given within the Safety information section of this guide. In particular, do not 
use an unearthed power socket or extension cable.
Note: Both the modules and the power supplies generate heat when in operation and will 
become warm to the touch. Do not enclose them or place them in locations where air cannot 
circulate to cool the equipment. Do not operate the equipment in ambient temperatures 
exceeding 40 degrees Centigrade. Do not place the products in contact with equipment whose 
surface temperature exceeds 40 degrees Centigrade. 
From the  power adapter
Gently pull back the plug outer body to release the lock    
						

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Remote video connection
A Single Link DVI-D port is provided on the rear panel of the remote module. The 
bandwidth available at the port is determined by the video input at the local module and 
also the mode in which the AdderLink XD150 system is running. When high rate mode 
is used, the modules will continually check the link quality to ensure that it is capable of 
supporting the higher pixel clock. If excessive data errors are detected, the modules will 
fall back to Long Reach mode until the local module is reset or the link is broken and re-
established.
AdderLink XD150 can support one Single Link DVI video display at pixel clocks up to 
165MHz (equivalent to a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200 at 60Hz - aka ‘WUXGA’) 
when operating in High Rate mode. If the Long Reach mode is selected, pixel clocks up to 
148.5MHz (equivalent to a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz - aka ‘1080P’) 
in order to allow greater separations between the local and remote modules to be 
achieved. Please see the section Mode switch settings for details. 
To connect the video display
1 Connect the DVI-D video cable from your video 
display to the video output port on the rear panel 
of the remote module. 
From your video display
EDID management
When a remote module is connected and the video display attached to it is detected, 
the	EDID	(Extended	Display	Identification	Data)	information	is	cloned	and	stored	at	the	
local module. Once this is done, a transparent DDC/CI (Display Data Channel/Command 
Interface) two way communication link is provided between the video display and the 
video source (your host computer). If the remote monitor is removed then the cloned 
EDID stored at the local module will still be presented to the video source.
Remote USB connections
The remote module contains a USB hub that can support up to four v1.1 or v2.0 USB 
devices (in any combination). All four USB sockets are identical in operation.
To connect USB devices
1 Connect your USB keyboard, mouse and any other 
two USB devices to the four sockets distributed on 
the front and rear panels of the remote module.
From USB devices
From USB devices
Rear panel
Front panel   
						

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Remote audio connection
The AdderLink XD150 modules support stereo speakers. 
To connect your speakers
1 Connect your speakers to the audio socket on the 
remote module rear panel.
From your speakers
Remote data link connection
The local and remote modules require a direct connection between them using standard 
CATx cables and connectors. This is a proprietary data link and is NOT network 
compatible; the modules must NEVER be connected to any networking equipment, such 
as switches and routers. 
When operating in High Rate mode, AdderLink XD150 can support cable distances up 
to 100 meters. If the Long Reach mode is selected, the separation between the local and 
remote modules can be raised up to 150 meters. Best results will be gained when single 
lengths of CAT7 cable are used without the need for patch cables.
To connect the data link cable
1 Connect the CATx cable from the local module 
to the LINK port on the rear panel of the remote 
module.
From AdderLink XD150 local module
Remote serial port connection
The Options port provides an RS232 serial connection with the local module. When 
serial devices are attached to the Options ports on the local and remote modules, the 
units transparently convey the signals between them, via the CATx link, at rates up to 
115200	baud	-	no	serial	configuration	is	required.	An	optional	serial	cable	(part	number: 	
VSC40) is available from Adder.     
To connect the serial port
1 Use the optional serial cable (VSC40) to 
link the Options port on the rear panel 
of the remote module with your RS232 
serial device. 
Please see Appendix 1 for pin-out details of the Options port.
From your serial device
This is NOT an ethernet/network 
port and must NEVER be connected 
to any networking equipment.
This is NOT an ethernet/network 
port and must NEVER be connected 
to any networking equipment.   
						

