This manual and all software described herein are Copyright 2013 by GE MDS, LLC. All rights
reserved, including the right to correct any errors and omissions in this manual.
viMDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev . F
Quality Policy Statement
RF EXPOSURE
RF Exposure
l'exposition aux RF
Our employees 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.
RF Exposure Notice
Professional installation required. The radio equipment described in this guide
emits radio frequency energy. Although the power level is low, the concentrated
energy from a directional antenna may pose a health hazard. Do not allow people
to come closer than 23 cm (9 inches) to the antenna when the transmitter is operating in indoor or outdoor environments in the 900 MHz band or 11 .2 cm (4.4
inches) in the 2400 MHz band. More information on RF exposure is available on
the Internet at www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins.
RF Safety Notice (English and French)
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.
Concentré d'énergie à partir d'une antenne directionnelle peut poser
un risque pour la santé humaine. Ne pas permettre aux gens de se rap-
procher de l'antenne que les distances indiquées dans le tableau
ci-dessous lorsque l'émetteur est en marche. Plus d'informations sur
l'exposition aux RF peut être trouvé en ligne à l'adresse suivante:
www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins.
ISO 9001 Registration
Microwave Data Systems adheres to the internationally-accepted ISO 9001 quality system standard.
UL/CSA Notice
The MDS TransNET 900 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.
(Approval of the MDS TransNET 2400 is pending as of August 2006.)
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manualvii
Minimum RF Safety Distance
Safety Distance (900 MHz)23 cm
Safety Distance (2.4 GHz)11.2 cm
The transceiver has been recognized for use in these hazardous locations by two independent
agencies —Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 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, UL508. The CSA Certification is in accordance
with CSA STD C22.2 No. 213-M1987.
UL/CSA Conditions of Approval: The transceiver is not acceptable as a stand-alone unit for use
in the hazardous 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 coaxial antenna cable, power input cable and interface cables must be routed through
conduit in accordance with Division 2 wiring methods as specified in the National Electrical
Code, Article 501.4(B).
3. The transceiver must be used within its Recognized “Ratings”.
4. Installation, operation and maintenance of the transceiver should be in accordance with the
transceiver's installation manual, and the National Electrical Code.
5. Tampering or replacement with non-factory components may adversely affect the safe use of
the transceiver in hazardous locations, and may void the approval.
6. A power connector with screw-type retaining screws as supplied by MDS must be used.
When installed in a Class I, Div. 2, Groups A, B, C or D hazardous location, observe the following: WARNING —EXPLOSION HAZARD Do not disconnect equipment unless power
has been switched off or the area is know 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.
FCC Part 15 Approval Notice
The products described comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. 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. This device is specifically designed to be used under Section 15.247 of the FCC Rules and
Regulations. 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.
Servicing Precautions
When servicing energized equipment, be sure to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE). During internal service, situations could arise where objects accidentally contact or short
circuit components and the appropriate PPE would alleviate or decrease the severity of potential
injury. When servicing radios, all workplace regulations and other applicable standards for live
electrical work should be followed to ensure personal safety. All service must be performed by
qualified personnel.
Manual Revision and Accuracy
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 Technical Services team using the information at the back of this guide. In addition, manual
updates can often be found online at
www.gemds.com.
viiiMDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev. F
ESD Notice
To prevent malfunction or damage to this radio, which may be caused by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), the radio should be properly grounded by connection to a
single-point ground that includes the unit’s chassis and antenna system. In addition,
the installer or operator must observe proper ESD precautions, such as touching a
grounded bare metal object to dissipate body charge, prior to connecting or disconnecting cables or performing any other service work.
Environmental Information
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 your factory representative for more information on the proper disposal of this equipment.
Battery Disposal—This product may contain a battery. Batteries must be disposed of properly,
and may not be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste in the European Union. See the product
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.
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 Te st Data Sheet is required.
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manualix
xMDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev . F
1.0 ABOUT THIS MANUAL
This manual presents installation and operating instructions of the
MDS TransNET 900™ and MDS TransNET 2400™ transceivers for use by
a professional installer. This person is expected to install, operate, and
perform basic system maintenance on the described radio. Following installation, we suggest keeping this manual near the equipment for future reference.
NOTE: If you have a board-only version of this product, the operating instructions in this
manual still apply, but refer also to the supplemental data at the back of this
manual (see Page 72).
2.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The transceiver, shown in Figure 1, is a spread spectrum radio designed for
license-free operation. These units employ Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
technology to provide highly-reliable long-distance communications, even in
the presence of weak signals or interference.
