How to use a BlackcatUSB cable

Before you connect the BlackcatUSB device to your computer, please make sure you have download the BlackcatUSB software (for Windows XP) (for Vista). If you are using Vista, please read the additional directions inside the designated folder of the software release.

If you have not done so, please download and install Microsoft .net framework 2.0 runtime.

From the BlackcatUSB software directory, run and install the LibUSB setup file.

Install Device DriverNow connect the BlackcatUSB device to your computer. At this point, Windows should notify you that a new USB device has been connected and will need to have a driver.

When the prompt first appears, select "Install from a list or specific location" and click Next. Then, select "Include this location in the file search", click Browse and go to the "Driver (2K_XP_VISTA)" directory inside your BlackcatUSB software folder. Finally, click Next to install the driver.

How to connect the device to your modemFirst, open your modem using by removing the T-10 torq screw at the back of the modem and slice the sticker on the bottom using a razor blade or knife. The modem will open like a clam shell. For programming, remove the modem's circuit board from the case.

On the modem's circuit board, you will find a 10 pin port (2x5). If you purchased the modem from us, it will already have a pin header there. If not, you will need to put one in. You can easily solder in the 10 pin header included with the kit or use the temporary solderless adapter. Note: some SB5101 boards will have slightly smaller holes which will cause the solderless adapter not to fit; if this is the case, you will need to solder in the regular pin header.

To communicate your modem with your computer using the BlackcatUSB device, first connect the power adapter to your modem. Your modem will need to have power in order for the device to function. Be careful not to allow any foreign metal to make contact to the modem's internal circuit board during this process. You will not need to have the coax cable or Ethernet cable plugged in during this process.

The cable always connects to the internal 10-pin port in the same manner, regardless of where the red stripe is on the ribbon cable. After you have it properly connected, run the "BlackcatUSB.exe" from the software release.

If you have done everything right, you should get something similar to the above example. The main page of the software will indicate to you that it has connected to the BlackcatUSB board, the board's firmware version, if it has connected to the target device (a.k.a. modem), and what type of Flash memory was automatically detected.

The console tab of the software allows you to execute command-line type commands to interact with your device. A few popular commands are: sigmakey (prints the modem's SIGMA key), flashdump (creates a perfect copy of the flash, recommend for the first time use) and flashfix (attempts to fix a modem where the Flash is not automatically detected). A full list of commands are usually found in the "Commands.txt" file in the "Scripts" folder of the BlackcatUSB software directory.

The memory tab shows you the memory data of the modem. Advanced users will only need to use this.

The Flash tab shows you the non-volatile Flash memory (where the modem's firmware is stored). Here you can read the entire Flash or write to the entire Flash. The entire data is commonly referred to as the modem's BIOS, as not to confuse it with the firmware contained there in.

The final tab is created on the fly from the script file. Each time BlackcatUSB connects to a device, it reads its device ID code and then executes the script file of the same code with the ".bsf" extension in the Scripts directory. You are welcome to create your own scripts for other devices to implement many of the same features that we offer for the SB5100 or SB5101 devices.

When BlackcatUSB is connected to a SB5100 or SB5101, you are given the option to change the bootloader, media access address / serial, and the firmware.

Installing SIGMA-X2To obtain SIGMA-X2 firmware, login to your account and click "Your Account", and there you can download and register the firmware. If you are installing SIGMA-X2 firmware, you will need to first change the bootloader (SB5100 version only) and then change the firmware. After it has completed successfully, restart the modem (by resetting the power).

Finally, to access the SIGMA-X2 interface on the modem, connect the Ethernet cable from your computer directly to the modem's Ethernet port, and then browse to http://192.168.100.1:1337 for the SB5100 or http://192.168.100.1 for the SB5101, using IE or Firefox.

After you have installed your favorite firmware version, put the modem board back into the case and close it up. Repeat when needed.

Upgrading BlackcatUSBBlackcatUSB uses a AT90USB162 microcontroller from Atmel with 16 KB of reprogrammable Flash memory. The device is capable of having the firmware updated over USB; which we can use in the future to make improvements, such as newer features or better performance. By default, the BlackcatUSB is locked in "Operation Mode". In order to update the firmware, you must put the device into "Bootloader Mode". To do this, use a pen and move turn off both switches of the board.

Operation Mode Bootloader ModeNow, press the reset button on the board; which is the button located in the middle of the board. This will cause the device to restart in "Bootloader Mode". The first time you do this, you will be prompted for a USB driver. Don't try and install the BlackcatUSB driver, instead install the driver from the "FLIP Software" directory of the BlackcatUSB release software. To program the device, install and run the FLIP software (requires Java installed). From the Device menu, select "AT90USB162" and click OK. From the Settings menu, select Communication and then USB. Now load the new firmware from the File menu, "Load HEX File...". After that, click the Run button to program the board, and then click the Start Application button. Finaly, you may want to put the device back into normal mode, so move the switches back to ON ("Operation Mode").