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Remote power connection
There is no on/off switch on either of the AdderLink XD150 modules, so operation 
begins as soon as power is applied. The power adapters supplied with the modules 
use locking-type plugs to help prevent accidental disconnections; please follow the 
instructions given right whenever disconnecting a power adapter. 
To connect the power adapter
1 Attach the output plug of the supplied power adapter to the 
power input socket on the left side of the rear panel.
2 Connect	the	IEC	connector	of	the	supplied	country-specific	power	cord	to	the	socket	
of the power adapter.
3 Connect the power cord to a nearby main supply socket.
IMPORTANT: Please read and adhere to the electrical safety information 
given within the Safety information section of this guide. In particular, do not 
use an unearthed power socket or extension cable.
Note: Both the modules and the power supplies generate heat when in operation and will 
become warm to the touch. Do not enclose them or place them in locations where air cannot 
circulate to cool the equipment. Do not operate the equipment in ambient temperatures 
exceeding 40 degrees Centigrade. Do not place the products in contact with equipment whose 
surface temperature exceeds 40 degrees Centigrade. 
From the  power adapter
To disconnect the power adapter
1 Isolate the power adapter from the mains supply.
2 Grasp the outer body of the power adapter plug 
where it connects with the module.
3 Gently pull the body of the outer plug away from 
the module. As the body of the plug slides back, 
it will release from the socket and you can fully 
withdraw the whole plug. 
Gently pull back the plug outer body to release the lock    
						

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Configuration
MODE SWITCH SETTINGS
The local module has two small switches on its rear panel. These are used to determine 
which operation modes should be used. You will need to re-power the local module 
whenever a switch setting is changed. 
Switch BLink mode
Determines the priority for the data link:  Longer distance or higher screen resolution.
UP -  Long reach mode - Limits the pixel clock (148.5MHz) so that longer stretches of link cable (exceeding 100m) can be used.  This will restrict the achievable screen resolution to a maximum of 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz (aka ‘1080P’).  
DOWN - High rate mode -  Allows a higher pixel clock (165MHz) to support screen resolutions of up to 1920 x 1200 at 60Hz (aka ‘WUXGA’). This will limit the maximum link cable length to around 100m or less, depending on the type of link cable used.
Note: When high rate mode is used, the modules will continually check the link quality to ensure that it is capable of supporting the higher pixel clock. If excessive data errors are detected, the modules will fall back to Long Reach mode until the local module is reset or the link is broken and re-established.
Switch AUSB compatibility mode
Determines whether USB compatibility  mode should be used.
UP - Normal mode - Use this if the modules are not connected to a KVM switch.
DOWN - Compatibility mode - Use this if either the local or remote modules are connected to a KVM switch. This mode ensures robust and reliable operation with KVM switches but also reduces the maximum USB data rate.  
Local module rear panel
Note: The default position for both switches is UP, thus selecting Long reach mode and high speed (normal) USB mode. 
Changes to the mode switches are 
not recognized until you re-apply 
power to the local module. 
HT   
						

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FIRMWARE UPGRADES
Both modules can be upgraded simultaneously by linking them together and then 
connecting them to your computer using a USB type-A to mini-B cable. 
IMPORTANT: During the upgrade process, do not remove power from either 
module.  
To enter upgrade mode 
1 On	your	computer,	download	the	latest	 AdderLink	XD150	upgrade	file	from	adder.com.
2 Connect the local and remote modules together using a CATx cable, and power on 
both modules. It’s not important whether any peripherals (if any) are attached to 
either module. 
3 Connect the local module to your computer 
using the mini USB socket on the rear panel 
and a USB type-A to mini-B cable (not 
supplied).
4 On the front panel of the local module, use a small implement 
or straightened paperclip to press and hold the recessed 
reset button for approximately 10 seconds. 
 
The	front	panel	indicators	will	begin	to	flash	
in sequence: The outer two followed by 
the inner two and so on. 
 
The module should be declared on 
your computer as a mass storage 
device with the volume label 
‘FIRMWARE’.
5 Use	your	computer’s	file	manager	application	to	copy	the	upgrade	file	downloaded	
earlier to the mass storage device that has the volume label ‘FIRMWARE’. Once the 
local module has received all of the data, the front panel indicators of the local module 
will chase from side to side to show that the upgrade procedure is underway.
6 Once the upgrade has been successfully completed both modules will reset 
themselves and return to normal operation. 
Errors during the upgrade process
If the upgrade process encounters an error then one or more of the indicators on the 
local	module	front	panel	will	flash	rapidly, 	i.e.	they	will	cease	chasing	in	sequence. 	
If the firmware upgrade fails
1 Check that the CATx cable is correctly connected between the LINK sockets of the 
local and remote modules and that power is applied to both modules.
2 On the front panel of the local module, re-press the recessed reset button for 
approximately 10 seconds to re-invoke upgrade mode. The module should again 
be declared on your computer as a mass storage device with the volume label 
‘FIRMWARE’.
3 Follow step 5 above.
•	If the upgrade process fails again, contact Adder technical support for assistance. 
 