DSP technology also makes it possible to obtain information about radio
operation and troubleshoot problems, without going to the Remote radio site.
Using appropriate software at the Master station, diagnostic data can be
obtained on any DSP radio in the system, even while payload data is being
transmitted. (See “Performing Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics” on
Page 49.)
The transceiver is housed in a compact and rugged die-cast enclosure that
need only be protected from direct exposure to the weather. It contains a
single printed circuit board with all necessary components for radio operation. No jumper settings or manual adjustments are required to configure the
radio for operation.
Figure 1.
MDS TransNET
Series Transceiver
2.1 Transceiver Features
Listed below are several key features of the transceiver. These are designed
to ease the installation and configuration of the radio, while retaining the
ability to make changes in the future.
• 902–928 MHz operation using the TransNET 900
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manual1
• 2400–2482 MHz ISM band operation with the TransNET 2400
• User-selectable option to skip sub-bands with constant interference
• 65,000 available network addresses
• Network-wide configuration from the Master station eliminates most
trips to Remote sites
• Data transparency ensures compatibility with virtually all asynchronous
SCADA system RTUs
• Peak-hold RSSI averaged over eight hop cycles
• Operation at up to 115,200 bps continuous data flow
• Store-and-Forward repeater operation
• Data latency typically less than 10 ms
• Same hardware for Master or Remote configuration
• Supports RS/EIA-232 and RS/EIA-485 user interface
• Low current consumption; typically less than 3 mA in “sleep” mode
NOTE: Some radio features may not be available on all models, or limited by the op-
tions purchased, or the applicable regulatory constraints for the region in which
the radio will operate.
2.2 Model Number Codes
The radio model number is printed on the label on the end of the radio’s enclosure. It provides key information about how the radio was configured when it
was shipped from the factory. This number is subject to many variations
depending on what options are installed and where (country) the product is
used. Contact the factory if you have questions on the meaning of the code.
2.3 Spread Spectrum Radios—
How Are They Different?
The main difference between a traditional (licensed) radio and the
MDS TransNET transceiver is that this unit “hops” from channel to channel
many times per second using a specific hop pattern applied to all radios in the
network. A distinct hopping pattern is provided for each of the 65,000 available network addresses, thereby minimizing the chance of interference with
other spread spectrum systems. In the USA, and some other countries, no
license is required to install and operate this type of radio system, provided
that RF power and antenna gain restrictions are observed.
2.4 Typical Applications
Multiple Address Systems (MAS)
This is the most common application of the transceiver. It consists of a central
control station (Master) and two or more associated Remote units, as shown
in Figure 2. An MAS network provides communications between a central
2MDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev. F
host computer and remote terminal units (RTUs) or other data collection
MDS TransNET
Remote
MDS TransNET
Remote
MDS TransNET
Master
MDS TransNET
Remote
MDS TransNET
Remote
RTU
RTU
RTU
RTU
Host System
RXD
TXD
SYNC
PWR
RXD
TXD
SYNC
PWR
RXD
TXD
SYNC
PWR
RXD
TXD
SYNC
PWR
RXD
TXD
SYNC
PWR
MDS TransNET
Master
MDS TransNET
Remote
Host System
devices. The operation of the radio system is transparent to the computer
equipment. When used in this application, the transceiver provides an excellent alternative to traditional (licensed) MAS radio systems.
Invisible place holder
Figure 2. Typical MAS Network
Point-to-Point System
A point-to-point configuration (Figure 3) is a simple arrangement consisting
of just two radios—a Master and a Remote. This provides a half-duplex
communications link for the transfer of data between two locations.
