Campbell RF500M Instruction Manual

RF500M Radio Modem

Revision: 8/10

Copyright © 2008-2010

Campbell Scientific, Inc.

Warranty and Assistance

The RF500M RADIO MODEM is warranted by Campbell Scientific, Inc. to
be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and
service for twelve (12) months from date of shipment unless specified
otherwise. Batteries have no warranty. Campbell Scientific, Inc.'s obligation
under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing (at Campbell Scientific,
Inc.'s option) defective products. The customer shall assume all costs of
removing, reinstalling, and shipping defective products to Campbell Scientific,
Inc. Campbell Scientific, Inc. will return such products by surface carrier
prepaid. This warranty shall not apply to any Campbell Scientific, Inc.
products which have been subjected to modification, misuse, neglect, accidents
of nature, or shipping damage. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties,
expressed or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose. Campbell Scientific, Inc. is not liable for special, indirect,
incidental, or consequential damages.

Products may not be returned without prior authorization. The following
contact information is for US and International customers residing in countries
served by Campbell Scientific, Inc. directly. Affiliate companies handle
repairs for customers within their territories. Please visit
www.campbellsci.com to determine which Campbell Scientific company
serves your country.

To obtain a Returned Materials Authorization (RMA), contact Campbell
Scientific, Inc., phone [phone]. After an applications engineer
determines the nature of the problem, an RMA number will be issued. Please
write this number clearly on the outside of the shipping container. Campbell
Scientific's shipping address is:

CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC.

RMA#_____
815 West 1800 North
Logan, Utah 84321-1784

For all returns, the customer must fill out a “Declaration of Hazardous Material
and Decontamination” form and comply with the requirements specified in it.
The form is available from our website at
completed form must be either emailed to [e-mail]
435-750-9579. Campbell Scientific will not process any returns until we
receive this form. If the form is not received within three days of product
receipt or is incomplete, the product will be returned to the customer at the
customer’s expense. Campbell Scientific reserves the right to refuse service on
products that were exposed to contaminants that may cause health or safety
concerns for our employees.

www.campbellsci.com/repair

. A

or faxed to

RF500M Table of Contents

PDF viewers note: These page numbers refer to the printed version of this document. Use
the Adobe Acrobat® bookmarks tab for links to specific sections.

1. General Radiotelemetry Network ...............................1

1.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................1

1.2 Field Station..............................................................................................1

1.3 Base Station ..............................................................................................2

1.4 Repeater ....................................................................................................2

2. Radiotelemetry Network Components....................2-1

2.1 RF500M Modem ......................................................................................1

2.1.1 Physical Description .......................................................................1

2.1.1.1 Specifications ........................................................................2

2.1.2 RF500M States................................................................................2

2.1.3 Setting the RF Address ...................................................................2

2.1.4 RF500M Modem Lights .................................................................2

2.1.5 RF500M Connections .....................................................................3

2.2 RF500M Compatible Radios ....................................................................3

2.2.1 Analog Radio Description...............................................................3

2.2.3 Digital Radio Description ...............................................................5

2.3 Antennas and Cables ................................................................................5

2.3.1 Antenna Mounts..............................................................................5

2.3.2 Antenna Orientation........................................................................5

2.3.3 Antenna Cables and Connectors .....................................................6

2.4 Tripods, Towers, Enclosures, and Power Supplies...................................8

2.4.1 Tripods and Towers for Mounting..................................................8

2.4.2 Enclosures.......................................................................................8

2.4.3 Power Supply..................................................................................8

2.4.3.1 Lead Acid Batteries...............................................................8

3. Assembling the Radiotelemetry Network...............3-1

3.1 Final Layout..............................................................................................1

3.2 Configure the RF500M.............................................................................1

3.2.1 Device Configuration Utility ..........................................................1

3.2.2 Install Base Station .........................................................................3

3.2.3 Install Nearest Repeater/Field Station.............................................3

3.3 LoggerNet Setup.......................................................................................4

3.4 Test the Radiotelemetry Link ...................................................................4

3.4.1 A Successful Test............................................................................5

3.4.2 An Unsuccessful Test .....................................................................5

3.5 Troubleshooting Unsuccessful Communication Attempts .......................5

3.5.1 Troubleshooting the Physical Link Between Base and Field Station

..................................................................................................................5

i

RF500M Table of Contents

4. Operation of the Radiotelemetry Network ............. 4-1

Appendices

A. Fundamentals of Radiotelemetry...........................A-1

Appendix B. Power Calculations................................ B-1

4.1 Monitoring and Collecting Data with LoggerNet .................................... 1

4.1.1 Basic Concepts ............................................................................... 1

4.1.2 Using the LoggerNet Setup Screen ................................................ 1

4.1.3 Automated Data Collection with LoggerNet.................................. 2

4.1.4 General Communication – LoggerNet Connect Screen ................. 3

4.2 Datalogger Initiated Communications ..................................................... 4

4.2.1 – One Way Data – RF500M network.............................................. 4

