Black Box MDR3242A, MDR3241A, MDR3901A, MDR3902A User Manual

Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807 Table of Contents

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

Wireless Data Extenders

MDR3242A, MDR3241A, MDR3902A, MDR3901A

Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction……………………………………………….1
Chapter 2 – Check Package Contents………………………………1
Chapter 3 – Dip Switch Settings…………………………………….. 1
Chapter 4 – Product Installation……………………………………. 2
Chapter 5 – Software…………………………………………………..3
Chapter 6 – Basic Software Configuration…………………………4
Chapter 7 – LED Status………………………………………………..5
Chapter 8 – Range Selection/Antenna Selection………………….6
Chapter 9 – Table of Specifications………………………………….6
Chapter 10 – Programming Examples……………………………...9

Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807 1

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

1) Introduction

Easy to install, up to 7 mile range No wires, no cables! Wireless
Data Extenders get your data moving farther, easier, and at less
cost than running cable. Plug-n-play, Modbus compatible, signal
strength indicator, space saving DIN rail mounting. Heavy-duty,
wide temperature design handles most industrial power
configurations and tough indoor/outdoor environments.

Table 1

2) Check Package Contents

 Wireless Data Extender (Table Above)
 Antenna
 Software CD
 Will require separate 18-30VAC or 10-48VDC Power

Supply

MDR32xxA = 1.5W max
MDR39xxA = 1.5W max

3) Dip switch Settings

Table 2

Dipswitch OFF ON

1 4-wire 2-wire
2 4-wire 2-wire
3 No termination Termination
4 RS-422 RS-485

4) Product Installation

 Install on properly grounded DIN rail

 Operating Temperature is -40 to 85C
 Operating Humidity is 10-90% non-condensin g

 Connect Power Supply

Model # Frequency Radio

Power

RF Data Rate

MDR3242A 2.4GHz 50mW 19.2Kbps
MDR3241A 2.4GHz 50mW 9600bps
MDR3902A 900MHz 100mW 19.2Kbps
MDR3901A 900MHz 100mW 9600bps

2 Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

RS-485 (2Wire) RS-422/485 (4Wire) RS-232

 Power supply is 10-48 VDC or 18-30 VAC

– +

 Determine RS-232, RS-422, RS-485 communication

 RS-232 always present on DB9

DB9F Pin Signal Name Direction

1 Data Carrier Detect Out
2 Receive Data Out
3 Transmit Data In
4 Data Terminal Ready In
5 Signal Ground --­6 Data Set Ready Out
7 Request To Send In
8 Clear To Send Out
9 Not used ---

10-48 VDC

or

18-30 VAC

Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807 3

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

Note: The DTR input is used to put the radio into sleep mode. The
radio sleep option must be enabled first using the configuration
software. Once enabled, lowering the DTR signal will put the radio
in sleep mode and raising the DTR signal will put the radio in idle
mode, ready to receive or transmit data.

 Wireless Link Failure Output

 Wireless Data Extenders offer a source

(PNP)transistor output when the wireless signal
strength drops below a critical level (link failure
or miss packets)

 40 mA max current

Note: For the RSSI LED to work correctly the “RP” command (RSSI
PWM Timer) must be set to “FF”.

5) Software Installation

 Insert CD and it will autostart
 Follow screen instructions to install software
 Connect to PC with straight through serial cable

4 Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

6) Basic Software Configuration

 Under PC Settings

 Setup your COM port

♦ Baud Rate (Default is…9 60 0 )
♦ Flow Control (Default is…none)
♦ Data Bits (Default is…8)
♦ Parity (Default is…none)
♦ Stop Bits (Default is…1)

 Test Connection with Test/Query button

¾ Under Modem Configuration Tab

 Select Appropriate Modem Part Number or use the

“Read” button to automatically detect the Modem type.

 Follow on-screen help files and refer to section 10 for advanced operations.

Model # Frequency Radio

Power

RF Data

Rate
MDR3242A 2.4GHz 50mW 19.2Kbps
MDR3241A 2.4GHz 50mW 9600bps
MDR3902A 900MHz 100mW 19.2Kbps
MDR3901A 900MHz 100mW 9600bps

Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807 5

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

7) LED Status

Table 3

Note: For the RSSI LED to work correctly the “RP” command (RSSI
PWM Timer) must be set to “FF”.

Front Panel LED Status

Power Red = ON

OFF = No Power

RSSI (Signal Strength) Green = Strong

Yellow = OK
Red = Weak
OFF = No Signal

Wireless Data Green = Blink ON with

data

6 Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

8) Range Selection/Antenna Selection

 The Zlinx Product is shipped with an antenna with the

following expected ranges (see table 4)

• These ranges are for reference only with Line of
Sight

• The antenna connector on the Zlinx product is a

reverse polarity SMA female plug

Table 4

9) Table of Specifications

RF Properties

Physical Standard MDR3242A = Propriet ary radio

MDR3241A = Proprietary radio
MDR3902A = Proprietary radio

Range Radio Dependant

MDR324xA (2.4GHz) = up to 600 feet indoor or
3 mile outdoor
MDR390xA (900MHz) = up to 1500 feet indoor
or 7 mile outdoor

Frequency 900MHz/2.4GHz

Transmit Power Radio Dependant

MDR390xA = 100mW (900MHz),
MDR324xA = 50mW (2.4GHz)

Software

Wireless Data Extender

Support Win 98, ME, 2K, XP

Features AT Command

Terminal emulation
RSSI signal range test
Modem emulation

Antenna Options

External Reverse Polarity SMA male jack
connector, omni directional (included with