Invisible place holder
Figure 3. Typical Point-to-Point Link
Adding a Tail-End Link to an Existing Network
A tail-end link can be used to extend the range of a traditional (licensed) MAS
system. This might be required if an outlying site is blocked from the MAS
Master station by a natural or man-made obstruction. In this arrangement, a
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manual3
TransNET radio links the outlying Remote site into the rest of a licensed
PWR
SYNC
TXD
RXD
MDS TransNET
Master
REPEATER STATION
MDS x710B
Series Radio
ENTER
ESCAPE
ACT
IVE
ACT
I
V
E
S
TB
Y
A
LARM
RX A
L
R
TX A
LR
S
T
BY
AL
A
RM
RX A
LR
TX ALR
LIN
E
LI
NE
PWR
SYNC
TXD
RXD
Null-Modem Cable
Remote
Radio
Remote
Radio
MDS TransNET
Remote
Master Station
SPREAD SPECTRUM LINK
TO OUTLYING SITE
OUTLYING
REMOTE SITE
MAS SYSTEM (LICENSED OR UNLICENSED)
LICENSE-FREE SPREAD SPECTRUM SYSTEM
RTU
RTU
RTU
MDS TransNET
Extension
MODE = X
REPEATER STATION
MDS TransNET
Remote
MODE = R
SPREAD SPECTRUM LINK
TO OUTLYING SITE
OUTLYING
REMOTE SITE
MDS TransNET
Remote
MODE = R
MDS TransNET
Remote
MODE = R
MDS TransNET
Master
MODE = M
SAF = ON
RTU
RTU
RTU
RTU
MAS system by sending data from that site to an associated TransNET
installed at one of the licensed Remote sites (see Figure 4).
As the data from the outlying site is received at the licensed Remote site, it is
transferred to the licensed radio (via a local cable connection) and is then
transmitted to the MAS Master station in the usual manner. Additional details
for tail-end links are given in Section 4.3 (Page 18).
Invisible place holder
Figure 4. Typical Tail-End Link Arrangement
Extending a TransNET Network with a Repeater
Similar to a Tail-End Link, Store-and-Forward (SAF) offers a way to physically extend the network range, but in a simple and economical manner. SAF
works by dividing a network in to a vertical hierarchy of two or more
sub-networks. Extension radios (designated as
repeaters that link adjacent sub-networks, and move data from one
sub-network to the next one.
MODE X) serve as single-radio
Invisible place holder
4MDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev. F
Figure 5. TransNET Repeater Network
2.5 Accessories
The transceiver can be used with one or more of the accessories listed in
Table 1. Contact the factory for ordering details.
Table 1. Accessories
AccessoryDescriptionPart No.
AC Power
Adapter
2-Pin DC Power
Plug
Fuse (Internal)Fuse, 2A SMF Slo-Blo29-1784A03
Omnidirectional
Antennas
900 MHz
Yagi Antennas
2400 MHz
Antennas
900 MHz
Bandpass Filter
TNC-to-N
Adapter Cable
(3 ft./1 meter)
TNC-to-N
Adapter Cable
(6 ft./1.8 meter)
TNC-to-N RF
Adaptor Plug
RS/EIA-232
Cable
RJ-11 to DB-9
Adapter Cable
Flat-Surface
Mounting
Brackets
Mounting
Bracket Screws
19-Inch Rail
Mounting
Brackets
DIN Rail Mtg.
Brackets
Small power supply module designed for continuous service. UL approved.
Input: 120/220 Vac
Output: 12 Vdc @ 500 mA (20 Watts)
Mates with power connector on the transceiver.
Screw terminals are provided for wires.
Rugged antennas suited for use at Master
stations. Consult the factory for details.
Rugged directional antennas suited for use at
Remote stations. Consult the factory for details.
Rugged directional antennas suited for use at
Remote stations.
Antenna system filter to aid in eliminating interference from paging system transmissions.
Coaxial cable used to connect the radio’s TNC
antenna connector to a Type-N style commonly
used on large-diameter coaxial cables.
Coaxial cable used to connect the radio’s TNC
antenna connector to a Type-N style commonly
used on large-diameter coaxial cables.
Adapts radio’s antenna connector to Type-N
style commonly used on large-diameter coaxial
cables.
Shielded data cable fitted with DB-9 male and
DB-9 female, 6 ft./1.8 meter.
For connecting a PC terminal to the transceiver
via the radio’s DIAG(nostics) connector. Used
for programming and diagnostics.
Brackets: 2˝ x 3˝ plates designed to be screwed
onto the bottom of the transceiver for surface-mounting the radio.
Screws: 6-32/1/4˝ with locking adhesive.
(Industry Standard MS 51957-26)
Adaptor for mounting the radio in a standard
19-inch equipment rack.
Adaptor for mounting the radio in a standard
19-inch equipment rack.
01-3682A02
73-1194A39
Various;
Consult factory
Various;
Consult factory
Various;
Consult factory
20-2822A02
97-1677A159
97-1677A160
97-1677A161
97-1971A03
03-3246A01
82-1753-A01
70-2620-A01
Consult Factory
03-4022A01
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manual5
3.0 INSTALLATION PLANNING
POWER SUPPLY
13.8 VDC @ 500 mA
(6–30 Vdc)
DATA TERMINAL
EQUIPMENT
MDS Transceiver
LOW-LOSS FEEDLINE
ANTENNA
SYSTEM
The installation of the radio is not difficult, but it does require some planning
to ensure station reliability and efficiency. This section provides tips for
selecting an appropriate site, choosing an antenna system, and reducing the
chance of harmful interference.