A.1 Radio Waves ........................................................................................... 1

A.2 Antennas ................................................................................................. 2

A.3 RF500M Modem..................................................................................... 2

A.4 Transceiver.............................................................................................. 3

Glossary

Figures

Tables

2-1. RF500M Modem .................................................................................2-1

2-2. RF500M Radio Jumper Location .........................................................2-4

2-3. RF500M Radio Jumper Expanded View.............................................2-5

2-4. The PD237 Crossover Plate Antenna Mount....................................... 2-6

2-5. The PD46 Clamp Mount...................................................................... 2-7

2-6. Type-NM (male), BNC, and Type-NF (female) Connectors............... 2-7

4-1. LoggerNet Main Tool Bar ................................................................... 4-1

4-2. LoggerNet Setup Screen - Schedule Tab............................................. 4-3

4-3. LoggerNet Connect Screen.................................................................. 4-4

2-1. RF500M CS I/O to Datalogger Connector Description....................... 2-3

2-2. Common Antennas and Characteristics...............................................2-7

ii

Section 1. General Radiotelemetry
Network

1.1 Introduction

Data retrieval from a remote site can be difficult. One method to accomplish
data collection from isolated sites is through a radio telemetry (RF telemetry)
network. Dataloggers can be accessed by RF telemetry, which requires no
physical connection from the computer to the datalogger. The RF telemetry
link reduces the number of visits to a remote site for data collection.

The RF telemetry network is designed for complete computer control.
LoggerNet software allows data collection from the datalogger, transmitting
datalogger programs, and displaying current readings from the datalogger.

The requirements specific to a RF telemetry network include:

• The distance between radio stations should not be greater than

approximately 25 miles.

• The stations should not have major obstacles between them; therefore,

they should be within line-of-sight of each other.

1.2 Field Station

Telemetry network’s three basic components are:

• Field Station

• Base Station

• Repeater Station

This manual covers the use of the RF500M Modem. Some LoggerNet
software topics are also addressed.

Purpose: The field station is where the measurements are made. The

Campbell Scientific datalogger resides at this station taking the
desired measurements. Any field station can also operate as a
repeater. The only requirement is that the station’s antenna must
be able to communicate in all desired directions. This may require
an omnidirectional antenna.

Equipment Required:

• Radio

• RF Modem

• Antenna and antenna cable

• Datalogger

• Power supply, enclosure, sensors, and mounting needs

1-1

Section 1. General Radiotelemetry Network

1.3 Base Station

Purpose: A base station utilizes a computer to collect data from the field

station(s). Normally, all communication to the field stations
originate at the base station. Data retrieval, remote programming,
and system analysis can all be done from the base station.

Equipment Required:

• Radio

• RF Base Station

• Computer with LoggerNet software

• Antenna and antenna cable

• AC power

1.4 Repeater

Purpose: To act as relay between two communicating stations separated by

too long of a distance or an obstacle which impedes direct
communication. A repeater is not always required in an RF
telemetry network. A field station can also function as a repeater.

Equipment Required:

• Radio

• RF Modem

• Antenna and antenna cable

• Power supply, enclosure and other mounting needs

1-2

Section 2. Radiotelemetry Network
Components

2.1 RF500M Modem

The RF500M is an interface between the computer and the radio when used at
a base station, and an interface between the radio and the datalogger at a field
station. In a repeater station, the RF500M is an interface between two other
communication stations. The RF500M is an RF modem. LoggerNet will refer
to the RF500M as an RFBase-TD or RFRemote-PB.

2.1.1 Physical Description

There are three ports for interfacing external devices on the front of the
RF500M. The port labeled Transceiver connects to the radio (RF310 series,
RF300 series, or DataRadio DL-3400), the port labeled CS I/O connects to
either the datalogger or to the PC as an RF Base, and the port labeled RS-232
connects to an RS-232 radio or the PC as an RF Base.

FIGURE 2-1. RF500M Modem

2-1

Section 2. Radiotelemetry Network Components

The light located between the Transceiver port and the RS-232 port is used
primarily to indicate when the radio is transmitting and receiving by blinking
red and green. The light located between the RS-232 and CS I/O ports is used
primarily to indicate when data is transmitted between the datalogger and
RF500M modem by blinking red and green.

