Linx Technologies EVM-868 User Manual

Download

Page 1

EVM-868-EUR

Data Guide

Page 2

Page 3

Table of Contents

Description

Ordering Information

Electrical Specications

Pin Assignments

Pin Descriptions

PCB Footprint

Schematic Diagram

Common Antenna Styles

Regulatory Considerations

Achieving a Successful RF Implementation

Helpful Application Notes from Linx

Resources

Page 4

Warning: Linx radio frequency (“RF”) products may be

used to control machinery or devices remotely, including machinery or devices that can cause death, bodily injuries, and/or property damage if improperly or inadvertently triggered, particularly in industrial settings or other applications implicating life-safety concerns. No Linx Technologies product is intended for use in any application without redundancies where the safety of life or property is at risk.

The customers and users of devices and machinery controlled with RF products must understand and must use all appropriate safety procedures in connection with the devices, including without limitation, using appropriate safety procedures to prevent inadvertent triggering by the user of the device and using appropriate security codes to prevent triggering of the remote controlled machine or device by users of other remote controllers.

Do not use this or any Linx product to trigger an action directly from the data line or RSSI lines without a protocol or encoder/ decoder to validate the data. Without validation, any signal from

another unrelated transmitter in the environment received by the module could inadvertently trigger the action. This module does not have data validation built in.

All RF products are susceptible to RF interference that can prevent communication. RF products without frequency agility or

hopping implemented are more subject to interference. This module does not have frequency agility built in, but the developer can implement frequency agility with a microcontroller and the example code in Linx Reference Guide RG-00101.

Do not use any Linx product over the limits in this data guide. Excessive voltage or extended operation at the maximum voltage could cause product failure. Exceeding the reﬂow temperature proﬁle could cause product failure which is not immediately evident.

Do not make any physical or electrical modiﬁcations to any Linx product. This will void the warranty and regulatory and UL

certiﬁcations and may cause product failure which is not immediately evident.

Page 5

EVM-868-EUR

Data Guide

Description

The EVM-868-EUR combines the TRM-868-EUR transceiver module with an SMA antenna connector and voltage regulator on a DIP board. This simpliﬁes integration of the module into prototype and low volume designs.

The module combines a state-of-the art low power wireless transceiver with a powerful multipoint-to-multipoint protocol controller to form a transparent wireless communication solution capable of replacing wires in almost any RS-232/422/485 application. With a 112dB link budget and very low power operation modes, the TRM-868-EUR module is excellent for AMR, RFID, Home Automation, and any other application requiring long range (<1500ft. , line of sight) and long battery life.

The module is designed to be totally transparent. No special addressing or formatting of data is required. Data is validated using an internally generated CRC-16 and encoded using a proprietary algorithm. Multiple modules can operate on the same channel because of the built-in carriersense-multiple-access (CSMA) protocol.

Figure 1: EVM-868-EUR Module

Features

• 13dBm output power

• 112dBm link budget

• 38.4kbps data rate

• Wideband and narrowband

operation

• 25mA RX, 60mA TX @ 13dBm

Applications Include

• Automatic Meter Reading

• Wireless Sensing

• Industrial Controls

• Home / Industrial Automation

• Remote Status Monitoring

• Lighting Control

– –

11/20/12

Page 6

Ordering Information

Product Part No. Description Radiotronix Part No.

EVM-868-EUR-RA

EVM-868-EUR-ST

Figure 2: Ordering Information

TRM-868-EUR Evaluation Module, 868MHz, Right Angle RP-SMA Connector

TRM-868-EUR Evaluation Module, 868MHz, Straight RP-SMA Connector

Wi.232EUR-EVM-R

Electrical Specications

Electrical Speciﬁcations

Parameter Designation Min. Typ. Max. Units Notes

Power Supply

Operating Voltage V

Supply Current I

Receive 25 mA

Transmit, Po = 0dBm 35 mA

Transmit, Po = 13dBm 60 mA

Digital Interface

Output

Logic Low V

Logic High V

Input

Logic Low V

Logic High V

Environmental

Operating Temperature Range –40 85 °C

4 12 VDC

0 0.4 VDC

2.5 V

0 0.3*VCCVDC

0.7*V

VDC

Figure 3: Electrical Speciﬁcations

Please see the TRM-868-EUR data guide for additional speciﬁcations and operational details.