3.1 General Requirements
There are three main requirements for installing the radio—adequate and
stable primary power, a good antenna system, and the compatible interface
between the transceiver and the data device.
Figure 6 shows a typical Remote station arrangement. Master stations are
similar, but an omni-directional antenna is normally used instead of a directional type, and a host computer replaces the data terminal equipment.
Invisible place holder
3.2 Site Selection
For a successful installation, careful thought must be given to selecting proper
sites for the Master and Remote stations. Suitable sites should provide the
following:
• Protection from direct weather exposure
• A source of adequate and stable primary power
• Suitable entrances for antenna, interface or other required cabling
• Antenna location that provides an unobstructed transmission path in the
6MDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev. F
Figure 6. Typical Remote Station Arrangeme nt
direction of the associated station(s)
These requirements can be quickly determined in most cases. A possible
exception is the last item—verifying that an unobstructed transmission path
exists. Radio signals travel primarily by line-of-sight, and obstructions
between the sending and receiving stations will affect system performance. If
you are not familiar with the effects of terrain and other obstructions on radio
transmission, the discussion below will provide helpful background.
Terrain and Signal Strength
While the 900 and 2400 MHz bands offer many advantages over VHF and
lower UHF frequencies for data transmission, they are more prone to signal
attenuation from obstructions such as terrain, foliage or buildings in the transmission path.
A line-of-sight transmission path between the Master station and its associated Remote site(s) is highly desirable and provides the most reliable communications link. A line-of-sight path can often be achieved by mounting the
station antenna on a tower or other elevated structure that raises it to a level
sufficient to clear surrounding terrain and other obstructions.
The importance of a clear transmission path relates closely to the distance to
be covered by the system. If the system is to cover only a limited geographic
area, say up to 3 miles (4.8 km), then some obstructions in the communications path can usually be tolerated with minimal impact. For longer range
systems, any substantial obstruction in the communications path could
compromise the performance of the system, or block communications
entirely.
Much depends on the minimum signal strength that can be tolerated in a given
system. Fade margin for a TransNET system does not usually have to be as
conservative as a licensed system. The nature of TransNET’s
frequency-hopping algorithm reduces the impact of frequency-selective
fading.
Although the exact figure will differ from one system to another, a Received
Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of –100 dBm will often provide acceptable
performance. A higher signal strength is generally desirable and may be
needed in special cases—for example, urban deployment.
Conducting a Site Survey
If you are in doubt about the suitability of the radio sites in your system, it is
best to evaluate them before a permanent installation is begun. This can be
done with an on-the-air test (preferred method), or indirectly, using
path-study software.
An on-the-air test is preferred because it allows you to see firsthand the
factors involved at an installation site and to directly observe the quality of
system operation. Even if a computer path study was conducted earlier, this
test should be done to verify the predicted results.
The test can be performed by first installing a radio and antenna at the
proposed Master station site and then visiting each Remote site with a transceiver and a hand-held antenna.
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manual7
With the hand-held antenna positioned near the proposed mounting spot, a
technician can check for synchronization with the Master station (shown by
a lit
SYNC lamp on the front panel) and measure the reported RSSI value. If
adequate signal strength cannot be obtained, it may be necessary to mount the
station antennas higher, use higher gain antennas, or select a different site. To
prepare the equipment for an on-the-air test, follow the general installation
procedures given in this guide and become familiar with the operating
instructions given in Section 5.0, beginning on Page 19.
If time is short, and a site survey is impractical, a computer path study is a
good alternative. Factors such as terrain, distance, transmitter power, receiver
sensitivity, and other conditions are taken into account to predict the performance of a proposed system. Contact the GE MDS Technical Services Group
for more information on path study services.
3.3 A Word About Radio Interference
The radio shares the frequency spectrum with other services and other Part 15
(unlicensed) devices in the USA. As such, near 100% error free communications may not be achieved in a given location, and some level of interference
should be expected. However, the radio’s flexible design and hopping techniques should allow adequate performance as long as care is taken in
choosing station location, configuration of radio parameters and software/protocol techniques.
In general, keep the following points in mind when setting up your communications network:
1. Systems installed in rural areas are least likely to encounter interference;
those in suburban and urban environments are more likely to be affected
by other devices operating in the license-free frequency band and by
adjacent licensed services.
