GE MDS SD4A Technical Manual

MDS SD4$ Series

Secure, Long Range IP/Ethernet & Serial

Technical Manual

Covering ES/SS Units with Firmware Version 4.x

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. 01
Anatel Homologation Manual

JULY 2011

Installation and Operation Guide

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Need Quick-Start instructions for this product? Please refer to publication 05-4847A01.

All GE MDS user guides are available online at www.gemds.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Conventions Used in This Manual ................................................................................................. 1

2.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION................................................................................................... 3

2.1 Front Panel Connectors and Indicators .........................................................................................3

2.2 Key Product Features .................................................................................................................... 4

Media Access Control (MAC)...........................................................................................................4

VLAN Capability............................................................................................................................... 5

Terminal Server Capability ............................................................................................................... 5

Store and Forward Capability...........................................................................................................5

2.3 SD Model Offerings .......................................................................................................................6

2.4 Operating Modes and Applicable Manuals .................................................................................... 6

2.5 Accessories and Spares ................................................................................................................ 7

Protected Network Station ............................................................................................................... 8

Dual Protected Configurations ......................................................................................................... 9

3.0 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS .................................................................................................. 10

3.1 Operating Parameters ................................................................................................................. 10

3.2 Example Systems ........................................................................................................................ 11

Multiple Address Systems (MAS) ..................................................................................................11

Point-to-Point System .................................................................................................................... 11

IP/Ethernet Polling and Terminal Server Operation ....................................................................... 12

Port Sharing with Multiple Hosts .................................................................................................... 13

Push Communication (Report-by Exception) ................................................................................. 14

IP Polling of Serial Remotes ..........................................................................................................14

Serial Remotes with Two Serial Ports............................................................................................15

4.0 INSTALLATION PLANNING ............................................................................................... 17

4.1 Mounting Options ........................................................................................................................17

Optional DIN Rail Mounting ........................................................................................................... 18

4.2 Antennas and Feedlines .............................................................................................................. 19

Antennas........................................................................................................................................ 19

Feedlines ....................................................................................................................................... 19

4.3 DC Power Connection .................................................................................................................20

4.4 Grounding Considerations ........................................................................................................... 21

4.5 Ethernet Data Interface (RJ-45) .................................................................................................. 21

4.6 Serial Data Interfaces .................................................................................................................. 22

COM1 (Serial) Connection............................................................................................................. 23

COM2 (Data) Connections.............................................................................................................24

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual i

5.0 STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION ........................................................................................ 26

5.1 Initial Configuration ...................................................................................................................... 27

Web-Based Management .............................................................................................................. 27

Alternative Management Methods .................................................................................................28

Web Browser Connection .............................................................................................................. 28

5.2 Initial Startup & Checkout ............................................................................................................ 30

Ethernet Connector LEDs .............................................................................................................. 31

5.3 Optimizing the Radio Network ..................................................................................................... 31

Modem Type Setting......................................................................................................................31

Inter-Packet Gap Settings..............................................................................................................32

Baud Rate Setting..........................................................................................................................32

Ethernet Settings ........................................................................................................................... 32

Antenna SWR Check .....................................................................................................................33

6.0 USING THE DEVICE MANAGER....................................................................................... 34

6.1 Navigating the Screens ............................................................................................................... 34

Overview Screen............................................................................................................................ 35

6.2 Management Tasks ..................................................................................................................... 36

6.3 Configuration Screens ................................................................................................................. 41

Radio.............................................................................................................................................. 41

Store and Forward Operation......................................................................................................... 45

Features......................................................................................................................................... 50

Understanding the Use of Virtual Radio Channels (VRCs)............................................................55

Using the Terminal Server—Typical Example................................................................................ 59

Communications Ports...................................................................................................................63

Security ..........................................................................................................................................66

6.4 Maintenance & Status Screen .....................................................................................................68

Event Log....................................................................................................................................... 69

Alarm Summary ............................................................................................................................. 69

Performance .................................................................................................................................. 71

Radio Test...................................................................................................................................... 73

Firmware Utilities ........................................................................................................................... 76

Configuration Files ......................................................................................................................... 81

7.0 TROUBLESHOOTING....................................................................................................... 83

7.1 LED Indicators ............................................................................................................................. 84

7.2 Checking for Alarms/Events ........................................................................................................85

Major Alarms vs. Minor Alarms ...................................................................................................... 85

Status and Informational Events .................................................................................................... 85

Event Code Definitions .................................................................................................................. 86

7.3 Operating Constraints .................................................................................................................. 87

8.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE ................................................................................................ 88

8.1 Performing Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics .......................................................................... 88

Setting Up Diagnostics................................................................................................................... 89

8.2 Over-the-Air Firmware Upgrades ................................................................................................ 89

Intrusive vs. Passive (Non-Intrusive) Mode ................................................................................... 90

OTA Reprogramming Overview .....................................................................................................91

ii SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Cancelling OTA Reprogramming ................................................................................................... 92

Error Conditions/Recovery.............................................................................................................92

Execution and Screen Examples ...................................................................................................92

8.3 COM1 Operating Modes ............................................................................................................. 93

Changing COM1 Modes ................................................................................................................ 93

8.4 Implementing Sleep Mode ........................................................................................................... 94

8.5 User-Programmable I/O Functions ..............................................................................................95

8.6 Technical Specifications ............................................................................................................. 95

8.7 dBm-Watts-Volts Conversion Chart ............................................................................................. 97

9.0 GLOSSARY OF TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................... 98

Copyright and Trademark

This manual and all software described herein is protected by Copyright: 2011 GE MDS, LLC. All
rights reserved. GE MDS, LLC reserves its right to correct any errors and omissions in this publi­cation. Modbus® is a registered trademark of Schneider Electric Corporation. All other trademarks
and product names are the property of their respective owners.

Quality Policy Statement

We, the employees of GE MDS, are committed to understanding and exceeding our customer’s
needs and expectations.

• We appreciate our customers’ patronage. They are our business.

• We promise to serve them and anticipate their needs.

• We are committed to providing solutions that are cost effective, innovative and reliable, with
consistently high levels of quality.

We are committed to the continuous improvement of all of our systems and processes, to improve
product quality and increase customer satisfaction.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual iii

RF Safety Notice

Concentrated energy from a directional antenna may pose a health hazard to
humans. Do not allow people to come closer to the antenna than the distances
listed in the table below when the transmitter is operating. More information on
RF exposure can be found online at the following website:
www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins.

Antenna Gain vs. Minimum RF Safety Distance

Safety Distance (SD4) 0.79 meter 1.41 meters 3.05 meters

Antenna Gain

0–5 dBi 5–10 dBi 10–16.5 dBi

FCC Part 15 Notice

Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful inter­ference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation. Any unauthorized modification or changes to this device without the
express approval of the manufacturer may void the user’s authority to operate this device. Further­more, this device is intended to be used only when installed in accordance with the instructions out­lined in this manual. Failure to comply with these instructions may void the user’s authority to
operate this device.

Industry Canada Notice

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

Manual Revision and Accuracy

This manual was prepared to cover a specific version of firmware code. Accordingly, some screens
and features may differ from the actual unit you are working with. While every reasonable effort
has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, product improvements may also result in
minor differences between the manual and the product shipped to you. If you have additional ques­tions or need an exact specification for a product, please contact GE MDS using the information at
the back of this guide. In addition, manual updates can often be found on our web site at
www.gemds.com.

iv SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Environmental Information

Battery Disposal

—This product may contain a battery. Batteries must be disposed of properly,

and may

not

documentation for specific battery information. Batteries are marked with a symbol, which may
include lettering to indicate cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), or mercury (Hg). For proper recycling
return the battery to your supplier or to a designated collection point. For more information see:
www.weeerohsinfo.com

The manufacture of this equipment has required the extraction and use of natural resources.
Improper disposal may contaminate the environment and present a health risk due to hazardous
substances contained within. To avoid dissemination of these substances into our environment, and
to limit the demand on natural resources, we encourage you to use the appropriate recycling sys­tems for disposal. These systems will reuse or recycle most of the materials found in this equipment
in a sound way. Please contact GE MDS or your supplier for more information on the proper dis­posal of this equipment.

be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste in the European Union. See the product

Product Test Data Sheets

Test Data Sheets showing the original factory test results for this unit are available upon request
from the GE MDS Quality Leader. Contact the factory using the information at the back of this
manual. Serial numbers must be provided for each product where a Test Data Sheet is required.

BSD License Information

The SD Series products contain source code originally released as part of “WPA Supplicant” which
is copyrighted as indicated below and is redistributed under the terms of the BSD license:

WPA Supplicant
Copyright (c) 2003-2010, Jouni Malinen <[e-mail]> and contributors
All Rights Reserved.

BSD License

------­Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted pro-

vided that the following conditions are met:

1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and
the following disclaimer.

2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions
and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distri­bution.

3. Neither the name(s) of the above-listed copyright holder(s) nor the names of its contributors may
be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written
permission.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual v

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
“AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIM­ITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

vi SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This Technical Manual is one of two publications for users of the MDS
SD Series Transceiver shown in Figure 1. It contains an overview of
common applications, installation planning data, specifications, trouble­shooting, and instructions on using the web-based Device Manager for
user control. This manual is intended for technical personnel who per­form network design, configuration, and troubleshooting of the equip­ment.

A companion Setup Guide is also available (Part no. 05-4847A01). The
scope of the Setup Guide is limited to installing the transceiver and
placing it in service for the first time. All product documentation may be
downloaded free of charge from the GE MDS website at

www.gemds.com. The website also contains links to Application Bulletins

and other product information.

Invisible place holder

Software & Device
Manager Notations

Model Number
Notations

Figure 1. MDS SD$ Transceiver

1.1 Conventions Used in This Manual

This product is designed for software control via a connected PC. To
show the names of screen items, keyboard entries, or other information
displayed on a PC, a distinctive bolded font is used throughout the
manual that appears as follows:

Bolded font example (for screen names and keyboard entries)

To show the navigation path leading to a particular screen, this same
font is used with forward-pointing arrows between screen names. For
example, suppose you wish to access the radio’s Packet Settings Screen.
The navigation string shown for it would appear as follows:

Configuration>>Packet Settings

The term “SD” or “SD Series” is used in this manual to denote all
models in the SD product line. Specific model numbers are used only
when necessary to reference model-specific features.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 1

Authorization
Features

Some features of the radio are dependent on purchased options and
applicable regulatory constraints. A “key” icon is shown near the
heading of any such features. In some cases a feature upgrade may be
available. Contact your sales representative for additional information.

2 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

2.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

ANTENNA
CONNECTOR (TNC)

SERIAL DATA

CONNECTORS (DB-9)

DC INPUT
POWER

LED INDICATOR

PANEL

ETHERNET

CONNECTOR (RJ-45)

COM1 used for radio management

The SD Transceiver is a software-configurable, industrial radio for use
in licensed data acquisition networks. It may be interfaced with a variety
of data control equipment including remote terminal units (RTUs), pro­grammable logic controllers (PLCs), flow computers, and similar
devices. Data interface connections may be made for both serial
(RS-232/RS-485) and Ethernet protocols. It is designed for use with
both polled networks and report-by-exception (push) systems.

The radio employs digital signal processing (DSP) technology and a
fully digital transmit and receive IF chain to provide robust communica­tions even under adverse conditions. DSP technology also helps elimi­nate the effects of component variations or temperature changes,
resulting in optimized performance at all times.

2.1 Front Panel Connectors and Indicators

Figure 2 shows the transceiver’s front panel connectors and indicators.
These items are referenced in the installation steps and in various other
locations in the manual. The transceiver’s LED functions are described
in Table 10 on Page 31.

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Figure 2. Front Panel Connectors & Indicators

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 3

2.2 Key Product Features

The transceiver is designed to meet the demanding needs of today’s
wireless networks in a compact, and rugged package. It offers an array
of features in a single hardware platform:

• Software-configurable via a built-in Device Manager—no man­ual controls or adjustments.

• Media Access Control (MAC) to prevent data collisions when two
or more radios try to use the radio channel at the same time.

• Available encryption of payload data (AES 128-bit)

• Supports Virtual LAN (VLAN) operation

• Terminal Server capability to enable IP addressing of serial
interface ports on individual radios

• Store and Forward capability

• Supports a wide variety of modem speeds and bandwidths for reg­ulatory compliance in virtually all regions of the world

• Ethernet & serial interfaces—ideal for migration to IP networks

• Dual serial functionality (RS-232 and RS-485)

• Over-the-air reprogramming of remote units—no unnecessary
trips to radio sites

• Licensed 5-watt design, maximizes communications range with
low interference risk from other users

• Configurable via software as a Remote or a Master unit

• Low power “sleep mode”—ideal for battery-powered solar sites

• Virtual Radio Channels (VRC) support multiple polling applica­tions on one radio

NOTE: Some features may not be available on all units, depending on the

options purchased and regulatory constraints for the region in which
the radio will operate.

Media Access Control (MAC)

An important feature of the SD Transceiver is Media Access Control
(MAC). The SD's MAC is specifically designed for use with narrow
bandwidth, half duplex radio networks such as those commonly used in
licensed telemetry systems. When the MAC is enabled, it provides effi­cient support of multiple data traffic models including multiple hosts,
synchronous and asynchronous polls, and report-by-exception (push
traffic).

Coordination of
Channel Access

The main objective of the MAC is to coordinate channel access for all
radios in the network, preventing data “collisions” that can occur with
simultaneous transmissions from radios on the same RF frequency.
With MAC operation a single radio is configured as an Access Point
(AP) and other units are designated as Remotes. The AP serves as the
controller of the RF network. Remotes request permission from the AP

4 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

to use the RF channel before sending payload data, thus avoiding colli­sions of data, and creating a highly reliable wireless network. The MAC
is responsible for allocating which unit gets access to the broadcast
medium (the RF channel), when, and for how long.

Data Validation Additionally, the MAC validates all messages and purges corrupted data

from the system. Successful delivery of data is ensured through the use
of retries and acknowledgements. Minimal overhead is used to accom­plish these tasks, which translates to increased bandwidth efficiency of
the radio channel with minimal latency, ensuring that messages are
delivered in a timely manner.

VLAN Capability

A Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) is essentially a limited broad­cast domain, meaning that all members of a VLAN receive broadcast
frames sent by members of the same network, but not frames sent by
members of a different network.

The SD supports port-based VLAN at the Ethernet interface and over
the air, according to the IEEE 802.1Q standard. When VLAN Mode is
enabled, the wireless ports of both AP and Remote radios act as a “trunk
port” to carry data.

Terminal Server Capability

The unit’s Terminal Server option allows serial port data to be sent over
the air in the form of IP packets. It works by encapsulating data from the
serial (COM1/COM2) ports as IP packets, then transmitting it over the
air. At the receiving end, the data is decapsulated and delivered to the
appropriate COM port. See “Terminal Server COM1/2 Configuration”
on Page 58 for more information.

Store and Forward Capability

Store and forward (SAF) capability is available in Packet with MAC
mode. It allows a radio to store up incoming data, and retransmit it a
short time later to other stations. This can be used to link outlying
remote stations to the AP when direct communication is not possible due
to terrain, distance, or other obstructions.

Communication routes are automatically discovered and traffic is intel­ligently filtered so that only store and forward traffic is sent through the
SAF unit, conserving critical bandwidth in your network.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 5

2.3 SD Model Offerings

The radio is offered in three model types, using one hardware platform:

• Ethernet—All SD features and functionality

• Standard—All SD features, except over-the-air Ethernet data

• x710—Direct, drop-in compatibility for networks using a mix of
SD and older MDS x710 radios

Model Number
Codes

Standard Modes
Covered by This
Manual

The unit’s complete model number is printed on the bottom label. Addi­tional unit details are available through the Overview Screen, described
later in this manual.

2.4 Operating Modes and Applicable Manuals

The radio may be configured to operate in any of the following modes:

• Packet Mode—Payload data from the radio’s serial and Ethernet
ports is assembled into packets and transmitted over the air.
Packet mode supports Ethernet Bridging, AES 128-bit encryp­tion, and Virtual Radio Channels (VRC). This mode requires an
all SD radio network.

• Packet w/MAC—This mode is similar to the above, but adds a
Media Access Control (MAC) layer to the feature set. The MAC
provides robust collision avoidance, with an AP controlling
which unit can access the communication channel, and when, for
maximum efficiency of the radio channel. This mode supports
push traffic, data retry, and store and forward operation. This
mode requires an all SD radio network.

• Transparent Mode—This mode is over-the-air compatible with
MDS x710 transceivers, while supporting payload data encapsu­lated in IP at the Ethernet port. This mode is ideal for mixed net­works containing SD and older MDS x710 radios. It allows
currently deployed x710 networks to add support for Ethernet
data at either the master or remote radios. Note that Ethernet
Bridging is not supported in this mode. This manual covers

Transparent Mode radios.

x710 Mode (Different
Manual Required)

6 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

• x710 Mode—This mode provides direct, drop-in compatibility
with MDS x710 (4710 or 9710) transceivers, and uses the same
core command set as these radios. It is designed for use in systems
containing a mix of newer SD radios and legacy MDS x710 units.

