GE MDS DS-EL705-9 Users Manual

QUICK START GUIDE
Below are the basic steps for installing the transceiver. Detailed instructions are given in “Installation Steps” on page 6 of this guide.
1. Mount the transceiver (see
Figure 6
Figure 7
for mounting dimensions)
2. Install and connect the antenna system to the radio
• Use only good quality, low loss coaxial cable. Keep the feedline as short as possible.
• Preset directional antennas in the direction of desired transmission/reception.
3. Apply DC power to the radio (10–16 Vdc @ 2 A minimum)
• Measure the voltage source before connection.
• Observe proper polarity.
• Connect power to the power connector.
4. Set the radio’s basic configuration with a terminal (PC or HHT) connected to the
INTERFACE
• Pin 23 of the INTERFACE port must be grounded to place the radio in the control and programming mode. (See Figure 12 on page 16 for a cable wiring diagram.)
• Set the transmit frequency (
• Set the receive frequency (
• Set the network address (
• Set/verify the data rate using the “TRANSCEIVER PROGRAMMING” on page 14 for command details.)
port
TX xxx.xxx
RX xxx.xxx
ADDR xxx
BAUD
).
).
). All radios in a given network must have the same address.
command. The default setting is
BAUD 9600 8N1
. (Refer to
5. Connect the data equipment to the radio’s INTERFACE connector
• Connection to the radio must be made with a DB-25 Male connector. Connections for typical sys­tems are shown below.
• Connect only the required pins. Do not use a straight-through RS-232 cable with all pins wired.
• Verify the data equipment is configured as DTE. (By default, the radio is configured as DCE.)
DB-9 to DB-25 ExampleDB-25 to DB-25 Example
DB-25 DB-25
2
TXD
3
RXD
RTU
(DTE)
GND
77
2
TXD
3
RXD
GND
NOTE: Additional connections may be
(DCE)
TRANSCEIVER
needed in some installations. See Installation for details.
RTU
DB-9 DB-25
2
RXD
3
TXD
(DTE)
GND
57
3
RXD
2
TXD
GND
(DCE)
TRANSCEIVER
6. Verify proper operation by observing the LED display
• See Table 5 on page 13 for a description of the status LEDs.
• Refine directional antenna headings for maximum receive signal strength using the
RSSI
command.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................1
1.1 Differences Among Models ..............................................................1
Modem Speeds ..................................................................................2
Frequency Coverage ..........................................................................2
1.2 Applications ......................................................................................2
Point-to-Multipoint, Multiple Address Systems (MAS)........................2
Point-to-Point System.........................................................................3
Switched Carrier Operation................................................................4
Single Frequency (Simplex) Operation...............................................4
1.3 Model Number Codes ......................................................................4
1.4 Accessories ......................................................................................5
2.0 INSTALLATION............................................................................6
2.1 Installation Steps ..............................................................................6
2.2 Mounting the Transceiver .................................................................8
Transceiver Board...............................................................................8
Enclosed Transceiver..........................................................................8
2.3 Antennas and Feedlines ..................................................................9
Antennas ............................................................................................9
Feedlines............................................................................................9
2.4 Power Connection ..........................................................................10
Conservation (Sleep Mode)..............................................................10
2.5 Data Interface Connections ............................................................10
3.0 OPERATION..............................................................................13
3.1 Initial Startup ..................................................................................13
3.2 LED Indicators ................................................................................13
4.0 TRANSCEIVER PROGRAMMING ............................................14
4.1 Radio Programming Methods ........................................................14
PC with Radio Conguration Software..........................................14
À PC in Terminal Mode....................................................................14
à Handheld Terminal (HHT).............................................................14
4.2 PC Connection and Startup ...........................................................14
4.3 Keyboard Commands .....................................................................16
Entering Commands.........................................................................16
Error Messages................................................................................16
4.4 Detailed Command Descriptions ...................................................18
ADDR [NONE | 1–255].....................................................................18
AMASK [0000 0000–FFFF FFFF] ....................................................18
BAUD [xxxxx abc].............................................................................19
CTS [0–255] .....................................................................................19
CTSHOLD [0–60000] .......................................................................19
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide i
DEVICE [DCE | CTS KEY] ...............................................................20
DKEY................................................................................................20
INIT...................................................................................................20
KEY ..................................................................................................21
OWM [XXX...]...................................................................................21
OWN [XXX...]....................................................................................21
PWR [L | M | H].................................................................................21
RSSI and RSSI!................................................................................22
RX [xxx.xxx]......................................................................................22
RXTOT [NONE | 1–255] ...................................................................22
SER..................................................................................................22
SREV................................................................................................22
STAT .................................................................................................22
TOT [1–255 | ON | OFF] ...................................................................23
TX [xxx.xxx]......................................................................................23
5.0 TROUBLESHOOTING...............................................................24
5.1 LED Indicators ................................................................................24
5.2 Event Codes ...................................................................................24
Checking for AlarmsSTAT command.............................................24
Major Alarms vs. Minor Alarms.........................................................25
Event Code Denitions.....................................................................25
6.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE.......................................................26
6.1 OEM Series T ransceiv er Specications ...................................... 26
6.2 Bench Testing Setup ......................................................................27
6.3 Helical Filter Adjustment ................................................................28
6.4 Upgrading the Radio’s Software .....................................................29
Using Radio Conguration Software.................................................30
6.5 dBm-Watts-Volts Conversion Chart ................................................31
7.0 GLOSSARY OF TERMS............................................................32
ii OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
RF Exposure
Separation distances required for FCC RF Exposure compliance
Copyright Notice
This Installation and Operation Guide and all software described herein are protected by copyright: 2001 Microwave Data Systems Inc . All rights reserved.
Microwave Data Systems Inc. reserves its right to correct any errors and omissions in this publication.
Antenna Installation Warning
1. All antenna installation and servicing is to be performed by
qualified technical personnel only . When servicing the antenna, or
working at distances closer than those listed below, ensure the
transmitter has been disabled.
Output is measured at the antenna terminal of the transmitter. The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must be fixed-mounted on outdoor permanent structures to provide the minimum separation distances described in this filing for satisfying RF exposure compliance requirements. When applicable, RF exposure compliance may need to be addressed at the time of licensing, as required by the responsible FCC Bureau(s), including antenna co-location requirements of section 1.1307(b)(3).
2. Typically, the antenna connected to the transmitter is a directional (high gain) antenna, fixed-mounted on the side or top of a building, or on a tower. Depending upon the application and the gain of the antenna, the total composite power could exceed 90 watts EIRP. The antenna location should be such that only qualified technical per­sonnel can access it, and that under normal operating conditions no other person can touch the antenna or approach within the antenna.
2.3 meters
of
Antenna Gain vs. Recommended Safety Distance
(EL705 OEM 900 Series)
Antenna Gain (EL705 OEMSeries)
0–5 dBi 5–10 dBi 10–18.65 dBi
Minimum RF Safety Distance
0.53 meter 0.94 meter 2.58 meters
ISO 9001 Registration
Microwave Data Systems adheres to this internationally accepted quality system standard.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide iii
MDS Quality Policy Statement
We, the employees of Microwave Data Systems Inc., are committed to understanding and exceeding our customers 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.
FM/UL/CSA Notice
This product is available for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C & D Hazardous Locations. Such locations are defined in Article 500 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publication NFPA 70, otherwise known as the National Electrical Code.
The transceiver has been recognized for use in these hazardous locations by three independent agencies Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Fac­tory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). The UL certification for the transceiver is as a Rec­ognized Component for use in these hazardous locations, in accordance with UL Standard 1604. The FMRC Approval is in accordance with FMRC Standard 3611. The CSA Certification is in accordance with CSA STD C22.2 No. 213-M1987.
FM/UL/CSA Conditions of Approval: The transceiver is not acceptable as a stand-alone unit for use in the haz-
ardous locations described above. It must either be mounted within another piece of equipment which is certified for hazardous locations, or installed within guidelines, or conditions of approval, as set forth by the approving agencies. These conditions of approval are as follows:
1. The transceiver must be mounted within a separate enclosure which is suitable for the intended application.
2. The antenna feedline, DC power cable and interface cable must be routed through conduit in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
3. Installation, operation and maintenance of the transceiver should be in accordance with the transceiver's installation manual, and the National Electrical Code.
4. Tampering or replacement with non-factory components may adversely affect the safe use of the transceiver in hazardous loca­tions, and may void the approval.
iv OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
5. When installed in a Class I, Div. 2, Groups A, B, C or D hazardous location, observe the following:
WARNING —EXPLOSION HAZARD—
equipment unless power has been switched off or the area is known to be non-hazardous.
Refer to Articles 500 through 502 of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) for further information on hazardous locations and approved Division 2 wiring methods.
Do not disconnect
ESD Notice (Board version only)
To prevent malfunction or damage to this product, which may be caused by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), the radio should be properly grounded at the time of installation. In addition, the installer or main­tainer should follow proper ESD precautions, such as touching a bare metal object to dissapate body charge, prior to touching components or connecting/disconnecting cables.
Cable Length Recomendation
MDS recommends a maximum cable length of 3.0 meters for DC power and data connections to this product.
Revision Notice
While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this manual, product improvements may 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 our Customer Service Team using the information at the back of this guide. In addition, manual updates can often be found on the MDS Web site at
www.microwavedata.com
.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide v
vi OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This guide presents installation and operating instructions for the MDS OEM Series of radio transceivers. The radios can be purchased as compact, modular boards for direct mounting inside remote terminal units (RTUs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), automatic teller/banking machines, or similar equipment. They are also available as standalone units packaged in their own enclosures (see lower cover illustration).
Although this manual focuses on the board-level product, the operating specifications and user connections are identical for both versions of the radio. Only the visual appearance and mounting details differ between the two. These differences are explained in the text where necessary.
The transceiver (Figure 1) is a data telemetry radio designed to operate in a point-to-multipoint environment, such as electric utility Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and distribution automation, gas field automation, water and wastewater SCADA, and on-line transaction processing applications. The radio employs microprocessor control to provide highly reliable communications, even under adverse conditions.
MDS OEM Series radios use continuous-phase frequency shift keying (CPFSK) modulation with a 4-level modem.
Invisible place holder
NOTE: FINAL DESIGN WILL EMPLOY A TWO-PIN, POLARIZED POWER CONNECTOR.
Figure 1. OEM Series™ Series Data Transceiver
(Board version shown—enclosed unit similar)