– –

Page 7

Pin Assignments

Figure 4: EVM-868-EUR Pin Assignments

Pin Descriptions

Pin Number Name I/O Description

1 V

2 RXD0 I Serial Port Receive Data

3 TXD0 O Serial Port Transmit Data

4 CTS0 O Serial Port Clear To Send

5 COMMAND Command

6, 7, 8, 9, 10,

15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,

N/C No Electrical Connection

21, 22

11, 12, 13,

14, 23, 24

GND Analog Ground

4V to 12V Supply Voltage

Figure 5: Pin Descriptions

– –

Page 8

PCB Footprint

1 24

1.38”

(35.05)

0.05”

(1.27)

1.50”

(38.10)

1.40”

(35.56)

0.208” (5.28)

0.10”

(2.54)

Ø0.04” x 24

(1.02)

0.07”

(1.78)

0.05”

(1.27)

Figure 6: EVM-868-EUR PCB Footprint

– –

Page 9

Schematic Diagram

GND

DTR1

*DTR1PD1

TXD1

RTS1

RTS0

RXD1

TXD0

CTS0

RXD0

VIN

CAP0805-4.7UF

GND

VCCVCC

JP2

JP1

RES0603-1K

101112

PD2

JP3

VCC

PD3

PD4EXRSSI

123

CMD_RSP

CON-SKT1X4

GND

123456789

CON-HDR1X12

23456789101112

CON-HDR1X12

14 1

IC-39100-3.3BS

GND

CON-SMAPCB

CMD_RSP

RSSI

VCC

GND

CTS0

OUT

VIN

TXD0

RXD0

CA-T47U6-01

GND

RTS0

345678910111213

3.3V

GND

GNDGND

GNDGNDGND

VCC

Figure 7: EVM-868-EUR Schematic

MOD1

C2D

ANT

GND

GNDGND

RST / C2CK

GND16GND17GND18VCC

– –

CTS

TxD

RxD

CMD

GND

Page 10

Common Antenna Styles

There are hundreds of antenna styles and variations that can be employed with Linx RF modules. Following is a brief discussion of the styles most commonly utilized. Additional antenna information can be found in Linx Application Notes AN-00100, AN-00140, AN-00500 and AN-00501 (Figure

14).

Whip Style

A whip style antenna (Figure 8) provides outstanding overall performance and stability. A low-cost whip is can be easily fabricated from a wire or rod, but most designers opt for the consistent performance and cosmetic appeal of a professionally-made model. To meet this need, Linx offers a wide variety of straight and reduced height whip style antennas in permanent and connectorized mounting styles.

Figure 8: Whip Style Antennas

The wavelength of the operational frequency determines an antenna’s overall length. Since a

L =

234

MHz

full wavelength is often quite long, a partial half or quarter-wave antenna is normally employed. Its size and natural radiation resistance make it well matched to Linx modules. The proper length for a straight quarter-wave can be easily determined using the formula

Figure 9: L = length in feet of quarter-wave length F = operating frequency in megahertz

in Figure 9. It is also possible to reduce the overall height of the antenna by using a helical winding. This reduces the antenna’s bandwidth but is a great way to minimize the antenna’s physical size for compact applications. This also means that the physical appearance is not always an indicator of the antenna’s frequency.

Specialty Styles

Linx offers a wide variety of specialized antenna styles (Figure 10). Many of these styles utilize helical elements to reduce the overall antenna size while maintaining reasonable performance. A helical antenna’s bandwidth is often quite narrow and the antenna can detune in proximity to other objects, so care must be

Figure 10: Specialty Style Antennas

exercised in layout and placement.

– –

Page 11

Loop Style

A loop or trace style antenna is normally printed directly on a product’s PCB (Figure 11). This makes it the most cost-effective of antenna styles. The element can be made self-resonant or externally resonated with discrete components, but its actual layout is usually product speciﬁc. Despite the cost advantages, loop style antennas are generally

Figure 11: Loop or Trace Antenna

inefﬁcient and useful only for short range applications. They are also very sensitive to changes in layout and PCB dielectric, which can cause consistency issues during production. In addition, printed styles are difﬁcult to engineer, requiring the use of expensive equipment including a network analyzer. An improperly designed loop

Figure 12: SP Series “Splatch” Antenna

will have a high SWR at the desired frequency which can cause instability in the RF stage.

Linx offers low-cost planar and chip (Figure 12) antennas that mount directly to a product’s PCB. These tiny antennas do not require testing and provide excellent performance in light of their small size. They offer a preferable alternative to the often problematic “printed” antenna.

