RACOM ECONOMY RE400 Operating Manual

Operating manual

.

Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY

RE400

.

version 1.12

5/12/2009

Table of Contents

Abbreviations used .............................................................................................................................. 5

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 6

1. Radio modem RE400 ...................................................................................................................... 7

2. Description ...................................................................................................................................... 8

2.1. Compatibility ......................................................................................................................... 8

2.2. Operation modes .................................................................................................................. 8

2.3. First start of radio modem .................................................................................................. 11

2.4. Radio modem configuration ............................................................................................... 12

2.5. Diagnostics ......................................................................................................................... 14

2.6. Error log .............................................................................................................................. 15

2.7. Firmware upgrade .............................................................................................................. 18

3. Connectors .................................................................................................................................... 21

3.1. Antenna .............................................................................................................................. 21

3.2. Serial interface ................................................................................................................... 21

3.3. Ethernet interface ............................................................................................................... 21

3.4. Power supply ...................................................................................................................... 21

3.5. Indication LEDs .................................................................................................................. 22

4. Table of Technical Parameters ...................................................................................................... 24

5. Dimensions, drawings, manufacturing code ................................................................................. 25

5.1. Dimensional Diagram ......................................................................................................... 25

5.2. Labelling of Radio Modems ................................................................................................ 28

6. Radio modem installation .............................................................................................................. 29

6.1. General description ............................................................................................................ 29

6.2. Antenna installation ............................................................................................................ 29

6.3. Supplying power to the equipment ..................................................................................... 30

6.4. Technology connection ....................................................................................................... 32

6.5. Radio modem mounting ..................................................................................................... 33

7. Conditions for Radio Modems Operation ...................................................................................... 37

7.1. Important Warning .............................................................................................................. 37

7.2. Conditions of Liability for Defects and Instructions for Safe Operation of Equipment ........ 37

7.3. Product Conformity ............................................................................................................. 37

7.4. Limitations of Use ............................................................................................................... 39

A. Appendix ....................................................................................................................................... 40

B. Revision History ............................................................................................................................ 44

List of Figures

1. Radio modem RE400 ...................................................................................................................... 6

2.1. Settings menu ............................................................................................................................ 12

2.2. Diagnostics menu ....................................................................................................................... 14

2.3. Error log ...................................................................................................................................... 15

2.4. Transparent loader ..................................................................................................................... 20

3.1. Antenna connector SMA ............................................................................................................ 21

3.2. RS232 DSUB9 female ................................................................................................................ 21

3.3. RJ-45F ........................................................................................................................................ 21

3.4. Appearance of radio modem ...................................................................................................... 22

5.1. Mounting dimensions of the radio modem - version D and H .................................................... 26

5.2. Mounting dimensions of the radio modem - version R and S ................................................... 27

6.1. Supplying power over the ethernet interface, using a PoE P.S. ................................................. 30

6.2. Supplying power over the ethernet interface, using the passive PoE injector ........................... 31

3© RACOM s.r.o. – Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400

6.3. Supplying power over the SCC interface, using a REPWR adaptor and P.S. with battery

backup ............................................................................................................................................... 31

6.4. Supplying power over the ethernet interface directly from the technology ................................. 32

6.5. Pasive PoE injector .................................................................................................................... 32

6.6. REPWR adaptor ......................................................................................................................... 32

6.7. Horizontal body, DIN rail mount, version D ................................................................................ 33

6.8. Horizontal body, mount on a plate, version H ............................................................................ 34

6.9. Vertical body, DIN rail mount, version R ..................................................................................... 34

6.10. Vertical body, mount on a plate, version S ............................................................................... 35

6.11. Assembly example ................................................................................................................... 36

7.1. CE sign ....................................................................................................................................... 38

7.2. RE400 consistency declaration .................................................................................................. 38

Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400 – © RACOM s.r.o.4

Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY
RE400

Abbreviations used

RFC Radio frequency channel

SCC Serial communication channel

ETH Ethernet channel

CDMA Carrier detect multiple access - controlled access to RFC

CRC16 Cyclic redundancy check - applied to packet header

CRC32 Cyclic redundancy check - applied to packet data

PoE Power over Ethernet - supply via the Ethernet cable

AUX Auxiliary - supply via RS232 DSUB9 connector

TX Transmitting to RFC

RX Receiving from RFC

tx Transmitting to SCC

rx Receiving from SCC

NoR Number of repeaters - parameter in the configuration menu

MTU Maximum transmission unit - max. length of transmitted packet

5© RACOM s.r.o. – Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400

Abbreviations used

Introduction

This operating manual serves as the primary document for familiarising users with the parameters of
the radio modem, its properties, modifications, and with the parameters of connecting parts. In order
to master all the functions of the radio modem and the MORSE system you should refer to other docu­ments.

