Caterpillar Communication Adapter II Release Notes Spring 2009

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- IMPORTANT! Once the Comm Adapter II Firmware has been upgraded to version 2.
2, it will not work properly with the service tool with any previous version of
Comm Adapter II software drivers.
- DEFINITIONS
Firmware: the programming installed in the Comm Adapter II device using the
Comm Adapter II Toolkit Flashing process.
Software: the programming installed in the computer to allow communication
to the Comm Adapter II hardware.
Table of Contents:
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0

Introduction
What's New
Comm Adapter II Requirements
Supported Operating Systems
Installation Procedure
Uninstall Procedure
How to Configure the service tool to use the Comm Adapter II
How to Update the Comm Adapter II Firmware to 3.1
Caterpillar Communication Adapter II User's Manual on CD
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Troubleshooting 142 and 453 Errors
Troubleshooting 443 Errors
Technical Support

1.0 Introduction
The Caterpillar Communication Adapter II is an RP1210A compliant communication i
nterface device designed to work with a personal computer under Microsoft(R) Win
dows(TM).
The Comm Adapter II supports SAE J1708 (ATA), CAT data link, and SAE J1939 data
link protocols. Connection to the personal computer is via the RS-232 serial co
mmunication port or parallel port on the personal computer.
The Comm Adapter II requires software that is installed on the personal computer
. The Comm Adapter II will not function until the software is properly installe
d on the PC that will use the Comm Adapter II.

2.0 What's New

Version 3.1
- Supports Dual Data Link function.
3.0 Communication Adapter II Requirements

In order to use the Caterpillar Communication Adapter II, the following PC hardw
are and cables are required:
NOTE: The minimum PC configuration should not be used as a standard when buying
new personal computers to use with the Caterpillar Communication Adapter II. E
xisting equipment that meets these minimum requirements will run the Communicati
on Adapter II.
Minimum PC Requirements
-

Refer to Section 4.0 for a list of supported Operating Systems

IBM compatible PC with Pentium 100 MHz processor
32-MB of RAM
10-MB of available hard disk space
CD-ROM drive
VGA monitor or display
RS-232 port with 16550AF UART (add-on serial boards not supported) or Parall
el port
Recommended PC Configuration
-

Refer to Section 4.0 for a list of supported Operating Systems

Intel Pentium II 333 MHz processor or later
64-MB of RAM
4.3 GB hard disk drive
14X speed CD-ROM drive
VGA monitor or display

The following data link cables can be used with the Caterpillar Communication Ad
apter II:
-

139-4166
160-0133
207-6845
7X1686
157-4829
322-7382

ATA/CDL Uni-Cable Cable Assembly

ATA/CDL/J1939 Short Uni-Cable Cable Assembly
ATA/CDL/J1939 Short Uni-Cable Cable Assembly
In-Cab Adapter Cable for ATA
In-Cab Adapter Cable for J1939/11
Data Link Cable

NOTE: The 7X1412 ATA or 7X1570 CDL Cable Assembly may also be used. However, t
hese are no longer available for purchase from Caterpillar.

4.0 Supported Operating Systems

This Caterpillar Communication Adapter II software is supported on the following
Microsoft Operating Systems:
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows VISTA

5.0 Installation Procedure

- IMPORTANT! If a previous version of Comm Adapter II software is installed, p
lease uninstall it before continuing with this installation procedure. The Unin
stall procedure is outlined in section 6.0.

- Close any applications. Administrative rights on the computer are required to

install the Communication Adapter II software.
- Note: To get the latest Comm Adapter II drivers we recommended selecting the C
omm Adapter II during the latest service tool installation.
- Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive
- Click the "Start" button in the lower-left hand corner of the screen. From th
e pop-up menu, select "Run".
- In the box, type:
z:\setup.exe
If the CD is in CD-ROM drive other than "z:", substitute the appropriate drive
letter.
- Click "OK".
- Follow the installation instructions presented on the screen.
- Remember to change the Communication Device settings in the service tool befor
e trying to use the Communication Adapter II. The procedure to do so is outline
d in section 7.0.

6.0 Uninstall Procedure

1.
2.
3.
4.