2. If possible, use a directional antenna at Remote sites. Although these
antennas may be more costly than omnidirectional types, they confine the
transmission and reception pattern to a comparatively narrow lobe, which
minimizes interference to (and from) stations located outside the pattern.
3. If interference is suspected from a nearby licensed system (such as a
paging transmitter), it may be helpful to use horizontal polarization of all
antennas in the network. Because most other services use vertical
polarization in these bands, an additional 20 dB of attenuation to
interference can be achieved by using horizontal polarization.
4. Multiple transceiver systems can co-exist in proximity to each other with
only very minor interference as long as they are each assigned a unique
network address. Each network address has a different hop pattern.
Additional RF isolation can be achieved by using separate directional
antennas with as much vertical or horizontal separation as is practical.
Vertical separation of antennas is more effective per foot/meter than
horizontal.
8MDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev. F
5. If constant interference is present in a particular frequency zone, it may
be necessary to “lock out” that zone from the radio’s hopping pattern.
The radio includes built-in tools to help users remove blocked frequency
zones. Refer to the discussion of the
SKIP command (Page 41) for more
information. In the USA, a maximum of four zones may be skipped, per
FCC rules. Check the regulatory requirements for your region.
6. Interference can also come from out-of-band RF sources such as paging
systems. Installation of a bandpass filter in the antenna system may bring
relief. (Contact the Customer Service Department for recommendations
and sources of suitable filters.)
7. Proper use of the
RETRY and REPEAT commands may be helpful in areas
with heavy interference.
The
RETRY
command sets the maximum number of times (0 to 10) that a
radio will re-transmit upstream data over the air. Values greater than 0
successively improve the chances of a message getting through when
interference is a problem.
The
REPEAT
command sets a fixed number of unconditional
retransmissions for downstream data.
8. The RF power output of all radios in a system should be set for the lowest
level necessary for reliable communications. This lessens the chance of
causing unnecessary interference to nearby systems.
3.4 Antenna & Feedline Selection
Antennas
The equipment can be used with a number of antennas. The exact style used
depends on the physical size and layout of a system. Contact your factory
representative for specific recommendations on antenna types and hardware
sources.
In general, an omnidirectional antenna (Figure 7 and Figure 8) is used at the
Master station site in an MAS system. This provides equal coverage to all of
the Remote sites.
NOTE: Antenna polarization is important. If the wrong polarization is used, a signal re-
duction of 20 dB or more will result. Most systems using a gain-type omnidirectional antenna at the Master station employ vertical polarization of the signal;
therefore, the Remote antenna(s) must also be vertically polarized (elements
oriented perpendicular to the horizon).
When required, horizontally polarized omnidirectional antennas are also available. Contact your factory representative for details.
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manual9
Figure 7.
Omnidirectional Antenna
(mounted to mast)
At Remote sites and point-to-point systems, a directional Yagi antenna
(Figure 8), is generally recommended to minimize interference to and from
other users. Antennas are available from a sources including GE MDS.
Invisible place holder
Figure 8. Typical Yagi Antenna
mounted to a mast
Feedlines
The choice of feedline used with the antenna should be carefully considered.
Poor-quality coaxial cables should be avoided, as they will degrade system
performance for both transmission and reception. The cable should be kept as
short as possible to minimize signal loss.
For cable runs of less than 20 feet (6 meters), or for short range transmission,
an inexpensive type such as Type RG-8A/U may be acceptable. Otherwise,
we recommend using a low-loss cable type suited for 900 MHz, such as
Times Microwave LMR 400
®
or Andrew Heliax®.
10MDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev. F
Table 2 lists several types of feedlines and indicates the signal losses (in dB)
that result when using various lengths of each cable at 900 MHz and Table 3
for 2.4 GHz. The choice of cable will depend on the required length, cost
considerations, and the amount of signal loss that can be tolerated.