1.1 Differences Among Models

All OEM Series models are very similar in appearance and functionality. The major differences are over-the-air modem speed and frequency coverage.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 1

Modem Speeds

Two modem speeds are available in the OEM 900 transceiver standard 9600, and an optional 4800 bps. The latter provides 3 dB of extra receive sensitivity where greater range is required.
Changing the modem speed requires loading different software into the radio using MDS Radio Configuration Software. See
Programming Methods

Frequency Coverage

The OEM 900 Series radio operates in the 900 MHz frequency band. The exact frequency coverage of each model is listed in the Specifications chart on Page 26.
NOTE: The radios frequency range (band) cannot be set or changed
by the user; it is set at the factory.
on Page 14 for more information.
Radio

1.2 Applications

Point-to-Multipoint, Multiple Address Systems (MAS)

Point-to-multipoint (MAS) is the most common application of the transceiver. It consists of a central master station and several associated remote units as shown in Figure 2. An MAS network provides communications between a central host computer and remote terminal units (RTUs) or other data collection devices. The operation of the radio system is transparent to the computer equipment. That is, the radio system transports the data in its original form, making no changes to the data format.
Often, the radio system is used to replace a network of remote monitors currently linked to a central location by leased telephone lines. At the central office of such a system, there is usually a large mainframe computer and some means of switching between individual lines coming from each remote monitor. In this type of system, there is a modulator/demodulator (modem) at the main computer and at each remote site, usually built into the remote monitor itself. Since the cost of leasing a dedicated-pair telephone line is quite high, radio is frequently used as an alternative communication medium.
2 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
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radio
REMOTE
radio
REMOTE
COMPUTER
HOST
radio
MASTER STATION
RTU
RTU
Figure 2. MAS Point-to-Multipoint Network
(Two remote stations shown—four or more are typically used)

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 radiosone serving as a master and the other as a remoteas shown in Figure 3. It provides a simplex or half-duplex communications link for the transfer of data between two locations.
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radio
COMPUTER
HOST
RTU
MASTER STATION
Figure 3. Typical Point-to-Point Link
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 3
radio
REMOTE

Switched Carrier Operation

Switched Carrier operation is a half-duplex mode where the master station transmitter is keyed to send data and unkeyed to receive. MDS OEM Series radios operate in switched carrier mode and are keyed when data is present.
NOTE: MDS OEM Series radios do not support full-duplex
operation (i.e., transmitting and receiving at the same time). For information on other MDS products that provide this capability, contact your sales representative.

Single Frequency (Simplex) Operation

Single frequency operation (also known as simplex) is a special case of switched carrier operation. Single frequency operation is
automatically
selected whenever the transmit and receive frequencies are set to the same value.
THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
DO NOT USE FOR PRODUCT ORDERING.

1.3 Model Number Codes

The radio model number is printed on the PC board or on the radio enclosure, and provides key information about how the radio was configured when was shipped from the factory. See Figure 4 for an explanation of the model number characters.
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BANDWIDTH
1 = 12.5 kHz Domestic
ENCLOSURE
0 = Without Enclosure 1 = With Enclosure
EL705
BAND SUB-BAND 9 = 900 MHz A = 928–960 MHz
NA
AGENCY
F = FCC/IC N = None
Figure 4. MDS OEM Series Model Number Codes
SAFETY
N = None E = Class 1, Div. 2 ENTLA
N
MODEM
2 = 4800 BPS 3 = 9600 BPS
4 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B

1.4 Accessories

The transceiver can be used with one or more of the accessories listed in
Table 1. Contact the factory for ordering information.
Table 1. Optional Accessories
Accessory Description MDS P/N
Hand-Held Terminal Kit (HHT)
Accessory Power Adapter
RTU Simulator Assy. Test unit that simulates data from a
DB-9 to DB-25 adapter Used to connect a PC with a 9-pin
Radio Configuration Software (EL705)
PC Programming Adapter Kit
Keypad terminal for programming, diagnostics, and control. Includes carrying case, cable set and an instruction booklet. (Accessory Power Adapter 03-3722A01 required for use with OEM radiossee below).
DB-25 male-to-female adapter that attaches to the radios DATA INTERFACE connector. Provides regulated 10 Vdc for powering an HHT or other low power accessory. If not used, accessories could be damaged by excessive voltage (equal to the radios DC input voltage).
remote terminal unit. Comes with polling software that runs on a PC. Used for testing OEM radio operation. (NOTE: Older MDS RTU Simulators will
not
work with the OEM radio as
they require a higher input voltage.)
serial port to the radios DATA INTERFACE port.
Radio programming software for use with a Windows-based PC. This program is available on 3.5 disks, and is included on the MDS InSite 6.4 (or higher) CD.
Required when programming the radio with a personal computer operating in terminal mode. The adapter asserts the auto-open signal (ground) on pin 23 of the DATA INTERFACE port. A scratch-built cable may also be used for this purpose (see Figure 12 on
Page 16).
02-1501A01
03-3722A01
03-2094A01
01-3683A01
03-3649A01
01-3683A01
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 5

2.0 INSTALLATION

There are three main requirements for installing the transceiver adequate and stable primary power, a good antenna system, and the correct data connections between the transceiver and the data device.
Figure 5 shows the external connections for the transceiver.
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POWER CONNECTOR*
(TIP/RING BARREL TYPE)
DATA INTERFACE
Final model will have a polarized
*
2-pin power connector (plug & cable assembly included). Red wire is positive(+); black is negative (-).
CONNECTOR
(DB-25)
ANTENNA
CONNECTOR
(BNC)
Figure 5. External Connections to the Transceiver Board
(Connector locations identical to enclosed radio)

2.1 Installation Steps

Below are the basic steps for installing the transceiver. In many cases, these steps alone are sufficient to complete the installation. More detailed explanations appear at the end of these steps.
1. Mount the transceiver to a stable surface using the appropriate hardware.
2. Install the antenna and antenna feedline for the station. Preset directional antennas in the desired direction of transmission and reception.
3. Measure and install the primary power for the radio. The primary power must be between 10 and 16 Vdc and be capable of supplying at least 2 Amperes. (This requirement assumes a 5 watt RF output. Lower current consumption is possible if lower output po wer can be used in your applicationsee OEM Series™ Transceiver
Specifications on Page 26 for details.)
NOTE: Use the radio in negative ground systems only.
6 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
4. Set the radio conguration. The transceiver is designed for quick installation with a minimum of software conguration in most cases. The selections that need to be veried for new installations are:
Transmit frequency
Receive frequency
Transmitter output power
Network address (factory default is
NONE)
The operating frequencies are not set at the factory unless they are specied at the time of order. Determine the transmit and receive frequencies to be used, and follow the steps below to program them.
5. Connect a terminal interface (personal computer or a hand-held terminal) to the
DATA INTERFACE connector. (See PC Connection
and Startup on Page 14 for details.)
6. Press to receive the ready > prompt.
ENTER
a. Set the transmit frequency with the TX xxx.xxx command.
Press after the command.
b. Set the receive frequency with the
Press after the command.
c. Set the network address with the
Press after the command. After programming, the terminal interface reads
ENTER
RX xxx.xxx command.
ENTER
ADDR xxx command.
ENTER
PROGRAMMED OK to indicate successful
entry.
7. Disconnect the terminal interface from the
DATA INTERFACE
connector.
8. Connect the data equipment to the transceiver’s
DATA INTERFACE
connector. Use only the required pins for the applicationdo not use a fully pinned (25 conductor) cable. Basic applications often require only the use of Pin 2 (Transmitted DataTXD), Pin 3 (Received DataRXD), and Pin 7 (Signal Ground).
Additional connections may be required in some installations. Refer to the complete list of pin functions in Table 3 on Page 11.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 7