Transparent radio modems of the ECONOMY range are primarily designed for smaller networks and
applications in which security of transmission and access to the radio channel are resolved within the
application itself.

Within the MORSE system they are generally installed in separate networks. A combination of PROFI
(backbone network) and ECONOMY (last mile) radio modems is usually used in large-scale systems.

Communication protocols on RF channel of PROFI and ECONOMY radio modems are not compatible;
they have to be interconnected via SCC or ETH interfaces and different frequencies have to be used.

Fig. 1: Radio modem RE400

Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400 – © RACOM s.r.o.6

Introduction

1. Radio modem RE400

RE400 is a transparent radio modem for wireless data transfer with a modern, digital solution of the
radio part (Software Defined Radio). It provides a wide tuning range including software-configurable
channel spacing. It is equipped with Ethernet and RS232 interfaces, Powered over Ethernet (PoE) or
via pins on a serial interface connector. Configuration is performed via an ordinary Internet browser.

The mechanical construction has been designed to allow excellent dissipation of heat from electronic
components on the metal case and the therefore the processor is well protected against excessive
overheating. This construction allows for long-term loading. The modem is designed for applications
which are permanently in operation.

7© RACOM s.r.o. – Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400

Radio modem RE400

2. Description

2.1. Compatibility

Firmware version 2.1.x.x is not compatible with older versions 2.0.x.x. Older fw needs to be upgraded
with the new version 2.1.x.x, see Section 2.7, “Firmware upgrade”.

2.2. Operation modes

There are 3 possible operation modes:

• Main mode – mode of a standard operation

• Service mode – mode for firmware download

• Bootloader mode – mode for downloading bootloader

2.2.1. Main mode

Main mode is a standard operating mode where the radio modem works as a transparent bridge on
the Ethernet interface or as a transparent link (bus) on the serial interface. Main mode is operated after
approx. 20 sec. from switching on the supply voltage. The deblock mechanism can be activated after
a short-time break and can stretch this time. Main mode is indicated by LED STATUS – green colour
2 sec. ON and 1 sec. OFF.

Default state

When button RST is pressed for 10 sec. during Main mode, the STATUS LED changes its colour to
yellow and the parameters are set to default values. After the next 15 sec. default values are saved
and the radio modem goes back to Main mode working with default values and IP address 192.168.1.2
hereafter.

Generally

Frames are transmitted to the opposite side of the radio network to an application through the same
interface (RS232 or Ethernet) as they have been received.

Communication over serial interface

The data received through SCC is loaded into buffer of depth 5 packets and subsequently sent to RFC.

A packet received through RS232 is closed when its size achieves a value set in the MTU parameter,
or after a pause, which is equal to the parameter Idle. Afterwards it is immediately transmitted to the
RF channel (neither CDMA nor TDMA RF channel access). All radio modems which receive this
packet transmit it to their serial interface. The network works like an RS232 bus, i.e. every one hears
each other, so it is suitable for “poll” type applications, when the master station polls requests to slave
stations one by one. It is possible to connect more slaves behind one radio modem using an external
RS485 converter.

Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400 – © RACOM s.r.o.8

Description

Communication over an Ethernet bridge

The data received on ETH channel are sent immediately to RFC. The packet received during RF
transmitting is discarded. The operating with the Repeater when the parameter NoR has a nonzero
value is a exception. The input buffer of depth 1 packet is used here. It allows accept the response
from ETH device connected in the short time after receiving the packet from RFC. The RFC transmitting
is suspended at that time, see the article Repeated packets.

The radio modem works as a standard Ethernet transparent bridge, i.e. received frames are filtered
and only frames for addresses behind the RF channel are transmitted to the RF channel. The only
exception are broadcast packets which are all transmitted to the RF channel.

More information on http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/Net:Bridge.

Example:

One RE400 is connected to a LAN1 segment, the second RE400 to a LAN2 segment. IP addresses
of both RE400 are not important for data transfer itself. They are used only for service purposes (setting
up parameters). It is FORBIDDEN, however, to set the IP address of any radio modem to the same
value of any equipment in either LAN1 or LAN2 segments.