This manual does not cover x710 Mode operation. Refer instead
to the following manuals for x710 instructions:

• Start-Up Guide (x710 Mode)— Part No. 05-4669A01

• Technical Manual (x710 Mode)—Part No. 05-4670A01

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Figure 3. SD Transceivers offer compatibility with older MDS x710

Transceivers (left), and may be used for replacement and/or

interoperability in these networks. A retrofit kit is available for

connector conversion (see Table 1).

2.5 Accessories and Spares

Table 1 lists common accessories and spare items for the transceiver.
GE MDS also offers an Accessories Selection Guide listing additional
items that may be used with the product. Visit www.gemds.com or contact
your factory representative to obtain a copy of the guide.

Table 1. Accessories & Spare Items

Accessory Description Part Number

DC Power Plug,
2-pin, polarized

Retrofit Kit, Digital Contains adapters and connectors

Retrofit Kit, Analog Contains adapters and connectors

Setup Guide
(for Packet and
Transparent Modes)

Flat Mounting
Brackets
(Standard)

Flat Mounting
Brackets
(x710-compatible)

Mates with power connector on radio
case. Screw terminals provided for
wires, threaded locking screws to
prevent accidental disconnect.

needed to facilitate the replacement

of an existing MDS x710A/C/M

digital transceiver.

needed to facilitate the replacement

of an existing MDS x710A/C/M

analog transceiver.

Describes the installation and setup
of the transceiver. A companion to
this Technical Manual.

Brackets that attach to the bottom of
the unit. Used for mounting to a flat
mounting surface.

Brackets that attach to the bottom of
the unit. Used for mounting to a flat
mounting surface. Bracket matches
MDS x710 Transceiver mounting
holes.

73-1194A53

03-4696A01

03-4697A01

05-4847A01

03-4123A14

Consult
Factory

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 7

Table 1. Accessories & Spare Items (Continued)

Accessory Description Part Number

DIN Rail Mounting
Bracket Kit

Reprogramming
Application for
Firmware Upgrade

Contains bracket for mounting the
transceiver to standard 35 mm DIN
rails commonly used in equipment
cabinets and panels.

Automated software program for
upgrading the radio’s internal

firmware code. This application is

under development at press time.
Check with your factory
representative for availability.

03-4125A04

06-6241A01

Protected Network Station

The transceiver is available in a protected network configuration, known
as the SDxP (Figure 4), where x denotes the particular model of SD
transceiver installed inside the chassis (i.e., SD.

The SDxP is a tabletop or rack-mount unit designed to hold two trans­ceivers, two power supplies, and a switchover logic board that automat­ically selects between transceiver A or B as the active unit. Manual
selection may also be made using a front panel switch.

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Figure 4. Protected Network Station

With two transceivers and two power supplies installed, the unit con­tinues to communicate even if a failure occurs in one of the transceivers,
or its associated power supply. This capability is important in critical
applications where uninterrupted service is required. Refer to publica­tion 05-4161A01 for detailed information on this product.

8 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Dual Protected Configurations

Two dual transceiver configurations are offered for the SD Series. They
are known as the SDxDT and the SDxDP. These configurations are used
for the following purposes:

• When full duplex operation is desired using dedicated Transmit
and Receive transceivers.

• When a Master or Repeater site requires bandpass duplexers due
to the presence of co-located antennas.

• When streaming Repeater operation is desired using dedicated
Transmit and Receive transceivers

SDxDT
Configuration

SDxDP
Configuration

The SDxDT uses the same chassis as the SDxP described above. How­ever, one radio is configured with the transmit frequency and the other
for the receive frequency with appropriate connections between them. It
also includes a bandpass duplexer tuned to a specific frequency for
simultaneous transmission and reception (full duplex) operation. Note
that the SDxDT provides one serial port and one Ethernet port for user
equipment.

The SDxDP is a protected, full duplex Master or Repeater site configu­ration. This consists of two SDxP chassis described earlier, with appro­priate interconnect cabling between the units. The radios in one SDxP
are configured with the transmit frequency and the radios in the other
are configured with the receive frequency. The SDxDP also includes a
bandpass duplexer tuned to a specific frequency for simultaneous trans­mission and reception (full duplex) operation.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 9

3.0 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

This section describes common scenarios the transceiver may be used
in. A number of variations are possible; If you have unique requirements
not found here, it is recommended that you consult a support specialist
at GE MDS. Contact information is provided at the back of this manual.

3.1 Operating Parameters

The transceiver can operate in both poll-response and “push” communi­cation/report-by-exception networks. In poll-response networks a cen­tral Master unit communicates with a number of Remote radios one at a
time. The Master exchanges data with the currently-connected Remote,
and when finished, it establishes a new connection with the next Remote
in the polling order. In push communication/Report by Exception net­works, a Remote can also transmit if it has data to send, typically
prompted by a change in status conditions from connected data equip­ment.

The radio includes a number of parameters which may be set to suit the
requirements of a particular application. Table 2 provides a summary of
common applications, protocols, and radio modes used. Refer to the
table to determine what applications can be supported and the required
radio settings.

Table 2. Application Types vs. Key Radio Settings

Application

Polled Bridged Ethernet MODBUS TCP Packet w/MAC May also use Packet mode and enable LBT

Bridged Ethernet IP(ICMP/TCP/UDP/

Mixed Serial and Bridged
Ethernet

Report by Exception Serial and/or IP Packet w/MAC

Single Poll Multiple
Response

Two or more concurrent
serial polling applications
(COM2, COM1, and /or
IP Payload at master

Single Port Serial Polling
with encryption (COM2 or
COM1)

Single Port Serial Polling
without encryption
(COM2, COM1, or IP
Payload at master)

Protocol
(Example)

MODBUS TCP)

MODBUS RTU & IP Packet w/MAC

Serial and/or IP Packet w/MAC

DNP3 and Modbus
RTU

Modbus RTU Packet AES On

Modbus RTU Transparent AES Off

Recommended
Radio Mode

Packet w/MAC May also use Packet mode and enable LBT

Packet w/MAC

Notes

w/Listen on RX.

w/Listen on RX.

10 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

3.2 Example Systems

RTU

MASTER STATION

REMOTE RADIO

REMOTE RADIO

RTU

HOST SYSTEM

OR: SDA-Augmented
Master Station

RTU

REMOTE RADIO

RTU

REMOTE RADIO

The following sections describe common system arrangements for the
SD transceiver. Other variations are possible, and if you have questions
about a specific application not covered here, you may contact your fac­tory representative using the information at the back of this guide. For
typical radio settings in these systems, refer to Table 2 on Page 10.

Multiple Address Systems (MAS)

This is a common application for the transceiver. It consists of a central
master unit and several associated remote units as shown in Figure 5. An
MAS network provides communication between a central host com­puter and remote terminal units (RTUs) or other data collection devices
in the field. Often, such a system is used to carry telemetry data to and
from widely separated remote radios.

Typical MAS applications may be for automatic, remote monitoring of
gas wells, water tank levels, electric power distribution systems, and
similar control and measurement functions.

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Point-to-Point System

Where permitted, the transceiver may also be used in a point-to-point
arrangement. A point-to-point system consists of just two radios—one
master and one remote (see Figure 6). It provides a simplex (or
half-duplex) communications link for the transfer of data between two
locations.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 11

Figure 5. Typical MAS Point-to-Multipoint Network

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HOST

COMPUTER

REMOTE RADIO

MASTER RADIO

RTU

MASTER UNIT

To Ethernet Port

REMOTE RADIO

(One of several possible sites)

Ethernet

Serial RTU

(Terminal Server Connection)

REMOTE RADIO

(One of several possible sites)

Ethernet RTU

Ethernet

Serial

Figure 6. Typical Point-to-Point Link

IP/Ethernet Polling and Terminal Server Operation

Modern data/control networks often employ IP/Ethernet connectivity
throughout the system. The SD transceiver is well suited to provide con­nectivity between such sites using its RJ-45 modular connector on the
front panel and enabling Ethernet Bridging capabilities. Figure 7 shows
an overview of such a system.

Note that the Remote radio on the right side of the illustration uses a
serial connection. The SD radio’s Terminal Server feature allows direct
IP/addressing of serial ports on selected radios. See “Terminal Server
COM1/2 Configuration” on Page 58 for more details.

Figure 7. IP/Ethernet Polling Example

Invisible place holder

12 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

This type of network can also be used for general Ethernet bridging as
supported by the over-the-air bandwidth of the system. Bridge filters are
available to reduce Ethernet traffic over the RF channel, and improve
performance.

Port Sharing with Multiple Hosts

The transceiver allows for several external data networks to use the
same RF network without confusing the data streams. In such a system,
multiple host computers at the Master Unit poll their respective RTUs,
which may be alone or co-located at the Remote sites. Figure 8 shows
an example of such a system. In this case, two host computers (Host A
and Host B) are connected to the Master Unit via the applicable data
ports.

At the Remote sites, serial and Ethernet-based RTUs are employed, and
responding to a specific host computer. In the case of the Remote shown
on the lower right side of the figure, two RTUs are co-located, but
responding to different host computers and handling entirely different
data streams.

The SD eliminates the need for an external adapter or special external
configuration and handshaking when multiple host systems are con­nected to an SD network. The SD automatically controls access to the
RF channel by multiple hosts when Packet w/MAC is activated. Virtual
Radio Channels (VRCs) are used to separate serial data streams on
COM2, COM1, or IP payload ports. Packet With MAC operation pro­vides Media Access Control. It is the recommended method of operation
for port sharing systems.

NOTE: An option exists to operate in Packet mode without MAC.

However, this Packet mode option should only be used for
systems that use legacy methods of collision avoidance
including Multihost and Listen Before Transmit (LBT). The
mode Packet with MAC provides superior performance and
better network reliability, collision avoidance and better
overall throughput. See corresponding sections of this manual
for more information on Packet mode options.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 13

MASTER RADIO

HOST COMPUTER

(Host A)

To Ethernet Port

REMOTE RADIO

(One of several possible sites)

Radio Mode: Packet w/MAC

Ethernet

HOST C

HOST COMPUTER

(Host B)

Device Settings Screen

Serial

To COM2

Serial Port

Ethernet RTU Responding to

Host A

Serial RTU Responding to

Host B

Ethernet

REMOTE RADIO

(One of several possible sites)

Serial RTU Responding to

Host B

Co-located RTUs

Responding to
Different Hosts

Figure 8. Multihost Arrangement Using Packet With MAC

Push Communication (Report-by Exception)

Push Communication, sometimes referred to as Report-by-Exception
(RBE), differs from polled response in that a remote radio can also
transmit when it has data to send. It does not depend on polling from a
master radio to initiate a transmission. Some typical characteristics of
push communication systems are as follows:

• Remotes transmit asynchronously

• May contain large amounts of data

• Buffering, flow control are used

DNP3 and IEC 104 are examples of protocols that implement push com­munication. Note that both the serial and Ethernet versions of DNP3
support push communication.

IP Polling of Serial Remotes

The transceiver is ideal for use in systems employing a mix of serial and
Ethernet protocols. While many variations are possible, Figure 9 shows
a typical arrangement with an Ethernet host at the Master Unit that is
polling serial-based RTUs at Remote sites.

14 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

In this example, the Host Computer is connected directly to the radio’s

MASTER RADIO

(TCP Client)

HOST COMPUTER

(TCP Server)

REMOTE RADIO

(One of several possible sites)

MODBUS® SERIAL RTU

To COM2

Serial Port

To Ethernet Port

REMOTE RADIO

(One of several possible sites)

To COM2

Serial Port

Ethernet Data Port Menu

MODBUS RTU

Protocol

MODBUS® SERIAL RTU

Ethernet port, and the RTUs at the Remote sites are connected to the
transceiver via the radio’s COM2 serial data ports. The IP Payload fea­ture, used at the Master, efficiently passes TCP payload over the air, and
eliminates the need for an external terminal server. (COM1 may also be
used for payload data if properly configured via the menu system. See
next example.)

Invisible place holder

Serial Remotes with Two Serial Ports

In some cases, it is necessary to poll more than one RTU at a Remote
site. Figure 10 shows an example of such a system. Here, two RTUs are
connected to each Remote transceiver, both using the radio’s serial
ports—COM1 and COM2.

By default, the radio’s
functions with a connected PC, but it may be configured for data service
using the menu system. This arrangement allows two telemetry net­works to share a single radio system.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 15

Figure 9. IP Polling of Serial Remotes

COM1 port is configured for serial management

Packet With MAC is the recommended method of operation when both

MASTER RADIO

HOST COMPUTER

(Host A)

To Ethernet Port

REMOTE RADIO

(One of several possible sites)

TCP Ethernet

REMOTE RADIO

(One of several possible sites)

SERIAL RTU

SERIAL RTU

SERIAL RTU

SERIAL RTU

Radio Mode: Packet w/MAC

Device Settings Screen

serial ports are used to pass payload data if there are two hosts (e.g., Port
Sharing with multiple host case). If there is a single host polling all units,
packet or transparent mode is the preferred option (depending on
whether encryption is required or not) even if there are two RTUs con­nected to a Remote radio.

Figure 10. Serial Remotes with Two Serial Ports

16 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

4.0 INSTALLATION PLANNING

POWER SUPPLY

10.5–16 VDC @ 2.5A
Negative Ground Only

TRANSCEIVER

LOW-LOSS FEEDLINE

ANTENNA SYSTEM

ETHERNET

SERIAL

Master Stations typically use

omni-directional antenna

DATA TELEMETRY DEVICE

OR HOST COMPUTER

OR:

This section discusses the factors to be considered before installing the radio.
Careful planning of the installation site will help achieve optimal performance
from the transceiver. Step-by-step installation procedures begin on Page 26.

Figure 11 shows a typical remote station arrangement. The specific details at
an installation site may vary, but there are three main requirements for
installing the transceiver in all cases:

• Adequate and stable primary power

• An efficient and properly installed antenna system

• Correct interface connections between the transceiver and the data
device.

4.1 Mounting Options

The transceiver is normally provided with flat mounting brackets
attached to the bottom of the radio as shown in Figure 12. An optional
35mm DIN rail mounting bracket is also available, and is described
below.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 17

Figure 11. Typical Station Arrangement (Remote shown)

Invisible place holder

6.675˝ (16.95 cm)

2.75˝ (7 cm)

Figure 12. Mounting Bracket Dimensions

NOTE: To prevent moisture from entering the radio, do not mount the case

with the cable connectors pointing up. Also, dress all cables to
prevent moisture from running along the cables and into the radio.

Optional DIN Rail Mounting

The unit may be mounted with an optional 35 mm DIN Rail Mounting
Bracket Kit (Part No. 03-4125A04). Equipment cabinets and racks of
modern design often employ this type of mounting. Once the DIN
bracket is attached to the radio, it allows for quick installation and
removal of the radio from its mounting rail without the need for tools.

The DIN Rail bracket attaches to the unit’s case as shown in Figure 13.
The entire assembly then attaches to the mounting rail.

18 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Figure 13. Attachment & Mounting of DIN Rail Bracket

Step 1: Attach the bracket using the

Step 2: Clip the assembly onto the

DIN Rail. Removal is performed by
pulling down on the Release Tab.

Release T ab

two screws provided. (Attach to
the end opposite the unit’s connectors.)

(Unit shown is for example only, and is not an SD Transceiver.)

4.2 Antennas and Feedlines

Antennas

The transceiver may be used with a number of different antennas. The
exact style and gain factor depend on the physical size and layout of
your system. Connection is made to the radio via a TNC coaxial con­nector.

A directional Yagi (Figure 14) or corner reflector antenna is generally
used at remote sites to minimize interference to and from other users.
Antennas of this type are available from several manufacturers,
including GE MDS. Contact your factory representative for details.

Invisible place holder

Feedlines

The selection of an antenna feedline is very important. Poor quality
cable should be avoided as it will result in power losses that may reduce
the range and reliability of the radio system.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 19

Figure 14. Typical Yagi Antenna (mounted to mast)

Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5 show the approximate losses that will
occur when using various lengths and types of coaxial cable in the 200,
400 and 960 MHz bands, respectively. Regardless of the type used, the
cable should be kept as short as possible to minimize signal loss.