2.2 Mounting the Transceiver

Transceiver Board

Figure 6 shows the mounting dimensions of the transceiver PC board.
The board should be secured to the mounting surface using the holes provided at each corner of the assembly. (Fasteners are not supplied.) Note that the lower left mounting hole in the board is a threaded ferrule.
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4.53 in.
(11.51 cm)
0.23 in.
(0.58 cm)
3.23 in.
(8.20 cm)
RF
HEATSINK
1 in.
(2.54 cm)
2.5 in.
(6.35 cm)
DATA
PWR
3.73 in.
(9.47 cm)
0.28 in.
(0.71 cm)
HEATSINK HEIGHT: 0.38 (0.97 cm)
4.05 in.
0.28 in.
(0.71 cm)
(10.29 cm)
0.20 in.
(0.51 cm)
Figure 6. Transceiver Mounting Dimensions (Board Version)

Enclosed Transceiver

Figure 7 shows the mounting dimensions of the enclosed transceiver.
Two cutout slots are provided on each side of the enclosure for mounting screws. (Fasteners are not supplied.)
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1.75 in.
(4.45 cm)
5.97 in.
(15.14 cm)
6.50 in.
(16.51 cm)
Figure 7. Transceiver Mounting Dimensions (Enclosed Version)
3.25 in.
(8.25 cm)
5.00 in.
(12.70 cm)
8 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B

2.3 Antennas and Feedlines

Antennas

The transceiver can be used with a number of antennas. The exact style depends on the physical size and layout of the radio system. Suitable antennas are available from several manufacturers, including MDS.
At master stations, omni-directional antennas (Figure 8) are typically used to provide equal coverage to all remote sites in the network.
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Figure 8. Typical Omni-directional Antenna for Master Stations
(Shown mounted to mast)
At remote sites, a directional Yagi (Figure 9) or corner reflector antenna is generally recommended to minimize interference to and from other users.
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Figure 9. Typical Yagi Antenna for Remote Sites

Feedlines

The selection of antenna feedline is very important. Poor quality cables should be avoided as they result in power losses that may reduce the range and reliability of the radio system.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 9
Table 2 shows the losses that occur when using various lengths and types of cable in the 900 MHz band. Regardless of the type of cable used, it should be kept as short as possible to minimize signal loss.
Table 2. Length vs. Loss in Coaxial Cables at 900 MHz
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE
3 Meters
Cable Type
RG-8A/U 0.85 dB 4.27 dB 8.54 dB 42.70 dB
1/2 inch HELIAX 7/8 inch HELIAX 1-1/4 inch HELIAX 1-5/8 inch HELIAX
(10 Feet)
0.23 dB 1.15 dB 2.29 dB 11.45 dB
0.13 dB 0.64 dB 1.28 dB 6.40 dB
0.10 dB 0.48 dB 0.95 dB 4.75 dB
0.08 dB 0.40 dB 0.80 dB 4.00 dB
15 Meters
(50 Feet)
30 Meters
(100 Feet)
150 Meters
(500 Feet)

2.4 Power Connection

The transceiver can be operated from any well-filtered 10 to 16 Vdc power source. The power supply must be capable of providing at least 2 Amperes if 5 watt output is planned from the transceiver. Supply the power to the power connector (see Figure 5 on Page 6).
Do not apply power to the radio through Pin 18 of the DB-25 Interface connector. This pin does not provide over-current input protection, and is intended only as an auxiliary output for po wering a low-current (1.0 Amp max.) device, such as an RTU.
NOTE: The radio is designed for use in negative ground systems only.

Conservation (Sleep Mode)

In some installations, such as at solar-powered sites, it may be necessary to keep the transceivers power consumption to an absolute minimum. This can be accomplished by configuring the data device (RTU, PLC, etc.) to ground Pin 12 of the
DAT A INTERF ACE connector, which removes
power from the radio. When the ground is removed, the radio is ready to operate within 75 milliseconds.

2.5 Data Interface Connections

The transceivers DATA INTERFACE connector is configured as a DCE (modem) and is normally connected to an EIA-232 device. The transceiver supports over-the-air asynchronous data rates up to 19200 bps. Refer to Figure 10 and Table 3 for a detailed description of each pin on the
DATA INTERFACE connector.
10 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
CAUTION
USE
ONLY REQUIRED
PINS
Do not use a 25 wire (fully pinned) cable for connection to the DATA
INTERFACE
connector. Use only the required pins for the application. Damage may result if improper connections are made. For EIA-232 signaling, typical applications require the use of Pins 2, 3, and 7 only.
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13
1
25
14
Figure 10. Data Interface Connector Pinouts
(As viewed from the front of the radio)
Table 3. DATA INTERFACE Connector Pinouts
Pin Number
1--Protective Ground. Connects to ground (negative supply
2INTXDTransmitted Data. Accepts TX data from the
3 OUT RXDReceived Data. Outputs received data to the
4INRTSRequest-to-Send Input. Causes CTS to go
5 OUT CTSClear-to-Send Output. Behavior depends on
6 OUT DSRData Set Ready. Active when radio is powered on. 7--Signal Ground. Connects to ground (negative supply
8 OUT DCDData Carrier Detect. Active when receiving
11 OUT Receive Audio Output. For test purposes only.
Input/ Output Pin Description
potential) on the radios PC board and chassis.
connected device.
connected device.
high.
DEVICE command setting: When DEVICE is set to DCE, this pin follows RTS and will
provide buffer full flow control. When DEVICE is set to CTS KEY, this pin provides a
keyline output when receive data is present.
potential) at radios PC board.
data from another OEM Series radio with the same network address.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 11
Table 3. DATA INTERFACE Connector Pinouts (Continued)
Pin Number
12 -- Sleep Mode. A logic low on this pin removes power from
18 IN/OUT Accessory Power. Unregulated Output. Provides a
19 OUT 5.8 Vdc Regulated Output. Provides a source of
23 IN Auto-Open. A logic low (less than 0.5 volts or ground)
25 OUT Alarm. A logic low (less than 0.5 volts) on this pin indicates
Input/ Output Pin Description
the radio. The radio is ready to operate 75 milliseconds after the ground is removed.
source of output power for low current (1 Amp max.) accessories. Excessive drain on this connection causes the on board fuse (2 ampere) to open. The voltage at this pin matches the input voltage to the transceiver. Do not
use this pin for powering the radio.
regulated voltage at 100 mA for low power accessories.
on this pin opens the diagnostic channel and disables normal data operation. A logic high (greater than 4 volts or open) enables the DATA INTERFACE for normal data operation.
normal operation. A logic high (greater than 4 volts) indicates that some alarm condition is present. This pin can be used as an alarm output, provided the internal series resistance of 1 k is considered.
12 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B

3.0 OPERATION

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

3.1 Initial Startup

If all parameters are set correctly, operation of the radio can be started with these steps:
1. Apply DC power to the transceiver.
2. Observe the LED status panel for the proper indications (see
Table 4).
3. If not done earlier, rene the antenna heading of the station to
maximize the received signal strength (RSSI) from the master station. Use the to the radios
TRANSCEIVER PROGRAMMING.
RSSI command from a terminal interface connected
DATA INTERFACE connector.See Section 4.0,

3.2 LED Indicators

The transceiver includes four status LEDs visible from the top of the unit, behind the Data Interface connector (or on the front panel in enclosed units). Table 4 describes the function of each status LED.
RXDTXDDCDPWR
Table 4. LED Status Indicators
LED Name Description
PWR
(Power)
DCD
(Data Carrier Detect)
RXD
(Receive Data)
TXD
(Transmit Data)
ContinuousPower is applied to the radio, no problems detected.
Rapid flash (five times-per-second)Fault indication.
Flashing once every secondUnit is not programmed.
Radio is in Bootloader mode.
FlashingIndicates another radio (with the same network address) is transmitting at the radios receive frequency.
Receive data is present on DATA INTERFACE connector.
Transmit data is present on DATA INTERFACE connector.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 13

4.0 TRANSCEIVER PROGRAMMING

Programming and set-up of the transceiver is performed through the radios personal computer or a hand-held terminal (HHT). This section contains a reference chart of commands (Table 5) followed by detailed descriptions for each entry.

