Welcome to 2005 Crash-B PM3 Race System Training

1. Welcome to2005 Crash-BPM3 Race System Training Concept2 January 8. 2004

2. Introductions Scott Hamilton – Product Engineer Shawn LaRose – Erg Doctor Lisa Washburn – Accounting & Race Support Brickett Bailey – Shipping & Race Support Mark Lyons – Software Engineer

3. Agenda • Principles & Requirements • Setup & Operation • USB Connection Setup • Hands-On: USB • Wired Connection Setup • Hands-On: Wired • Race Management Topics • Advanced Topics • Q&A, Additional Resources • ErGO!

4. What is the Venue Racing Application? • Creates (or loads preexisting) .RAC files • Manages the race and various displays • Creates results files • The Venue Racing Application has its roots in eRow, but modified specifically to work with the PM3

5. Changes from eRow Removed: • No internet features • No workout features • No connection to PM2+ Added: • New connection methods to PM3 • New start methods • Discovery and enumeration different from Pm2+ • New Control Bar

6. Vocabulary • VRA = Venue Racing Application Can Anyone think of a better name? • RIB = Race In the Box – refers to either the Concept2 supplied Laptop or the entire system provided by Concept2. • USB = Universal Serial Bus, a method of connecting devices to a PC • RS485 = Same as “Serial” (ie RS232 like the PM2+), except with a more robust electrical specification supporting multiple devices on one buss. • “Hats” / “Expansion Modules” = add on to the top of the PM3 to add RS485 and/or Wireless capability. • Firmware = software programmed on a chip in the PM3 or in a “Hat”

7. Connection Methods Overview 3 Ways to connect the PM3’s to the PC: • USB • Wired • Wireless

8. Connection Methods - USB • Two to 13 or 14 Ergs on a computer is Easy! • Up to 26 Ergs on a computer will work if carefully constructed • Hubs and Cables required • Power to each hub needed • Firmware in PM3 must be updated

9. Connection Methods - Wired • Two to Forty Ergs • “Hats”, cables, and extra PM3 required. • Setup (wiring) is very similar to PM2+ • Updated firmware can be in the PM3 or in the “Hat”

10. Connection Methods - Wireless • Two to Forty Ergs per computer • “Hats” and rechargeable batteries required for each Erg • Access points and Antenna required for each computer • Software DHCP server required • Requires a bit more tenacity and patience to make it work

11. Connection Methods - Review • USB • Two to Twenty Ergs • Hubs and Cables required • Software Update required • Wired • Two to Forty Ergs • “Hats”, cables, and extra PM3 required. • Wireless • Two to Forty Ergs • “Hats”, Access points antennas, and rechargeable batteries required. • Requires a bit more tenacity to make it work

12. Questions?

13. Software Installation Preinstalled on RIB computers or get from… www.concept2.com/products/pm3/venue.asp One package installs… • PM3 Venue Racing Application • PM3 Firmware Update • Wireless support tools (optionally installed)

14. System Requirements • RIB Laptop or your own PC • 1Ghz or faster processor • USB 2.0 ports • Windows XP Home or XP Pro • Windows XP Service Pack 2 • Current PM3 Venue Racing Application • Optional: High-Quality Video Graphics such as Radeon 7000 or 9000 series with 32M (or more) video memory for dual-display purposes.

15. System Recommendations • Turn off power management features, screensavers, etc • If using USB and an unknown PC, check the USB chipset in use • Read users manual and Web Site for more recommendations

16. Questions?

17. Updating PM3 Firmware • Why Update? • When to Update? • Downgrade PM3’s at end of race! (no need to downgrade “hats”)

18. Firmware Update Wiring XHub7+ XHub7+

19. Updating PM3 Firmware Basic Steps: • Install latest version of VRA suite • Attach up to 14 PM3’s to the PC using 2 hubs (do not chain the hubs together) • Launch the appropriate update icon • Start the update process • Wait for it to complete • Repeat with more PM3’s as needed

20. PM3 Firmware Update Troubleshooting The PM3 “Gang” update utility is not foolproof. It is a convenience provided to save you time in the update process. It has not been proven 100% reliable! If you run into trouble… • Use USB Troubleshooting techniques to determine the cause of the problem. • If one or more just do not update properly but others are continuing to program, then do NOT unplug the offending PM3 – let the rest complete properly and retry that unit with a later batch. • Try fewer units • If having trouble updating many units at one time, try not to mix “Loader” versions (see ProductID page). • Try updating them one at a time

21. Questions?

22. The Venue Racing Application

23. Setup Wizard • Wizard starts when you run the app • Walks you through the setup process • Walks you through setting up your first race • Cancel the Wizard at any time

24. Steps Start the application Choose a connection method Discover the ergs Enumerate the Ergs Verify the setup Create a new race Setup Wizard

25. Discovery of PM3’s • Discovery is the process by which the computer determines how many PM3’s appear to be communicating properly.

26. Enumeration of PM3’s Enumeration -- Def’n: the process by which we number the Ergs. • AKA “Physical #” • AKA “Lane #”

27. Enumeration of PM3’s • PM2+ were enumerated by position on the wire • PM3’s must be manually numbered once. • After being numbered, the PC stores a map of… PM3’s serial #’s  Erg # (Physical #)

28. Enumeration of PM3’s • Lane numbers DO need to be continuous (ie 1,2,3,4..10) • Lane numbers DO NOT need to start at 1. They can start at any number. This is useful for races that have multiple race lines, like 2 computers with 20 Ergs on each computer.

29. Enumeration Process • Select “Number All Ergs” from the menu • PM3 will show “?” on all the screens • Select “Request” on PM3 • PM3 will show “Offered #1” • Select “Confirm” on PM3 • Repeat with rest of the PM3’s • Click “Done Numbering” on PC

30. Enumeration Process Select: “Number All Ergs” When all are numbered, click “Done Numbering”

31. Verify the PM3’s • Walk the line of Ergs and make sure they are numbered the way you want them!

32. Create a new race

33. Create a new race

34. Control Bar • Status line • Status Window • Views • View Options

35. Race Sequence • Create or Open a Race • Starting • While race is running • Finishing a Race

36. Questions?

37. Connection Methods Overview 3 Ways to connect the PM3 to the PC: • USB • Wired • Wireless

38. USB Connection Method Materials Needed: • USB Hubs (one for each 6 ergs) • Power to each Hub • USB Cables (one for each hub and each erg) Optional Materials: • Hub Brackets • Strain Relief Brackets

39. USB - Preparation • Plan the layout you will use • Update all the PM3’s to be used with newer firmware

40. USB - Setup • Connect PM3’s to Hubs to PC (see wiring diagrams!) • Discover the PM3’s • Enumerate the PM3’s • Verify numbering of PM3’s • Test the system

41. USB Wiring - Basic XHub7+

42. USB Wiring - Basic XHub7+ XHub7+ This connection MUST go into Port 1, 3, or 5

43. USBWiring Diagram

44. USB - Discovery • Add all the PM3’s • Run the Venue Race Application • Use the Wizard and select “USB” • Ensure that you find all the PM3’s • If not all are found, click “Help” for suggestions (and use printed troubleshooting guidelines)

45. USB - Discovery

46. USB - Discovery

47. USB - Discovery

48. USB - Discovery

49. USB - Enumeration • After all PM3’s are successfully discovered, they must be numbered: • Click on Number All Ergs • Press buttons on PM3’s to number them!

50. USB - Enumeration After all PM3’s are successfully discovered, they must be numbered: • Click on Number All Ergs • Press buttons on PM3’s to number them! • Click Done Numbering when finished