Table 2. Length vs. loss in coaxial cables at 900 MHz
Cable Type
LMR 4000.39 dB1.95 dB3.9 dBUnacceptable
1/2 inch
HELIAX
7/8 inch
HELIAX
1-1/4 inch
HELIAX
1-5/8 inch
HELIAX
10 Feet
(3.05 Meters)
0.23 dB1.15 dB2.29 dB6.87 dB
0.13 dB0.64 dB1.28 dB3.84 dB
0.10 dB0.48 dB0.95 dB2.85 dB
0.08 dB0.40 dB0.80 dB2.4 dB
50 Feet
(15.24 Meters)
100 Feet
(30.48 Meters)
300 Feet
(91.44 Meters)
Loss
Table 3. Length vs. loss in coaxial cables at 2400 MHz
Cable Type
LMR-4000.70 dB3.50 dB6.61 dBUnacceptable
1/2 inch
HELIAX
7/8 inch
HELIAX
1-1/4 inch
HELIAX
10 Feet
(3.05 Meters)
0.35 dB1.73 dB3.46 dB17.3 dB
0.20 dB0.99 dB1.97 dB9.85 dB
0.15 dB0.73 dB1.45 dB7.50 dB
50 Feet
(15.24 Meters)
100 Feet
(30.48 Meters)
300 Feet
(91.44 Meters)
Loss
Antenna System Ground
Precautions should be taken to assure the antenna and its support structure are
bonded to a good earth ground system to minimize the impact of voltages
created by lightning and atmospheric charges.
CAUTION: Safety grounding systems are beyond the scope of this manual. Below you
will find some elementary advice. These are generalities; every location and
installation is unique and requires a unique safety grounding system design.
Please consider consulting a radio system engineer or other professional for
advice or ground system design. A well-designed ground system will minimize risk of electrical shock to personnel and the chances of equipment
damage.
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manual11
Antenna Selection—Choose an antenna that offers a “DC ground” or direct
low-impedance ground connection for all metallic components. This will
allow static charges on the antenna system to be safely dissipated to ground.
It will also provide a low-impedance discharge path to an earth/safety ground
in the event of a direct lightning strike.
Support Earth/Safety Ground—The structure that supports your antenna
system should have a large-gauge ground wire that goes as directly as
possible to an safety/earth ground system. If a tower is used, it should have
its own ground system. Support structure grounds can be bonded to the electrical system ground for increased protection. Do not use the building’s
AC-power supply ground as a safety ground for lightning protection.
Chassis Ground—Connect a safety/earth ground to the ground post
provided on the electronic/electrical equipment. If a ground terminal is
present, bond the chassis to the safety ground at a point that is as close as
possible to the antenna system and primary power entry points on the chassis.
3.5 How Much Output Power Can be Used?
The transceiver is normally supplied from the factory set for an RF power of
+30 dBm (1 Watt) for 900 MHz and +27 dBm (0.5 Watt) for 2400 MHz; this
is the maximum transmitter output power allowed under FCC rules. The
power must be decreased from this level if the antenna system gain exceeds
6 dBi. The allowable level is dependent on the antenna gain, feedline loss, and
the transmitter output power setting. Power considerations for the transceiver
are discussed below.
NOTE: In some countries, the maximum allowable RF output may be limited to less
than your model’s peak output. Be sure to check for and comply with the requirements for your region.
To determine the maximum allowable power setting of the radio, perform the
following steps:
1. Determine the antenna system gain by subtracting the feedline loss (in
dB) from the antenna gain (in dBi). For example, if the antenna gain is
9.5 dBi, and the feedline loss is 1.5 dB, the antenna system gain would be
8 dB. (If the antenna system gain is 6 dB or less, no power adjustment is
required.)
2. Subtract the antenna system gain from 36 dBm (the maximum allowable
EIRP). The result indicates the maximum transmitter power (in dBm)
allowed under the rules. In the example above, this is 28 dBm.
3. If the maximum transmitter power allowed in your region is less than 30
dBm, use the
PWR command (described on Page 38) to set the power
accordingly.
12MDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev. F
For convenience, Table 4 lists several antenna system gains and shows the
maximum allowable power setting of the radio. Note that a gain of 6 dB or
less entitles you to operate the radio at full power output—30 dBm (1 watt).
Table 4. Antenna system gain vs. power output setting (USA)
for 900 MHz models to achieve +36 dBm EIRP
Antenna System Gain
(Antenna Gain in dBi
minus Feedline Loss in dBb)
6 (or less)3036
82836
102636
122436
142236
162036
a. Most antenna manufacturers rate antenna gain in
dBd in their literature. To convert to dBi, add
2.15 dB.
b. Feedline loss varies by cable type and length. To
determine the loss for common lengths of feedline,
see Table 2 on Page 11.