4.1 Radio Programming Methods

PC with Radio Configuration Software
PC-based Radio Configuration software is available for use with the radio (MDS P/N 03-3649A01). This software is normally supplied on
3.5 disks, but can also be found on the MDS InSite disk (version 6.4 or higher) under the title of EL705. On-line instructions are included with the configuration software.
NOTE: When using radio configuration software, click on the opening
PC in Terminal Mode
DATA INTERFACE connector with a terminal interfaceeither a
screen or press a key to activate the program.
A PC may also be used without the Radio Configuration software by operating it in a basic terminal mode (e.g., HyperTerminal session) and entering the radio commands listed in Table 5. The terminal
communication parameters must be set to 9600 bps, with 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1).
Handheld Terminal (HHT)
A Hand-Held Terminal kit (MDS P/N 02-1501A01) may be used to enter the radio commands listed in Table 5. The HHT communication
parameters must be set to 9600 bps, with 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1).

4.2 PC Connection and Startup

Follow the steps below to prepare the radio for PC programming. For information about connecting and setting up a hand-held terminal, refer to the instructions provided with each HHT kit.:
1. Connect a PC to the radios
Figure 11. Pin 23 of the interface cable must be grounded to activate
the control and programming mode. This can be done with a Programming Adapter (MDS P/N 01-3683A01), or with a scratch-built cable as shown in Figure 12.
DATA INTERFACE port as shown in
2. Press to obtain the ready > prompt.
14 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
ENTER
Invisible place holder
Figure 11. Terminal Interface (PC) Connected to the Transceiver
(Pin 23 on cable must be grounded—see Figure 12)
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 15
DB-25 MALE
(TO RADIO)
TXD
2
Invisible place holder
DB-9 FEMALE
(TO COMPUTER)
RXD
2
3
RXD
7
GND
23
Diagnostics Open
TXD
GND
3
5
Figure 12. DB-25 to DB-9 Adapter Cable
(For PC control and programming)

4.3 Keyboard Commands

Table 5 is a reference chart of software commands for the transceiver.
Programmable information is shown in brackets [ ] following the command name. See section 4.4 following the table for detailed command descriptions.

Entering Commands

To enter a command, type the command, followed by an keystroke. For programming commands, the command is followed by
SPACE
and the appropriate information or values, then

Error Messages

Listed below are some possible error messages that may be encountered when using the terminal interface:
ENTER
ENTER
.
UNKNOWN COMMANDThe command was not recognized. Refer to the
command description for command usage information.
INCORRECT ENTRY—The command format or its associated values were
not valid. Refer to the command description for command usage information.
COMMAND F AILED—The command was unable to successfully complete.
This may indicate an internal software problem.
NOT PROGRAMMED —Software was unable to program the internal radio
memory or the requested item was not programmed.This is a serious internal radio error. Contact MDS for assistance.
TEXT TOO LONG—Response to OWN or OWM command when too many
characters have been entered. Refer to the command description for command usage information.
NOT AVAILABLE—The entered command or parameter was valid, but it
referred to a currently unavailable choice. Refer to the command description for command usage information.
16 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
ACCESS DENIED—The command is unavailable to the user. Refer to the
command descriptions for command information.
EEPROM F AILURE— The INIT command was unable to write to EEPROM.
This usually indicates a hardware error. Contact MDS for assistance.
Table 5. Command summary
Command name Function
ADDR [NONE | 1–255]
Details page 18
AMASK [0000
0000–FFFF FFFF]
Details page 18
BAUD [xxxxx abc]
Details page 19
CTS [0–255]
Details page 19
CTSHOLD [0–60000]
Details page 19
DEVICE [DCE | CTS KEY]
Details page 20
DKEY
Details page 20
INIT
Details page 20
KEY
Details page 21
OWM [XXX...]
Details page 21
OWN [XXX...]
Details page 21
Set or display the network address of the radio.
Set or display hex code identifying which events trigger an alarm.
Set or display the DATA INTERFACE data rate and format.
Set or display the Clear-to-Send delay in milliseconds.
Set or display the delay, in milliseconds, at the end of a CTS line response; CTS Key operation only.
Set or display the CTS options.
Dekey the radio (transmitter OFF) following a KEY command.
Set radio parameters to factory defaults.
Key the radio (transmitter ON). Provides a carrier for testing.
Set or display the owners message.
Set or display the owners name.
PWR [L | M | H]
Details page 21
RSSI and RSSI!
Details page 22
RX [xxx.xxx]
Details page 22
RXTOT [NONE | 1–255]
Details page 22
SER
Details page 22
SREV
Details page 22
Set or display the transmit power setting.
Display the Received Signal Strength Indication.
Set or display the receive frequency.
Set or display the value of the receive time-out timer.
Display the radio serial number.
Display the software revision level.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 17
Table 5. Command summary (Continued)
Command name Function
STAT
Details page 22
Display the current alarm status.
TOT [1–255 | ON | OFF]
Details page 23
TX [xxx.xxx]
Details page 23
Set or display the time-out timer status and the timer delay in milliseconds.
Set or display the transmit frequency.

4.4 Detailed Command Descriptions

The only essential commands for most applications are transmit frequency ( address ( allows you to tailor the transceiver for a specific use or conduct basic diagnostics on the radio. This section gives more detailed information for the user commands previously listed in Table 5.
In many cases, the commands shown here can be used in two ways. First, you can type only the command name to view the currently programmed data. Secondly, you can set or change the existing data by typing the command, followed by a space, and then the desired entry. In the list below, allowable data values, if any, are shown in brackets following the command name. The separator symbol (|) indicates that you can enter one of the values in the list.

ADDR [NONE | 1–255]

TX xxx.xxx), receive frequency (RX xxx.xxx), and network
ADDR xxx). However, proper use of the additional commands
The
ADDR command displays or sets the network address of the radio. In
order for all the radios in a network to communicate, their network addresses must be identical, or set to the factory with
ADDR set to NONE.)
NONE. (The radio is shipped from

AMASK [0000 0000–FFFF FFFF]

The
AMASK (alarm mask) command displays or sets which events cause
the alarm output signal to be active. Normally, the mask is
FFFF FFFF,
meaning that any of the 32 possible events activate the alarm output signal. No special configuration is required for typical applications.
Entering the
AMASK command alone displays the current setting of
alarm events in hexadecimal format. Entering the
AMASK command followed by an eight-digit hexadecimal
number reprograms the specified events to trigger an alarm. Each bit that is a 1 identifies an associated alarm condition that can
trigger the alarm output status line. Each bit that is a 0 treats the associated alarm as irrelevant when deciding whether or not to assert the alarm output status line.
18 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
Thus, an eight-digit hexadecimal number can classify up to 32 events as alarm triggers for the alarm output status line. See Table 6 on Page 25 for a list of the event codes and their hex values. The hex value of the mask is simply the sum of the hex values of the event codes corresponding to the alarm triggering events.

BAUD [xxxxx abc]

This command sets (or displays) the communication attributes for the
DATA INTERFACE port.
The first parameter (
xxxxx) is baud rate. Baud rate is specified in
bits-per-second (bps) and must be one of the following speeds: 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, or 19200.
The second parameter of the
BAUD command (abc) is a three-character
block indicating how the data is formatted:
a = Data bits (7 or 8) b = Parity (N for None, O for Odd, E for Even) c = Stop bits (1 or 2)
The factory default setting is 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 start bit, and 1 stop bit (Example:
9600 8N1).
NOTE: 7N1, 8O2, and 8E2 are invalid communication settings and are
not supported by the transceiver.

CTS [0–255]

The
CTS (clear-to-send) command sets or displays the timer value
associated with the CTS line response. The command parameter ranges from 0 to 255 milliseconds.
For DCE operation (see to wait after the RTS line goes high, before the radio asserts CTS. A
DEVICE command), the timer specifies how long
CTS
value of zero asserts the CTS line immediately after the RTS line goes high.
For CTS Key operation (see
DEVICE command), the timer specifies how
long to wait after asserting the CTS, before data becomes available. A timer value of zero means that data is available as soon as received

CTSHOLD [0–60000]

For CTS Key operation (see
DEVICE command), the CTSHOLD command
sets or displays the timer value associated with the end of a CTS line response. The timer value specifies the length of time that CTS remains active following the last byte from the RXD pin of the
DAT A INTERFACE
port. The time is in milliseconds. The default value is 0, which means that CTS drops immediately after the last byte.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 19
For DCE operation (see DEVICE command), this command has no effect. The response
CTSHOLD n/a is displayed.