Table 3. Signal Loss in Coaxial Cables (at 200 MHz)

10 Feet

Cable Type

RG-8A/U 0.26dB 1.27 dB 2.5 dB 5.07 dB

1/2 inch HELIAX

7/8 inch HELIAX

1-1/4 inch HELIAX

1-5/8 inch HELIAX

(3 Meters)

0.06 dB 0.38 dB 0.76 dB 1.6 dB

0.04 dB 0.21 dB 0.42 dB 0.83 dB

0.03 dB 0.16 dB 0.31 dB 0.62 dB

0.025 dB 0.13 dB 0.26 dB 0.52 dB

50 Feet

(15 Meters)

100 Feet

(30.5 Meters)

200 Feet

(61 Meters)

Table 4. Signal Loss in Coaxial Cables (at 400 MHz)

10 Feet

Cable Type

RG-8A/U 0.51dB 2.53 dB 5.07 dB 10.14 dB

1/2 inch HELIAX

7/8 inch HELIAX

1-1/4 inch HELIAX

1-5/8 inch HELIAX

(3 Meters)

0.12 dB 0.76 dB 1.51 dB 3.02 dB

0.08 dB 0.42 dB 0.83 dB 1.66 dB

0.06 dB 0.31 dB 0.62 dB 1.24 dB

0.05 dB 0.26 dB 0.52 dB 1.04 dB

50 Feet

(15 Meters)

100 Feet

(30.5 Meters)

200 Feet

(61 Meters)

Table 5. Length vs. Loss in Coaxial Cables (at 960 MHz)

10 Feet

Cable Type

RG-8A/U 0.85 dB 4.27 dB 8.54 dB 17.08 dB

1/2 inch HELIAX

7/8 inch HELIAX

1-1/4 inch HELIAX

1-5/8 inch HELIAX

(3.05 Meters)

0.23 dB 1.15 dB 2.29 dB 4.58 dB

0.13 dB 0.64 dB 1.28 dB 2.56 dB

0.10 dB 0.48 dB 0.95 dB 1.90 dB

0.08 dB 0.40 dB 0.80 dB 1.60 dB

50 Feet

(15.24 Meters)

100 Feet

(30.48 Meters)

200 Feet

(61 Meters)

4.3 DC Power Connection

The transceiver may be operated from any well-filtered 10.0 to 30 Vdc
power source. The supply must be capable of providing at least 2.5
Amperes continuously.

NOTE: Early SD4 models supported 10.5 to 16 Vdc power, not 10 to

30 Vdc. Always check the labeling above the power connector

to confirm the operating range for your unit.

20 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

A power connector with screw-terminals is provided with each unit (see

Lead

Screws (2)

Binding

Wire Ports (2)

(Polarity: Left +, Right –)

Retaining
Screws (2)

Figure 15). Strip the wire leads to 6 mm (1/4 inch) and insert in the wire
ports, tightening securely. Be sure to observe proper polarity as shown
in Figure 15.

Invisible place holder

Figure 15. DC Power Connector (P/N 73-1194A39)

NOTE: The radio is designed for use in negative ground systems only.

4.4 Grounding Considerations

To minimize the chance of damage to the transceiver and connected
equipment, a safety ground (NEC Class 2 compliant) is recommended
which bonds the antenna system, transceiver, power supply, and con­nected data equipment to a single-point ground, keeping all ground leads
as short as possible.

Normally, the transceiver is adequately grounded if the supplied flat
mounting brackets are used to mount the radio to a well-grounded metal
surface. If the transceiver is not mounted to a grounded surface, it is rec­ommended that a safety ground wire be attached to one of the mounting
brackets or a screw on the transceiver’s case.

The use of a lightning protector is recommended where the antenna
cable enters the building; Bond the protector to the tower ground, if pos­sible. All grounds and cabling must comply with applicable codes and
regulations.

4.5 Ethernet Data Interface (RJ-45)

The transceiver’s Ethernet Port is used to connect the unit to another
Ethernet device. The port has built-in MDIX (auto-sensing) capability,
allowing either a straight-through or crossover cable to be used.
Figure 16 and Table 6 show pinout data for the Ethernet port. The
Ethernet interface supports both radio management and payload data
transport functions.

For management, connecting to the radio via a web browser provides
enhanced functionality and ease-of-use over serial (
methods or Telnet. Web-based management is the preferred and primary

COM1) management

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 21

means of accessing the transceiver through the built-in SD Device Man-

8

1234

56

7

ager.
Telnet may also be used on this connector, and provides the same

menu-based user interface available via COM1. If you wish to use Telnet
for radio control, refer to the SD Serial/Telnet Management Supplement,
Part No. 05-6193A01.

Various options are available for passing Ethernet data on this con­nector, allowing system administrators to optimize the configuration for
maximum narrowband efficiency, based on the operating characteristics
of their system.

Figure 16. Ethernet Port (RJ-45) Pinout

(As viewed from the outside of the unit)

Table 6. Ethernet Port (IP/Ethernet) Pinouts

Pin Functions Ref.

1 Transmit Data (TX) High

2 Transmit Data (TX) Low

3 Receive Data (RX) High

4 Unused

5 Unused

6 Receive Data (RX) Low

7 Unused

8 Unused

4.6 Serial Data Interfaces

COM1 and COM2 on the front panel serve as the serial interface ports for

radio management and payload data, respectively. The following sec­tions identify the pin functions used on each interface. These ports are
user-configurable for specific applications. The procedures for changing
their default operation are provided later in this guide.

NOTE: Not all PCs have a serial port. If one is not available, a

22 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

USB-to-Serial adapter and appropriate driver software may be
used to provide serial connectivity. These adapters are avail­able from several manufacturers, including GE MDS.

COM1 (Serial) Connection

5

96

1

RXD
TXD
GND

2
3
5

RXD
TXD
GND

2
3
5

>

<

DB-9 FEMALE

(COMPUTER)

DB-9 MALE

(RADIO SIDE)

The default factor settings for the radio’s COM1 port (Figure 17) assigns
it for management or diagnostics of the radio via a serial connection to
a PC. COM1 may be used to set basic parameters such as output power,
modem type and operating frequency of the radio.

This method provides an alternative to the web-based SD Device Man-
ager, accessible via the Ethernet RJ-45 port (see Page 21) when Ethernet
connectivity is not available. If you wish to use serial or Telnet control
instead, refer to the SD Serial/Telnet Management Supplement, Part No.
05-6193A01.

Figure 17. COM1 Connector (DB-9F)

As viewed from outside the unit

For typical applications, a straight-through DB-9 cable may be used for
PC management. If desired, a cable may be constructed as shown in
Figure 18, using Pins 2 (RXD), 3 (TXD), and 5 (Ground). Table 7 lists
all COM1 pins.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 23

Figure 18. COM1 Wiring for PC Management

Table 7. COM1 Pin Descriptions

Pin
Number

1 -- No function

2OUTRXD (Received Data)—Supplies received data to the

3INTXD (Transmitted Data)—Accepts TX data from the

4 -- No function

5--Ground—Connects to ground (negative supply potential) on

Radio
Input/
Output

Pin Description

connected device.

connected device.

chassis.

Table 7. COM1 Pin Descriptions

5

96

1

Pin
Descriptions—RS-2
32 and RS-422/485
Mode

Pin
Number

6 -- No function

7 -- No function in most applications—User I/O for special

8 --- No function

9 -- No function in most applications—User I/O for special

Radio
Input/
Output

Pin Description

applications

applications

COM2 (Data) Connections

Typically, the COM2 port (Figure 19) is used for connecting the radio to
an external DTE serial device supporting the RS-232 or RS-485 serial
data format. The radio supports serial data rates of 300, 1200, 2400,
4800, 9600, 19200, and 38400, 57600, 115200 bps (asynchronous only).

Table 8 and Table 9 provide detailed pin descriptions for the COM2 data
port in RS-232 mode and RS-422/485 modes, respectively.

Figure 19. COM2 Connector (DB-9F)

As viewed from outside the radio

NOTE: The radio is hard-wired as a DCE device.

Table 8. COM2 Pin Descriptions—Radio in RS-232 Mode

Pin
Number

Radio
Input/
Output

1OUTDCD (Data Carrier Detect/Link)—A low indicates signal

2OUTRXD (Received Data)—Supplies received data to the

3INTXD (Transmitted Data)—Accepts TX data from the

4INSleep Mode Input—Grounding this pin places the radio in a

5--Signal Ground—Connects to ground (negative supply

6OUTAlarm Output (DSR)—Behavior is user-configurable. Default

7INRTS (Request-to-Send)—Keys the transmitter.

Pin Description

received.

connected device.

connected device.

low power consumption mode.

potential) on chassis.

behavior: An RS-232 high/space (+5.0 Vdc) on this pin

indicates an alarm condition. An RS-232 low/mark (–5.0 Vdc)
indicates normal operation.

24 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Table 8. COM2 Pin Descriptions—Radio in RS-232

EIA-485 2-WIRE CONNECTIONS

TXD +

RXD +

2
3
7

RADIO

DATA CONNECTOR

8

RXD –

TXD –

EIA-422 4-WIRE CONNECTIONS

RXD+/TXD+

2
3
7

RADIO

DATA CONNECT OR

8

RXD–/TXD–

EXTERNAL DEVICE

EXTERNAL DEVICE

RXD –

TXD +
RXD +

TXD –

RXD –

TXD +
RXD +

TXD –

This jumpering must be provided by user.

Pin
Number

Radio
Input/

Pin Description

Output

8OUTCTS (Clear-to-Send)—Goes “high” after the programmed

CTS delay time has elapsed (DCE), or keys another
connected radio when RF data arrives (CTS KEY).

9 -- Reserved—User I/O for special applications

Table 9. COM2 Pin Descriptions—Radio in RS-422/485 Mode

Pin
Number

1OUTCarrier Detect/Link—A low indicates signal received.

2OUTTXD+/TXA (Received Data +)—Non-inverting driver output.

3INRXD+/RXA (Transmitted Data +)— (Transmitted Data +).

4INSleep Mode Input—Grounding this pin places the radio in a

5--Ground—Connects to ground (negative supply potential) on

6OUTAlarm Output—Behavior is user-configurable. Default

7INRXD-/RXB (Transmitted Data -)— Inverting receiver input

8OUTTXD-/TXB (Received Data -)—Inverting driver output.

9 -- Reserved—User I/O for special applications

Radio
Input/
Output

Pin Description

Supplies received payload data to the connected device.

Non-inverting receiver input. Accepts payload data from the
connected device.

low power consumption mode.

the radio’s PC board.

behavior: A high on this pin indicates an alarm condition; a low

indicates normal operation.

COM2 PORT NOTES & WIRING ARRANGEMENTS:

• RXD+ / RXA and RXD– / RXB are data sent into the radio to be transmitted out

• RXD+ / RXA is positive with respect to RXD– / RXB when the line input is a “0”

• TXD+ / TXA and TXD– / TXB are data received by the radio and sent out

• TXD+ / TXA is positive with respect to the TXD– / TXB when the line output is a “0”

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 25

Invisible place holder

Figure 20. RS-422/485 Wiring Arrangements

5.0 STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION

CAUTION

POSSIBLE

EQUIPMENT

DAMAGE

In most cases, the steps given here are sufficient to install the trans­ceiver. Refer to “INSTALLATION PLANNING” on Page 17 for addi­tional details, as required.

1. Mount the transceiver. Attach the mounting brackets to the bottom

of the transceiver case (if not already done), using the four 6-32 x
1/4 inch (6 mm) screws supplied. Mounting bracket dimensions are
shown in Figure 12 on Page 18. Secure the brackets to a flat,
grounded surface. (If a grounded surface is not available, run a
separate ground wire to the transceiver—see “Grounding
Considerations” on Page 21.)

2. Install the antenna and feedline. The antenna used with the radio

must be designed to operate in the radio’s frequency band, and be
mounted in a location providing a clear path to the associated sta­tion(s). At Remote sites, aim directional antennas toward the master
unit. Low loss coaxial feedline should be used and it should be kept
as short as possible.

3. Connect the data equipment. Connection may be made using

IP/Ethernet signaling, Serial protocols (RS-232/RS-485), or both.

• If an Ethernet device is to be used, connect it to the front panel

ETHERNET port to the right of the PWR connector.

• If a serial device is to be used, connect it to COM2 on the front
panel. The radio is hardwired as a DCE device. A straight-through
cable may be used in most applications.

NOTE: Do not connect the radio’s Ethernet port to a LAN with high traffic levels.

Excessive traffic will overload the port and cause it to be temporarily
disabled. In general, traffic levels above 4 Mbps are likely to cause port
shutdown. (Traffic limit is less than 4 Mbps with packet sizes smaller than
64 bytes.)

4. Connect primary power. Input power must be within 10.0 to 30

Vdc and capable of providing at least 2.5 Amperes. (Note that some
older SD4 radios only allow a 10.5 to 16 Vdc range. Always verify

the voltage range by checking the label above the power input
socket.)

A power connector with screw-terminals is provided with the unit
(see Figure 15 on Page 21). Strip the wire leads to 6 mm (1/4 inch)
and insert them into the wire ports. Be sure to observe proper
polarity. Tighten the binding screws securely.

The unit is designed for use with negative-ground systems only.
The power supply should be equipped with overload protection
(NEC Class 2 rating), to protect against a short circuit between its
output terminals and the radio’s power connector.

26 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

5. Configure Basic Settings. Connect a PC to the radio’s Ethernet

connector. Access the radio’s Device Manager through the PC’s
browser. On a factory default radio, the Device Manager automati­cally starts the Basic Setup Wizard. The wizard steps you through
the essential radio settings in streamlined fashion. It contains set­tings for:

• TX/RX Operating Frequencies

•Power

• Mode

• Modem Type

• Serial Port Configuration

• Ethernet Bridging

• Encryption

• AP or Remote Service

Detailed steps for starting configuration of the radio are presented in
Section 5.1 below.

5.1 Initial Configuration

This section describes setup of the radio for its first on-air operation. A
full description of operating settings is given in Section 6.0.

Web-Based Management

The SD Device Manager is the recommended method for user manage­ment. It is a built-in software tool that works with your PC’s browser to
provide an intuitive, web-style presentation of all radio information, set­tings, and diagnostics.

The Device Manager also contains a “wizard” function to assist in set­ting up a radio with a minimum of user actions. Web management uses
the radio’s

ETHERNET RJ-45 connector. Instructions for connecting via

a web browser are given below.

NOTE: Web access must be enabled via the Device Security Screen

before using this feature. This is the default setting on a factory
shipped new radio. If changes are needed, see your Network
Administrator, or check/activate by logging into the Device
Security Screen.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 27

Alternative Management Methods

PC Running Web Browser

Transceiver

RJ-45 to Ethernet Port

The following methods are for use where web-based management is not
available:

• Serial—(

COM1 DB9 connector). This is the “console terminal”

method of control commonly used on earlier GE MDS radios. For
more information, refer to the Serial/Tenet Management Supple-
ment available from the GE MDS website at

www.gemds.com.

• Telnet—(ETHERNET RJ-45 connector). Telnet offers essentially
the same capabilities as Serial control, but may be performed
either through a local connection, or over a network. For more
information, refer to the Serial/Tenet Management Supplement
available from the GE MDS website at

www.gemds.com.

Web Browser Connection

The remainder of this section describes connection and use of the radio’s
built-in Device Manager. To connect to the radio and manage it via the
Device Manager, you will need the following:

• A PC with a web browser program installed.

• An Ethernet cable connected between the PC’s Ethernet jack, and
the radio’s Ethernet jack as shown in Figure 21. (Alternatively, a
network connection may be used, as long as the radio can be
reached via its IP address.)

• The radio’s IP address. Check with your Network Administrator,
or determine the address from the radio’s

Overview>>SD Summary

screen. The default address for a factory shipped new radio is

192.168.1.1.

• The user name and password for the radio. Check with your Net­work Administrator, or, if a username and password have not
been set, use the factory defaults of

admin for both entries. (For

security, a new password should be established as soon as possi­ble after login.)

Invisible place holder

Logging On

28 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

1. Connect the radio to a PC via an Ethernet connection.

Figure 21. PC Connection to Radio for Web Management

2. Configure your PC network settings to an IP address on the same
subnet as the radio. The default subnet mask is 255.255.255.0.

3. Enter the radio’s IP address in a web browser window, just as you
would enter a website address. When the login screen appears
(Figure 1), enter the User Name and Password for the radio. The
default entries for a new radio are both admin. Click OK.

Invisible place holder

Figure 1. Login Screen

Using the Basic
Setup Wizard

4. The Basic Setup Wizard (Figure 22) begins automatically upon con­nection to a new factory shipped radio. It may also be started manu­ally by selecting Setup Wizards>>Basic Setup, and then clicking Start.
The Wizard displays a series of screens with key selections as fol­lows:

• TX/RX Frequencies (entries must match station license)

•RF Power Output

• Operating Mode

• Modem Type

• Serial Port Configuration

• Ethernet Bridging

• Encryption Setting

• AP or Remote Service

NOTE: TX and RX frequencies may not be set when the radio is

shipped from the factory, depending on ordering options. If no
frequencies have been set, an alarm condition is generated and
the PWR led flashes. These will be cleared after the frequencies
are set. In all cases, users must verify that the frequencies are
properly set according to the station license.

NOTE: Operation on exact multiples of 25 MHz is not supported by

the SD4 transceiver (i.e., 400, 425, 450, 475, and 500 MHz).

Continue through each wizard screen until all selections have been
made. (You may back up to previous screens if required, to review or
change settings.) If you are unsure about a required setting, contact
your Network Administrator for assistance.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 29

Invisible place holder

Figure 22. Basic Setup Wizard

5. At the conclusion of the wizard, click Done. Configuration is now
complete for the connected radio. Log out of the Device Manager by
clicking Logout in the upper right hand side of the screen. If desired,
you may proceed with the additional functions described below.

Using the Remote
Management Wizard

Getting an Overview
of Radio Settings

To program the key settings of other radios installed in the wireless net­work, select Setup Wizards>>Remote Management, and follow the prompts
contained in that tool. At the conclusion of the wizard, click Commit Con-

figuration

, followed by Done. Remote configuration is now complete.

To get a top-level view of the key settings and operating parameters for
the radio, select Overview and a screen will be displayed. When finished,
log out of the Device Manager by clicking

Logout in the upper right hand

side of the screen.

