Start-Up Guide
Wireless IP/Ethernet Transceiver
Covering all AP and Remote Units
including Mercury 900, 3650, and Option Set 1 Remotes
MDS 05-4558A01, Rev. C
December 2008
MDS Mercury
™
Series
05-4558A01, Rev. C MDS Mercury Series Startup Guide
1
Contents
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION .....................................................2
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW ................................................... 2
INSTALLATION STEPS ..........................................................2
Step 1—Mount the Transceiver ...................................................3
Step 2—Install the Antenna ........................................................3
Step 3—Measure & Connect Primary Power ..............................4
Step 4—Review the Transceiver’s Configuration ........................4
Step 5—Connect the Data Equipment ........................................7
Step 6—Check for Normal Operation .........................................7
Resetting to Factory Defaults (Use with Care) ............................8
AIMING DIRECTIONAL ANTENNAS ..................................... 8
Procedure ...................................................................................9
TRANSMITTER POWER AND ANTENNA TEST .................10
Procedure .................................................................................10
TROUBLESHOOTING ..........................................................11
SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................14
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ..................................................16
FACTORY SERVICE .............................................................16
Copyright Notice
This publication is protected by U.S.A. copyright law. Copyright 2008, GE MDS. All
rights reserved.
The center of this guide contains a chart with a summary of installation
procedures. Refer to the Mercury Reference Manual (05-4446A01) for
additional warnings, cautions, and notes.
2 MDS Mercury Series Startup Guide 05-4558A01, Rev. C
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
MDS Mercury
TM
Series transceivers provide an easy-to-install wireless network service with long range and secure operation at adaptive
data rates approaching 12 Mbps. The transceiver is ideally suited for
demanding applications in mobile or fixed environments, where reliability and range are paramount.
The product is commonly used to send text documents, graphics,
email, video, voice over IP (VoIP), and a variety of other application
data between mobile, fixed-point, and LAN-based entities.
The transceiver comes in two primary models—Access Point and
Remote, each with unique hardware profiles. Both models support
Ethernet and serial services. An Access Point (AP) is a wireless hub
that usually provides connectivity into a wired Ethernet LAN/WAN.
Remotes associate over the air with an Access Point and are typically
connected to an Ethernet or Serial device via a cable.
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW
There are three main requirements for installing the transceiver—adequate and stable primary power, a good antenna system, and the correct interface between the transceiver and the data device. The
Installation Setup Chart (center of this guide) shows a typical Remote
installation. Access Point and mobile Remote stations typically use
omnidirectional antennas whereas fixed-site Remotes typically use
directional antennas such as a Yagi or panel type. Otherwise, both
installations are similar.
INSTALLATION STEPS
A typical shipment consists of a transceiver, a power connector and
this start-up guide. Below are the basic steps for installing a transceiver. Refer to the
Mercury Reference Manual for detailed informa-
tion. You will also find support information at the GE MDS Web site:
www.GEmds.com. Our Technical Services Team is available to assist
with any difficulties that may be encountered. Refer to the back of this
guide for contact information.
It is highly recommended that the Access Point unit be installed
first
so that you can quickly check the operation of each associated Remote
as it is placed on the air.
05-4558A01, Rev. C MDS Mercury Series Startup Guide
3
Step 1—Mount the Transceiver
Use the supplied 6-32 x 1/4 inch (6 mm) screws to attach the mounting
brackets to the bottom of the radio. Figure 1 shows the mounting
dimensions of the unit. Mount the radio to a stable surface. (Fasteners
not normally supplied.)
Invisible place holder
Figure 1. Transceiver Mounting Dimensions
(Dimensions for AP and Remotes identical)
Use only the supplied mounting bracket screws. Screws
extending farther than 1/4 inch (6 mm) into the case
may cause internal PC board damage.
Step 2—Install the Antenna
To minimize RF interference, the antenna should be mounted at least
nine inches (> 23 cm) from the connected device(s), sensors and other
external components of the system. Additional information on antenna
selection and installation is provided in the
Mercury Reference
Manual
.
Install GPS Antenna
Install the GPS antenna in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and connect the antenna cable to the SMB-type connector on the
transceiver’s front panel.
2.75˝ (7 cm)
8 5/8˝ (21.8 cm)
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE
4 MDS Mercury Series Startup Guide 05-4558A01, Rev. C
Step 3—Measure & Connect Primary Power
The DC input power to the transceiver must be within 10–30 Vdc and
capable of continuously providing at least 2.5 Amperes. A power connector with screw-terminals is provided with each unit. Strip the wire
leads to 6 mm (1/4 inch). Be sure to observe proper polarity as shown
in Figure 2 with the positive lead (
+
) on the left side; negative on the
right side.
Invisible place holder
Figure 2. Power Connector
(Polarity: Left +, Right –)
The transceiver must be used with negative-ground systems only. The power supply should be equipped with
overload protection (NEC Class 2 rating), to protect
against a short circuit between its output terminals and
the radio’s power connector.
NOTE:
Typically, it takes about 30 seconds for the transceiver to fully
power up, and may take several minutes to associate with
another unit, especially if GPS is required for time synchronization.
Step 4—Review the Transceiver’s Configuration
There are two key settings that must be known before placing the unit
into service:
•
Network Name
—
Common identifier used by all of the units, that
are part of the same network. The Network Name must be programmed to enable Remote units to associate with the Access
Point unit. (Default name is
MDS-Mercury
.)
•
IP Address
—Must be a unique address to allow for IP access
through the
LAN
port or over-the-air. (Default is
192.168.1.1
)
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE
05-4558A01, Rev. C MDS Mercury Series Startup Guide
5
Other parameters commonly needing review or adjustment are:
•
RF Output Power Level
(AP Only)—Check and adjust as necessary for compliance with regulatory limits. (Default power is
+30 dBm for 900 model, +20 dBm for 3650 model.) Note that
Remotes “auto-adjust” power output based on target receive
signal set at the Access Point.
•
Password
—Used for remote access and Menu System features.
•
Frequency Mode
(900 model only)—This is found under
Radio
Configuration Menu>Frequency Control
. The following modes
are available:
Single Channel
—Where AP and Remote link up using one frequency channel of the 14 possible channels in the 900 Mhz
band. This is the default frequency mode.
Static Hopping
—Where an AP and Remote link up using
FHSS based on a Hop Pattern.
Hopping with Hand-offs
—(Used with Remotes only.) Based on
AP locations file, which contains GPS coordinates to predetermine or preselect which AP to hop with.
•
Frequency
(3650 model only)—Operating frequency in MHz.
•
TDD Sync Mode
(AP only)—Selections are:
Free Run
,
Prefer
GPS
, and
GPS Required
.
For single channel operation, the TDD Sync Mode can be set to
Free Run
or
GPS Required
. Using
GPS Required
synchronizes
the AP’s transmissions to the GPS timing. When the frequency
mode is
Static Hopping
the TDD Sync Mode must be set to
GPS
Required
.
Free Run
allows for rapid configuration in most systems. Note
that
Free Run
only works on single channel frequency mode (the
default mode).
GPS Required
is only needed on the 3650 model to synchronize
multiple Access Points.
NOTE:
The default password for all units is
admin
. The default user-
name is
admin
.
A unique IP address and subnet are required to access the Menu
System, either through the
LAN
port, or remotely over-the-air.
A summary of selected operating parameters’ range and default values
is included in the Installation Setup Chart at the center of this guide.
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