DEVICE [DCE | CTS KEY]

The
DEVICE command sets or displays the device behavior of the radio.
The command parameter is either
DCE or CTS KEY.
The default selection is
DCE. In this mode, CTS goes high following
RTS, subject to the CTS programmable delay time. Hardware flow control is implemented by signaling the CTS line if data arrives faster than it can be buffered and transmitted. The transceiver does not require an RTS/CTS handshake. Data is transmitted whenever there is data to send.
If
CTS KEY is selected, the CTS line transforms to a Receive Data
indicator (with programmable delays) in order to provide a control line for use by other devices. The RTS line is ignored. CTS is asserted immediately following the receipt of RF data, but data is not sent out the
DATA INTERFACE port until the CTS programmable delay time has
expired. (See
CTSHOLD description for the delay available following the
data.) A typical use of
CTSKEY is to provide a keyline (or RTS signal) for a
half-duplex modem or other radio.

DKEY

This command deactivates the transmitter after it has been keyed with the
KEY command.
NOTE: The DKEY and KEY commands are not intended for normal
operation. They are tools for field testing and installation.

INIT

The INIT command is used to re-initialize the radios operating parameters to the factory defaults. This may be helpful when trying to resolve configuration problems that may have resulted from the entry of one or more improper command settings. Entry of this command allows you to get back to a known working state. The following changes to the radio are made when
AMASK is set to FFFF FFFF
INIT is entered:
BAUD is set to 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (
9600 8N1)
CTS is set to 0
CTSHOLD is set to 0
DEVICE is set to DCE
20 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
PWR is set to H [+37 dBm (5 watts)]
RXTOT is set to NONE
TOT is set to OFF
All other commands stay at their previously established settings.
KEY
This command activates the transmitter. The transmitter stays keyed until either the DKEY command is entered, or the transmitter time-out timer is enabled and times out. See also the
DKEY and TOT commands.
NOTE: The KEY and DKEY commands are not intended for normal
operation. They are tools for field testing and installation.

OWM [XXX...]

This is a command to display or set an owner’s message. To program the owner’s message, type
OWM then the message, followed by .
ENTER
The maximum number of characters that can be entered is 30. To display the owner’s message, type OWM then . The owner’s
ENTER
message appears on the display.

OWN [XXX...]

This is a command to display or set an owner’s name. To program the owner’s name, type
OWN then the name, followed by . The
ENTER
maximum number of characters that can be entered is 30. To display the owner’s name, type OWN then . The owner’s
ENTER
name appears on the display.
PWR [L | M | H] NOTE: This function may not be available, depending on certification
requirements for a particular region.
This command displays or sets the desired RF forward output power setting of the radio. The
L (low), M (medium), or H (high). The default setting is H. The values of L, M, and H are:
L = 24 dBm (250 mW)
M = 30 dBm (1 W)
H = 37 dBm (5 W)
PWR command parameter is specified as
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 21
RSSI and RSSI! These commands continuously display the radios Received Signal
Strength Indication (RSSI) in dBm units. Incoming signal strengths from –50 dBm to –120 dBm are displayed.
The
RSSI command causes display of received signal strength, updated
once every second. Press to terminate the display.
ENTER
The RSSI! command displays a one-time reading of the RSSI at the diagnostic port.

RX [xxx.xxx]

This command sets or displays the radios receive frequency in MHz. The frequency must be an integer multiple of the step size and must be in the valid range. If the entered frequency is invalid, the terminal interface displays the message
INCORRECT ENTRY.
NOTE: The frequency must be in the valid range for the sub-band
purchased, and may not be programmed between channels.

RXTOT [NONE | 1–255]

The
RXTOT command sets or displays the receive time-out timer value in
minutes. This timer triggers an alarm (event 12) if data is not detected within the specified time.
Entering the value in minutes. Entering the ranging from 1 to 255 resets the timer in minutes. Entering the command with the parameter
RXTOT command without a parameter displays the timer
RXTOT command with a parameter
RXTOT
NONE disables the timer.
SER
This command displays the radios serial number as recorded at the factory.

SREV

This command displays the software revision level of the transceiver firmware.

STAT

This command displays the current alarm status of the transceiver.
If no alarms exist, the message
NO ALARMS PRESENT appears at the top
of the terminal display.
22 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
If an alarm does exist, a two-digit code (00–31) is displayed and the alarm is identified as
MAJOR or MINOR. A brief description of the alarm
code is also given. Detailed descriptions of event codes are provided in
Table 6 on Page 25.
If more than one alarm exists, the word the screen and additional alarms are viewed by pressing the
MORE appears at the bottom of
ENTER
key. Alarms are displayed in ascending order, major alarms before minor ones.

TOT [1–255 | ON | OFF]

This command sets or displays the transmitter time-out timer value (1–255 seconds), as well as the timer status (
ON or OFF). The command
parameter can be either the timer value or the status, but not both. The parameter
ON enables the timer; OFF disables the timer.
If the timer is on, and the radio remains keyed for a longer duration than the
TOT value, the transmitter is automatically unkeyed. When this
happens, the radio must be commanded back to an unkeyed state before a new keying command is accepted.
By default the timer is
ON and set to 30 seconds.

TX [xxx.xxx]

This command sets or displays the radios transmit frequency in MHz. The frequency must be an integer multiple of the step size and must be in the valid range. If the entered frequency is invalid, the terminal interface displays the message
INCORRECT ENTRY.
NOTE: The frequency must be in the valid range for the sub-band
purchased, and may not be programmed between channels.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 23

5.0 TROUBLESHOOTING

Successful troubleshooting of the radio system is not difficult, but it requires a logical approach. It is best to begin troubleshooting at the master station, as the rest of the system depends on the master for polling commands. If the master station has problems, the operation of the entire network can be compromised.
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 connections (RF, data, and power).
An efficient and properly aligned antenna system with a good
received signal strength (at least –90 dBm). It is possible for a system to operate with weaker signals, but reliability may be degraded.
Proper programming of the transceivers operating parameters (see Section 4.0, TRANSCEIVER PROGRAMMING).
The correct interface between the transceiver and the connected data equipment (correct cable wiring, proper data format, timing, etc.).

5.1 LED Indicators

The LED status indicators are an important troubleshooting tool and should be checked whenever a problem is suspected. Table 4 on Page 13 describes the function of each status LED.

5.2 Event Codes

When an alarm condition exists, the transceiver creates a code that can be read on a terminal connected to the codes can be very helpful in resolving many system difficulties. Table 6 lists the definitions of the event codes.

Checking for Alarms—STAT command

To check for alarms, enter exist, the message
NO ALARMS PRESENT appears at the top of the display.
If an alarm does exist, the
STAT on the terminal interface. If no alarms
STAT command displays a two-digit alarm
code (00–31) and the event is identified as a Major or Minor Alarm. A brief description of the alarm is also given.
DATA INTERFACE port. These
If more than one alarm exists, the word the screen. To view additional alarms, press .
24 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
MORE appears at the bottom of
ENTER

Major Alarms vs. Minor Alarms

Major Alarms—report serious conditions that generally indicate a hardware failure, or other abnormal conditions that prevent (or seriously degrade) further operation of the transceiver. Major alarms generally indicate the need for factory repair. Contact MDS for further assistance.
Minor Alarms—report conditions that, under most circumstances do not prevent transceiver operation. These include out-of-tolerance conditions, baud rate mismatches, etc. The cause of these alarms should be investigated and corrected to prevent possible system failure.