5.2 Initial Startup & Checkout

In-service operation of the transceiver is completely automatic. Once
the unit has been properly installed and configured as described above,
operator actions are limited to observing the front panel LED indicators
for proper operation.

If all parameters are correctly set, operation of the radio can be started
by following these steps:

1. Apply DC power.

2. Observe the LED status panel for proper indications (Table 10).

30 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

3. If not done earlier, refine the antenna heading of the station to maxi­mize the received signal strength (RSSI) from the Master Unit. The

Performance screen may be used to observe RSSI. Turn the antenna

heading slowly so that the RSSI display can be updated.

NOTE: The RSSI facility limits the maximum displayed signal strength to –60

dBm.

Invisible place holder

Table 10. LED Status Indicators

LED Name Description

PWR • Continuous—Power applied, no problems detected.

• Rapid flash (5 times-per-second)—Alarm indication, or
RX/TX frequencies not set.

LAN • Flashing—Data is being transmitted and received.

• Off—Ethernet signals not detected

DATA 1/DATA2 These LEDs show data activity on the DB-9 serial payload

port(s).

LINK When lit, indicates that a communication link exists with the

Master Unit.

Ethernet Connector LEDs

The 10/100 Base-T Ethernet connector has two embedded LEDs. A
flashing green indicator shows data activity, and a yellow indicates 100
Mbps operation has been achieved.

5.3 Optimizing the Radio Network

The following are additional checks/settings that you may wish to per­form to optimize the operation of the radio system. See “USING THE
DEVICE MANAGER” on Page 34 for instructions on accessing and
changing these parameters.

Modem Type Setting

All radios in the network must be set to the same modem type and speed.
A range of values is available. The default setting is
may be set/viewed using the Configuration>>Radio>>Basic Settings screen.
See Page 41 for details.

In general, the higher the modem baud rate, the faster the communica­tion speed over the air. However, it must be remembered that signal
strength also plays a role in how fast a transmission may be sent. If sig­nals are strong, faster speeds are possible. If signals are fair or poor,
slower speeds may be needed to achieve the best communication results
with the least number of re-transmissions due to errors.

9600. This setting

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 31

Inter-Packet Gap Settings

For radios operating in Packet Mode, the inter-packet gap is a timing set­ting used to delimit a packet on the serial interface. Too short of a time
can cause serial streams to be combined into one large packet instead of
two smaller ones. Too long of a time can slow down the communica­tions channel.

Inter-Packet Gap Settings for COM1 and COM2 are made using the Con-

figuration>>Radio>>Packet Settings

screen. See Page 44 for details.

Baud Rate Setting

The higher the baud rate, the faster the communication speed of the
serial link connected to the COM port. However, this setting has no direct
effect on over-the-air transmission speed.

The modem baud rate is set using the Configuration>>Communication

Ports>>COM1/2 Port Settings screens. See Page 63 for details.

Ethernet Settings

The local Ethernet connection must be configured to conform to the
needs of the local Ethernet network. The Configuration>>Communication

Ports>>IP Configuration screen is used to set/view these settings. Here are

some general points that apply to Ethernet settings:

• The radio's Ethernet settings must be configured in order to com­municate over the LAN to which it is connected.

• It must be known whether or not a DHCP server is active in a net­work to make use of the radio’s DHCP setting.

• If DHCP is available, it can be enabled. Once enabled, it can take
a few minutes before the radio obtains an IP address, which will
be displayed in the

Current IP Address field.

• If DHCP operation is unavailable (or is not desired), then a static
IP address may be manually set. IP network setup is beyond the
scope of this manual. Consult your network administrator.

• As a quick reference, a typical LAN setup might appear as fol­lows:

Static IP Address 192.168.1.101
Static IP Netmask 255.255.255.0
Static Default Gateway 192.168.1.1
DHCP Disabled

See Page 65 for more information on Ethernet settings.

32 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Antenna SWR Check

Before placing the radio into final service, a check should be made of
the antenna system’s standing wave ratio (SWR). Use a directional watt­meter suited to the frequency of operation for this check. High SWR
(above 2:1) may indicate an antenna, connector, or feedline problem,
and should be corrected.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 33

6.0 USING THE DEVICE MANAGER

PC Running Web Browser

Transceiver

RJ-45 to Ethernet Port

The radio contains a built-in management system known as a Device
Manager. This web-based tool is accessed with a PC connected to the
radio’s Ethernet port as shown in Figure 23. It offers an intuitive, easy
to use method for managing your radio and performing common main­tenance tasks.

NOTE: The Device Manager is the preferred method for managing the

transceiver. Menu-based Serial or Telnet management is also
possible. Refer to the SD Serial/Telnet Management Supple-
ment, Part No. 05-6193A01 for details.

If you are using the Device Manager for the first time, refer to “Initial
Configuration” on Page 27 for instructions on connecting a PC to the
radio and logging into the Device Manager for basic radio setup,
including use of the Setup Wizards.

Figure 23. PC Connection to Radio for Web Management

6.1 Navigating the Screens

Upon login into the Device Manager, the Overview screen appears as
shown in Figure 24. The selection pane at the left side of this screen pro­vides access to any of the available screens. Simply click an item of
interest, and the new screen appears. Sub-level screens are displayed
under the main heading, and may be clicked to open them.

With a desired screen displayed, simply scroll up or down to reach a
required setting or indication. Drop-down boxes or blank fields are pro­vided for entering new information. Once a new parameter is entered,
click

Commit Configuration on the right-hand side of the screen to apply

the setting, or select Undo to cancel it.

34 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Invisible place holder

Figure 24. Overview Summary Screen

Overview Screen

The Overview screen (Figure 24) provides a read-only view of all key
settings and operating conditions for the radio. The Health & Maintenance

Summary, in particular, can help you quickly spot changes in operating

conditions. By becoming familiar with expected readings, you can iden­tify parameters that are outside their normal ranges, and take action to
prevent difficulty.

Printout Option Clicking the Printer friendly configuration label at the bottom of the screen

brings up a print-ready report that includes not only the Overview
screen, but all settable items and indications. Printing this report and
keeping it with the manual provides a convenient way of reviewing the
settings for a particular unit at any point in the future.

Logging Out To exit the Device Manager, click Logout in the upper right hand side of

any screen. The session is terminated.

NOTE: To maintain security, it is best to log-out of the Device

Manager as soon as you are done working with it. If you do not
log out, the session automatically ends after 10 minutes of
inactivity.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 35

6.2 Management Tasks

Table 11 shows a listing of commonly-needed tasks and the appropriate
sections of the Device Manager to refer to. The table can be used as a
quick reference before consulting the more detailed screen information
which follows in this section.

Table 11. Common Tasks with Device Manager

Task

Category

View Overall

Status & Performance

If you wish to... Refer to this Screen

View top-level unit information (Owner
Name/Message, Unit Number, IP Address,
Serial No., Firmware version, Run time, Alarm
presence, etc.)

View Radio Performance data (Power Output,
Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Received Signal
Strength, DC Input voltage, operating
temperature)

View Serial No., Model 1 (hardware), Model 2
(software) version, Firmware Version, Build
Date

Information

View Bootloader version information, Active
Firmware Image, Firmware Version level

View Alarm/Event information, I/O Statistics,
Ethernet Statistics

Overview, Page 35

Maintenance & Status>>
Radio Performance,
Page 71

Or: Overview>>

Health & Maintenance
Summary (shows uptime),
Page 35

Overview>>
SD Summary, Page 35

Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>
Version Information,
Page 76

Maintenance & Status>>
Alarm Summary, Page 69

Maintenance & Status>>
Performance, Page 71

36 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Table 11. Common Tasks with Device Manager (Continued)

Task

Category

View/Set Radio (RF) Operating Parameters

If you wish to... Refer to this Screen

Set RF Output Power, Modem Type, RX/TX
Frequency

View/Set Soft-Carrier Dekey status, RX/TX
Time-Out options

Data-Key and RTS-Key settings (ON/OFF) Configuration>>

Push-to-Talk/Clear-to-Send Delay times (ms) Configuration>>

Automatic Frequency Correction (AFC) setting Configuration>>

Switched Carrier ON/OFF setting (B Modems) Configuration>>

Configure Listen-Before-Transmit (LBT)
collision avoidance

View Received Signal Strength (RSSI) level Maintenance & Status>>

Key the radio transmitter, view power output Maintenance & Status>>

Monitor local radio emissions for possible
interference

Configuration>>Radio,
Basic Settings, Page 41

Configuration>>
Radio>>
Advanced Settings, Page 48

Radio>>
Advanced Settings, Page 48

Radio>>
Advanced Settings, Page 48

Radio>>
Advanced Settings, Page 48

Radio>>
Advanced Settings, Page 48

Configuration>>
Features>>
LBT Settings, Page 51

Performance, Page 71

Radio Test>>
RF Keying Test, Page 75

Maintenance & Status>>
Radio Test>>
Spectrum Graph, Page 75

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 37

Table 11. Common Tasks with Device Manager (Continued)

Task

Category

View/Set Device Configuration

Security Settings

Ethernet Port

Configuration

If you wish to... Refer to this Screen

View Serial No., Model 1 (hardware), Model 2
(software) version, Firmware Version, Build
Date

Set Owner Name/Message, enable/disable
Sleep Mode, set COM LED mode, Radio Mode

Configure time delays to identify packets on
serial ports

Configure Media Access Control (MAC) settings Configuration>>

Configure Store and Forward (SAF) Configuration>>Radio>>

Configure Virtual LAN (VLAN) Configuration>>Features>>

Configure Terminal Server 1/2 Term Srvr COM1 Config.,

Configure Unit ID and/or DLINK diagnostics
settings

Set Password for radio Configuration>>

Set Device Security (enable/disable local login
requirement, enable/disable Telnet access)

Set Wireless Security parameters (Encryption
on/off, phrase, DLINK Security on/off)

Configure the IP settings (Static IP Address,
Static IP Netmask, Static Default Gateway,
DHCP enable/disable, Virtual Radio
Channels–VRCs)

Configure Ethernet Bridging Configuration>>

Configure the Ethernet Port settings
(Enable/disable port, set mode, Local IP Port,
Destination IP Address, Destination IP Port,
TCP Keepalive time)

Overview>>
SD Summary, Page 35

Configuration>>
Radio>>Device Settings,
Page 43

Configuration>>
Radio>>
Packet Settings, Page 44

Radio>>
Media Access Control>>
Settings, Page 44

Media Access
Control>>Page 44

VLAN Config., Page 50

Page 58

Configuration>>
Radio>>
Diagnostic Settings,
Page 47

Security>>
Login Password, Page 67

Configuration>>
Security>>
Device Security, Page 66

Configuration>>
Security>>
Wireless Security, Page 67

Configuration>>
Communication Ports>>
IP Configuration, Page 65

Features>>
Bridge Configuration,
Page 50

Configuration>>
Communication Ports>>
IP Configuration, Page 65

38 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Table 11. Common Tasks with Device Manager (Continued)

Task

Category

Serial Port

Configuration

Transceiver Maintenance and Diagnostic Tests

If you wish to... Refer to this Screen

Configure COM1 settings (Startup mode, Data
Baud Rate, Data format, Virtual Radio
Channels–VRCs)

Configure COM2 settings (Mode, Baud Rate,
Format, Buffer on/off, Device Type, Virtual
Radio Channels–VRCs)

View Radio Performance data (Power Output,
Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Received Signal
Strength, DC Input voltage, operating
temperature)

Perform radio tests (Radio Keying, run
Spectrum Analyzer, run RTU Simulator)

View Bootloader version information, Active
Firmware Image, Firmware Version level

Locally Reprogram the Transceiver via TFTP
transfer

Broadcast Remote Configuration settings to all

radios in the network

Work with Configuration Files...

–Restore Factory default configuration
–Save/restore user configuration
–View/restore key configuration parameters
–Save/load key configuration parameters

using file transfer (TFTP)

Start radio network reprogramming (and monitor
progress)

Perform Ethernet PING to local Ethernet host Maintenance & Status>>

Test communications to specific Remote radio Maintenance & Status>>

Enter a Factory Authorization code, or view
currently enabled features

View active Alarms/Events Maintenance & Status>>

Configuration>>
Communication Ports>>
COM1 Port Settings,
Page 63

Configuration>>
Communication Ports>>
COM2 Port Settings,
Page 64

Maintenance & Status>>
Performance>>
Radio Performance, Page
71

Maintenance & Status>>
Radio Test, Page 73

Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>Version
Information, Page 76

Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>TFTP
Reprogramming, Page 77

Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>
Remote Reprogramming,
Page 78

Maintenance & Status>>
Configuration Files,
Page 81

Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>
Remote Reprogramming,
Page 78

Radio Test>>Ping Test,
Page 74

Radio Test>>Link Test,
Page 73

Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>
Authorization Codes,
Page 80

Alarm Summary, Page 69

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 39

Table 11. Common Tasks with Device Manager (Continued)

Task

Category

Transceiver Maintenance

If you wish to... Refer to this Screen

View logged Events Maintenance & Status>>

Event Log, Page 69

Set alarm signal output (active high/low) Maintenance & Status>>

Issue Alarm Test Maintenance & Status>>

View I/O Statistics for COM1, COM2, Ethernet
Port, Remote Programming, Ethernet Interface,
Data Link Layer, and MAC

and Diagnostic Tests (Cont’d)

Alarm Summary>>
Alarm Signal Configuration,
Page 70

Radio Test>>
Alarm Test, Page 76

Maintenance & Status>>
Performance>>
I/O Statistics, Page 72, and
Ethernet Statistics, Page 72

The remainder of this section covers the screens for Configuration,
Maintenance, and Status of the transceiver. The emphasis is on available
selections, how to access them, and their effect on radio operation. If
you are unsure of the setting required for a particular radio in your net­work, consult your Network Administrator for assistance.

NOTE: The Device Manager screens shown in this manual were

obtained from a radio operating in a lab environment and are
provided as examples only. The parameters and settings shown
may differ from those seen in field service conditions.

40 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

6.3 Configuration Screens

The Configuration screen (Figure 25) contains a number of key settings
for the radio, including RF parameters, modem selection, packet set­tings, MAC parameters, and several advanced settings. Individual
screens may be selected beneath
screen.

Configuration on the left side of the

Figure 25. Configuration Screen

(Portion of screen shown—scroll for additional selections)

Radio

Basic Settings The Basic Settings screen contains important RF and modem selections

for radio operation, as discussed below.

RF Output Power (dBm)—The RF output power may be set between

•
20 and 37 dBm (0.1 to 5 watts) in 1 dB increments. The default
setting is

37 dBm. Full power is not required in many cases, and

lower settings will place less demand on the DC power supply
and reduce the chance of interference with other stations. Only
the power necessary to carry out reliable communications should
be used.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 41

• Modem Type—This setting determines the over-the-air data speed
and bandwidth of the radio’s transmitted signal. All radios in the
network must use the same modem setting to communicate with
each other. The default setting is Modem 9600, but it may be set to
any of the selections shown in Table 12. The table also lists
modem sensitivity ratings for the various modems. Note that
some modem choices are limited based on the model purchased.

Table 12. Modem Selection vs. Speed, Bandwidth & Sensitivity

1, 2

1

1

2

OTA Speed

(bps)

9600 12.5 -112 dBm

4800 12.5 -112 dBm

3200 5.00 -108 dBm

9600 12.5 -106 dBm

9600 12.5 -106 dBm

4800 12.5 -110 dBm

1200 12.5 -110 dBm

19200 12.5 -96 dBm

65000 50.0 -104 dBm

Modem Type
Selection

Modem 9600

Modem 4800

Modem 3200

Modem 9600M

Modem 4800F 4800 6.25 -108 dBm

Modem 9600B

Modem 4800B

Modem BELL

Modem V23 1200 12.5 -110 dBm

Modem 19200N 19200 12.5 -100 dBm

Modem 19200E

Modem 9600N 9600 6.25 -98 dBm

Modem 19200 19200 25.0 -105 dBm

Modem 65000

1) For MDS x710-compatible operation.

2) For ETSI compliance.

3) 3200 bps not applicable to SD4.






1

1, 2

1, 3

1

B/W (kHz) Approximate

Sensitivity

5

42 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

• Transmit/Receive Frequency—The receive and transmit frequencies
may be viewed or set here. If no frequencies have been entered,
the fields will be blank and the radio’s

PWR led will flash, indi-

cating that an entry is needed. Frequencies must be entered for the
radio to operate. Consult your station license to determine the
authorized frequencies for your system, and enter them exactly as
listed.

Device Settings

• Owner Name/Owner Message—An owner name and message may
be entered for the radio for informational purposes. These are
“free-form” fields which do not affect the operation of the radio
in any way. Such fields might be used to identify the network
administrator/company name, and include a site-specific message
(i.e., Unit 2 at North Tower site). A limit of 30 alpha-numeric charac-
ters may be entered (there is no minimum), and any printable
characters may be used.

• Enable Sleep—Sleep Mode places the transceiver into a “hiber­nated” low power state, with a nominal current draw of less than
10 mA (at 13 Vdc). “Wake-up” time is approximately 50 milli­seconds. Sleep Mode is often used at battery/solar-powered
remote sites to conserve power. An active low on Pin 4 of the

COM2 port is what actually puts the radio to sleep. This signal

must be supplied by the equipment connected to the radio (i.e.,
RTU, PLC, etc.). Sleep mode is not intended for use on master
radios.

