GE Energy Connections
MDS Master Station
Exceptional Reliability for Protected
Licensed or Unlicensed Communications
Now
supporting
Orbit
Unlicensed
900MHz
1
Narrowband communication networks are deployed to monitor, control and maintain critical industrial
processes and distributed assets. Such applications require high reliability and availability especially
at the access point, thus driving demand for high duty cycle solutions with built-in redundancy that
are capable of continuous operation. The MDS Master Station is built to meet these demanding
requirements.
The MDS Master Station offers two transceivers in a 1+1 redundancy, and dual power supplies to
maximize network availability. In the event of a failure the controlling logic switches to the standby
transceiver unit. Switchover can occur based upon transceiver error codes, loss of communication over a
configurable time period or loss of power.
The MDS Master Station supports two types of transceiver modules.
• Orbit licensed or unlicensed transceiver modules enable the latest generation performance,
networking, and security of fered in the MDS Orbit platform.
• SD licensed transceiver modules enable the deployment of MDS SD Series networks. Additionally, they
allow for backward compatibility with x710/x790 legacy networks.
Key Benefits
• Maximize network availability with 1+1 transceiver protection and hot-swappable components
• Range of backward compatibility and migration options to extend or evolve legacy networks and provide
project budget flexibility
• Simple migration options with field upgradability from SD to Orbit radio modules
• The most comprehensive set of cybersecurity and networking capabilities offered by the Orbit platform
provides protection from threats and ease of integration into modern networks
• Integration with the MDS PulseNET network management system
Reliability & Modularity
• 1+1 transceiver redundancy with warm standby
and fast radio switchover
• Various AC/DC power supply options with
redundant operation
• Modular, in-service, hot-swappable components
• Operation from -30 to +60 °C
• Rated for continuous operation
• No moving parts or fans
• Battery backup option
Flexibility
• Support for GE MDS SD Series radio technology
covering the 300-512 MHz and 880-960 MHz
bands with backward compatibility to legacy
X710/X790 systems
• Support for GE MDS Orbit unlicensed 900MHz1
or licensed technology with QAM covering the
100, 200, 400, 700, and 900 MHz bands
• MDS Orbit supports up to 50kHz bandwidth in
200 and 700 MHz bands
• Optional internal duplexer, GPS, and WiFi
• Connectivity for additional notched filter
Applications
Oil & Gas
• SCADA communication for flow/
metering devices, controllers and
RTUs
• Data acquisition for well head
production data and pipeline
status
Energy
• SCADA communication for
IEDs, controllers and RTUs at
distribution substations
• Data acquisition for pole-top
transformers and capacitor banks
Water & Wastewater
• SCADA communication for lift
station controllers and monitoring
devices
• Data acquisition for tank and
reservoir levels, flow rates and
pipeline valve status
Advanced
Networking & Security
• Orbit Network Operating System with advanced
routing, switching, Quality of Service and
network management capabilities
• Cutting edge cyber security suite including
firewalling, RF Encryption, end-to-end IPSec
VPNs, X.509 certificates with key rotation,
secure boot and firmware
MDS Master Station Configured
with SD Transceivers for Backward
Compatible Serial Operation
MDS Master Station Configured
with SD Transceivers for
IP and Serial Operation
MDS Master Station Configured
with Orbit Transceivers for
Higher Speed QAM
SCADA
Serial
MDS Master Station
x710 Radio MDS Orbit ECR
SD Radio
SD Radio
Serial
Serial
MDS Master Station
MDS Master Station Overview
The MDS Master Station is built on a cutting edge hardware framework to
offer exceptional reliability for critical communications. It can be configured
as a 1+1 system with redundant power supplies and transceivers that are
hot-swappable to ensure always-on operation and maximize network
availability. Other components such as duplexers and alarm cards are also
modular and can be field replaceable for ease of maintenance.
The Master Station utilizes a variant of the GE MDS Orbit network Operating
System (Orbit OS) offering future-ready security, networking and quality of
service capabilities.
Enterprise-Class Security
The MDS Orbit OS offers a comprehensive cyber security framework to
facilitate the deployment of highly secure networks. Orbit’s firewall ensures
protection at Layer 2 to 4 to permit only valid traffic through the network. Its
RF encryption secures communication between remote and AP while its IPSec
VPN and DMVPN capabilities enable end-to-end encryption between remotes
and control center. RAD IUS enforces a centralize d authentication p rocess where
users are granted access based on pre-authorized roles and access level.