The first RE400 connected to LAN1 processes frames as follows:

• broadcast (arp req) and arp reply... — transmitted to RF channel

• frame for destination addresses within LAN1 segment — discarded

• frame for destination addresses within LAN2 segment — transmitted to RF channel

Repeater function

If station RE400 has the Repeater function switched ON then the received packet will again send an­other packet to the RF channel. The packet received from the RF channel is also sent to SCC or to the
ETH port. In the radio network it is also possible to use more Repeaters without danger of cycling
packets. When switching on function Repeater it is necessary to enter the number of Repeaters in the
network into parameter Number of repeaters (NoR). Parameter NoR is set in the same way in all radio
modems of the network.

Repeated packets

Parameter Number of repeaters switches on protection mechanisms which prevent collisions with
packets sent by the repeater. After transmitting or receiving a packet from RFC further transmission is
blocked for the required period to prevent a collision with a packet sent by the Repeater. After transmitting
or receiving a packet from RFC recepit of its copy is checked and discarded.

These measures are not active when parameter NoR is zero, i.e. in a network without Repeaters.

Compression

There is built in compression on the RF channel. Its final efficiency depends on the data structure, of
course.

9© RACOM s.r.o. – Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400

Description

Fragmentation

It is possible to set a threshold on the radio channel from which transmitted packets begin to fragment.
The receiving modem transmits a packet to the interface only when all fragments are received success­fully. This also applies in a Repeater for transmission of a packet to the RF channel.

From fw 2.1.3.0 the fragmented packets are processed in Repeater in the different way. This caused
the acceleration of communication but simultaneously the incompatibility with the older versions 2.0.x.x.
These older firmware is to be replace by the version 2.1.3.0 or some of the serie 2.1.x.x, see Section 2.7,
“Firmware upgrade”.

Remote access

In the case of good conditions for communication on RFC remote access to radio modem RE is an
available option. Insert the IP address of the remote modem RE into the www browser attached by
Ethernet cable to the RE modem. Leave cursor in the address line and press Enter. We can read and
save configurations in the remote modem. Typical reaction time is 20 to 40 sec.

This function is not generally guaranteed because the http protocol is not optimised for work in slow
networks. In the case of a slow response from the radio channel the TCP protocol adaptively extends
timeout up to tens of seconds. In addition a PC running Windows generally has other protocols installed
on the ETH channel which load or worsen communication conditions.

2.2.2. Service mode, Bootloader mode

These modes are used for firmware upgrades (Section 2.7, “Firmware upgrade”): Service mode for
firmware downloads, Bootloader mode for bootloader downloads.

Switching to Service mode: approx. 2 sec. after switching on power press the RST button for a few
seconds. Service mode is indicated by the yellow STATUS LED flashing every 1+1 sec.

Switching to Bootloader mode: keep RST button pressed while switching on the power for approx. 3
sec. Bootloader mode is indicated by quick flashing of the yellow STATUS LED.

Both Service mode as well as Bootloader mode use 192.168.1.1. IP address.

Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400 – © RACOM s.r.o.10

Description

2.3. First start of radio modem

1. Two radiomodems having the same address must not be in the common network neither radio

nor ethernet.

Parameters of each radio modem are set during production with default values : IP address

192.168.1.2, mask 255.255.255.0. It is strictly forbidden to connect a radio modem to LAN before
setting up the appropriate IP address and mask. (The default IP may already be in use in the LAN
and address collision can occur)

Do not switch on more than one radio with default settings at any one time ! Only switch on the
next one after setting and storing IP parameters in the first one.
In default mode radio modems use the same address 192.168.1.2 and communication amongst
themselves thus disturbs IP communication between the PC and configured radio modem.

2. Interconnect the ETH interface of the radio modem with your PC. A standard Ethernet cable should

be used.

To connect the power supply, either PoE (Ethernet interface) or AUX (SCC interface) – more
Section 3.4, “Power supply”, LEDs PWR and ETH should light. After approx. 20 sec. booting of
radio modem is finished and the STATUS LED starts flashing green.

3. To set the IP address and mask of your PC in order for it to be ready to communicate with the

default IP of the radio modem. A ping may be used to check that the connection works properly.
Read more in Appendix A, Appendix.

Start www browser (e.g. Internet Explorer) in your PC and insert 192.168.1.2. address in the
command line instead of internet address.

Settings menu is displayed. Here it is possible to set all parameters.

4. Select a unique IP address of each radio modem within the network. This address is not used by

the connected technology, however, it is required for configuration and testing.

Individual parameters may be set (see Section 2.4, “Radio modem configuration”). Configuration
can be saved into the radio modem using Save or into a file using Save to file.