2.1.1.1 Specifications

Power
Voltage: 7 to 20 Vdc
Current: Active: <15 mA
Quiescent: <350 μA

Physical
Dimensions: 6 5/16” x 3 11/16” x 7/8”
160 x 95 x 22 mm
Weight: .4 lb
.18 kg

2.1.2 RF500M States

The RF500M modem can operate in several different states depending on the
configuration applied using Device Configuration Utility. The RF500M CS
I/O port can be utilized in either the datalogger communication SDC
(Synchronous Device Communication) state with SDC address 7, 8, 10, or 11
or in the PC to RF base state. The RS-232 port can be used in either the PC to
RF base state, the RS-232 digital radio connection state, or the RF500M to
datalogger state. The proper state must be determined and configured before
deploying the RF500M in the field. Device Configuration Utility is used to
change and apply the settings for the RF500M.

2.1.3 Setting the RF Address

Each RF500M, including the one used as the RF base, must have a unique RF
Address or RF ID. The RF ID is similar to a phone number. This unique
identifier allows the base station to communicate with a specific field station.

The RF ID can be any number from 1 to 255 and is set using Device
Configuration Utility. The RF500M is shipped with a default RF ID of 1.

NOTE

When using a phone to RF configuration, the RF500M RF ID
must be set to 255.

2.1.4 RF500M Modem Lights

The two lights on the front panel of the RF500M have several purposes. The
primary function of the lights is to indicate when data is being received or
transmitted from both the radio and the datalogger.

2-2

The lights can also be used to verify the appropriate power up sequence of the
RF500M. View the indicator lights while applying power with the power
adapter or connecting the datalogger to the RF500M CS I/O Port with an SC12
cable. The sequence of the lights flashing after connection indicates the power
up self-test status. Both lights should cycle through a combination of colors
and then turn off to indicate the RF500M has powered up correctly and is
ready for operation.

2.1.5 RF500M Connections

The CS I/O port is normally used to connect the RF500M to the datalogger
with an SC12 cable. Table 2-1 describes the 9-pin connections. A null modem
cable with female end connectors (CSI Part Number: 13657) is used to connect
the RS-232 port of the RF500M to the PC. The 10-pin rectangular connector
is for connection to the transceiver interface.

TABLE 2-1. RF500M CS I/O to Datalogger Connector

Pin Description

1 +5 V: Not Used

Section 2. Radiotelemetry Network Components

Description

2 GND: Ground

3 Ring: Ring to Datalogger

4 RXD: Transmit from RF500M

5 ME: Modem Enable from Datalogger

6 SDE: Synchronous Device Enable

7 CLK/HS: Clock/Handshake from Datalogger

8 +12V: Supply from External Source

9 TXD: Received by RF500M

2.2 RF500M Compatible Radios

2.2.1 Analog Radio Description

The RF500M is compatible with the following analog radios: RF310 series,
RF300 series, and unmodified DataRadio DL-3400 radios.

The radios are connected to the RF modem by a special radio cable. The 9-pin
connector has a red and black wire coming out of the connector. The 9-pin
connector should be connected to the radio. The red and black power wires
should be connected to 12V and Ground respectfully. The 10-pin connector
should be connected to the RF modem.

2-3

Section 2. Radiotelemetry Network Components

Depending on the radio being used, the appropriate internal jumper must be
selected on the RF500M circuit board. There is a set of six jumpers in series
located just under the Campbell Scientific, Inc. name and circuit board version
number etched on the board. When looking at the front panel with the three
ports, the jumpers that need to be set are located in the back, right corner of the
circuit board. The two jumpers next to the edge of the circuit board should be
selected if using the RF310 series radios. The two jumpers in the center
should be selected if using the RF300 series radios. The two jumpers on the
inside of the board should be selected if using an unmodified DataRadio DL­3400 radio.

2-4

FIGURE 2-2. RF500M Radio Jumper Location

Section 2. Radiotelemetry Network Components

FIGURE 2-3. RF500M Radio Jumper Expanded View

2.2.3 Digital Radio Description

The RF500M is compatible with digital RS-232 radios such as the DataRadio
Integra radio.

The digital radios are connected to the RF500M modem with a serial cable
between RS-232 ports. Use Device Configuration Utility to configure the
RS-232 connection options in the RF500M to work with the digital radio.

2.3 Antennas and Cables

Antennas radiate and receive the radio signals. Each radio in an RF telemetry
system must have an antenna. Coaxial cable is used to connect the antenna to
the radio.

2.3.1 Antenna Mounts

Antennas must be mounted above any surrounding buildings or obstacles.
Antennas must be properly oriented in relationship to the other antennas for RF
communications to work. Antennas have various mounting options. Specific
questions regarding antennas can be directed to Campbell Scientific, Inc.

2.3.2 Antenna Orientation

Antennas must be oriented correctly to allow communication between RF sites.
First determine if your antenna is omnidirectional or unidirectional.

2-5