Flexible Networking and Quality of Service
MDS Orbit OS enables the Master Station to offer dynamic and static routing
services as well as full managed switch capability for maximum flexibility in
network design. In addition to 1+1 transceiver protection, Orbit OS offers
other High Availability mechanisms when used with MDS Orbit remotes such
as interface bonding, Spanning Tree, Layer 3 failover, VRRP as well as latency
and packet-loss based failover. Quality of Service enables the granular
classification and prioritization of traffic as well as the dedication of uplink
throughput on a per-application basis to minimize latency and maximize
bandwidth for critical applications.
SCADA
Ethernet
MDS Orbit ECR
SD Radio
Ethernet
and 2310/4310 remotes. The MDS Master Station has been designed to
replace MDS 2100 and x790B masters and to provide a seamless evolution
path to an all SD network. This backward compatibility allows the seamless
co-existence of legacy and SD based networks.
Furthermore, when operating in the CPFSK A modem, the Master Station
with SD radio modules can communicate with MDS Orbit remotes operating
in a legacy backward compatible mode to facilitate the migration of legacy
networks to Orbit-based technology. Once all of the legacy remotes have
been replaced with Orbit, a field conversion is possible utilizing the same
firmware already on the master station along with swapping out the SD radio
modules for Orbit radio modules.
This can allow for more flexibility and control over cost and schedule compared
to alternative forklift or higher cost full master station migration options.
MDS Orbit ECR
SCADA
Serial
Ethernet - Serial - Wi-Fi
Ethernet
MDS Master Station
MDS Orbit MCR
MDS Master Station with Orbit Licensed Modules
The MDS Master Station may be conf igured with the latest generation MDS
Orbit licensed radio modules covering the 100, 200, 400, 700, or 900 MHz
bands. Orbit radio modules enable communication with the MDS Orbit MCR/
ECR remotes using its high-performance radio technology with up to 64-QAM
of modulation and up to 50kHz of bandwidth. Its bi-directional adaptive
modulation as well as IP header and payload compression maximize upstream
and downstream throughput. Dynamic Forward Error Correction (FEC) boosts
link sensitivity to maximize distance and operation in tough terrains.
MDS Master Station with Orbit Unlicensed
900MHz Modules
The MDS Master Station may be conf igured with Orbit’s high-performance
interference avoidance and very low latency 900MHz unlicensed technology1.
Capable of supporting higher bandwidth applications by providing scalable
data rates from 125Kbps to 1.25Mbps.
MDS Master Station with SD Radio Modules
The MDS Master Station may be conf igured with SD transceiver modules in
a non-redundant or redundant mode of operation. SD transceiver modules
utilize a similar radio technology as the industry-leading MDS SD Series
radios to enable communication with MDS SD remotes, as well as MDS x710
2
geautomation.com
Network Management and User Interface
The MDS Master Station with its Orbit OS supports standards-based SNMP and
Netconf network and device management protocols for easy integration into
MDS PulseNet and 3rd party NMS software. It can be configured and managed
using Command-Line Interface (CLI) or an intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Migrating Legacy Networks with Master Station
Evolution Technology
The MDS Master Station provides a solution for customers requiring the
latest generation Orbit communication technology in parts of their network
while maintaining an existing legacy network, either GE MDS or another
vendor’s radios.
A GE MDS Master Station equipped with Orbit licensed radio modules and
an embedded Evolution Module allows coexistence of both new and legacy
networks by routing the traffic over the appropriate network. This solution
supports legacy networks operating in non-continuously keyed switched
carrier mode and utilizing a standard serial polling protocol such as DNP3,
Modbus, or Custom. This also allows the system to utilize existing antenna
infrastructure and a duplexer embedded in the Master Station.
Once all remotes have been upgraded to Orbits, the legacy master station
may be turned off and removed, while the MDS Master Station will continue
to function normally, communicating with all Orbit remotes.
Versatile Serial Server
Serial traf fic from SCADA and telemetry data can be encapsulated in TCP
(Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) for
point-to-point or point-to-multipoint transport across wired and wireless
networks. Serial protocols, such as Modbus and DNPv3 are fully supported to
connect legacy PLCs, RTUs etc…
Modular Communication Platform
Ease of maintenance and serviceability are benefits of the modular
communications platform of the MDS Master Station. All components are
easily accessed from the front panel for simplified maintenance. Redundant
transceivers and power supply modules are hot swappable to ensure
continuous operation during service periods after a failover. The Relay
and Alarm module provides connectivity for two sets of alarm contacts to
externally signal radio switchover and alarm events.