– –

Page 12

Regulatory Considerations

Note: Linx RF modules are designed as component devices that

require external components to function. The modules are intended to allow for full Part 15 compliance; however, they are not approved by the FCC or any other agency worldwide. The purchaser understands that approvals may be required prior to the sale or operation of the device, and agrees to utilize the component in keeping with all laws governing its use in the country of operation.

When working with RF, a clear distinction must be made between what is technically possible and what is legally acceptable in the country where operation is intended. Many manufacturers have avoided incorporating RF into their products as a result of uncertainty and even fear of the approval and certiﬁcation process. Here at Linx, our desire is not only to expedite the design process, but also to assist you in achieving a clear idea of what is involved in obtaining the necessary approvals to legally market your completed product.

For information about regulatory approval, read AN-00142 on the Linx website or call Linx. Linx designs products with worldwide regulatory approval in mind.

In the United States, the approval process is actually quite straightforward. The regulations governing RF devices and the enforcement of them are the responsibility of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The regulations are contained in Title 47 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Title 47 is made up of numerous volumes; however, all regulations applicable to this module are contained in Volume 0-19. It is strongly recommended that a copy be obtained from the Government Printing Ofﬁce in Washington or from your local government bookstore. Excerpts of applicable sections are included with Linx evaluation kits or may be obtained from the Linx Technologies website, www.linxtechnologies.com. In brief, these rules require that any device that intentionally radiates RF energy be approved, that is, tested for compliance and issued a unique identiﬁcation number. This is a relatively painless process. Linx offers full EMC pre-compliance testing in our HP/Emco-equipped test center. Final compliance testing is then performed by one of the many independent testing laboratories across the country. Many labs can also provide other certiﬁcations that the product may require at the same time, such as UL, CLASS A/B, etc.

– –

Page 13

Once your completed product has passed, you will be issued an ID number that is to be clearly placed on each product manufactured.

Questions regarding interpretations of the Part 2 and Part 15 rules or measurement procedures used to test intentional radiators such as Linx RF modules for compliance with the technical standards of Part 15 should be addressed to:

Federal Communications Commission Equipment Authorization Division Customer Service Branch, MS 1300F2 7435 Oakland Mills Road Columbia, MD, US 21046 Phone: +1 301 725 585 | Fax: +1 301 344 2050 Email: [email protected]

ETSI Secretaria 650, Route des Lucioles 06921 Sophia-Antipolis Cedex France Phone: +33 (0)4 92 94 42 00 Fax: +33 (0)4 93 65 47 16

International approvals are slightly more complex, although Linx modules are designed to allow all international standards to be met. If you are considering the export of your product abroad, you should contact Linx Technologies to determine the speciﬁc suitability of the module to your application.

All Linx modules are designed with the approval process in mind and thus much of the frustration that is typically experienced with a discrete design is eliminated. Approval is still dependent on many factors, such as the choice of antennas, correct use of the frequency selected and physical packaging. While some extra cost and design effort are required to address these issues, the additional usefulness and proﬁtability added to a product by RF makes the effort more than worthwhile.

– –

Page 14

Achieving a Successful RF Implementation

Adding an RF stage brings an exciting new dimension to any product. It also means that additional effort and commitment will be needed to bring the product successfully to market. By utilizing pre-made RF modules the design and approval process is greatly simpliﬁed. It is still important, however, to have an objective view of the steps necessary to ensure a successful RF integration. Since the capabilities of each customer vary widely, it is difﬁcult to recommend one particular design path, but most projects follow steps similar to those shown in Figure 13.

ORDER EVALUATION KIT(S)

CONSULT LINX REGARDING

ANTENNA OPTIONS AND DESIGN

DECIDE TO UTILIZE RF

RESEARCH RF OPTIONS

TEST MODULE(S) WITH

BASIC HOOKUP

CHOOSE LINX MODULE

INTERFACE TO CHOSEN

CIRCUIT AND DEBUG

In reviewing this sample design path, you may notice that Linx offers a variety of services (such as antenna design and FCC prequaliﬁcation) that are unusual for a high-volume component manufacturer. These services, along with an exceptional level of technical support, are offered because we recognize that RF is a complex science requiring the highest caliber of products and support. Wireless made simple is more than just a motto: it’s our commitment. By choosing Linx as your RF partner and taking advantage of the resources we offer, you will not only survive implementing RF, you may even ﬁnd the process enjoyable.

