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On-Device Diagnostics

Device Power-Up / Reset Sequence

Upon connection of power, JS-50 ScanHeads begin the boot process. This takes just a few seconds, but can vary depending on your network configuration. The laser(s) may flash briefly 1.

Quick Check

In normal operation, you should see:

🟢 POWER (green)
🟠 LINK (solid or flashing orange)
🔵 SCANSYNC (solid or blinking blue)

Background Info

All ScanHeads of the JS-50 line have 3 indicator lights:

  • POWER (green) (also labeled STATUS on some early models)
  • LINK (orange)
  • SCANSYNC (blue)

For MX, WX and WSC models, the indicator lights are located next to the M12 connector, so they can be seen even when the unit is installed. For X6B and Z8 models, the indicator lights are located on the back side (opposite the laser and camera windows), next to the M12 connector.

Symptom: POWER is not green

Cause: The ScanHead does not have power to operate. All JS-50 models are powered via PoE (Power over Ethernet).

Things to check:

  • Is the cable connected correctly? The M12 X-Coded connector is keyed such that the mating plug can only be inserted in one orientation. Carefully inspect the socket and plug to verify no foreign matter is present, the threads are clean and the pins inside the plug are not bent.
  • Has the M12 connector been tightened down enough? The lock ring on the connector should be fingertight. Wiggle the connector - it should not move radially or axially. Avoid using pliers or other tools to tighten the connector.
  • On the ethernet switch side: is the RJ-45 jack fully inserted into the switch?
  • Does the Ethernet switch adhere to the PoE standard? All JS-50 models will work with switches compliant with the PoE 802.3af or 802.3at standards. All models use less than 13 Watts, which is the lowest "tier" of the standard, so any compliant switch with the PoE symbol should work. However, in installations with many ScanHeads you may run into power budget issues if the chosen switch is not capable of supplying this to all ports at the same time. Some older UniFi switches also used the PoE branding for what is now termed "passive PoE" and are not compatible with the 802.3af/at standards. These will NOT work with JS-50 ScanHeads. See here for more information on the network switch and PoE Standards.
  • Are you using cables not supplied by JoeScan, or did you terminate the cables yourself? If so, please verify the Pinout and see here
  • Does only one ScanHead have problems? First, try a different port on the switch, and if that does not work, switch the cabling with a working ScanHead.

If problems persist, please also refer to the Cabling section.

Cause: The ScanHead does not have a valid network connection.

Things to check:

  • go through items 1-4 on the check list for POWER above
  • Does the ethernet switch negotiate a 1 GB/s connection? Most switches have one or two indicator lights per port, showing the speed of the negotiated connection. A common pattern is that that the light shows orange for a 100 MB/s connection, and green for 1 GB/s. Verify with the documentation for your switch model. The LINK light will show orange for a 100MB/s connection, but scanning operation will be slow and unreliable.
  • In this guide, please also refer to the ServerLog section, there is documentation on how to download the log file. Search for a line containing the words link speed - the result should be 1Gbps

Symptom: SCANSYNC is not blue or is blinking intermittently

Cause: No ScanSync signal was detected. All JS-50 models receive timing and encoder/input signals via ethernet, so if the LINK light is not orange (see above), begin troubleshooting there.

If the light is blinking intermittently, this means the ScanSync signal is not received consistently. In this case, you need to check your ScanSync device and all network connections. Scanning may be possible, but will suffer from reduced accuracy or missed profiles.

Background Info

The ScanSync signal is distributed as UDP packets on the scanner network. The packets will not be routed outside the subnet. The ScanSync device must be on the same subnet as the ScanHeads, ideally connected to the same switch.

Encoder Signal

The ScanSync signal will be broadcast even if no encoder or auxiliary input is connected to the device. Even if the blue SCANSYNC light on a ScanHead is on, you still need to check on the ScanSync device itself for encoder or aux input issues.

Things to check:

  • Make sure both POWER and LINK are lit. If not, begin troubleshooting in the sections above.
  • Is a ScanSync device connected to the network segment that also contains the ScanHeads? The device is PoE powered, so make sure it is connected to a PoE port on your switch. For testing, connect a ScanSync device to a port near the ScanHead that you want to test, and remove the green connector from the bottom of the device. The timing signal should reach the ScanHead within a few seconds and the blue SCANSYNC light should turn on.
  • Some managed ethernet switches may filter UDP packets. Please verify with your switch documentation that the traffic management features of the switch are turned OFF for the relevant ports.

  1. Unlike in the JS-25 series, laser flashing at boot time is not guaranteed. ↩