The Master Station’s Platform Manager is the main processor/brain of the
system. It can be factory-configured with optional WiFi to simplify local
management. It also suppor ts 2 Ethernet and 2 Serial interfaces, and allows
for single or multiple SCADA host systems.
Migrate legacy networks to next generation MDS Orbit performance and
capabilities with the optional Evolution Module, embedded directly into the
Master Station and available with or without internal duplexer.
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
The MDS Master Station utilizes an intuitive Device Manager GUI based
on the Orbit Network Operating System. The Device Manager allows for
Exterior View – Front Panel
AC Power
Module
DC Power
Module
easy configuration and maintenance of radios, networking, security and
management functions with specialized wizards that speed up complex
configuration tasks. The Master Station can also be managed using a CLI.
Transceiver
Modules
Platform Manager
Module
Relay/Alarm
Module
Internal Duplexer
and Evolution
Modules
MDS Master Station Configuration Options
The MDS Master Station can be factory-configured as a system with the following radio technology types: SD, Orbit Licensed, or Orbit Unlicensed. The system
can be configured with single or dual redundant radio modules of the same type. Components such as chassis, power supplies, platform manager (processor),
alarm modules and duplexers are common between the types of systems to enable flexibility in field upgrades, maintenance and inventory stocking. Most of
the hardware components listed above can be ordered as spares, please check the online store or with a GE Sales representative for more information.
MDS MASTER STATION
LOADED WITH
SD Radio Modules • MDS SD Series remotes
Orbit Licensed Narrowband
Radio Modules
Orbit Unlicensed 900MHz
Radio Modules
1
• MDS x710/x790 remotes
• MDS Orbit Licensed Narrowband remotes operating in 3FSK modulation
• MDS Orbit Licensed Narrowband Remotes • QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
• MDS Orbit Unlicensed 900MHz Remotes • 2, 4-level GFSK 1.25 Mbps • Half Duplex
COMPATIBLE WITH MODULATIONS
• CPFSK, Digital 38.4 Kbps
• Bi-directional Adaptive
Modulation
geautomation.com
MAX RAW
DATA RATE
in 25 kHz
120 Kbps
in 25 kHz
DUPLEX
MODES
• Half Duplex
• Full Duplex
• Half Duplex
3
MDS Master Station
Orbit Licensed Narrowband Radio Modules
• Modula tion – QPSK, 16QA M, 64QAM
• Adaptive Modulation – Per-packet, per-remote, bi-directional
• D ynamic FEC – Convolutional, Reed Solomon
• Compres sion – IP Header a nd Payload with u p to 30% effi ciency
improvement
• Media Acce ss Control – High p erforman ce MAC
Orbit M odule Bands
• L1B: 150-174 MHz • L4E: 4 06.1-470 MHz
• L2X: 216-235 MHz • L7A: 757-758 and 787-788 MHz
• L4A: 330 -406 MHz • L9C: 89 6-960 MHz
Raw Data R ates
CHANNEL QPSK 16QAM 64QAM
6.25 kHz 9.6 Kbps 19.2 Kbps 28.8 Kb ps
12.5 kHz 2 0 Kbps 40 Kbps 60 Kbps
25 kHz 40 Kbp s 80 Kbps 120 Kbps
2
50 kHz
80 Kbps 160 Kbps 240 Kbps
Transmitter Characteristics
• Frequen cy Stability – +/- 0 .5 ppm
• Peak Power
– Radio Modu le 39.3 38.8
– Redundant, no duplexer 38.4 37.3
– Redundant, with duplexer
• Power Ran ge – +20dBm to +40 dBm
• Outpu t Impedance – 50 Ohm s
4
330-470 MHz 896-9160 M Hz
3
37.2 35.2
Receiver Characteristics
• Type – Direc t Conversion
• Adjacent C hannel Reject ion – 60 dB nominal
Receiver Sensitivity
Frequency Bands
L1B L2X L4E L7A L7A
Redunda nt, no duplexer -114.7 -113.6 -112.4 -110.7 -110.7