Maximum Power
a
Setting
(in dBm)
EIRP
(in dBm)
Table 5. Antenna system gain vs. power output setting (USA)
for 2400 MHz models to achieve +36 dBm EIRP
Antenna System Gain
(Antenna Gain in dBi
minus Feedline Loss in dB
2 dB2729
10 dB2636
a. Most antenna manufacturers rate antenna gain in
dBd in their literature. To convert to dBi, add
2.15 dB.
b. Feedline loss varies by cable type and length. To
determine the loss for common lengths of feedline,
see Table 2 on Page 11.
Maximum Power
a
b
Setting
(in dBm)
EIRP
(in dBm)
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manual13
4.0 INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION &
OPERATION GUIDE,
AND SOFTWARE
(CD AND/OR MANUAL)
MDS Xxxx
2-PIN
POWER PLUG
MOUNTING
BRACKETS
SPARE FUSE
Figure 9 shows the contents of a typical transceiver shipment. Check the
contents against the packing list secured to the outside of the shipping box.
Accessories and spare parts kits, if any, are wrapped separately. Inspect all
items for signs of damage and save all packing materials for possible re-shipment.
Invisible place holder
Figure 9. Typical Transceiver Shipment
User documentation will be provided as a paper manual and/or as a PDF on
the “MDS TransNET Support Package CD” (P/N 03-2708A01). The CD
includes:
• Installation & Operation Guide in PDF (Also known as Adobe
Acrobat™)
• TransNET Configuration Software
If a paper copy is required but not provided with your shipment, please
contact the factory Customer Support Team.
4.1 Transceiver Installation
The following is an overview of a typical procedure for installing the transceiver. In most cases, these steps alone will be sufficient to complete the
installation. Should further information be required, contact the factory using
the information given on the inside back cover of this manual.
If you are installing a tail-end link system, you should also review Section 4.3
(Page 18) for important details on configuration.
NOTE: It is recommended that the Master station be installed first. In this way, it will be
possible to quickly check the operation of each associated Remote station as it
is placed on the air.
1. Mount the transceiver to a stable surface using the brackets supplied with
the radio. (Fasteners/anchors are not supplied.) Figure 10 shows the
dimensions of the transceiver case and its mounting brackets. If possible,
14MDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev. F
choose a mounting location that provides easy access to the connectors
6.63
(16.64 cm)
2.75
(7.0 cm)
1.62
(4.15 cm)
AntennaPrimary PowerData
(6–30 Vdc)
Diagnostic
(Communications)
(Payload)
on the end of the radio and an unobstructed view of the LED status
indicators.
Invisible place holder
Figure 10. Transceiver Mounting Dimensions
Figure 11 shows the four connectors on the transceiver and their functions.
Invisible place holder
Figure 11. Interface Connector Functions
2. Install the antenna and antenna feedline for the station. Antennas should
be mounted in the clear and in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. Additional information on antennas and feedlines is
contained in Section 3.4 on Page 9.
NOTE: It is recommended to mount the antenna be at least 10 feet (>3 meters) from the
radio, RTU, sensors and other components of the system to prevent RFI.
3. Connect the data equipment to the transceiver’s DATA connector. Use
only the required pins for the application.
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manual15
Typical RS/EIA-232 applications require the use of Pin 2 (receive
5
96
1
Pin Function
1.....Data Carrier Detect (DCD)
2.....Receive Data (RXD)
3.....Transmit Data (TXD)
4.....Sleep (GND = Sleep)
5.....Signal Ground (GND)
6.....Alarm Output (+5/-5 Vdc)
7.....Ready-to-Send (RTS)
8.....Clear-to-Send (CTS)
9.....Reserved for Special Uses (Do not connect)
Pin Function
1.....Not Used (Open)
2.....TXD+/TXA, Non-inverted driver output.
Supplies data to connected device.
3.....RXD+/RXA, Non-inverted receiver input.
Accepts data from the connected device.
4.....Sleep Mode Input (GND = Sleep)
5.....Signal Ground (GND)
6.....Not Used (Open)
7.....RXD–/RXB, Inverting receiver input
8.....TXD–/TXB, Inverting driver output
9.....Not Connected (User configureable via internal jumper)
5
96
1
data—RXD and Pin 3 (transmit data—TXD). Some systems may require the
use of Pin 7 (Request-to-send—RTS). Figure 13 shows connection details for
the
DATA connector for EIA/RS-232 and EIA/RS-485, respectively.
If hardware flow control is desired, Pin 7 (RTS) and Pin 8 (CTS) may also be
connected. For a more detailed discussion of pin functions, see “Data Inter-
face Connections (DB-9F)” on page 69.