   
						

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Operation
INDICATORS
The local and remote modules contain various indicators to provide you with status 
information. Both modules have four red indicators on their front panels; both also have 
green and amber indicators on the link connectors.
Red status indicators
The red status indicators on the front panels of each module mostly behave in the same 
manner at the same time:
Pow e rThis indicator will be on when power is supplied to each module. 
ActivityThis indicator will	flash	when	there is USB data flowing	between	the modules.
USBThis indicator will be on once the USB extender and hub located within the remote module have been successfully enumerated by the USB host on your computer.
LinkThis indicator will be on once a good link exists between the local and remote modules. 
Green and amber status indicators
The green and amber status indicators on the link connectors of each module pr\
ovide 
further status information: 
GreenThis indicator will be on whenever there is a good link between the local and remote modules. 
AmberThis	indicator	will	flash	when video data is being transferred between the modules.
The AdderLink XD150 modules are designed to be transparent in operation. Providing 
the	link	cable	is	sufficient	to	reliably	carry	the	signals	across	the	separation	distance,	
all peripherals should respond exactly as they would when situated next to your host 
computer.   
HT   
						

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This chapter contains a variety of information, including the following:
•	Getting assistance - see right
•	Appendix 1 - Options port pin-out
•	Appendix 2 - Link cable interference protection
•	Safety information
•	Warranty
•	Radio frequency energy statements
GETTING ASSISTANCE
If you are still experiencing problems after checking the information contained within this 
guide, then we provide a number of other solutions:
• Online solutions and updates – www.adder.com/support
 
Check the Support section of the adder.com website for the latest solutions and 
firmware	updates.
• Adder Forum – forum.adder.com
 
Use our forum to access FAQs and discussions.
• Technical support – www.adder.com/contact-support-form 
 
For technical support, use the contact form in the Support section of the  
adder.com	website	-	your	regional	office	will	then	get	in	contact	with	you.	
Further information
HT   
						

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APPENDIX 1 - OPTIONS PORT PIN-OUT
The OPTIONS port uses a 10p10c socket which can accommodate both 10p10c 
connectors as well as the much more common 8p8c connectors, which are used on 
Ethernet leads and patch cables. The pin-outs are listed in this section for both types of 
connector. 
Note: Although the pins labeled ‘Not used’ are inactive, they are still connected internally and so 
no links should be made at all to these pins. 
 8p8c 10p10c  Signal
   1 Not used
 1  2 5VDC power output (100mA max)
 2  3 GND reference for all signals
 3  4 RS232 (RXD) data receive
 4  5 Not used
 5  6 Not used
 6  7 RS232 (TXD) data transmit
 7  8 Not used
 8  9 Not used
    10 Not used
1 10
OPTIONS   
						

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APPENDIX 2 - LINK CABLE INTERFERENCE PROTECTION
 Name  Overall Screening  Pair Shielding
 U/UTP û	û
 F/UTP ü û
 U/FTP û	ü
 S/FTP ü ü	
	or S/STP 
 or PiMF
U/UTP
F/UTP
U/FTP
S/FTP 
S/STP 
PiMF
Pair shielding
Overall screening
Outer sheath
General cable anatomy
Overall screening
Pair shielding
Twisted Pair
While the Category rating (e.g. CAT 5e, CAT 6a, CAT 7, etc.) 
determines the electrical performance of a cable, another vital part 
of	the	overall	cable	specification	is	its	protection	from	interference. 	
As cabling distances and data rates increase, so too does the 
susceptibility to interference, from both external and internal 
sources. 
Proximity to other electromagnetic sources are the main external 
threat and these can be subdued using overall screening that 
surrounds all four of the cable pairs. However, interference is also 
possible from neighbouring twisted pairs within the same cable 
and this can be just as hazardous to data integrity. Such crosstalk is 
countered by shielding each cable pair separately. 
Within each Category rating, you can specify different 
combinations of external screening and internal shielding to suit 
the environment into which the link is being placed. Please see  
the section Tips for achieving good quality links for suggested 
combinations. 
Interference protection codes
Interference	protection	is	now	classified	in	the	following	manner:
U/UTP
where
U = unshielded
F = foil shielding
S = braided shielding
PiMF = Pairs in Metal Foil