• COM LED Mode—The behavior of the radio’s COM/DATA LEDs
may be configured using this box. By default, the LEDs show
dual port activity (Auto). Four LED modes may be selected as
summarized in Table 13.

Table 13. COM/DATA LED Modes vs. Behavior

LED Mode Selection

x710 Monitors TXD on COM2

port

COM1 Activity Monitors any COM1 RX or

COM2 Activity OFF Monitors any COM2 RX or

Dual Port Activity
(Auto Default)

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 43

TX activity

Monitors any COM1 RX or
TX activity

Serial COM/DATA LED Behavior

LED1 Function LED2 Function

Monitors RXD on COM2
port

OFF

TX activity

Monitors any COM2 RX or
TX activity

Packet Settings

• Radio Mode—The radio can operate in one of several modes. The
available selections are: Packet, Packet with MAC, x710, and
Transparent.

• User Interface—This parameter selects the method of radio man­agement. The default selection is Menu, which presents the type of
screens shown in this manual. Alternatively, you may select CLI,
which switches the radio to a Command Line Interface. With a
CLI interface, commands are entered in text-based fashion, as
described in the SD Serial/Telnet Management Supplement, Part
No. 05-6193A01 more information.

• COM1/COM2 Port Inter-Packet Gap—Timing setting used to delimit a
packet on the serial interface for radios operating in Packet Mode.
Too short of a time can cause serial streams to be combined into
one large packet instead of two smaller ones. Too long of a time
can effectively slow down the communications channel. The
Inter-Packet Gap is specified by the number of character times
(the time it takes to send an individual character).

• Transparent RX Timeout (ms)—This setting is similar to the timing
parameters for COM1/COM2 Inter-Packet Gap, but it applies to data
received over-the-air. It tells the radio how to build an Ethernet
packet based on a transparent data stream received over the radio
channel.

Media Access
Control

• Device Type—Selects Access Point, Remote, or Store and Forward. An
Access Point serves as the Controller of the RF network. Only one
radio is configured as an AP. Typically this is the “polling mas­ter.” A Remote is connected to end devices in the field (e.g. PLC,
RTU), and there can be any number of these in a network. Each

44 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Remote must have a unique Unit Address, however, which is set
on the Diagnostic Settings screen (see below). A Store and For­ward device is a radio designated to retransmit data to/from an
outlying Remote (see SAF Network, below).

• SAF Network—(AP Only) Selects whether or not a Store and For­ward radio is present in the network (True), or disabled (False).
Store and Forward allows extending the coverage area of a net­work beyond the primary “footprint” of the system. This can be
used to link outlying Remotes (or Remotes blocked by terrain or
other obstructions) into the network. A detailed discussion on
using Store and Forward is provided below.

• Repeater Network—(AP Only) This setting must be enabled if the
RF network contains a repeater station, or communications will
not work. Remotes automatically learn this setting from the AP.

• Retry Count—If a message is not acknowledged after transmission
it will be resent. This value controls how many times the radio
attempts to resend the message before discarding it.

• Time-to-Live (s)—When a message arrives from the payload inter­face(s) it is time-stamped and queued for radio transmission. If
the radio cannot transmit the message before the Time-to-live
(TTL) value, the message is discarded. This helps prevent stale or
old data from being sent over the air.

Store and Forward Operation

Store and forward (SAF) operation extends a wireless network’s cov­erage area by electing a device or devices to store data and forward it to
a unit (or units) beyond the reach of the primary coverage area. Conven­tional RF repeaters receive and transmit data simultaneously. They are
effective at increasing range with low latency, but they are more expen­sive, have high power consumption, and require more complex installa­tion. SD SAF-designated units act as smart single radio packet repeaters.
The SAF feature provides a simple, low cost alternative to range exten­sion when a traditional repeater isn’t warranted.

Figure 26 depicts a typical single unit SAF network. The SD network
supports a single SAF hop. Chained SAF hops are not allowed. How­ever, multiple SAF radios are supported provided their RF coverage
areas do not overlap, as this would create radio interference and severely
reduce throughput. SAF will work in conjunction with SD repeater
assemblies to provide even more extended range.

NOTE: Remote radios being served by a Store-and-Forward unit must

have their TX/RX frequencies set to match those of the
AP/Master station. This allows communication with the SAF
radio, which uses standard Remote TX/RX frequencies.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 45

Invisible place holder

Figure 26. Store and Forward System Example

Store and Forward is available in Packet with MAC mode and supports
all MAC features including collision avoidance, retries, and acknowl­edgements. Furthermore, all major radio features are supported in SAF
networks such as diagnostics, over the air programming, bridging,
VRCs, etc.

Dual Duty of SAF Remotes: Since an SAF device doubles as a Remote
radio it may participate in direct exchanges with the Master/AP. By
design, an SAF device is always within the primary coverage area and
has direct communication to the AP. Therefore, all SAF devices act as
both a standard Remote for direct exchanges, as well as an SAF unit for
Store and Forward exchanges. An SAF exchange is defined as any
exchange between the AP and a Remote through an SAF device. In all
cases, the AP still controls the operation of the network.

After sending an SAF data frame, the AP remains idle until the frame
has been delivered to the Remote, at which time it will return to direct
or SAF operation, depending on the message type (unicast or broadcast).

Direct vs. SAF Traffic: Depending on network topology, it is possible
for some Remotes to hear both direct polls from the AP and SAF mes­sages from an SAF-designated Remote. It is more desirable to use the
direct traffic to avoid the latency of going through the SAF link, and the
SD firmware handles this situation automatically. SAF frames are
ignored when the direct path is available. The system is dynamic; if the
direct path becomes unavailable for any reason, it quickly switches to
the SAF path to provide continued operation.

Traffic Routing: Typically, network radios are immobile, but fading
may cause paths to come and go. Because of this, the AP device imple­ments routing to each Remote device. This ensures that only SAF traffic
passes through SAF Remotes. Direct traffic is terminated at the local
coverage area, keeping efficiency high. The SD radio achieves these
steps automatically, and does not require user input. The following is an
explanation of how this routing scheme is achieved.

46 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Diagnostic Settings

Initially, all Remote device routes are unknown. The AP assumes that
all undiscovered Remotes can potentially be on the SAF link. Once a
Remote attempts to communicate upstream to the AP, the AP is aware
of the Remote's path based on the exchange type, direct or SAF. The AP
stores this information in a database linked to the Remote's address.
Future exchanges with the Remote initiated by the AP will reference this
database and the AP chooses the most recent exchange type.

Upstream, the Remote can freely choose the best exchange type based
on what is available at the time. The AP continuously updates the
routing database on each exchange to a Remote. If a Remote has not
been heard from within a certain time frame, the route is reset to initial
conditions so that the route may be relearned. This does not cause any
additional delay and is implemented only as a safeguard. This allows for
highly efficient and adaptable routing to each Remote device without
the overhead of a routing protocol, saving critical bandwidth.

• Unit #—This parameter identifies the radio in the wireless network
with a specific ID during diagnostic sessions.

• Dlink Type—This setting identifies the radio as either a Node, Root,
Repeater, Peer, or Gate. Each of these are operating modes of the
transceiver with respect to diagnostic/management activities.
(See “Performing Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics” on
Page 88 for details.

Dlink Status—This item is used to enable or disable diagnostics

•
functionality. Setting it to ON configures the radio to pass the
diagnostic link protocol (DLINK) over the radio’s COM1 manage­ment port.

• Dlink Baud Rate—This setting determines the COM1 serial data
diagnostics communication rate in bits-per-second (bps).

•

Dlink TCP Access—This setting enables DLINK over Ethernet via

TCP. This allows an external NMS to manage the radio without
tieing up a serial port.

Dlink TCP Port—This setting specifies the TCP port for DLINK

•
communication. The address for Ethernet-based DLINK commu­nication is given by the radio's IP address (from the general set­tings screen) and the port number specified here.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 47

Advanced Settings

• Soft-Carrier Dekey (ms)—Specifies how long (in ms) to wait after
the removal of the keying signal before actually dropping the
transmitter’s carrier. The default setting is 0, but it may be set to
any value up to 255 ms. In most cases, no change is required from
the default setting. A possible exception is when the transceiver
is inter-working with certain early-generation MDS radio equip­ment.

• RX Time-Out Enable—Enables or disables the RX time-out func­tion. RX time-out protects against a receiver which fails to
receive data for a period exceeding the time-out delay setting (see
below). When the time is exceeded, an alarm is issued. The alarm
may be used to signal switchover to an alternate unit in redundant
systems. The RX time-out is cleared when the radio receives a
new Carrier Detect signal. The default selection is OFF (no RX
time limit).

• RX Time-Out Delay (min)—Sets the time delay, after which an alarm
is issued when no signals have been received. The default setting
here is 1111 minutes.

• TX Time-Out Status—Enables or disables the TX time-out function.
Time-Out protects against a transmitter which remains keyed for
a period exceeding the time-out delay setting (see below). When
this time is exceeded, the transmitter is taken offline, preventing
disruption of the wireless network. The TX time-out is cleared
when the keying source goes away and the radio keys again.The
default selection is

ON (transmitter shuts down when time limit is

reached).

• TX Time-Out Delay (sec)—Sets the time delay, after which a keyed
transmitter is taken offline. The default time-out setting is 30 sec­onds.

•

Datakey—Determines whether or not the radio is configured to

key (transmit) upon receipt of payload data at its interface port.
The default setting is ON.

• RTS Key—Determines whether or not the radio is configured to
key (transmit) upon receipt of an RTS (ready to send) signal at its
interface port. The default setting is ON.

48 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

• Push-To-Talk Delay (ms)—Allows programming a brief time delay
after a keying event, which must expire before the radio is
allowed to transmit. The allowable range is 0 to 255 ms, with the
default being 0.

• Clear-To-Send Delay (ms)—Allows programming a brief time delay
between when an RTS (ready-to-send) signal is received and
when the CTS (clear-to-send) signal is returned. The allowable
range is 0 to 255 ms, and the default is 0.

• Automatic Freq. Correction—Automatic Frequency Correction
(AFC), is used to counteract the slight RF frequency drift that
may occur over time or through wide swings of ambient temper­ature.

• Switched Carrier (B Modems)—The Switched Carrier setting is only
for use on radios with “B” modem suffixes, and only applies to
remote radios. (“B” modems are intended for compatibility with
earlier MDS x710 radios.) In some networks, the master unit is
not keyed continuously, and transmits only when it has data to
send to remotes. This is known as Switched Carrier operation. In
such a network, the remote radios should have the Switched Car­rier setting turned ON. The default setting is OFF.

• RX Signal Attenuation—This setting is intended for use in very
strong signal environments (-20dbm or stronger). It should be
kept off when working with normal or weak signal levels.

• Force DCD to Asserted—Some systems require a constant Data
Carrier Detect (DCD) signal. This setting allows the radio to be
configured to provide a DCD signal without the need for special
cabling.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 49

Bridge
Configuration

Features

• Bridge Mode—Used to enable or disable Ethernet Bridging on the
radio. Default setting is OFF.

• Basic Bridge Filter Sel—Sets the type of bridge filter to be used.
Available selections are: Broadcast/Unicast (All), Unicast and ARP,
and Unicast Only.

• Adv Bridge Filter Status—When on, this filter bridges the Ethernet
traffic received from a specific Ethernet-enabled device matching
one of the Adv Src Addr Filter Values (see below).

• Adv Src Addr Filter Val—Sets the Advanced SRC Address Filter
Values. Four address values are available. If the Adv Bridge Filter
Status is on, and an incoming Ethernet frame src addr matches
any of these values, the radio bridges the frame. Otherwise, it is
dropped by the radio. The entry format must be xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.

VLAN Configuration A VLAN is essentially a limited broadcast domain, meaning that all

members of a VLAN receive broadcast frames sent by members of the
same VLAN but not frames sent by members of a different VLAN.

The SD supports port-based VLAN at the Ethernet interface and over
the air, according to the IEEE 802.1Q standard. When VLAN Mode is
enabled, the wireless port of both AP and remote radios act as a trunk
port.

The Ethernet port of an AP radio is normally configured as a trunk port.
This type of port expects incoming frames to have a VLAN ID and sends
outgoing frames with a VLAN structure as well. The Ethernet port of a
Remote radio can be configured as an access port or as a trunk port.

When the Ethernet port of a Remote radio is configured as an Access
Port, the radio tags incoming traffic with a VLAN ID, and strips the tag
before sending out traffic. This traffic is known as the DATA VLAN.
Additionally, a second VLAN is assigned for other traffic that is termi­nated at the radio, such as Web, Telnet, DLINK over TCP, TFTP repro­gramming, etc. This traffic is known as the management VLAN. Traffic
directed to the terminal server or IP payload service should be sent via
the DATA VLAN.

50 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

When the Ethernet port of a Remote radio is configured as a VLAN
trunk, the radio expects all incoming Ethernet frames to be tagged, and
passes through all outgoing frames as received from the wireless link
with the unchanged VLAN tag.

• Mode—Defines the Ethernet port as Tru nk, Access, or Disable (an
untagged port). The default setting is Disable. The mode should

be the last parameter changed when configuring the VLAN
feature, since any Telnet or web connections will be lost after
it is changed. Also, configure the appropriate IP and IP2 settings

before changing this parameter.

• Data ID—Defines the VLAN ID assigned to the AP’s LAN traffic
that is to be delivered to an Access Port, and the terminal server
service, or the IP payload service. The ID is used for filtering and
tagging purposes. Any valid ID from 1 to 4095 may be entered.
The default is 1.

Listen Before
Transmit (LBT)
Settings

• Mgmt ID—Defines the VLAN ID assigned to the AP’s LAN traffic
that is to be delivered to the SD radio. Note that traffic for the ter­minal server and IP payload service is expected in the data
VLAN. This ID is used for filtering and tagging purposes. Any
valid ID from 1 to 4095 may be entered. The default is 2.

• Gateway IF—Defines the VLAN that contains the default gateway
in the radio. Available selections are Mgmt and Data. The default
setting is Mgmt.

CAUTION: The

VLAN Mode parameter must be consistent at both the AP

and Remote radios in order for data to flow correctly. Failure to do so
may result in data not being transported correctly even when the radios
are able to communicate over-the-air via an RF link.

The SD Transceiver provides a legacy collision avoidance scheme
called Listen Before Transmit (LBT). It employs P-Persistent CSMA
protocol, which senses channel usage and inhibits transmission if the
channel is currently in use. CSMA is an abbreviation for Carrier Sense
Multiple Access. This setting is superseded by Packet w/MAC and
should only be used in legacy systems and special use cases.

NOTE: The Listen Before Transmit (LBT) feature requires radios to

be configured for Packet Mode operation. Packet with MAC
operation provides an alternative media access method.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 51

• Listen Before Transmit—Used to activate or deactivate LBT when
this feature is authorized in the radio.

• LBT Behavior—LBT can be configured to behave in one of two
ways; either listen on the radio’s transmit frequency (TX) or listen
on the radio’s receive frequency (RX). Typically, Remote radios
are configured to Listen on RX (the default selection) to avoid col­lisions with the Master unit. In peer-to-peer configurations, Listen

on TX may be preferred. Optimal choices depend on the data trans-

mission characteristics of the connected system.

• Min/Max Channel Wait (ms)—These settings refer to the time period
(in milliseconds) to wait after the channel is free before transmis­sion is allowed.

Minimum wait time: Normally, the minimum channel wait time
should not be changed from its default setting of 0 ms unless per­forming advanced operations, such as staggering the responses
from multiple Remotes.

Maximum wait time: Normally, this setting should not be
changed from its default of 100 ms unless performing advanced
operations. Some examples of when this may be beneficial
include:

NOTE: The lower the value of the Maximum Wait Time, the higher

52 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

• There is a need to stagger responses from several Remote
radios.

• The transmission latency from the time the channel is free is
too high, in which case a lower value can be entered.

• Collisions over the air are too high, in which case a higher
value can be entered.

the chances of collisions occurring over-the-air. Conversely,
the higher the value of the Maximum Wait Time, the higher the
transmission latency.

• Timeout (ms)—Provides a setting for the maximum time to wait (in
milliseconds) for the channel to become free. When this time is
exceeded, the radio follows the action defined in the Packet Action

on Timeout

setting (either Drop or Send).

• Timeout (ms)—Provides a setting for the maximum time to wait (in
milliseconds) for the channel to become free. When this time is
exceeded, the radio follows the action defined in the Packet Action

on Timeout

•

Packet Action on Timeout—Determines what to do with a packet

setting (either Drop or Send).

once the timeout period has expired and the channel is still not
available. If set to Drop, the packet is discarded. If set to Send,
transmission of the packet is attempted despite the channel being
busy.

• Clear Channel RSSI (dBm)—LBT works by sensing the presence of
a carrier signal on the radio’s operating frequency. If a carrier is
present, transmission is inhibited. The Clear Channel RSSI setting
allows a threshold to be set which, when equaled or exceeded,
declares the channel busy and therefore unavailable for transmit­ting.