LAY OUT BOARD

SEND PRODUCTION-READY

PROTOTYPE TO LINX

FOR EMC PRESCREENING

OPTIMIZE USING RF SUMMARY

GENERATED BY LINX

SEND TO PART 15

TEST FACILITY

RECEIVE FCC ID #

COMMENCE SELLING PRODUCT

Figure 13: Typical Steps for Implementing RF

– –

Page 15

Resources

Support

For technical support, product documentation, application notes, regulatory guidelines and software updates, visit www.linxtechnologies.com

RF Design Services

For customers who need help implementing Linx modules, Linx offers design services including board layout assistance, programming, certiﬁcation advice and packaging design. For more complex RF solutions, Apex Wireless, a division of Linx Technologies, creates optimized designs with RF components and ﬁrmware selected for the customer’s application. Call +1 800 736 6677 (+1 541 471 6256 if outside the United States) for more information.

Antenna Factor Antennas

Linx’s Antenna Factor division has the industry’s broadest selection of antennas for a wide variety of applications. For customers with specialized needs, custom antennas and design services are available along with simulations of antenna performance to speed development. Learn more at www.linxtechnologies.com,

Helpful Application Notes from Linx

It is not the intention of this manual to address in depth many of the issues that should be considered to ensure that the modules function correctly and deliver the maximum possible performance. As you proceed with your design, you may wish to obtain one or more of the following application notes which address in depth key areas of RF design and application of Linx products. These application notes are available online at www.linxtechnologies.com or by contacting Linx.

Helpful Application Note Titles

Note Number Note Title

AN-00100 RF 101: Information for the RF Challenged

AN-00130 Modulation Techniques for Low-Cost RF Data Links

AN-00160 Considerations for Sending Data Over a Wireless Link

AN-00500 Antennas: Design, Application, Performance

AN-00501 Understanding Antenna Speciﬁcations and Operation

Figure 14: Helpful Application Notes

– –

Page 16

Linx Technologies

159 Ort Lane

Merlin, OR, US 97532

3090 Sterling Circle, Suite 200

Boulder, CO 80301

Phone: +1 541 471 6256

Fax: +1 541 471 6251

www.linxtechnologies.com

Disclaimer

Linx Technologies is continually striving to improve the quality and function of its products. For this reason, we reserve the right to make changes to our products without notice. The information contained in this Data Guide is believed to be accurate as of the time of publication. Speciﬁcations are based on representative lot samples. Values may vary from lot-to-lot and are not guaranteed. “Typical” parameters can and do vary over lots and application. Linx Technologies makes no guarantee, warranty, or representation regarding the suitability of any product for use in any speciﬁc application. It is Customer’s responsibility to verify the suitability of the part for the intended application. At Customer’s request, Linx Technologies may provide advice and assistance in designing systems and remote control devices that employ Linx Technologies RF products, but responsibility for the ultimate design and use of any such systems and devices remains entirely with Customer and/or user of the RF products.

LINX TECHNOLOGIES DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LINX TECHNOLOGIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY CUSTOMER’S OR USER’S INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE DESIGN OR USE OF A REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM OR DEVICE EMPLOYING LINX TECHNOLOGIES RF PRODUCTS OR FOR ANY OTHER BREACH OF CONTRACT BY LINX TECHNOLOGIES. CUSTOMER AND/OR USER ASSUME ALL RISKS OF DEATH, BODILY INJURIES, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE USE OF LINX TECHNOLOGIES RF PRODUCTS, INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERVICES PROVIDED BY LINX RELATED TO THE USE OF LINX TECHNOLOGIES RF PRODUCTS. LINX TECHNOLOGIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES FOR A CUSTOMER’S, USER’S, OR OTHER PERSON’S DEATH, BODILY INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE DESIGN OR USE OF A REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM OR DEVICE EMPLOYING LINX TECHNOLOGIES RF PRODUCTS.

The limitations on Linx Technologies’ liability are applicable to any and all claims or theories of recovery asserted by Customer, including, without limitation, breach of contract, breach of warranty, strict liability, or negligence. Customer assumes all liability (including, without limitation, liability for injury to person or property, economic loss, or business interruption) for all claims, including claims from third parties, arising from the use of the Products. Under no conditions will Linx Technologies be responsible for losses arising from the use or failure of the device in any application, other than the repair, replacement, or refund limited to the original product purchase price. Devices described in this publication may contain proprietary, patented, or copyrighted techniques, components, or materials.

The stylized Linx logo, Wireless Made Simple, CipherLinx, WiSE and the stylized CL logo are trademarks of Linx Technologies.