Go to the "Start" menu, select "Settings", and then select "Control Panel"
Double-click on "Add/Remove Programs"
Select "Communication Adapter II" from the list of installed programs
Click the Add/Remove... button

7.0 How to Configure the service tool to use the Communication Adapter II
To change the service tool settings to the Communication Adapter II, complete th
e following steps:
- Start the service tool
- Click the "Stop Connect" button when it appears
- Select the "Utilities" menu
- Choose "Preferences..."
- Select the "Communications" tab
- Change the Communication Interface Device to Caterpillar Comm Adapter II (Du
al Data Link/Serial IP)
- "COM1" should be the selected port. If parallel support is needed, set the C
ommunication Interface Device to Caterpillar Comm Adapter II (RP1210) and set th
e port to LPT1. NOTE: This setting will not support dual data link.

8.0 How to Update the Communication Adapter II Firmware to 3.1

NOTE: Use the Comm Adapter II Toolkit version 1.1, 1.93 or greater drivers to up
date the Comm Adapter II.

NOTE: Only use the serial port to upgrade the Comm Adapter II, do not use the Pa
rallel port.
m
e
-

Make sure the Comm Adapter II is connected to the PC and powered light is on.
Go to the Start menu. Choose All Programs -> Caterpillar Comm Adapters -> Com
Adapter Toolkit.
The Toolkit application will start up and display the Summary screen.
Choose the Application Firmware Flash icon (middle icon). Click the Select Fil
button. The Select Firmware Flash File dialog box displays.
Three files should be listed on the left:
ca2vi2.apf
application firmware
cav3i0.0 apf application firmware
ca2v3i1.0.apf
SIP application firmware
- Highlight the ca2v3i1.0.apf file and click the OK button.
- Click the Begin Flash button to start the download.
- A dialog box showing the download progress will appear. The download should t
ake less than 1 minute.
- The protocol lights on the front of the Comm Adapter II will all flash while f
lashing the firmware.
- When the download is complete, a dialog box will appear allowing a return to t
he Summary screen, a return to the Flash screen, or an Exit from the service too
l.
- Click the Exit button.
For further details on the Toolkit application and the Application Firmware Flas
h process, please refer to the Communication Adapter II User's Manual.

9.0 Caterpillar Communication Adapter II User's Manual on CD

An electronic version of the Caterpillar Comm Adapter II User's Manual is availa
ble on the CD. The file is located in the "Manual" folder on the CD. In order
to view the file, Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on the PC.
10.0 Frequently Asked Questions
This section includes answers to questions most often asked when getting started
with the Communication Adapter II.
10.1

A. What should I do if I have trouble connecting to an ECM?

B. I keep getting WinFlash Communication errors while trying to flash do
wnload to an ECM. What should I do?
C. The service tool recognizes the ECM, but the service tool "Could not
Initialize" it. What now?
Try lowering the baud rate setting for the Comm Adapter II. To lower the baud r
ate setting, go to the "Utilities" menu in the service tool and then choose the
"Preferences..." menu item. Click on the "Advanced..." button. Select a lower
baud rate from the selections listed on the screen, and then click the "OK" butt
on. Now connect to the ECM using the new setting.
If problems persist, please contact the Help Desk. See the Technical Support se
ction below.
10.2 What is the "Comm Adapter II Toolkit" application for?

Currently, the Toolkit allows the Comm Adapter II to retrieve information about
the version of hardware and firmware inside. The Toolkit also allows the firmwa
re inside to be updated by flashing over the serial communication port from a PC
.
10.3 The Comm Adapter II is RP1210A compliant. What does this mean?
RP1210A is a standardized interface for personal computer to on-vehicle data lin
k communications under the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems.
The Maintenance Council's (TMC) RP1210A defines a standardized communication int
erface between the on-vehicle data link and PC application software programs run
ning under the Windows family of operating systems. RP1210A establishes a stand
ard interface between the physical data link (SAE J1708/J1587, SAE J1939) and Wi
ndows software applications for the personal computer.
10.4 Can I use the Comm Adapter II with my existing data link cables?
The Comm Adapter II will work with the following Caterpillar data link cables:
7X1412
7X1570
7X1686
157-4829
139-4166
160-0133
207-6845
322-7382

ATA Cable Assembly (no longer available)

CDL Cable Assembly (no longer available)
In-Cab Adapter Cable for ATA
In-Cab Adapter Cable for J1939/11
ATA/CDL 18 foot Uni-Cable Cable Assembly
ATA/CDL/J1939 Short Uni-Cable Cable Assembly
ATA/CDL/J1939 Short Uni-Cable Cable Assembly
Data Link Cable

10.5 How are errors reported since there is no display?

When the Comm Adapter II is powered, it performs a self-test to ensure the hardw
are and firmware is in good operating condition. The lights on the front of the
Comm Adapter II will flash in sequence, starting with the Power light and endin
g with the J1939/DeviceNet light, and finally the Power light will remain on. T
his indicates that the Comm Adapter II has passed the self-test and is ready to
use.
Any errors encountered while using the service tool or other applications will b
e reported within the application. In the case of the service tool, if an error
is encountered, a message box will appear on the PC with the error number and a
brief description of the error.
10.6 How can I tell what data link is active?
When a given data link is active, the light on the front of the Comm Adapter II
will flash. The rate of the flash gives a rough idea of the level of activity o
n the data link.
10.7 Are there any fuses inside the Comm Adapter II?
No. There are no user serviceable parts inside the Comm Adapter II. Do not ope
n it.
10.8 Is calibration required?