IP Payload
Configuration (1/2/3)

This section describes how to setup and configure the radio for
exchanging IP/Ethernet Payload data with Remote radios. It is an effi­cient feature that supports Ethernet connectivity with maximum
over-the-air (OTA) efficiency for UDP and TCP data streams. Remote
radios receiving the data can then forward this traffic to their serial ports
or Ethernet port. This feature is particularly useful for adding Ethernet
devices to a mixed MDS SD/x710 system. This feature is distinctly dif­ferent than Ethernet Bridging, which is described above.

NOTE: To make use of this feature, the radio must be properly autho-

rized for Ethernet data. If it is not, contact your sales represen­tative for further information.

It is helpful to understand that IP data is terminated at the radio, yet the
payload data is transmitted OTA. As such, the radio acts as a terminal
server converting IP data into a serial “over-the-air port.” In other
words, a transmitting radio receives an IP message, strips off the IP
headers, and sends it over the air with VRC identification (VRC-1,
VRC-2, or VRC-3). A receiving radio may then be set up, for example,
to have

COM2 or an IP port deliver all VRC-1 traffic.

The radio supports Ethernet operation on three IP payload ports. These
settings are made on the IP Payload Configuration Menu (1, 2, or 3)
as shown in the screen below. In the Master unit only, Multihost may
need to be enabled if more than one IP Payload port is required.

IP Payload is intended to be used in a poll-response system. An Ethernet
device at the master radio sends UDP/TCP poll messages to the master’s
Ethernet port which is configured to listen for data. The poll is sent OTA
and a RTU/PLC attached to one of the Remote radios (via serial or
Ethernet) responds. The response is sent OTA back to the Master radio.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 53

The Master radio then sends the response back to the polling station via
Ethernet. When configuring this feature, you are notified of the success
or failure of the operation. Additionally, Ethernet and OTA statistics can
be monitored to inspect the success of the poll-response communication.

The following additional points apply to Ethernet payload operation:

• To make efficient use of limited bandwidth, this feature trans­ports the payload content of Ethernet data to be sent over the air.

• This feature does not bridge Ethernet networks separated by
radios. For Ethernet Bridging information, refer to “Ethernet-

Bridging” on Page 65.

•A broadcast poll-response network is assumed, where addressing
information is contained in the payload portion of the UDP/TCP
messages.

NOTE: Screen selections vary depending on the mode selected. Three

such screens are provided for Payload 1, 2, and 3.

Status—Enables or disables the IP Payload port.

•

•

Mode—The operating mode for the IP port may be set to UDP

Socket, TCP Client Socket, TCP Server Socket, or TCP Server/Client

to match the service in which it will operate.

Socket

• Talk on/Listen to—Any combination of the three Virtual Radio
Channels may be entered in these fields. For more information on
how VRC settings are used, refer to the SD Serial/Telnet Manage-
ment Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01 more information.

Local Radio IP Port—Used to specify a port number for the RJ-45

•
modular connector on the radio’s front panel. As a general rule,
port numbers below 2000 should be avoided, as some are
reserved for special applications in data networks.

•

Destination IP Address—Specifies the IP address associated with

the device connected through the RJ-45 modular connector on the
radio’s front panel (typically a PC). Any valid IP address may be
entered here.

54 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

• Destination IP Port—Used to specify a port number for the RJ-45
modular connector on the connected device (typically a PC). Port
numbers below 2000 should be avoided, as some are reserved for
special applications in data networks.

• TCP Server IP Address—IP address of the TCP server being used.

TCP Server IP Port—Port number of the TCP server being used.

•

•

Connection Timeout—Used to specify a time in seconds, after

which the connection will be dropped following a period of inac­tivity.

• Persistent Connection—When set to Yes, the connection to the
server is maintained continuously, even during periods of inactiv­ity.

Understanding the Use of Virtual Radio Channels (VRCs)

The use of Virtual Radio Channels (VRCs) may require additional
explanation for new users of the feature. VRCs allow over-the-air data
to be directed to specific interface ports (IP or Serial) on the radio. Con­ceptually, this can be pictured as creating “pipes” for delivery of data to
the desired radio interfaces.

VRC works by associating data from a specific port (IP and Serial) with
a VRC channel number (1, 2, or 3). Each port at the receiving end then
filters incoming data based on the associated VRC number.

NOTE: The Virtual Radio Channel (VRC) feature only works on

radios configured to operate in Packet Mode.

To create the “pipes” that direct data to the desired ports, a route must
be established using the IP Payload Configuration Menu (or the
COM1/COM2 Settings Menu for serial data). The default setting is to
listen to all channels.) The Talk on paramete r is used to specify the VRC
used for sending the data stream out, while the Listen to parameter spec­ifies the VRC(s) for incoming data. Use of these parameters is described
below.

Any combination of the three VRC numbers may be entered in the selec­tion fields. Figure 27 illustrates the relationship between the VRC set­tings and the routing of data between units.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 55

Invisible place holder

RADIO 1

RADIO 2

IP Payload 1 Data

Ethernet/IP RTU

IP Payload 1 Data

(Talk on VRC-1)

Serial COM2 Data

(Talk on VRC-2)

(Listen on VRC-1)

Serial-Based RTU

Serial COM2 Data

(Listen on VRC-2)

IP Payload
Configuration for
VRC—Screen
Selections

After making configuration changes, click Commit Configuration to apply
the new setting(s).

Enabling/Disabling the IP Payload Port
To enable or disable an IP payload port, click the drop-down box to the

right of

Setting the Mode

Set the mode by clicking the drop-down window to the right of Mode,
and choosing one of the following: UDP Socket, TCP Client Socket, TCP

Server Socket

service in which it will operate.

Talk on/Listen to Settings Channel—VRC)

Any combination of the three Virtual Radio Channels may be entered in
the Talk on field. Click the drop-down window to the right of Tal k on and
set to the desired VRC (1, 2, or 3).

To set the Listen to channel, click the drop-down window to the right of

Listen to and make the desired selection (VRC-1, VRC-2, VRC-3, ALL, or
NONE).

Figure 27. Virtual Radio Channel (VRC) Concept

Status, and set it to Enabled or Disabled as desired.

, or TCP Server/Client Socket. The selection must match the

56 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Local Radio IP Port

The Local Radio IP Port setting is used to specify a port number for the
RJ-45 modular connector on the radio’s front panel. Port numbers below
2000 should be avoided, as some are reserved for special applications in
data networks.

To set the port number, click in the box to the right of Local Radio IP Port
and enter the desired port number.

Destination IP Address

This setting specifies the IP address associated with the device con­nected through the RJ-45 modular connector on the radio’s front panel
(typically a PC). Any valid IP address may be entered.

To set the address, click in the box to the right of Destination IP Address
and enter the desired IP address.

Destination IP Port

The Destination IP Port setting is used to specify a port number for the
RJ-45 modular connector on the connected device (typically a PC). Port
numbers below 2000 should be avoided, as some are reserved for special
applications in data networks.

To set the destination port, click the box next to Destination IP Port and
enter the desired port number.

TCP Keepalive Time

This setting specifies the number of seconds that the TCP socket is
active after the receipt of data.

To set the TCP Keepalive time, click in the box to the right of TCP Kee-

and enter the desired time in seconds.

palive

Restoring Configuration

In some cases, you may wish to revert to the previous configuration of
the screen, prior to any changes being committed. This might be useful
if one or more settings were inadvertently changed and you wish to
return to a “known state.” To restore the prior settings, simply click

Restore Configuration.

Committing Configuration Settings

Once you are satisfied with all of the settings on the screen, you make
them active by clicking Commit Configuration. The message Changes com-

appears at the bottom of the screen to confirm the action.

mitted

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 57

Terminal Server
COM1/2
Configuration

The radio’s Terminal Server feature allows IP addressing of the COM1
and COM2 serial interface ports. Data from these ports is sent over the
air as encapsulated IP packets. At the receiving end, the data is decapsu­lated and delivered to the appropriate COM port(s). In contrast to the
radio’s IP Payload feature, having a terminal server at the Remotes
means that Ethernet data can be delivered to specific devices connected
to these radios. Terminal Server settings, examples, and additional ben­efits are described in the following paragraphs.

The image below shows the Device Manager’s Terminal Server config­uration screen. Two such screens are provided in the Device Manager;
one for COM1 and another for COM2. Here, the behavior of the ter­minal server is set and applied. The Terminal Server must be enabled
and configured in all radios requiring IP encapsulation of serial data.
Proper configuration of the serial ports is also required, using the Com-

munications Ports section of the Device Manager.

NOTE: Available selections vary depending on the mode selected.

• Status—Enables or disables the Terminal Server feature.

• Mode—Sets the operating mode for the IP port. It may be set to

UDP Socket, TCP Client Socket, TCP Server Socket, or TCP Server/Client

to match the service in which it will operate.

Socket

Local Radio IP Port—Used to specify a port number for the RJ-45

•
modular connector on the radio’s front panel. As a general rule,
port numbers below 2000 should be avoided, as some are
reserved for special applications in data networks.

• Destination IP Address—Specifies the IP address associated with
the device connected through the RJ-45 modular connector on the
radio’s front panel (typically a PC). Any valid IP address may be
entered here.

•

Destination IP Port—Used to specify a port number for the RJ-45

modular connector on the connected device (typically a PC). Port
numbers below 2000 should be avoided, as some are reserved for
special applications in data networks.

• TCP Server IP Address—IP address of the TCP server being used.

• TCP Server IP Port—Port number of the TCP server being used.

58 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

• Connection Timeout—Used to specify a time in seconds, after
which the connection will be dropped following a period of inac­tivity.

• Persistent Connection—When set to Yes, the connection to the
server is maintained continuously, even during periods of inactiv­ity.

The Terminal Server supports the following communication protocols:

• Point-to-Point: TCP or UDP

• Point-to-Multipoint1: UDP (One of the Destination IP Addresses
is a multicast IP address)

• Multipoint-to-Multipoint1: UDP (Two or more of the Destination
IP Addresses are a multicast IP address)

1

Data from local multicast IP addresses is always delivered to
the socket layer by the radio's TCP/IP stack. Therefore, to
receive data from local multicast IP addresses, simply set the
Local Radio IP Port equal to the destination IP port of the multi­cast IP packet.

Using the Terminal Server—Typical Example

The following describes a Terminal Server implementation in an SD
radio network. Figure 28 below is referenced in this discussion.

IP/Radio Network Setup and Configuration

The following conditions are assumed for this example:

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 59

Figure 28. Terminal Server Example

• Radio (RF) link is good between AP and Remote 1, and AP and
Remote 2.

• IP addresses are properly configured as shown in Figure 28.

• MAC mode is enabled in all radios, and the MAC Device is set to
AP in radio with the IP address equal to 192.168.1.2.

• Ethernet Bridge is enabled in all radios.

Serial Addressability

This example shows that it is possible to communicate to specific serial
devices (e.g., PC 2 COM1, and PC 3 COM1) over the radio network.
Note that TCP is used as the transport layer for communication here,
which provides data reliability at the application level.

1. Configure Remote 1 and Remote 2 by navigating to the Term Srvr 2

COM2 Configuration

screen and setting the parameters as listed below.
(Note that an Ethernet connection to Remote 1 and Remote 2—not
shown in Figure 28— will be required for this step, unless Telnet is
used.)

Status: Enabled
Mode: TCP Server Socket
Local Radio Port: 30000
Connection Timeout: 0 Seconds
Persistent Connection: Yes

2. Navigate to the COM2 Port Settings of Remote 1 and Remote 2 and
configure them as listed below (note that VRCs are not used):

Mode: RS232
Baud Rate: 115200 bps
Format: 8 char bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
Buffer: Data Handling ON
Device: DCE
Talk on: VRC-1
Listen to: VRC-1

3. Click Commit Configuration after the changes are made.

To test the functionality of the Terminal Server, open a HyperTerminal
session on PC1 and connect to the Remote Terminal Server as shown in
Figure 29.

Invisible place holder

Figure 29. Remote 1 Terminal Server Connection

On PC2, Open a HyperTerminal session and connect to Remote 1’s
COM2 port as shown in Figure 30.

60 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Invisible place holder

Figure 30. Remote 1 COM2 Port Connection

On PC1, open a HyperTerminal session and connect to Remote 2 Ter­minal Server as shown in Figure 31.

Invisible place holder

On PC3, open a HyperTerminal session and connect to Remote 2’s
COM2 port as shown in Figure 32.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 61

Figure 31. Remote 2 Terminal Server Connection

Figure 32. Remote 2 COM2 Port Connection

Type “hello” in the Remote 1 terminal server window. Note delivery of
the message only to the Remote 1 COM2 Port window (see Figure 33).
Type “hi” in the Remote 1 COM2 port window. Note delivery of mes­sage only to the Remote 1 terminal server window. This verifies proper
delivery and routing of traffic.

Figure 33. Remote 1 Terminal Server/COM2 Port Communication

Type “how are you” in the Remote 2 terminal server window (see
Figure 34). Note delivery of the message only to the Remote 2 COM2
Port window. Type “good” in the Remote 2 COM2 Port window. Note
delivery of message only to Remote 2 terminal server window.

Figure 34. Remote 2 Terminal Server/COM2 Port Communication

Multihost Settings

Use only if operating

(

in Packet mode
without

MAC)

Multihost is a legacy feature that has been superseded by Packet the
w/MAC feature. It should only be used in legacy systems or in special
use cases.

The Multihost Settings screen is used only when Packet w/MAC mode
is not selected. It provides an alternative way to run multiple host appli­cations at the master unit, which may be operating on different com­puters. Multihost operation is described in more detail in the SD
Serial/Telnet Management Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01.

62 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

COM1 Port Settings

Packet with MAC operation replaces multihost operation, and is the rec­ommended method for passing multiple data streams. See “Device Set­tings” on Page 43 for instructions on setting the Radio Mode to Packet
with MAC.

Multihost Enable—Enables or disables multihost capability.

•

• Multihost Delay—Sets the desired delay time (in ms) for switching
between hosts during multihost operation.

Communications Ports

• Startup Mode—The default mode for COM1 is Console when the
transceiver is first powered up, but the startup mode may also be
set to Data if the port is to be used for passing payload data.

• Current Mode—The mode setting for the COM1 port may be
changed on demand (Console or Data) using this selection.

• Data Baud Rate—The default data rate for COM1 is 115200 bps, but
it may be set to any of the following speeds: 300, 1200, 2400,
4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200.

Data Format—The default data format for the transceiver is 8 char-

•
acter bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1). A number of settings are
possible as listed below:

8 character bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (Default)
8 character bits, no parity, 2 stop bits
8 character bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit
8 character bits, odd parity, 2 stop bits
8 character bits, even parity, 1 stop bit
8 character bits, even parity, 2 stop bits
7 character bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, no parity, 2 stop bits

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 63

7 character bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, odd parity, 2 stop bits
7 character bits, even parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, even parity, 2 stop bits

• Talk on/Listen to—Any combination of the three Virtual Radio
Channels may be entered in these fields. Refer to the SD
Serial/Telnet Management Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01 for
more information.

• Term Srvr Status—Indicates whether the radio’s terminal server is
enabled or disabled.

COM2 Port Settings COM2 is the standard port used for connection of serial payload data.

COM2 Port Settings screen contains a number of settings that may be

The
configured to suit the needs of your system.

•

Mode—The COM2 port can operate in either RS-232 or RS-485

mode. The default is RS-232.

• Baud Rate—The default data rate for COM2 is 9600 bps, but it may
be set to any of the following speeds: 300, 1200, 2400, 4800,
9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200.

• Data Format—The default data format for the transceiver is 8 char­acter bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1). A number of settings are
possible as listed below:

8 character bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (Default)
8 character bits, no parity, 2 stop bits
8 character bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit
8 character bits, odd parity, 2 stop bits
8 character bits, even parity, 1 stop bit
8 character bits, even parity, 2 stop bits
7 character bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, no parity, 2 stop bits

64 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

7 character bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, odd parity, 2 stop bits
7 character bits, even parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, even parity, 2 stop bits

• Buffer—The transceiver’s buffer provides a way of handling data
“over-runs,” where more data is passing through the COM2 port
than can be immediately handled by the unit. When the buffer is
on, any such data is stored up and processed in the appropriate
order. Available selections are Data Handling ON or Data Handling

.

OFF

• Device—This setting controls the device behavior of x710 legacy
radios. It does not apply to packet or Ethernet radios, and may be
disregarded for these models.

• Talk on/Listen to—Any combination of the three Virtual Radio
Channels may be entered in these fields. For more information on
how these settings are used, refer to the SD Serial/Telnet Manage-
ment Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01 more information.

• Term Srvr Status—Indicates whether the radio’s terminal server is
enabled or disabled.

IP Configuration The IP Configuration screens contain various settings for the IP data

stream. Each item is listed below along with an explanation of the
parameter. Note that the bottom of the screen displays the current set-
tings that have been applied to the radio in a read-only fashion.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 65

• Current IP Address—Read-only indication of the curr ent IP address
programmed.

• Current Subnet Mask—Read-only indication of the subnet mask
programmed.

• Current Default Gateway—Read-only indication of the current
default gateway programmed.