Event Code Definitions

Table 6 contains a listing of the event codes that may be reported by the
transceiver.
Table 6. Event Codes
Event Code Hex Value
00 0000 0000 -- No alarms present. No Alarms Present
1–3 -- -- Not used. --
04 0800 0000 Major One or both of the internal programmable
5–7 -- -- Not used. --
08 0080 0000 Major The system is reporting that it has not been
09 -- -- Not used. -­10 0020 0000 Major The internal microcontroller was unable to properly
11 -- -- Not used. -­12 0008 0000 Major Receiver time-out. No data received within the
13 0004 0000 Major Transmitter time-out. The radio was keyed for a
14–16 -- -- Not used. --
17 0000 4000 Minor A data parity fault has been detected on the DATA
18 0000 2000 Minor A data framing error has been detected on the
19–30 -- -- Not used. --
Event Class Description STATUS Message
synthesizer loops is reporting an out-of-lock condition.
calibrated. Factory calibration is required for proper radio operation.
program the system to the appropriate EEPROM defaults. A hardware problem may exist.
specified receiver time-out time.
duration exceeding the time-out timer setting. (This alarm clears the next time the radio keys.)
INTERFACE connector. This usually indicates a parity setting mismatch between the radio and the RTU.
DATA INTERFACE connector. This may indicate a baud rate mismatch between the radio and the RTU.
Synthesizer Out-of-Lock
Radio Not Calibrated
EEPROM Write Failure
Receiver time-out
Transmitter time-out
Data Parity Error
Data Framing Error
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 25

6.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE

6.1 OEM Series Transceiver Specifications

MODELS
MDS OEM Series 900: Licensed 900 MHz Transceiver
RADIO TYPE
Synthesized, half duplex, 12.5 kHz channel spacing, split frequency, or simplex
ENVIRONMENTAL
Temperature Range: –30 to +60 degrees C Humidity: 0 to 95% at 40 degrees C Board Dimensions: 4.53 W x 0.75 H x 3.73 D
Enclosed Dimensions: 6.5 W x 1.75 H x 5.00 D
Weight: (Board version) 4.5 oz. (0.13 kg)
RF Connector: BNC Enclosure Type (if furnished): Aluminum
TRANSMITTER
11.51 cm W x 1.90 cm H x 9.47 cm D
16.51 cm W x 4.45 cm H x 12.70 cm D
(Enclosed version) 1 lb. (0.45 kg)
Frequency Ranges (900 MHz): 928 to 960 MHz Frequency Increments: 6.25 kHz (Standard)
Modulation Type: 4 level CPFSK Carrier Power: 250 mW, 1 W, 5 W programmable
Duty Cycle: 50% (100% with additional heatsinking) Output Impedance: 50 ohms Frequency Stability: 1.5 ppm, –30 to +60 degrees C Channel Spacing: 12.5 kHz Spurious and Harmonics: –60 dBc Time-out Timer: 1 to 255 seconds Transmitter Keying: On data Key-up Time: 2 ms
5 kHz (Special)
(+24 DBM, +30 dBM, +37 dBm)
26 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
RECEIVER
Type: Double conversion superheterodyne
Frequency Ranges (900 MHz): 928 to 960 MHz Frequency Increments: 6.25 kHz (Standard)
Frequency Stability: 1.5 ppm, –30 to +60 degrees C Spurious and Image Rejection: –70 dB Sensitivity: 12 dB Sinad @ –116 dBm Data Performance: 1 x 10
Intermodulation Rejection: –70 dB minimum Selectivity: 50 dB typical at adjacent channel (EIA) Bandwidth: 12.5 kHz
(45 MHz and 450 MHz IF)
5 kHz (Special)
-6
@ –108 dBm (9600 bps)
-6
1 x 10
@ –111 dBm (4600 bps)
DATA INTERFACE
RS-232 through DB-25 Connector Baud Rates at Interface Port: 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, and 19200* bps Over-the-Air Data Rate: 9600 bps
Data Latency: < 20 ms typical
4800 bps
DIAGNOSTICS
Self Test: Yes Local RS-232 RSSI and Setup: Yes 4 LED Display: PWR, DCD, TXD, and RXD
PRIMARY POWER
Voltage: 10 to 16 Vdc through a 5.5 mm pin plug or 2-pin
RX Current at 13.8 Vdc (typical): 75 mA TX Current at 13.8 Vdc (typical): 1.75 A @ high power (5W)
Circuit Protection: 2 amp fuse, surface mount Reverse Polarity Protection: Diode across primary input
* At 19200 bps, the radio operates in a buffered mode, storing 50 characters at a time.
MDS connector
700 mA @ medium power (1W) 400 mA @ low power (250 mW)

6.2 Bench Testing Setup

Figure 13 shows a sample test setup that can be used to verify the basic
operation of transceivers in a shop setting. The test can be performed with any number of remote radios by using a power divider with the required number of output connections.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 27
The RTU simulator (MDS Part No. 03-2094A01) is a microcontroller that emulates a remote terminal unit operating at 1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600 bps. Custom software is supplied with the RTU simulator that allows continuous polling of remote radios using an IBM-compatible personal computer. The software reports the number of polls sent, polls received, and the number of errors detected.
NOTE: It is very important to use attenuation between all units in the
test setup. The amount of attenuation required depends on the number of units being tested and the desired signal strength (RSSI) at each transceiver during the test.
A maximum level of -50 dBm is recommended at each transceiver, because the radios RSSI reporting will not be accurate above this level. In no case should a signal stronger than +10 dBm be applied to any transceiver in the test setup, or damage may result.
Invisible place holder
COMPUTER RUNNING MDS
POLL.EXE PROGRAM
RTU SIMULATORS
(SEE TEXT)
REMOTE
RADIO
REMOTE
MASTER STATION
POWER ATTENUATORS
Fixed or adjustable
2W minimum rating
RADIO
REMOTE
RADIO
POWER DIVIDER
NON-RADIATING ATTENUATOR
Install on any unused divider ports
2W minimum rating
REMOTE
RADIO
Figure 13. Typical setup for bench testing of radios

6.3 Helical Filter Adjustment

If the operating frequency of the radio is changed more than 10 MHz, the helical filters should be adjusted for maximum received signal strength (RSSI). If adjustment is required, follow these steps:
1. For enclosed units, remove the top cover from the transceiver by loosening the eight screws and lifting straight up.
2. Carefully remove the shield cover from the PC board.
3. Locate the helical lters. See Figure 14.
28 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
4. Apply a steady signal to the radio at the programmed receive frequency (–80 dBm level recommended; no stronger than –60 dBm). This can be done with a signal generator or an over-the-air signal.
5. Measure the radios RSSI using a terminal interface. See
Section 4.0, TRANSCEIVER PROGRAMMING on Page 14.
6. With a non-metallic tool, carefully adjust each section of the helical lter for maximum RSSI. Repeat several times to work out any interactions. Re-install the cover to the transceiver.
Invisible place holder
HELICAL
ADJUSTMENTS
HELICAL
ADJUSTMENTS
Figure 14. Helical Filter Location
(Shield cover removed)

6.4 Upgrading the Radios Software

From time to time, new product features or software maintenance files become available from MDS. This section describes the steps necessary to install new software into the transceiver using a PC connected to the radios
When software upgrades become available, they can be obtained on the MDS Web site at www.microwavedata.com, or you can contact MDS to request radio software.
NOTE: Software upgrades are distributed as ASCII files with a “.S28
DATA INTERFACE port.
extension. These files use the Motorola S-record format.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 29

Using Radio Configuration Software

If you already have software that you wish to download into the transceiver, Radio Configuration Software (MDS P/N 03-3649A01) may be used to perform the installation. (This software is referred to as EL705 on the InSite 6.4 or higher CD.) To use this method, proceed as follows:
1. Connect a PC to the radios
DATA INTERFACE port via a DB-9 to
DB-25 adapter (MDS P/N 01-3683A01 or equivalent). If desired, an adapter cable may be constructed from scratch using the wiring diagram shown in Figure 15.
Invisible place holder
DB-25 MALE
(TO RADIO)
TXD
2
RXD
3
GND
7
Figure 15. DB-25 to DB-9 Adapter Cable
DB-9 FEMALE
(TO COMPUTER)
RXD
2
TXD
3
GND
5
2. Run the Radio Conguration software. (Click on the opening screen or press a key to activate the program.)
3. Under the
SYSTEM menu, select RADIO SOFTWARE UPGRADE.
Follow the prompts and online instructions to locate the desired software and complete the upgrade. The radio’s
PWR LED ashes
rapidly to conrm that a download is in progress. The download takes about two minutes.
NOTE: If a software download fails, the radio is left unprogrammed
and inoperative. This is indicated by the PWR LED flashing slowly (1 second on, 1 second off). This condition is only likely if a power failure occurred to the computer or radio during the downloading process. The download can be attempted again when the fault has been corrected.
30 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B