When the IP address is changed and configuration is saved into the radio modem, the connection
between your PC and radio modem will be lost. The next configuration is only possible after inserting
a new IP address into the www browser. If a new IP is out of the mask of your PC, the IP address
of your PC needs to be changed as well (see Appendix A)

When configuration is ready and saved the radio modem is ready to operate in your network.

5. Before configuring the next radio delete table Art (Start, Run, arp -d) in the PC. Table arp contains

a pair of IP addresses 192.168.1.2 and MAC addresses of the radio modem. Another pair must
be created for the next radio modem.

6. When basic parameters are set (prior to starting the application), it is recommended to test the

radio connection among radio modems using a Ping in the Diagnostic menu, see Section 2.5,
“Diagnostics”. An ordinary ping application from Windows, for example, may be used as well.
Don't forget to connect the antennas, see Section 3.1, “Antenna”.

Communication with the application is indicated by LEDs as described in Section 3.5, “Indication
LEDs”.

11© RACOM s.r.o. – Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400

Description

2.4. Radio modem configuration

ON LINE

The radio modem is connected to your PC as described in Section 2.3, “First start of radio modem”
and its parameters can now be set:

Fig. 2.1: Settings menu

Product identification data can’t be changed:•

• Type: RE410 — specific type for specific frequency range, see Section 5.2, “Labelling
of Radio Modems”

• Product No.: 7347743 — unique production number (it is used for a Ping test, for ex­ample)

• FW version: 2.1.3.0 — firmware version downloaded

Dia­gnostics

Ping — menu for testing using pings, see Section 2.5, “Diagnostics”•

• Error log — log of warn and error messages, see Section 2.6, “Error log”

• RE400 config — this configuration screen

Radio Frequency 402 125 000 Hz — working frequency, it has to be set in a 6.25 or 5 kHz

grid

•

• Channel spacing — selection of channel spacing and data rate (modulation)

Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400 – © RACOM s.r.o.12

Description

• RF Power — 0.3 W or 2 W

• Fragment threshold— the threshold, from which the packet fragmentation in RFC starts
exert (50 - 1480 bytes). See Section 2.2.1, “Main mode”

• Repeater — repeated transmitting, store and forward transmitting. Set up options:

No — Repeater not active, default state

Yes — Packet received from RFC is sent to RF channel and also to serial or ETH port

• Number of repeaters — total number of Repeaters in the network, similar settings
throughout the network

0 — Transparent behaviour of radio modem

1, 2, >2 — Regulation of transmission to create space for a packet transmitted by

the repeater, inspection and discarding of repeated packets.

RS232 Idle — number of empty bytes. Packet is closed after a pause, which is equal to the

number of Idles. Min. value 6.

•

• MTU — the incoming packet is closed at this size. A shorter packet is closed at Idle.
Longer packet is sent to RFC in the length MTU, the remaining part is saved in the input
buffer and is sent to RFC subsequently. See Section 2.2.1, “Main mode”

• The rest are standard, well known parameters of serial communication

Ethernet Generally known parameters of IP communication.•

Executive
buttons

Default — sets default values on the screen•

• Read — reads values from radio modem memory

• Save — saves values from the screen into radio modem memory - the screen is refreshed
automatically. The button Continue here which appears meantime solves the error
states only.

• Save to file — saves values from the screen to a file

• Open file — Browse – reads values from a file on the screen.

OFF LINE

Parameters of radio modems can be configured off line using the web page:

http://re400.racom.eu

Using this page you can create a .cnf file that can later be downloaded into the radio modem or you
can view and modify parameters already saved in a file. The download is made in two steps - load it
into Configuration menu using the button Open file and save in the radiomodem using button Save.

The configuration file may be edited directly as well:

IP=192.168.1.47 BAUD=19200
MASK=255.255.255.0 DBITS=8

13© RACOM s.r.o. – Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400

Description

GW=192.168.1.47 PARITY=0
TX_FREQ=402125000 SBITS=2
RX_FREQ=402125000 IDLE=10
SPACING=1 SIZE=4000
RFPWR=0 HANDSHAKE=0
REPEAT=0 FRS=1480

TPL_ON=1

Note: Check whether the set frequency is within the range for the specific type of modem; it doesn't
work for off line configuration.

2.5. Diagnostics

Fig. 2.2: Diagnostics menu

Pings are used for testing response times and signal strengths from remote radio modems.

• Ping address: 7353743 — product No. of remote radio modem

• Ping timeout: 1000 — transmitting period of pings, ms

• Ping count: 0 — number of pings

• Ping length: 22 — length of data transferred excluding header, Bytes

• Send 'count' times — starts transmitting Ping count

Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400 – © RACOM s.r.o.14

Description