Ethernet Bridge Radios Troubleshooting Hub - EBR AW900xTR System Communications

NOTE: Check for any network equipment or setting changes. (May need to involve IT/Networking personnel)

This troubleshooting article requires the EBRD utility and a functional knowledge of its operation. Please consult the articles below for instruction as needed.

• Ethernet Bridge Radios: How do I get the Diagnostic (EBRD) Utility?
• Ethernet Bridge Radios: How to use the EBR Diagnostic Utility.

Radio LED Diagnostics

Minimum distance - 20 ft
Maximum height- 20 ft
Mount in direct line of sight
Mount both radios outdoors
Mount radios with antennas vertical and provide free and clear radiation pattern

LED Indicator Power - On Solid has power, Off has no power RF Receive - Radio Reception is occurring when flashing RF Transmit - Radio Transmission is occurring when flashing Ethernet Link - On solid Link, Off No link Channels 1, 2, 4, 8  16, 32 - Add the numbers lit to determine Channel setting Link Quality - Basic view of Link Quality between Server and Client Radios

 

Note - For more information regarding Radio Led indicators please reference the EBR Manual, DD1685027. See section 3. Maintenance

• If there is no communication to server radio, begin at Step 1.
• If there is no communication between the client and server radio, begin at Step 6.
• If there is no communication between client radio and display, begin at Step 10.
• If communication is intermittent, begin at Step 12.

NOTE: Check for any network equipment or setting changes. (May need to involve IT/Networking personnel)

1. Verify the Green LED on the DC Injector is lit (see illustration above):
   • If LED is lit proceed to step 2.
   • If LED is not lit proceed to check the following:
     • Verify power cable is connected to the POE and wall outlet. Ethernet Bridge Radios: Unable to communicate; PoE power unplugged
     • Verify that power outlet/power strip has good power. Ethernet Bridge Radios: No power to server radio; POE failure or damage
     • If all connections are good and power LED still not lit replace POE.  Ethernet Bridge Radios: PoE power LED not lit; 120 VAC not getting to DC Injector
     • If replacing the POE does not resolve issue, contact Daktronics for further assistance.
2. Check POE cable connections following: Ethernet Bridge Radios: How to hook up the DC Injector or PoE
   • If connections are not correctly connected proceed to checking the following:
     • If cables not connected proceed to: No communication to display, POE not hooked up
     • If Cat5 cable not connected proceed to: No communication to display, Server radio power LED not lit, Bad Ethernet cable or coupler
     • If Cat5 cable is loose proceed to: Unable to communicate through EBRs; Loose connection for radio at PoE
     • If Cat5 cable has failed proceed to: No communication to display, ETH Link on server radio not lit; Bad Cable  
     • If connections are all connected properly and functional proceed to step 3.
3. Power Cycle the POE Injector.
   • Unplug power cable and plug back in. Ethernet Bridge Radios: No communication, Server radio lock up
   • If communication issue is still present continue to next section for troubleshooting or Contact Daktronics.
4. Locate the Server Radio. Refer to below image. Is the Power LED on?
   • If Power LED is lit continue to Step 5.                 
   • If no power LED lit on radio perform the following:
     • Check voltage to radio, if getting 18 VDC and POE has not been replaced proceed to: Ethernet Bridge Radios: No power to server radio; POE failure or damage
     • Check voltage to radio, if getting 18 VDC and POE has been replaced proceed to: Ethernet Bridge Radios: No communication, Server power LED not lit; Failed radio circuitry .
     • If issue persists, contact Daktronics for further assistance.
5. Verify the ETH Link LED is lit.  This will light up when the radio is able to detect another device such as the network or a computer connected to it.
   • If LEDs are lit properly proceed to Step 6 or contact Daktronics for further assistance.  
     • Note: It has been seen where the Ethernet Link light will show on the server radio but wires are damaged on Server Radio RJ45 at POE not allowing complete signal:
       • Review: No communication to display, ETH Link on server radio lit, Bad End on Server Radio Cable  
     • If Server radio has no Link LED perform the following:
       • Check RJ-45 connection between the network/computer and server radio if loose proceed to:  No communication, Ethernet link not lit on server; Issue with cable connection  
       • If POE is tested good then replace Cat5 cable(s) between network/computer & POE and Server Radio & POE: No communication to display, ETH Link on server radio not lit; Bad Cable 
       • If all cables have been checked replace POE: No communication through EBRs, Network Connection shows cable unplugged; Failed POE
       • If issue persists, contact Daktronics for further assistance.
6. Locate the Client Radio at the display and verify it has the power LED lit.
   • If LED is lit proceed to Step 7.
   • If no power LED on radio perform the following:
     • Check connection to display from Client radio; reseat or plug in if disconnected: EBRs have 1 red link quality LED on server radio; Loose radio connection at input QC 
       • Test voltage at Quick Connect Input card.
         • If display is a GS6: How do I measure the J33 AUX jack voltage on a GS6 quick connect? 
         • If display is AF-3200, AF-3400, AF-3700: What Pins Output Power on a 0P-1229-2004 QC Card?
         • If display is AF-3500, AF-3550, GPR, GP3, GP4: What pins output power on a 0P-1415-2000 QC Card?
           • If 0 volts, contact Daktronics for further assistance.
     • If connection/cable is good replace radios: Client Ethernet bridge radio (EBR) has no power, no communication; Failed Client Radio .
     • If issue persists, contact Daktronics for further assistance.
7. Verify the ETH Link LED is lit.  This will light up when the radio is able to detect a connection to the controller in the display.
   • If Link LED is lit proceed to Step 8.
   • If Link LED not lit perform the following:
     • Reseat Cat5 cable to sign Quick Connect (QC): No communication, client ETH Link LED not lit (1 of 2); Loose or disconnected cable .
     • Connections secure and tested good then replace radios: No communication, client ETH Link LED is not lit (2 of 2); Failed radio/cable.
     • Confirm quick connect at the back of the display: Unable to communicate to sign through radios but can from QC input card; Failed Ethernet radio cable .
     • If issue persists, contact Daktronics for further assistance.
8. Verify antennas have proper orientation.
   • Check antenna on radio and replace if broken/damaged or missing: EBR, No communication, unable to ping client radio, 1 red link quality LED; Antenna
   • Adjust antennas to best orientation: Unable to ping display through Ethernet Bridge Radios (EBR), Radio antenna not correctly oriented
   • Best orientation is vertical and parallel.  See Antenna Guide for more information.
   • If issue persists, continue to Step 9.
9. Power cycle the display/client radio following: How do I reboot or cycle power to my Message display?
   • For further reference, consult: No communication to display, Client radio or controller lock up.
   • If still unable to connect to sign proceed to next section for further troubleshooting or Contact Daktronics.
10. If still unable to communicate, it's possible communication is intermittent or there is signal noise in the area.  It's also possible there is another device on the network with the same IP. 
    • Monitor the radio frequency and traffic following: Poor or no communication through EBRs, High broadcast versus unicast packets