6.5 dBm-Watts-Volts Conversion Chart

Table 7 is provided as a convenience for determining the equivalent
wattage or voltage of an RF power expressed in dBm.
Table 7. dBm-Watts-Volts Conversionfor 50 Ohm Systems
dBm V Po
+53 100.0 200W +50 70.7 100W +49 64.0 80W +48 58.0 64W +47 50.0 50W +46 44.5 40W +45 40.0 32W +44 32.5 25W +43 32.0 20W +42 28.0 16W +41 26.2 12.5W +40 22.5 10W +39 20.0 8W +38 18.0 6.4W +37 16.0 5W +36 14.1 4W +35 12.5 3.2W +34 11.5 2.5W +33 10.0 2W +32 9.0 1.6W +31 8.0 1.25W +30 7.10 1.0W +29 6.40 800mW +28 5.80 640mW +27 5.00 500mW +26 4.45 400mW +25 4.00 320mW +24 3.55 250mW +23 3.20 200mW +22 2.80 160mW +21 2.52 125mW +20 2.25 100mW +19 2.00 80mW +18 1.80 64mW +17 1.60 50mW +16 1.41 40mW +15 1.25 32mW +14 1.15 25mW +13 1.00 20mW +12 .90 16mW +11 .80 12.5mW +10 .71 10mW +9 .64 8mW +8 .58 6.4mW +7 .500 5mW +6 .445 4mW +5 .400 3.2mW +4 .355 2.5mW +3 .320 2.0mW +2 .280 1.6mW +1 .252 1.25mW
dBm V Po
0 .225 1.0mW
-1 .200 .80mW
-2 .180 .64mW
-3 .160 .50mW
-4 .141 .40mW
-5 .125 .32mW
-6 .115 .25mW
-7 .100 .20mW
-8 .090 .16mW
-9 .080 .125mW
-10 .071 .10mW
-11 .064
-12 .058
-13 .050
-14 .045
-15 .040
-16 .0355
dBm mV Po
-17 31.5
-18 28.5
-19 25.1
-20 22.5 .01mW
-21 20.0
-22 17.9
-23 15.9
-24 14.1
-25 12.8
-26 11.5
-27 10.0
-28 8.9
-29 8.0
-30 7.1 .001mW
-31 6.25
-32 5.8
-33 5.0
-34 4.5
-35 4.0
-36 3.5
-37 3.2
-38 2.85
-39 2.5
-40 2.25 .1µW
-41 2.0
-42 1.8
-43 1.6
-44 1.4
-45 1.25
-46 1.18
-47 1.00
-48 0.90
dBm mV Po
-49 0.80
-50 0.71 .01µW
-51 0.64
-52 0.57
-53 0.50
-54 0.45
-55 0.40
-56 0.351
-57 0.32
-58 0.286
-59 0.251
-60 0.225 .001µW
-61 0.200
-62 0.180
-63 0.160
-64 0.141
dBm µV Po
-65 128
-66 115
-67 100
-68 90
-69 80
-70 71 .1nW
-71 65
-72 58
-73 50
-74 45
-75 40
-76 35
-77 32
-78 29
-79 25
-80 22.5 .01nW
-81 20.0
-82 18.0
-83 16.0
-84 11.1
-85 12.9
-86 11.5
-87 10.0
-88 9.0
-89 8.0
-90 7.1 .001nW
-91 6.1
-92 5.75
-93 5.0
-94 4.5
-95 4.0
-96 3.51
-97 3.2
dBm µV Po
-98 2.9
-99 2.51
-100 2.25 .1pW
-101 2.0
-102 1.8
-103 1.6
-104 1.41
-105 1.27
-106 1.18
dBm nV Po
-107 1000
-108 900
-109 800
-110 710 .01pW
-111 640
-112 580
-113 500
-114 450
-115 400
-116 355
-117 325
-118 285
-119 251
-120 225 .001pW
-121 200
-122 180
-123 160
-124 141
-125 128
-126 117
-127 100
-128 90
-129 80 .1ƒW
-130 71
-131 61
-132 58
-133 50
-134 45
-135 40
-136 35
-137 33
-138 29
-139 25
-140 23 .01ƒW
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 31