Model # Indoor

Range

Outdoor
Range

MDR3242A up to 600

feet

up to 3 miles

MDR3241A up to 600

feet

up to 3 miles

MDR3902A up to 1500

feet

up to 7 miles

MDR3901A up to 1500

feet

up to 7 miles

Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807 7

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

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product)

Radio Address

Defaulted at factory, set by software otherwise

Serial settings

Baud 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600

Data bit 7, 8

Parity None, even, odd, mark, space

Stop bit 1, 2

RS-232

Connector DB9F DCE

Lines TX, RX, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, RI, GND

Connector Removable terminal block

Lines TX, RX, GND

RS-422

Connector Removable terminal block

Lines 2 or 4 wire – TX+, TX-, RX+, RX-, GND (2 or 4

wire dipswitch selectable)

Termination 120 Ohm Dipswitch selectable

RS-485

Connector Removable terminal block

Lines 2 or 4 wire with SD control – TX+, TX-, RX+,

RX-, GND (2 or 4 wire dipswitch selectable)

SD control Bit wise

Termination 120 Ohm Dipswitch selectable

Transistor link
failure

No wireless signal or RSSI LED off

Connector Removable terminal block with RS-422/485

Output type Open collector, dry contact, 40mA

Power Supply

Connector Removable terminal block

Input Voltage 10–48VDC, 18-30VAC

Power

Consumption

MDR324xA = 1.5W max
MDR390xA = 1.5W max

Dimensions

1.2W x 3.3D x 4.7H

Environmental

Intended for indoor use only

Operating

Temperature

-40 to 85ºC (-40 to 185ºF)

Storage

Temperature

-40 to 85ºC (-40 to 185ºF)

Operating

Humidity

10 to 90% non-condensing

Enclosure
Rating

Rating IP30

8 Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

Mounting DIN rail mount, 35mm

LED Status

Front Panel LED Status
Power Red = On

OFF = No Power
RSSI (Signal
Strength)

Green = Strong

Yellow = OK

Red = Weak

OFF = No Signal
Wireless Data Green = Blink on with

data

Note: For the RSSI LED to work correctly the
“RP” command (RSSI PWM Timer), must be set
to “FF”

Certifications

FCC

FCC Part 15 Class B

CE

CISPR (EN55022) Class B
EN61000-6-1 Generic Standards for Residential,
Commercial, & Light Industrial
EN61000-4-2 ESD
EN61000-4-3 RFI
EN61000-4-4 EFT
EN61000-4-5 Surge
EN61000-4-6 CI
EN61000-4-8 Power Frequency Magnetic
EN61000-4-11 Voltage Dips & Interruptions

RoHS directive

(lead free)

Yes

Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807 9

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

10) Advanced Programming

For information about entering and exiting AT and Binary Command
Modes, refer to the Command Mode section.

AT Command Example

To Send AT Commands (Using the Terminal tab of Wireless Data Extender

Software)

Example: Both of the following examples change the module’s destination address to
0x1A0D and save the new address to non-volatile memory.

Method 1 (One line per command)

Send AT Command System Response

+++

OK <CR> (Enter into Command Mode)
ATDT <Enter> current Destination Address <CR> (Read)
ATDT1A0D <Enter> OK <CR> (Change destination address)
ATWR <Enter> OK <CR> (Write to non-volatile memory)

ATCN <Enter> OK <CR> (Exit Command Mode)
Method 2 (Multiple commands on one

line)

Send AT Command System Response
+++ OK <CR> (Enter into Command Mode)
ATDT <Enter> current Destination Address <CR> (Read)

ATDT1A0D,WR,CN <Enter> OK <CR> (Execute commands)

Note: In order to use a host PC and the Wireless Data Extender Software
Terminal tab to send data to the module, PC com port s e t t ings must match
the baud, parity & stop bit parameters stored in the module.

Use the “PC Settings” tab to configure P C com por t se t t ing s to mat c h
module parameter values.

10 Manual Documentation Number: MDRxxxxA-807

Black Box Corporation - 1000 Park Drive - Lawrence, PA 150 55-1018

www.blackbox.com -- Tech Support and Ordering: 724-746-5500 - Fax: [phone]

Binary Command Example

To Send Binary Commands:

Note: (pin 1) is de-asserted high when commands are being executed.
Hardware flow control must be disabled as will hold off parameter bytes.

Command Reference Table

Zlinx Commands (The module expects numerical values in hexadecimal.

“d” denotes decimal equivalent.)

AT
Command

Binary
Command

AT
Command
Name

Range

Command
Category

# Bytes
Returned

Factory
Default

AM v4.30* 0x3A (58d) Auto-set MY

-

Networking
& Security

- -

AT 0x05 (5d) Guard Time

After

0x02 –
0xFFF
F [x
100
msec]

Command
Mode
Options

2 0x0A

(10d)

BD v4.2B* 0x15 (21d) Baud Rate

Stand
ard
baud
rates:
0 – 6
(custo
m
rates
also
suppor
ted)

Serial
Interfacing

2

factory­set RF
data rate

Example: Use binary commands to change the Zlinx Module’s destination address to
0x1A0D and save the new address to non-volatile memory.

1. RT Command must be set to “1” in AT Command Mode to enable binary
programming.

2. Assert CMD (Pin 5 is driven high). (Enter Binary Command Mode)

3. Send Bytes (parameter bytes must be 2 bytes long):
00 (Send DT (Destination Address) Command)

0D (Least significant byte of parameter bytes)
1A (Most significant byte of parameter bytes)

08 (Send WR (Write) Command)

4. De-assert CMD (Pin 5 is driven low) (Exit Binary Command Mode)