• Static IP Address—The radio requires a local IP address to support
remote management and serial device (terminal server) services.
An IPv4 IP address should be entered in this field, unless DHCP
is enabled, in which case it is not required.

• Static IP Netmask—This refers to the radio’s IPv4 local subnet
mask. This parameter is used when the radio attempts to send a
locally-initiated message, either from the terminal server, or a
management process. You need not define it if DHCP is enabled.

• Static Default Gateway—This is the IPv4 address of the default gate­way device, typically a router connected to the radio.

• DHCP—Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) handles
the assignment of IP parameters (Address, Netmask, Gateway) to
all units in a network, and allows for introducing new devices on
the network with minimal manual intervention. The assigned
parameters are valid for a specific “lease” time, at which point
they can be reassigned or renewed.

Security

The transceiver offers a number of safeguards against unauthorized
management access and protection of payload data. All of these features
are accessed via the security configuration screens.

Device Security

66 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

• Local Security—This parameter is used to specify whether or not a
local log-in is required when using the transceiver’s menu system.
The default setting is
most circumstances. Setting this parameter to

Local Login Required, and is appropriate for

No Local Login

Wireless Security

Required might be useful in cases where only a small number peo-

ple with administrative duties have physical access to the radio,
and need to access the menu frequently. In this mode, the menu
operation behaves identically to the Administrator level login.

• Telnet Access—Telnet access is a powerful feature that allows
management of the radio via an Ethernet connection. This may be
done locally, using a cable connected to the management PC, or
could be performed at any distance using an IP/Ethernet network
connection. Telnet access is also possible over the air if the Ether­net Bridging feature is enabled. Any user with the IP address of
the radio can log in to the unit with this method.

• Disable Web Access—Web access to the unit’s Device Manager is
normally enabled. Click this item to disable web access. A warn­ing message appears to confirm disabling of web navigation.

• Payload Encryption—When on, applies encryption to payload data
stream. The default selection is OFF.

• Dlink Security—Applies security restrictions to network-wide
diagnostic data. The default setting is OFF. If Dlink Security
enabled, users performing network-wide diagnostics must log in
before being able to change the configuration of the radio via
Dlink.

Login Password

• Administrator Password—When the transceiver is shipped from the
factory, the password is normally set to the default entry of admin.
It is recommended that it be changed at the time of installation to
one that is known only to the Administrator or authorized user of
the system. The password should be changed periodically to
maintain the best security.

Passwords are case sensitive and may use up to 13 alpha-numeric
characters. Do not use punctuation mark characters. You will be
required to enter the current password to set a new one. Follow the
prompts, and refresh your web browser (typically View>>Refresh
or View>>Reload at the top menu bar) to apply the change to all
pages.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 67

Encryption Phrase

TIP: For enhanced security, consider using misspelled words, a combi-

nation of letters and numbers, and a combination of upper and
lower case letters. Also, the more characters used (up to 13), the
more secure the password will be. These strategies help protect
against sophisticated hackers who may use a database of common
words (for example, dictionary attacks) to determine a password.

• Encryption Phrase—If encryption has been enabled, a valid
“phrase” must also be set. Both the sending and receiving station
must have the same phrase for communication to occur. The
phrase must have at least 8 characters (maximum of 37), and any
printable character may be used.

6.4 Maintenance & Status Screen

The Maintenance & Status screen (Figure 35) provides access to several
tools used in testing the radio and performing routine management tasks.
Individual screens may be selected beneath Maintenance & Status at the
left side of the screen.

68 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Figure 35. Maintenance & Status Screen

Event Log

The Event Log is used to display all events stored by the transceiver,
even if the radio has been power-cycled. It also shows a running total of
the alarms stored.

• Total Event Log Events—Displays the number of events that have
been logged by he transceiver. To view the Event Log, click Show

. The listed events can be cleared by clicking Clear Log. (You

Log

will be challenged by a cautionary message to make sure that you
intend to clear the event log.)

• Show Log—Displays a detailed listing of each event.

• Clear Log—Erases the stored listing of events.

• Export Log—Used to save the log data as a text file in the desired
location on the PC.

Alarm Summary

Alarms This screen shows the current major and minor alarms, if any, since

power-up of the transceiver.

Refresh—Clicking this button manually updates the listed alarms

•
with the latest information.

• Auto—Initiates automatic updating of alarm listings. A time (in
seconds) may also be set in the box provided, to specify how often
alarms/events are updated.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 69

Status Conditions
and Events

This screen shows status conditions reported since power-up of the
transceiver. This includes normal, informational events such as booting
up the system and reinitializing.

Refresh—Clicking this button manually updates the listed events

•
with the latest information.

•

Auto—Initiates automatic updating of event listings. A time (in

seconds) may also be set in the box provided, to specify how often
alarms/events are updated.

Alarm Signal
Configuration

This screen contains settings to determine what events are detected, and
what will be done with them. At the bottom section of the screen are
selections for displaying specific alarms, conditions, and informational
events that will be reported. Select events to be reported by clicking the
box to the left of the item. The sample image below shows the first six
events in the bottom portion of the screen. Additional listings are visible
by scrolling down.

Alarm Signal Sense—This parameter may set to either Active High or

•

Active Low. An active high means that Pin 6 on the COM2 port will

output a high DC signal when an alarm exists. (This is the default
behavior.) An active low means that Pin 6 on the

COM2 port will

output a low DC signal when an alarm exists. Select the desired
behavior in the drop-down box and click

Set Alarm Signal Sense to

apply the setting.

70 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

•

Set Signal by Class—Here, you to specify what classes of alarms

result in an signal being produced by the alarm output line. The
choices are:

Never assert Alarm Signal
Assert Signal on Major Alarm
Assert Signal on Major or Minor Alarm
Assert Signal on Any Alarm or Status

• Set Alarm Bits—This button is used to set the selections made in
the check box list below it. First, you must select which specific
alarms will result in a signal being produced by the alarm output
line. To set an alarm/message for reporting by the output line,
simply click the check box next to an item of interest. To clear a
check box, simply click it again. When you are finished with the
selections, click the Set Alarm Bits button.

• Undo—This button may be used to return the screen to its original
selections. It clears any selections made prior to clicking the Set

Alarm Bits button.

Performance

Radio Performance This screen contains several measurement parameters that can be used

to check the operating conditions of the radio.

• Measured RF Power—Read-only indication of the measured RF
output power (in dBm).

• Signal to Noise—Read-only indication of the signal-to-noise ratio
of received signal.

• RSSI—Read-only indication of the received signal strength (in
dBm).

• DC Voltage—Read-only indication of the DC supply voltage
applied to the transceiver.

Tem per atur e—Read-only indication of the chassis temperature

•
(degrees C).

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 71

I/O Statistics This screen allows viewing transmitted and received bytes on any of the

transceiver interface modules.

• Module Select—The drop-down box to the right of this area allows
selection of any of the transceiver interface modules: All, Media

Access Controller

Reprogram. Once a module is selected, click Set Module to view a

, Port(s), COM1, COM2, IP Payload Port 1, 2, 3, Remote

summary of TX and RX bytes, along with the number of packets
missed, retries, and number of blocks (as applicable, depending
on the interface selected). The display continually refreshes to
show the latest information, and may be cleared at any time by
selecting Clear Module Statistics.

• Refresh—Clicking this button updates the displayed statistics on
demand.

• Auto—Initiates automatic updating of statistics. A time (in sec­onds) may be entered in the box provided, to specify how often
the display is updated.

Ethernet Statistics This screen presents a detailed summary of packets received and trans-

mitted, dropped packets, errors, overruns of the buffer, RX data rate
(bps), and RX/TX data for Unicast, Multicast, and Broadcast transmis­sions.

• Clear Statistics—Clicking this button resets the displayed statistic
counts.

Refresh—Clicking this button updates the displayed statistics on

•
demand.

• Auto—Initiates automatic updating of statistics. A time (in sec­onds) may be entered in the box provided, to specify how often
the display is updated.

72 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Radio Test

The Radio Test functions are a collection of tools useful for testing the
RF performance of the transceiver. It provides a way to key (activate)
the transmitter, measure power output, run a spectrum test, and enable
the built-in RTU simulator.

RTU Simulator The unit’s built-in RTU simulator generates random data similar to what

would be supplied by an external RTU connected to the radio. It is
useful for system testing within the radio network by providing realistic
data to pass over the radio channel.

• RTU Enable—Select ON or OFF from the drop-down box.

• RTU Number—Enter the desired RTU number in this box.

When you are done with these settings, press Commit Configuration to
apply the changes.

Link Test The primary use of the Link Test is to verify that a specific radio's set-

tings are consistent with the initiator including: Assigned frequency,
unit number setting, encryption (if enabled), etc. Also collected at the
same time is an indication of link quality. All radios are always ready to
respond to a Link Test message. Only the initiating radio requires con­figuration when using the Link Test screen, and it is only available when
operating in packet mode.

A summary of data statistics is displayed on the right side of the screen,
including transmit/receive packet counts, total bits, and total number of
bit errors.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 73

NOTE: No other data traffic should be active when performing a Link-

test.

• Destination Unit Address—Enter the Unit Address of the other radio
being tested.

Linktest Count—Enter the number of times for the message to be

•
sent across the radio link.

•

Response Timeouts (msec)—Enter the time (in milliseconds) that

will result in a timeout if no response is received in within that
period.

Start Test—Set this box to ON to start the Link Test, or OFF to stop

•
the test.

When you are done with the settings above, press

Commit Configuration to

apply the changes.

• Refresh—Clicking this button updates the displayed statistics on
demand.

• Auto—Initiates automatic updating of statistics. A time (in sec­onds) may be entered in the box provided, to specify how often
the display is updated.

Ping Test A connectivity test to a specific destination address may be performed

using the radio’s Ping Test screen.

• Destination Address—Enter the IP Address of the other radio being
ping tested.

Count—Enter the number of pings to send across the radio link.

•

• Bytes—Enter the number of bytes in each ping.

• Interval—Use this box to specify how long (in seconds) between
ping transmissions after a response is received.

•

Timeout—Use this box to specify how long (in seconds) to wait

for a ping response before a timeout occurs.

74 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

RF Keying Test The RF Keying Test screen provides a way to place the transmitter on

the air to check the measured RF power output, measure reflected power
from an antenna system, or to provide a signal at a receiving station so
that RSSI can be checked.

• Key Radio—Set to ON to enable the RF keying test; OFF to disable
it. The Commit Configuration button must be clicked to apply the
setting.

• Measured RF Power—Provides an indication (in dBm) of the mea­sured power output of the transmitter.

Spectrum Graph A unique feature of the transceiver is the ability to view the RF spectrum

above and below the operating frequency using its built-in Spectrum
Graph. Often, this can assist in diagnosing the cause of interference, or
to view other signals near your operating frequency.

To use the Spectrum Graph, you must first specify a center frequency
and a span frequency. The center frequency is the frequency that you
wish the spectrum display to be centered on. The span frequency defines
the width of the overall spectrum to be examined.

• Center Frequency—The frequency (in MHz) that the graph will be
centered on.

• Span Frequency—Width (in kHz) of the spectrum to be examined.

A sample spectrum graph from the transceiver is shown below.

Example Spectrum Graph

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 75

Alarm Test The Alarm Test screen provides a way to force an alarm for testing

alarm reporting and radio response. When set to ON, clicking the Commit

Configuration

button sets an alarm, and the radio’s PWR LED begins to
flash. An “Alarm Test” entry is also made in the Event Log, and the
external alarm output status is changed.

In redundant configurations such as SDxP/SDxDP/SDxDT packaged
models, the Alarm Test can be used to force a switchover between
redundant radios. The alarm test is a timed facility. When applied, it will
assert for 30 seconds, and then deactivate. If active, it can be manually
deactivated prior to timeout by setting the parameter to

OFF, and clicking

the Commit Configuration button again.

Firmware Utilities

Version Information This screen shows Bootloader version information and indicates which

firmware image (1 or 2) is currently active, as well as the firmware ver­sion of each image. The information on this screen is read-only.

76 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Refresh—Clicking this button updates the displayed information

•
on demand.

•

Auto—Initiates automatic updating of the information. A time (in

seconds) may be entered in the box provided, to specify how often
the display is updated.

Web
Reprogramming

In the space provided, enter the *.mpk file to reprogram into this radio,
then click Program to start the file upload process. Do not click away
from this page until the upload has finished processing.

TFTP
Reprogramming

The TFTP Reprogramming screen contains settable parameters for
TFTP file transfers and selections for Importing/Exporting configura­tion files via TFTP.

• Host IP—Use this field to enter a valid IP address for the host com­puter (where the configuration file resides).

• File—This field is used to enter the exact name of the configura­tion text file that will be used by the radio to import or export con­figuration data.

Timeout—Determines the amount of time (in seconds) that the

•
radio should wait for a TFTP server to respond. The default set­ting is 10 seconds, and will not normally require any change. If a
change is needed, enter a new timeout value in this field.

When all of the above fields have been set and you are ready to load a
new configuration file, click the
ming.

This screen may be updated on demand by clicking the Refresh button.
It may also be refreshed automatically by clicking the
time (in seconds) may be entered for automatic refresh in the box to the
right of the

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 77

Retrieve File button to begin reprogram-

Auto button. A

Auto button.

Remote
Reprogramming

The transceiver has facilities for reprogramming key settings of other
radios in the network. These functions are contained on the Remote
Reprogramming screen shown below. Additional information on remote
reprogramming is given in “Over-the-Air Firmware Upgrades” on
Page 89.

• Channel Usage—Set to either intrusive or passive as desired.

• Packet Data Size—Used to specify the size of the reprogramming
data packets. Default size is 40.

• Retry Count—Used to specify the number of times a transmission
is repeated when a packet is not received correctly. Default set­ting is 3.

• Reprogram Block Size—Sets the overall block size (in bytes) of
each data packet. Default setting is 512.

• Auto-Reboot—When enabled, causes the transceiver to automati­cally reboot after a firmware image upgrade. If disabled, the
newly loaded image will not become valid until the transceiver is
rebooted.

• Download Delay—This field can be used to introduce a time delay
as to when reprogramming begins. Typically, it is set to

None, but

may be increased incrementally by selecting one of the extended
delay times from the drop-down box (Extended Delay-1, 2, 3)

78 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Verify Image This screen is used to verify the integrity of an image stored in flash

memory. You may wish to verify an image after reprogramming or as
part of a troubleshooting sequence.

• Verify—Click this button to verify the firmware image selected in
the drop-down box at the top of the screen. The available selec­tions from the box are: Current active image, Image 1, Image 2, and

Inactive image.

Copy Image

• Active Image—Shows the firmware package currently being used
by the transceiver (1 or 2).

• Package 1—Shows the version of firmware package 1.

• Package 2—Shows the version of firmware package 2.

• Copy—Click this button to copy the currently running firmware to
the inactive image.

This screen may be updated on demand by clicking the
It may also be refreshed automatically by clicking the

Refresh button.

Auto button. A

time (in seconds) may be entered for automatic refresh in the box to the
right of the

Auto button.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 79

Device Reboot

• Active Image—Shows the firmware package currently being used
by the transceiver (1 or 2).

• Package 1—Shows the version of firmware package 1.

• Package 2—Shows the version of firmware package 2.

• Image—Allows selection of the firmware image to use when
rebooting: Current active Image, Image 1, Image 2, Inactive Image.

• Reboot—Initiates reboot of the radio with the selected firmware
image.

Authorization Codes This screen provides an overview of which features are enabled in the

transceiver and allows for entry of a new authorization key.

80 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

• Authorization Key—A factory furnished code used to enable oper­ating features of the transceiver. Contact your factory representa­tive for ordering details.

Configuration Files

Dump/Load
Configuration File

TFTP Configuration
File

The transceiver provides a Dump/Load Configuration File utility to ease
programming of operating parameters. This is especially useful if you
have a large number of radios to configure, or simply want to ensure that
each radio is uniformly configured.

Dump Current Config—Click this button to generate and save the

•
current configuration file being used by the transceiver. You will
be prompted for a location to save the file.

•

Load Config File—Click this button to select a configuration file for

loading into the transceiver. You will receive a Browse window
to help you locate the file on your computer and upload it to the
transceiver.

The TFTP Configuration File screen contains settable parameters for
TFTP file transfers and also selections for Importing/Exporting config­uration Files via TFTP.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 81

Host IP Address—Enter a valid IP address here for the host com-

•
puter (where the configuration file resides).

•

Filename—Enter the exact name of the configuration text file that

will be used by the radio to import or export configuration data.

Timeout (sec)—Determines the amount of time in seconds that the

•
radio should wait for a TFTP server to respond. The default set­ting is 10 seconds, and will not require any change in most cases.
If a change is needed, enter a new timeout value in this box.

Save/Restore
Configuration

This screen allows saving or restoring a configuration file for the trans­ceiver. Saving a configuration file can be helpful in future trouble­shooting tasks, as it allows reverting to a “known good” configuration
of the radio.

• Restore to Factory Defaults—Click this button to restore the radio's
configuration settings to the factory defaults.

• Save Current Config—Click this button to save the radio’s current
configuration to flash memory.

• Restore Saved Config—Click this button to restore the radio’s con­figuration from the last saved version.

