CandCNC RC-400, User Manual, Page: 5 / 51

Wireless Network Setup
The process of using the RC-400 Remote Console for CommandCNC™ begins with having
access to a Wireless Network (aka WIFI) using standard frequencies and protocols. WIFI is
used extensively in both public and private venues. The WLAN specs were introduced as
802.11 originally and there have been updates up to 802.11ax. Each update has added
bandwidth (faster speeds) and better performance and better range. Newer WIFI routers use
dual frequency transmitters and multiple channels per frequency to limit interference and
interaction with other devices in the same bands. The 802.11 standard provides several
distinct radio frequency bands for use in Wi-Fi communications:
900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz,
4.9 GHz, 5 GHz, 5.9 GHz, 6 GHz and 60 GHz . Each band is divided into a multitude of
channels. Typically the higher the frequency the more “line-of-sight” is needed. Most
common in WIFI routers are the 2.4 GHz and the 5 Gz bands. Lower frequency bands are
most often used for Point-to-Point communication. WIFI has become faster and more
reliable over the past 10 years and a lot of modern equipment comes with WIFI installed.
WIFI should not be confused with
Bluetooth which was developed for short range device to
device communications and does not have the error checking and power that the 802.11
based devices have. In the most widely used mode, transmission power is limited to 2.5
milliwatts , giving it a very short range of up to 10 meters (33 ft). WIFI can have hundreds to
thousands of feet of effective range and will do “many-to-one” device connections. Multiple
devices can connect to multiple resources or to each other. It allows interface to a Network
of Ethernet connected PC, storage devices and file servers. It works with Windows, LINUX,
MAC, and Android type devices. While WIFI can be blocked by metal and denser objects
and won’t transmit though metal walls/buildings or thick concrete, it’s a lot more reliable than
Bluetooth and less susceptible to interference from other devices RF. The downside is that
WIFI is somewhat more complex to setup.
This manual is designed to allow you to use either an exiting in-house WIFI, or to setup an
inexpensive WIFI router and use it just for the RC400 tablet connection or to utilize other WIFI
or wired Ethernet devices in your workflow.
First we will look at typical local wireless tablet connections. The setup can be as simple as a
wireless WIFI router and the RC400 tablet to a WIFI connected LINUX Control PC at the CNC
Machine, or as complex as a mixed network with Internet access and remote dial-in.
Regardless, the process of getting the Wireless Table (RC400) running CommandCNC-
Remote™ setup and connected to it’s host PC running CommandCNC™ is the first step.
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