Invisible place holder
Figure 12. DATA Connector Pin Functions, EIA/RS-232 Mode
NOTE: The data cabling between the transceiver and the connected device should be
kept as short as possible. For EIA/RS-232 operation, the maximum recommended cable length is 50 feet/15 meters.
As viewed from outside the radio
Invisible place holder
Figure 13. DATA Connector Pin Functions, EIA/RS-485 Mode
4. Measure and install the primary power for the transceiver. It must be
within 6–30 Vdc (including transients) and be capable of providing 7.5
watts over this voltage range. (Typical current draw is 400 mA
@13.8 Vdc; 0.9 A @6 Vdc.) A power connector with screw-terminals is
provided with each unit. Strip the wire leads to 0.25˝/6 mm. Be sure to
observe proper polarity. The left pin is the positive input; the right is
negative. (See Figure 14.)
16MDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev. F
As viewed from outside the radio
The radio must be used only with negative-ground sys-
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE
Wire Ports (2)
Lead
Screws (2)
Binding
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE
tems. Make sure the polarity of the power source is correct. The unit is protected from reverse polarity by an
internal diode and fuse.
Invisible place holder
Figure 14. Power Connector
(Polarity: Left +, Right –)
The power connector used with the MDS TransNET
transceiver is similar to that used by other MDS products, such as the MDS 9810 and MDS x710 family. The
connectors are not equal and the use of the other style
connector may provide unreliable connections and a
spark may be created.
Only the power connector, shown in Figure 14 with
screw terminals and two retainer screws should be used
with this unit.
5. Set the radio’s basic configuration with a PC terminal connected to the
DIAG(nostics) connector via an RJ-11 to DB-9 adapter cable,
P/N 03-3246A01. (If necessary, a cable of this type may be constructed
using the information shown in Figure 21 on Page 69.) For more
information on connecting a PC terminal and preparing it for use, refer to
Section 6.1 on Page 22.
The three essential settings for the Transceiver are as follows:
Mode—Master, Remote, or Extension
Network Address—a unique number from 1 to 65000
Data Interface Parameters—bps, data bits, parity, stop bits
MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. FMDS TransNET Ref. Manual17
a.Set the Mode using the MODE M (Master), MODE R (Remote), or
MODE X (Extension) command. (Note: There can be only one Mas-
ter radio in a system.)
If any
MODE X radios are used in the network, SAF must be turned
on at the Master station. The
MODE X radio must be programmed
with an Extended Address (XADDR). Units that need to hear the
MODE X radio must be programmed with an appropriate XPRI and/or
XMAP value. (See “SAF Operation with Extension Radios” on
Page 52 for more information.)
b.Set a unique Network Address (1–65000) using ADDR command.
Each radio in the system must have the same network address. Tip:
Use the last four digits of the Master’s serial number to help avoid
conflicts with other users.
c.Set the baud rate/data interface parameters. Default setting is 9600
bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit. If changes are required, use the
BAUD xxxxx abc command where xxxxx equals the data speed
(300–115200 bps) and
abc equals the communication parameters as
follows:
a = Data bits (7 or 8)
b = Parity (N for None, O for Odd, E for Even
c = Stop bits (1 or 2)
NOTE: 7N1, 8E2 and 8O2 are invalid interface parameters.
4.2 Configuring Multiple Remote Units
In most installations, the Remote radios will be programmed with virtually
the same set of parameters. This process can be streamlined by testing key
pieces of equipment—such as the Master, any Extensions, and a typical
Remote—on a benchtop setup prior to installation. This allows you to test
various configurations in a controlled environment. Once the evaluation
network is working satisfactorily, you can save the configuration of each unit
in a data file on your PC’s hard drive through the use of the MDS TransNET Configuration Software (included on the support CD shipped with the radio,
part number 03-2708A01).Most often, there are many Remote units that will
need configuring. Using the MDS TransNET Configuration Software, you
can save the sample unit’s configuration, then open the configuration file with
the program and install it in the next Remote. The software will prevent you
from overwriting unit or mode-unique parameters.
4.3 Tail-End Links
A tail-end link is established by connecting an MDS TransNET Series radio
“back-to-back” with another identical radio such as a licensed MDS x710B
Series transceiver. This can be used to link an outlying Remote site into the
rest of an MAS network. (Figure 4 on Page 4 shows a diagram of a typical
tail-end link system.) The wiring connections between the two radios in a
tail-end link system should be made as shown in Figure 15.
18MDS TransNET Ref. ManualMDS 05-2708A01, Rev. F
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