82 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

7.0 TROUBLESHOOTING

Successful troubleshooting of the radio system requires a logical
approach. It is best to begin troubleshooting at the master unit, as the rest
of the system depends on the master for polling commands. If the master
unit has problems, the overall operation of the network will be affected.

It is good practice to start by checking the simple things. For proper
operation, all radios in the network must meet these basic requirements:

• Adequate and stable primary power

• Secure cable connections (power, data and Antenna)

• An efficient and properly aligned antenna system and a received
signal strength of at least –90 dBm. (It is possible for a system to
operate with weaker signals, but reliability will suffer.)

• The correct interface between the transceiver and the connected
data equipment (correct cable wiring, proper data format, timing,
etc.)

• Proper programming of the transceiver’s operating parameters.

Table 14 provides suggestions for resolving system difficulties that may
occur in the radio system. If problems persist, contact the factory for fur­ther assistance. Refer to the inside back cover of this guide for contact
information.

Table 14. Troubleshooting Guide

Difficulty Recommended System Checks

Unit is
inoperative.

Interference or
signal overload is
suspected.

a.

Check for the proper supply voltage at the power

connector.

b. The transceiver’s internal fuse may have opened. Factory

repair is required.

Use the Spectrum Analyzer/Graph function to check for

a.
interference near the radio channel.

b.

Try re-orienting the station antenna to limit interference to

and from other stations.

c. For excessively strong signals, set RX Signal Attenuation
to ON (Configuration>>Radio>>Advanced Settings). Note:
Also affects the strength of desired, on-channel signals.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 83

Table 14. Troubleshooting Guide (Continued)

No link with Master,
or poor overall
performance.

No communication
to user interface
(Ethernet system)

Ethernet port shuts
down

No communication
to user interface
(serial system)

BER is too high.
Data throughput is
spotty.

Latency is too high.

Unit won’t wake up
from Sleep Mode

Password lost or
forgotten

Alarm message
“RF Output Out of
Range”

Transmitter keys
when using terminal
communications
program.

a.

Check for secure interface connections at the radio and

the connected device.

b. Check the antenna, feedline and connectors. Reflected

power should be less than 10% of the forward power reading
(SWR  2:1 or lower).

If the Remote radio links, but performance is poor, check

c.
the received signal strength using the RSSI feature on the
Radio Performance screen. If RSSI is low, it may indicate
antenna problems, or misalignment of directional antenna
headings.

d.

Verify proper programming of system parameters: mode,

data interface baud rate, RF output power, etc.

e. Check for alarms using the Statistics/Events screen.

a. Verify correct IP address is set.

b. Ensure PC is set to same subnet as radio.

a. Excessive data throughput. Do not connect radio to a LAN
with high traffic levels.

b. Auto Power Save is shutting the port down. Disable Auto
Power Save on Ethernet Port Configuration screen.

a. Connect terminal emulator to COM1 port, cycle power,
and press the Enter key within 10 seconds to obtain Login
prompt.

a. If in packet mode, check the packet settings screen for
proper configuration.

b. If in serial mode, check the COM2/COM1 port settings
screen for proper configuration.

a.

Adjust packet node settings.

a. Disconnect the device connected to COM2, and disable
Sleep Mode on the Device Settings Screen.

b. Verify that the connected device is outputting the required
0 Vdc to 5 Vdc to control sleep mode on Pin 4 of COM2.
Correct as necessary.

c. Re-enable Sleep Mode on Device Settings Screen,
re-connect device to COM2, and check for proper operation.

Contact GE MDS for password reset authorization code.
Proof of authorized user required.

No load on Antenna connector or poor/shorted/open load.
Check condition of antenna cable, connectors, and antenna
system.

Many terminal programs raise the RTS line by default.
Keying can be avoided by setting the transceiver’s RTSkey
parameter to OFF (Radio Configuration>>Advanced

Settings Screen)

7.1 LED Indicators

The LED status indicators are an important troubleshooting aid, and
should be checked whenever a problem is suspected. Table 10 on
Page 31 describes the function of each status LED and their normal indi­cations.

84 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

7.2 Checking for Alarms/Events

When an alarm condition exists, the transceiver registers it as an
“event”. These events can be viewed the Device Manager’s

& Status>>Alarm Summary>>All Alarms/Events screen. Here, users can check

for currently active alarms, whether they be Major, Minor, Status Con­ditions, or Informational Events.

In addition, all historical events may be viewed by accessing the Device
Manager’s Event Log screen. To access the Event Log, select Mainte-

nance & Status>>Event Log

and click Show Log to view stored events (see

Figure 36).

Invisible place holder

Figure 36. Event Log Screen

Maintenance

Both setting and clearing of major/minor alarms and status conditions
are logged, as well as informational events (i.e., remote rebooted, repro­gramming in process, etc.).

Major Alarms vs. Minor Alarms

Major Alarms report serious conditions that generally indicate a hard­ware failure, or other abnormal condition that will prevent (or seriously
hamper) further operation of the transceiver. Major alarms generally
indicate the need for factory repair. Contact your factory representative
for further assistance.

Minor Alarms report conditions that, under most circumstances will not
prevent transceiver operation. This includes out-of-tolerance conditions,
baud rate mismatches, etc. The cause of these alarms should be investi­gated and corrected to prevent system failure.

Status and Informational Events

Status events indicate current states or conditions that are not errors.
They are used merely to indicate process functions (i.e., Reprogramming

in Process

).

Informational (Info) events pertain to those items which have occurred
since bootup. They may or may not indicate an error, and they do not
show current conditions, just an even that occurred at some point after
boot-up (i.e., Event #32 Booting Up).

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 85

Event Code Definitions

Table 15 contains a listing of event codes that may be reported by the
transceiver. The codes shown are a subset of a larger pool of codes used
for various GE MDS products. For this reason, the table does not show
a sequential listing of all code numbers. Only the codes applicable to
this product series are shown.

Table 15. Event Codes

Event
Code

000 Major #0 Reserved

001 Major Hardware mismatch.

002 Major Frequency not programmed.

003 Major Authorization fault detected.

004 Major RF synthesizer out-of-lock condition.

005 Major #5 Reserved

006 Major A-to-D fault detected.

007 Major Voltage regulator fault detected.

008 Major Radio not calibrated. Factory calibration is required for proper

009 Major DSP download fault.

010 Major Flash write failure.

011 Major Checksum fault.

012 Major Receiver time-out. No data received within the specified

013 Major Transmitter time-out.

014 Major Alarm Test.

015 Major VSWR fault. Possible antenna/feedline problem.

068 Major Excessive Ethernet traffic on interface.

016 Minor Unit address not programmed.

017 Minor Data parity error. This usually indicates a parity setting

018 Minor Data framing error. May indicate a baud rate mismatch

019 Minor #19 Reserved.

020 Minor Configuration error.

021 Minor #21 Reserved.

022 Minor #22 Reserved.

023 Minor #23 Reserved.

024 Minor #24 Reserved.

025 Minor 6v regulator output not in valid range. If the voltage is too far

026 Minor DC input voltage approaching limit. If the voltage is too far out

Event
Class Description

operation.

receiver time-out time.

mismatch between the radio and the RTU.

between the radio and connected equipment.

out of tolerance, operation may fail.

of tolerance, operation may fail.

86 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

Table 15. Event Codes (Continued)

Event
Code

027 Minor #27 Reserved.

028 Minor #28 Reserved.

029 Minor RF Output Power not in valid range.

030 Minor #30 Reserved.

031 Minor Internal temperature approaching limit.

037 Minor Unexpectedly executing APP 1.

038 Minor Unexpectedly executing APP 2.

039 Minor Boot error; active image unknown.

042 Minor Reprogramming failure.

064 Minor A socket operation failed.

070 Minor AP not available.

041 Status Forced restart of Ethernet interface.

043 Status Reprogramming in progress.

Event
Class Description

7.3 Operating Constraints

The SD transceiver is a flexible unit offering a wide variety of features
needed in the wireless data industry today. While many system arrange­ments and applications are possible, there are a few constraints that
system planners should be aware of when designing a radio network.
Table 16 lists these constraints and explains how to avoid difficulty in
operation.

Table 16. Operating Constraints

Constraint Detailed Information

Minimum Firmware Version
Requirement

RSSI display in Strong
Signal Environments

Radio Operation in Strong
Signal Environments

DC Input Voltage (SD4) Early SD4 models supported 10.5 to 16 Vdc power, not

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 87

When operating in “Packet w/ MAC” mode, do not
downgrade the firmware revision below REV400.
Downgrading firmware to a lower revision will
cause erratic and unpredictable behavior, including
causing the radio to become continuously keyed.

The RSSI facility limits the maximum displayed signal
strength to –60 dBm.

Operation with very strong receive signals (>-60db)
may require selection of the programmable RX Signal
Attenuation feature (see Advanced Settings

screen). Some higher bandwidth modems (e.g.,

65000) may require further external attenuation if
operating at even stronger signal levels (> -35dbm).
Note that this is rarely a practical concern; the most
likely scenario is in bench testing. Typical field
deployments have normal signal strengths well below
this threshold.

10 to 30 Vdc. Check the labeling above the power
connector to confirm the operating range for your unit.

8.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE

RTU

DIAGNOSTICS DATA

(TO NMS APPLICATION)

HOST COMPUTER

RTU

TO DIAGNOSTICS

PORT (DB-9)

TO DATA PORT

(DB-25)

MASTER STATION

DTYPE

ROOT

PAYLOAD DATA

(TO SCADA APPLICATION)

RTU

DTYPE

NODE

DTYPE

NODE

DTYPE

NODE

8.1 Performing Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics

Diagnostics data from a remote radio can be obtained by connecting a
laptop or personal computer running GE MDS diagnostic software, such
as MDS PulseNET or MDS InSite to any radio in the network. Figure 37
shows a sample arrangement for performing network-wide remote diag­nostics.

NOTE: This section of the manual assumes that the radio’s Ethernet

Figure 37. Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics Setup

port is being used for diagnostic configuration. This is the
preferred/recommended method to use. Alternatively, the
COM1 port may be used. See the SD Serial/Telnet Manage-
ment Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01 more information.

88 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

With a PC connected to any radio in the network, intrusive polling
(polling that interrupts payload data transmission) can be performed. To
perform diagnostics without interrupting payload data, connect the PC
to a radio defined as the “root” radio. This is defined using the Device
Manager on a connected PC. The following path takes you to the screen
where all diagnostic settings are made:

Configuration>>Radio>>Diagnostic Settings

To define a radio as the “root” unit, go to the Dlink Type box in the Diag-
nostics Settings screen, and select Root from the drop-down list.

Setting Up Diagnostics

The steps below outline the basic procedure of setting up diagnostics for
an SD radio.A more extensive discussion of remote diagnostics can be
found in the Network-Wide Diagnostics System Handbook
(05-3467A01).

1. At the AP/master radio, set the Dlink Type to Root.

2. Set the Dlink Type for all other radios in the network to Node.

3. On the root radio, set Dlink TCP Access to Enabled on the Diagnostic

Settings Screen

.

4. Connect a PC running the management software (i.e., MDS
PulseNET or MDS InSite) to the root radio, or to one of the nodes,
using the radio’s Ethernet port. (This PC may also be the computer
being used to collect payload data, as shown in Figure 37.)

5. Launch the management application at the PC. (Refer to the associ­ated User’s Guide for instructions—PulseNET: Part No.
05-4942A01; InSite: Part No. 05-3696A01

8.2 Over-the-Air Firmware Upgrades

A major benefit of the SD transceiver is the ability to reprogram remotes
in the network without the need to physically visit each radio site. This
is accomplished using the over-the-air (OTA) channel. OTA reprogram­ming always re-programs the “Inactive” firmware image of the radio to
ensure that active firmware is not accidentally overwritten.

NOTE: OTA reprogramming over a narrowband radio channel can be

a lengthy process, requiring several hours to complete. The
time required depends on several factors, as discussed below.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 89

Intrusive vs. Passive (Non-Intrusive) Mode

Firmware code may be transmitted to stations in either intrusive or pas­sive (non-intrusive) mode using the built-in diagnostic capabilities of
the radio. When OTA reprogramming is initiated from either a root or
node the firmware image is broadcast to all Remotes in intrusive or pas­sive use of the channel.

Intrusive operation means that the payload application data will be
interrupted while programming data is sent over the air. This is the
fastest method of programming radios over the air, but it comes at the
cost of interruptions in the primary use of the radio network. See
Table 17 for the approximate times needed for intrusive reprogram­ming.

Table 17. Approximate Reprogramming Times—Intrusive Mode

Modem Speed

(bps)

4800 1 hour, 30 minutes

9600 35-40 minutes

19200 20-25 minutes

Radio assumptions: Signal strength -85 dBm or
stronger, Packet Size: 40, Block Size: 512, Retry: 3

Polling assumptions: Serial polling with 1-second poll
time, sending random data at 50-100 bytes. Slower
polling times will significantly increase completion time.

Polling should be temporarily suspended while O TA
reprogramming is active.

Approximate Time Required

NOTE: Intrusive mode should be used only when the radio channel

can be devoted to the reprogramming operation, as payload
data will be interrupted.

Passive (Non-intrusive) operation “piggy-backs” reprogramming data
onto normal payload data streams, thus allowing payload data to con­tinue uninterrupted. This mode requires payload data to be sent so that
the reprogramming data can be carried.

NOTE: Radio networks configured for Packet w/MAC operation

90 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F

support intrusive operation while still sending payload data.
Data is sent at the first chance, and does not wait for user data
to be sent.

The disadvantage to passive operation is that it takes longer to convey
the reprogramming information since it is must be attached to existing
data transactions. See Table 18 for the approximate times needed for
passive reprogramming.

Table 18. Approximate Reprogramming Times—Passive Mode

Modem Speed

(bps)

4800 6 hours, 7 minutes

9600 1 hour, 30 minutes

19200 1 hour, 30 minutes

Radio assumptions: Signal strength -85 dBm or
stronger, Packet Size: 40, Block Size: 512, Retry: 3

Polling assumptions: Serial polling with 1-second poll
time, sending random data at 50-100 bytes. Slower
polling times will significantly increase completion time.

Approximate Time Required

NOTE: It is possible for Remote radios receiving a firmware upgrade

to complete reprogramming before the initiating station does.
This is because transmissions are sent out “broadcast style”
and will be sent up to the number of times entered in the Retry

Count

parameter of the radio. In a strong signal environment,
the image may be received successfully the first time, but the
initiator does not know this, and continues broadcasting image
data blocks until the specified retry count has been reached.

OTA Reprogramming Overview

The “Root” is the central location from which polling originates. Other
locations in the network should be designated as “Nodes” which are the
receiving stations. Over-the-air firmware upgrades should always be
initiated from the Root. This ensures that all radios in the network will
be properly updated.

Once an OTA reprogram session has started, the initiating radio selects
either the active or inactive image stored in its non-volatile storage
which is copied to all the other radios in the network.

The initiator broadcasts a series of messages to one or more remote
Nodes to accomplish the reprogramming process. The “broadcast”
method is used to program the greatest number of radios in the shortest
amount of time, however, the initiating station remains unaware of the
number or success of downstream radios participating in reprogram­ming.

During reprogramming the status of the reprogramming will be avail­able on all the radios participating in process. Because the initiator is
“broadcast-only” this status can only indicate progress toward sending
out of all messages. On the Nodes, the progress toward completion of
reception of reprogramming information is indicated.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 91

Receiving stations can automatically reboot to the new image after suc­cessful reprogramming. Alternatively, there is an OTA reboot command
that can be broadcast from the initiator to all receiving stations. This last
option instructs the receivers to reboot to a specific firmware revision if
available, and not already running at that revision.

Cancelling OTA Reprogramming

During the reprogramming operation the user has the ability to cancel
reprogramming at anytime either on the initiator, which will affect all
radios, or on individual receiving stations. Note that cancelling repro­gramming at the initiator results in all radios in the network having only
one (instead of two) applications programmed in their image banks.
That is, the “inactive” image (which was only partially upgraded) will
be corrupt and unusable until reprogrammed at a later time.

Error Conditions/Recovery

Other than cancelling the reprogramming process, there are few error
conditions that the initiator knows or can do anything about. Receiving
radios perform checks and verification on the incoming data. If after the
end of the reprogramming sequence a radio still has an invalid image
(for whatever reason) the radio will not reboot but continue running with
its active, and valid image.

User Data
Explanations

User Command
explanations

Execution and Screen Examples

Displayed information during reprogramming (at Root radios):

• Progress (Percent Complete—Read-only): This parameter indi­cates percent complete of a firmware upgrade. The calculation is
done each time a block of data is successfully transmitted or
received.

Command options available during reprogramming (at Root radios):

Abort—Terminate remote firmware upgrade for all remote nodes

•
in the network. Inactive images on non-root radios will be invalid.
(No change to status of root radio images)

•

Reboot—Manually send a reboot to all remote nodes in the net-

work. All remote nodes will reboot to their inactive image, unless
already at the desired version of firmware chosen to reboot to, or
if neither the active nor inactive image is equal to the desired ver­sion.

Command options available during reprogramming (at “Non-Root”
radios):

• Abort—Terminate Remote Reprogramming for local radio. Inac­tive image will be invalid.

Screen Example Figure 38 shows the Remote Reprogramming Screen.

92 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F