Redundant, with duplexer
5
3
N/A N/A -111.2 -109.2 -109.2
Orbit Un licensed 90 0MHz Radio Mod ules
• Frequen cy 902-928 MHz
• Modula tion 2, 4-level GF SK, Dwell Tim e 10-300 msec
• Spreadi ng method – FHSS , DTS
• Occupie d Bandwidth 152 to 1 320 kHz, up to 80 channe ls
• Data Rates/Sensitivity
– 125 Kbps/-104 dBm – 1.0 Mbps /-94 dBm
– 250 K bps/-102 dBm – 1. 25 Mbps/-94 dBm
– 50 0 Kbps/-98 dBm
• Peak Powe r – 29dBm +/-0.5d B
• Latenc y – tunable to <5 msec o ne-way
• Outpu t Impedance – 50 Ohm s
SD Radio Modules
• Modula tion – Digital, C PFSK
• R adio Mode – Packet-with-MAC, Transparent
• Compati bility – MDS X710 Ser ies, MDS SD Ser ies, MDS Orbit i n
CPFSK A Mo dem
SD Modul e Bands
• SDM4 D – 30 0-360 MHz • SDM9 C – 928- 960 MHz
• SDM4 B – 40 0-450 MHz • S DM9 K – TX 926-960 MH z,
• SDM4 C – 450 -512 MHz R X 880-915 MHz
Raw Data R ates
CHANNEL 300-512 MH z 880 -960 MHz
6.25 kHz 4.8 Kbp s —
12.5 kHz 19.2 Kbps 19.2 Kbps
25 kHz 38.4 Kbp s 38.4 Kbps
50 kHz — —
Transmitter Characteristics
• Frequen cy Stability – +/- 0 .5 ppm
• Peak Powe r 300 -512 MHz 928-96 0 MHz
(dBm +/- 0.5dB) (dBm +/- 0.85dB)
– Ra dio Module 40.5 40 .25
– Redundant, no duplexer 39.4 38.7
– Redundant, with duplexer
• Power Ran ge – +30dBm to +40d Bm
• Duty Cyc le – Continuous
• Outpu t Impedance – 50 Ohm s
3
38.2 36 .6
Receiver Characteristics
• Type – Double Conversion Superheterodyne
• Adjacent C hannel – 60 dB nomi nal rejection
Receiver Sensitivity @1x10-6BER, Modem 9600
400-512MHz 928-960MHz
Redundant, no duplexer -110.9 -112.5
Redundant, with duplexer
3
-10 9. 7 -1 10 .4
Electrical
• Power Re quired – < 80 Watt s (based on redun dancy)
• DC Power – +/- 12-36V, +/- 36-75V, +/- 75-140V
• AC Power – 10 0-240V, 50/60 Hz
Mechanical
• Dimens ions – 3.5 H x 17.2 W x 16 D in, 8.9 H x 43.8 W x 4 0.6 D cm
• Weight – 24 lbs ., 10.9 kg
Environmental
• Temperatu re – -30° to +60°C (-2 2° to 140°F)
• Humidi ty – 95% at 40°C (10 4°F) non-condensing
• Cooling – H eat sinks, no f ans, no moving pa rts
Wi-Fi Option
• Frequen cy 2.4GHz with I EEE 802.11 b/g/n
• Opera ting Modes: Acce ss Point, Statio n
• Scalabi lity Up to 2 SSIDs , up to 7 clients/s tations
• SSID hidi ng Yes | VLAN mappin g Yes
• C arrier Power 20dBm adjustable
Power Supply Options
• 110/220 VAC • 12-36 VDC • 9 0-260 VAC
• +/- 36-72 VDC • 75-140 VDC
Internal Duplexer Options
• 9 MHz (932.0-932. 5) / (941.0-941.5) MHz
• 24 MHz (928.0- 929.0) / (952.0-953.0 ) MHz
• 31 MHz (928.0-929 .0) / (959.0-960. 0 MHz
• 39 MHz (896. 0 - 898.0) / (935.0 -937.0) MHz
• 350-512MHz / 5-10MHz S P (INT)
• TX high or l ow duplexer opt ions available f or each band
• No Inter nal Duplexer
Networking
• IPv4 Rou ting OSPF, EBGP, RIPv2 with pe rformance -based route
failov er, IPv6 Routing
• Full manage d switch capabi lity, IEEE 802.3 , 802.1Q/VLANs, 6 4
VLANs, STP
• Concurr ent Bridging & Ro uting
• GRE Tunnelin g with Layer 2 (Ethe rnet) and Layer 3 s upport
• Route/path failover between any two wireless/Ethernet
inter faces based on li nk loss, latenc y degradatio n or packet loss
thresholds
• Qualit y of Service 16 eg ress queues, Pr iority Que uing, Fair
Queuin g, Traffic Sha ping, Classif ication base d on DSCP, 802.1p
and Laye r 2-4 classi fiers
• IP Protoc ols TCP, UDP, ARP, DHCP, ICMP, NTP, FTP, SFTP, TFTP,
DNS, con figurable H TPP and HTTP S, SSH
• Serial TC P server, Modbus /TCP, Modbus RTU, TCP cl ient, UDP
Unicas t and Multicast , BSAP, and DNP3
1
Security
• IPSec V PN Server (resp onder) and Clie nt (initiator) wi th DMVPN