No. The Comm Adapter II requires no calibration.

10.9 Does the Comm Adapter II need separate power?
No. Just like the 7X1701 Communication Adapter, the Comm Adapter II gets its po
wer through the data link cable.
11.0 Troubleshooting 142 and 453 Errors
11.1 Error 142
Please perform the following steps:
1. Confirm that the communications adapter is connected to a power sour
ce (e.g. ECM). Verify that the vehicle key is turned on and that the communicati
ons adapter is powered. NOTE: If the communications adapter is connected, but is
not receiving power, then the communications adapter is faulty.
2. Confirm that changes register on the Communications Adapter's status
lights when attempting communication.
3. Verify that all cables are securely plugged into the computer, the c
ommunications adapter, and service connector.
4. Verify that all Preferences are correctly set. If changes are made,
connect again.
5. Verify that the Caterpillar Communication Adapter II Toolkit is inst
alled on the PC.
6. Confirm that the COM Port that is associated with the Communications
Adapter is working. Reset the COM Port if necessary.
7. If Palm Pilot software is installed and active, disable that softwar
e.
8. If an infrared port is active, disable that port.
9. If there is a modem, or another device, on the same COM Port, or a c
ounter COM Port (i.e. 1 & 3, 2&4) then disable that device or move it to another
port.
10. Verify that the COM Port is set up correctly in the Device Manager i
n the Control Panel as well as in the PC's BIOS. NOTE: Standard COM / LPT port s
ettings are as follows:
COM1 = 03F8 IRQ 4
COM2 = 02F8 IRQ 3
COM3 = 03E8 IRQ 4
COM4 = 02E8 IRQ 3
LPT1 = 378H IRQ 7
LPT2 = 278H IRQ 5
WORKAROUND: Use the printer port. If the printer port does not work, pleas
e perform the following steps:
1. Access the BIOS.
2. Note the current parallel port setting.
3. Change the setting to bidirectional/ECP/EPP until a setting is found
that resolves the issue.
NOTE: If using an IBM Thinkpad laptop, access Thinkpad Configuration
in the Control Panel to change parallel port settings. Try EPP setting first.
11.2 Error 453
Please perform the following steps:
1. Cycle power on the vehicle.
2. Use the Special Use Serial Cable - 196-0055.
3. Change the baud rate up or down to test for success at a different b
aud rate.
4. Test the Communication Adapter with another computer.

5. Test a different Communication Adapter on another computer.

6. If the 453 error persists, uninstall and reinstall the Communication
Adapter II (CA2) software.
7. If the 453 error persists, reset the COM port.
8. Disable the infrared port (if applicable).
9. If the 453 error persists, use the parallel port.
10. If the parallel port is unavailable, then flash the Communication Ad
apter II. Refer to section 8.0 above.
12.0 Troubleshooting 443 Errors
The following is what to expect when running different combinations of Comm Adap
ter II software, firmware, and operating systems.
NOTE: The below information is what we have found in our current testing of the
version 1.9 or greater software. We do not guarantee these results.
12.1 Comm Adapter II Software version 2.22 with Firmware 2.2
Windows 2000 = Normal Communication
Windows XP = Normal Communication
13.0 Technical Support
For assistance, please contact the Help Desk as listed below. When calling, be
prepared to:
- Give a detailed explanation of the problem.
- Include the exact number and wording of any error or warning messages received
.
- Give the sequence of steps taken before the error or warning message.
- Describe any recent changes made to the PC and know if the Communication Adapt
er II was running correctly in the past to help isolate the problem.
DDS Service Center Hours
Monday through Friday
6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST)
Voice: (800) 765-0999 or (309) 675-4000
FAX:
(309) 675-4001
Note: When calling outside of these hours, leave a voice message and a Help Des
k member will respond the next business day.
If Internet access is available, the DDS Service Center may be contacted by e-ma
iling DDS_Support_Center@cat.com