7.0 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

If you are new to digital radio systems, some of the terms used in this guide may be unfamiliar. The following glossary explains many of these terms and is helpful in understanding the operation of the transceiver.
Antenna System Gain—A figure, normally expressed in dB, representing the power increase resulting from the use of a gain-type antenna. System losses (from the feedline and coaxial connectors, for example) are subtracted from this figure to calculate the total antenna system gain.
Bit—The smallest unit of digital data, often represented by a one or a zero. Eight bits (plus start, stop, and parity bits) usually comprise a byte.
Bits-per-secondSee BPS. BPSBits-per-second. A measure of the information transfer rate of
digital data across a communication channel. Byte—A string of digital data usually made up of eight data bits and
start, stop and parity bits.
Data Circuit-terminating EquipmentSee DCE. Data Communications EquipmentSee DCE. Data Terminal EquipmentSee DTE. dBiDecibels referenced to an ideal isotropic radiator in free space.
Frequently used to express antenna gain. dBm—Decibels referenced to one milliwatt. An absolute unit used to
measure signal power, as in transmitter power output, or received signal strength.
DCE—Data Circuit-terminating Equipment (or Data Communications Equipment). In data communications terminology, this is the “modem” side of a computer-to-modem connection. The MDS OEM Series is a DCE device.
Decibel (dB)A measure computed from the ratio between two signal levels. Frequently used to express the gain (or loss) of a system.
DTE—Data Terminal Equipment. A device that provides data in the form of digital signals at its output. Connects to the DCE device.
32 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
Fade Margin—The greatest tolerable reduction in average received signal strength that is anticipated under most conditions. Provides an allowance for reduced signal strength due to multipath, slight antenna movement, or changing atmospheric losses. A fade margin of 20 is usually sufficient in most systems.
Hardware Flow Control—A transceiver feature used to prevent data buffer overruns when handling high-speed data from the RTU or PLC. When the buffer approaches overflow, the radio drops the clear-to-send (CTS) line, which instructs the RTU or PLC to delay further transmission until CTS again returns to the high state.
Host Computer—The computer installed at the master station site, which controls the collection of data from one or more remote sites.
Latency—The delay (usually expressed in milliseconds) between when data is applied to TXD (Pin 2) at one radio, until it appears at RXD (Pin 3) at the other radio.
MAS—Multiple Address System. A radio system where a central master station communicates with several remote stations for the purpose of gathering telemetry data.
Master (Station)Radio which is connected to the host computer. It is the point at which polling enters the network.
Multiple Address SystemSee MAS. PLCProgrammable Logic Controller. A dedicated microprocessor
configured for a specific application with discrete inputs and outputs. It can serve as a host or as an RTU.
Point-to-Multipoint System—A radio communications network or system designed with a central control station that exchanges data with a number of remote locations equipped with terminal equipment.
Poll—A request for data issued from the host computer (or master PLC) to a remote radio.
Programmable Logic ControllerSee PLC. Received Signal Strength IndicationSee RSSI. Redundant Operation—A station arrangement where two transceivers
and two power supplies are available for operation, with automatic switchover in case of a failure.
Remote (Station)—A radio in a network that communicates with an associated master station.
Remote Terminal Unit—See RTU.
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide 33
RSSI—Received Signal Strength Indication. A measure, in dBm, of the strength of the signal received by a radio from an antenna. The radio must be properly calibrated for the RSSI value to be meaningful.
RTU—Remote Terminal Unit. A data collection device installed at a remote radio site.
SCADA—Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. An overall term for the functions commonly provided through an MAS radio system.
Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition—See SCADA.
34 OEM Series I/O Guide MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B
INDEX
A
ACCESS DENIED error message 17 Accessories 5 Accessory power adapter 5 Accessory Power pinout (Pin 18) 12 Adapters
accessory power adapter 5 DB-9 to DB-25 5 PC programming adapter kit 5
Alarms
alarm code denitions 25 major vs. minor 25 pinout (Pin 25) 12
using STAT command to display 22 AMASK command 18 Antenna
installation 6
RSSI command used to rene heading 13
system gain, dened 32
Yagi, illustrated 9 Applications 2
Multiple Address Systems (MAS) 2
point-to-multipoint system 2
point-to-point system 3 Auto-Open, pinout (Pin 23) 12
B
BAUD command 19 Bench testing (radio performance) 27–28 Bit, dened 32 Bits-per-second. See BPS BPS (bits-per-second), dened 32 Byte, dened 32
C
Cable, loss due to length of coaxial 10 COMMAND FAILED error message 16 Command summary, table 17 Commands
AMASK (set/display alarm triggers) 18
BAUD (set/display rate, encoding) 19
CTS (set/display CTS line response timer) 19
descriptions 18
DEVICE (set/display radio behavior) 20
DKEY (deactivate transmitter after KEY command) 20
entering on terminal interface 16
INIT (reinitialize radio to factory defaults) 20
KEY (activate transmitter) 21
OWM (set/display owner’s message) 21
OWN (set/display owner’s name) 21
PWR (set/display RF forward output power) 21
RSSI (display RSSI) 22
RX (set/display receive frequency) 22
RXTOT (set/display receive time-out timer value) 22
SER (display radio serial number 22 SREV (display software revision level) 22 STAT (display current alarm status) 22 terminal interface 16 TOT (set/display time-out value and timer status) 23
TX (set/display transmit frequency) 23 Connections to radio, illustrated 6 Conversions, dBm-Watts-Volts 31 CTS command 19 CTS pinout (Pin 5) 11
D
Data interface
connector pinouts 11
installing connection 10
specications 27 dB. See Decibel 32 DB-9 to DB-25 adapter 5
illustrated 16, 30 dBi, dened 32 dBm, dened 32 DCD
pinout (Pin 8) 11 DCD LED
description 13 DCE (Data Cirtuit-terminating Equipment), dened 32 Decibel (dB), dened 32 Description, product 1 DEVICE command 20 Diagnostic Channel Enable, pinout (Pin 23) 12 Diagnostics
interface specications 27 Differences among models 1 Display
alarm status (STAT command) 22
alarm triggers (AMASK command) 18
baud rate and encoding (BAUD command) 19
CTS line response timer (CTS command) 19
owner’s message (OWM command) 21
owner’s name (OWN command) 21
radio behavior (DEVICE command) 20
radio serial number (SER command) 22
receive frequency (RX command) 22
receive time-out timer value (RXTOT command) 22
RF forward output power (PWR command) 21
RSSI (RSSI command) 22
software revision level (SREV command) 22
time-out value and timer status (TOT command) 23
transmit frequency (TX command) 23 DKEY command 20 Downloading new software 29 DSR pinout (Pin 6) 11 DTE (Data Terminal Equipment), dened 32
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide I-1
E
EEPROM FAILURE error message 17 Enable/disable
diagnostic channel, pinout (Pin 23) 12 Environment specications 26 Error messages 16
access denied 17
command failed 16
EEPROM failure 17
incorrect entry 16
not available 16
not programmed 16
text too long 16
unknown command 16
F
Fade margin, dened 33 Feedlines 9 Filter, helical, adjustment 28 Frequency
adjusting helical lter when changed 28
setting. See TX and RX commands
steps 6
K
KEY command 21 Keying
on data (DKEY command) 20 switched carrier operation 4 switched carrier, dened 4
L
Latency, dened 33 LEDs
DCD 13 indicators, described 13 PWR 13 RXD 13 RXD, Pin 3 11 status indicators, illustrated 13 TXD 13 TXD, Pin 2 11
Loss. See Signal
G
Glossary 32 Ground
protective (Pin 1) 11
signal (Pin 7) 11
H
Half-duplex 3
switched carrier operation 4 Hand-Held Terminal (HHT) 5 Hardware ow control, dened 33 Helical lter
adjusting 28
locations, illustrated 29 Host computer, dened 33
I
Illustrations
antenna, Y agi 9
board version 1
connections to radio 6
DB-25 to DB-9 adapter cable 16, 30
helical lter locations 29
MDS OEM Series model number codes 4
point-to-point link 3
terminal interface connected to transceiver 15
transceiver mounting dimensions, enclosed version 8 INCORRECT ENTRY error message 16 INIT command 20 Installation 6–12
antenna 6
conguring transceiver 7
DATA INTERFACE connection 7
data interface connections 10
power 6
power connection 10
M
MAS (Multiple Address System) 2
dened 33
Master Station
dened 33 keying behavior 4
Model number codes 4
MDS OEM Series, illustrated 4
Models
system specications 26
N
NOT AVAILABLE error message 16 NOT PROGRAMMED error message 16
O
Operation 13
environment, specications for 26 Output, 5.8 Vdc regulated, pinout (Pin 19) 12 OWM command 21 OWN command 21 Owners message, set/display. See OWM command Owners name, set/display. See OWN command
P
PC Programming Adapter Kit 5 Performance
testing 27–28 Pinouts on data interface 11 PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), dened 33 Point-to-multipoint
dened 33
system 2 Point-to-point
link, illustrated 3
system 3
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide I-2
Poll, dened 33 Power
connection 10 installing 6 LED status indicator (PWR LED) 13
RF, chart for converting dBm-Watts-Volts 31 Power attenuators, use of in testing 28 Primary power
specications 27 Procedures
checking for alarms (STAT command) 24
connecting terminal interface 14
downloading new software 29
entering commands using a terminal interface 16
helical lter adjustment 28
installation 6
operation 13
performance optimization 13
reading LED status indicators 13
troubleshooting 24 Product
accessories 5
description 1
display radio serial number (SER command) 22
model number codes 4 Programming, transceiver 14–17 PWR
command 21 PWR LED
description 13
R
Radio
conguration software 5, 29
serial number, displaying (SER command) 22 Radio type
system specications 26 Receive Audio Output pinout (Pin 11) 11 Received signal strength indication See RSSI 34 Receiver
specications 27 Redundant operation, dened 33 Remote
Station, dened 33 Resetting
transceiver (INIT command) 20 Revision level
display software (SREV command) 22 RSSI
adjusting helical lter for increased signal strength 28
command 22
command, used to rene antenna heading 13
dened 34 RTS pinout (Pin 4) 11 RTU (Remote Terminal Unit)
dened 34 RTU simulator 5, 28 RX command 22 RXD LED
description 13
Pin 3 11 RXTOT command 22
S
SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition),
dened 34 SER command 22 Set
alarm triggers (AMASK command) 18 receive time-out timer value (RXTOT command) 22
Signal
ground (Pin 7) 11 loss due to coaxial cable length, table 10
Simplex 3
single-frequency operation 4 special case of switched carrier operation 4
Software
control from PC 29 display revision level 22 upgrades (.S28 les) 29 upgrading 29
Specications
data interface 27 diagnostics interface 27 environment 26 models 26 primary power 27 radio type 26 receiver 27 transceiver 26–27
transmitter 26 SREV command 22 STAT command 22 Switched carrier operation 4
T
Tables
accessories 5
alarm code denitions 25
command summary 17
conversions, dBm-Watts-Volts 31
data interface connector pinouts 11
LED status indicators 13
length vs. loss in coaxial cables 10 Technical reference 26–31
bench test setup 27 Terminal Interface
connected to transceiver, illustrated 15
connection and startup 14
entering commands 16
error messages displayed on 16
keyboard commands 16 Testing. See bench testing TEXT TOO LONG error message 16 Timer, set/display time-out value and status (TOT
command) 23 TOT command 23 Transceiver
applications 2 board version, illustrated 1 conguring for operation 7 dimensions, mounting enclosed version, illustrated 8 mounting 6 mounting board version 8 mounting enclosed version 8 programming 14–17
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide I-3
specications 26–27 upgrading software 29
Transmitter
specications 26
Troubleshooting 24–25
connecting terminal interface for displaying alarm
codes 14
STAT command (Status) 24 TX command 23 TXD LED
description 13
Pin 2 11
U
UNKNOWN COMMAND error message 16 Upgrading software 29
MDS 05-3624A01, Rev. B OEM Series I/O Guide I-4

IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY...

MDS products are designed for long life and trouble-free operation. However, this equipment, as with all electronic equipment may have an occasional component failure. The following informa­tion will assist you in the event that servicing becomes necessary.
F ACT ORY TECHNICAL ASSIST ANCE
Technical assistance for MDS products is available from our Customer Support Team during business hours (8:00 A.M.–5:30 P.M. Eastern Time). When calling, please give the complete model number of the radio, along with a description of the trouble symptom(s) that you are expe­riencing. In many cases, problems can be resolved over the telephone, without the need for returning the unit to the factory.
Please use the following telephone numbers for product assistance: 716-242-9600 (Phone) 716-242-9620 (Fax)
FACTORY REPAIRS
Component-level repair of radio equipment is not recommended in the field. Many components are installed using surface mount technology, which requires specialized training and equipment for proper servicing. For this reason, the equipment should be returned to the factory for any PC board repairs. The factory is best equipped to diagnose, repair and align your radio to its proper operating specifications.
If return of the equipment is necessary, you will be issued a Returned Material Authorization (RMA) number. The RMA number will help expedite the repair so that the equipment can be repaired and returned to you as quickly as possible. Please be sure to include the RMA number on the outside of the shipping box, and on any correspondence relating to the repair. No equipment
will be accepted for repair without an RMA number.
A statement should accompany the radio describing, in detail, the trouble symptom(s), and a description of any associated equipment normally connected to the radio. It is also important to include the name and telephone number of a person in your organization who can be contacted if additional information is required.
The radio must be properly packed for return to the factory. The original shipping container and packaging materials should be used whenever possible. All factory returns should be addressed to:
Microwave Data Systems Inc. Customer Service Department (RMA No. XXXX) 175 Science Parkway Rochester, NY 14620 USA
When repairs have been completed, the equipment will be returned to you by the same shipping method used to send it to the factory. Please specify if you wish to make different shipping arrangements.
175 Science Parkway, Rochester, New York 14620
General Business: +1 (716) 242-9600
FAX: +1 (716) 242-9620
Web: www.microwavedata.com
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