• Authent ication Publi c Key, EAPTLS, Pr e-Shared, Ike 1-2
• Encryp tion : 3DES, AES 128 /192/256, CBC, CT R, CCM, GCM, SH A
256/384 /512 HMAC, WiFi WPA/ WPA2 PSK
• F irewalling: Stateful Layer 3-4 Firewall with MAC Filtering, NAT,
Source NAT (Masquerading), Static NAT, Port Forwarding
• Device S ecurity : Sec ure Boot, Secu re Firmware, Di gitally Signe d
Hardware and Software, Magnetometer Tamper Detection
• Certi ficate Manag ement: X.5 09, SCEP, PEM, DER, RSA
• User Authentication: Local RBAC, AAA/R ADIUS, 802.1x
• FIPS 140 -2 (Level 2) certif ication in pr ogress
Management
• GE MDS Puls eNET NMS supp ort with devi ce management and
auto-configuration
• GUI conf iguration wi zards to simplif y operation
• Secure d evice managemen t via a web-based G UI and/or CLI
• Event log ging, Syslog -over-TSL, SSH, Cons ole
• Iper f throughput dia gnostic, NE TCONF
• SNMPv1 /v2c/v3, MIB-II, E nterprise MIB
Interfaces
• Serial CO M1 – RS232, RJ45 • USB – 2.0
• Serial CO M2 – RS232/485, RJ45 • GPS – S MA Female
• Etherne t 1 – 10/100 BaseT, RJ45 • Antenn a – N Female
• Etherne t 2 – 10/100 BaseT, RJ45
• Wi-Fi – RP-SMA connector
Agency Approvals
• Master St ation with SD Rad io Modules
– In dustry Cana da and ENTELA
– FCC Pa rt 101: 820 to 960 MHz
– FCC Pa rt 90: 928 to 960 MH z
– FCC Pa rt 24: 820 to 960 MHz
– FCC Pa rt 90: 300 to 512 MH z
– CE , ETSI: 300 to 512 MHz
– UL 6 0950-1 Safety ap proval
• Master St ation with Orb it Licensed Nar rowband Radio M odules
– In dustry Cana da, Anatel
– FCC Pa rt 90: 896-9 60 MHz
– FCC Pa rt 90: 406 -470 MHz
– FCC Pa rt 27: 757-758 & 787-788 MHz
– CE , ETSI: 330-40 6 MHz, 406- 470 MHz
– CS A General Safe ty approval
• Master St ation with Orb it Unlicensed Ra dio Modules
– FCC Part 1 5, ICRSS-210
– CSA Gene ral Safety ap proval
Warranty
• Stan dard 2-year manufacturer warranty applies to all MDS
Master Station models
1
Check with local sales representative for availability.
2
200 and 70 0 MHz Orbit band op tions suppor t 12.5, 25, and 50 k Hz. Other band
options su pport 6.25 , 12.5, and 25 kHz
3
With GE MDS s tandard 40 0MHz notch or 90 0MHz bandpas s duplexers.
Internal du plexers are not a vailable for 10 0 and 200MHz ver sions.
4
dBm +/-0. 5dB, QPSK Aver age Power is 5dB les s than Peak, QAM Ave rage Power
is 7dB less than Pe ak. Power may var y for other fre quency bands . Please
consult GE f or specs on your e xact config uration.
5
Shown @ 1x10 -6 BER, QPSK , 12.5kHz, No FEC . FEC enabled imp roves
sensitiv ity betwe en 3-6dB. Sen sitivity red uced by -6dB in 16QA M and -13dB in
64QAM.
GE Energy Connections
Automation & Controls
2500 Austin Dr
Charlottesville, VA 22911
1-585-242-9600
www.geautomation.com
© 2017 General Electric. The GE brand and logo are trademarks of General Electric. * Trademark of General Electric.
trademark of Commission Electrotechnique Internationale. IEEE is a registered trademark of the Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Modbus is a registered trademark of Schneider Automation. NERC is a registered trademark of North American Electric Reliability Council. NIST is
a registered trademark of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
GE reserves the right to make changes to specifications of products described at any time without notice and without obligation to notify any
person of such changes.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
IEC is a registered
10.17 GFA2148
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