FireLine Da t a Radio Modem T e ch n ic a l M an ua l Version B7 November 2005 Raveon Technologies Corporation 2722 Loker Avenue West, Suite D Carlsbad, CA 92010 www.raveontech.
Table Of Contents Safety / Warning Information ................................................................................3 Overview...............................................................................................................4 FCC Safety Compliance Statement ......................................................................4 Features................................................................................................................5 Specifications......................
Congratulations! Congratulations on your purchase of a FireLine radio modem. Please take a few minutes to read this manual carefully. The information presented here will allow you to derive maximum performance from your radio modem. After reading it, keep the manual handy for quick reference, in case questions arise later on. NOTICE There are no user-serviceable points inside this transceiver. All service jobs must be referred to your Authorized Service Center or Raveon Technologies Service Department.
Overview The FireLine RF data radio is a rugged high-performance, high-speed narrowband data modem. It contains a receiver, a transmitter, and modem, creating an easy-to-use transparent data radio link. The FireLine’s user interface is asynchronous data into and out of the FireLine. Modem operation is virtually transparent to the user and the configuration of the modem is via the user serial port. For privacy and network versatility, the FireLine incorporates a 16 bit identification code.
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to correct the interference by one of the following measures: • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. • Increase separation between the equipment and receiver. • Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from which the receiver is connected. • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician. Features • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Built-in radio transceiver with integrated modem Easy to use.
Specifications General All measurements made per TIA-603-B Frequency: Modem RV-M5-UC ........................................................................................ 450 – 480MHz Model RV-M5-UA (export only) ..................................................................... 403 – 434MHz Size (inches) ......................................................................................................... 3.0D X 3.76W X 1.40H DC input voltage .......................................................
Front Panel The front panel of the FireLine modem has these features: 1. BNC RF connector 2. Transmit LED (TX) 3. Receive LED (RX) 4. Power LED (PWR) 5. 9-Pin serial I/O connector 6. DC Power Jack LEDs The three status LEDs visually show the current status of the radio. Transmit LED (TX) This LED blinks red when the transmitter keys and is putting out RF power. Receive LED (RX) This LED glows red when there is an RF signal on the radio’s receive frequency.
User I/O Connector The User I/O is via a female 9-p D-subminiature connector. The following pins are defined. Front-view of DB-9 connector on modem (female) Pin # Name Dir Function Level / Specification 1 CD out Carrier detect 2 3 4 RxD TxD DTR out in in Receive data Transmit data Data terminal ready 5 GND If enabled, indicates presence of carrier. 0 means carrier is present. If disabled, it is asserted (0) whenever the modem is operational, and not in the configuration mode.
Using the FireLine Modem Setup 1. Connect a DC power source to the DC IN connection on the front of the modem. 2. Connect a good quality antenna, cut to the operating frequency, to the BNC connector on the front of the modem. Use a good antenna, and place is at high-above obstructions as possible. 3. Connect a computer terminal, or PC computer running HyperTerminal, to the 9-pin I/O connector. 4. Program the modem’s operating frequency to your desired operating frequency.
Address, and see if it matches their address. If it does match, the receiving mdoem outputs the data it received via its serial port. If it does not match, the receiving modem discards the data, and does not send it out the serial port. The Address Mask The reason to use hexadecimal digits to represent the unit address, is that along with the Unit Address programmed into the FireLine, there is an “Address Mask” programmed into it. The default mask is FFFF.
Examples: Example 1 (default configuration) Sending Unit Address = 1234 Receiving Unit Address = 1234 Receiving Unit’s Address Mask = FFFF Result: Unit will receive the data, because the addresses identically match. When the addresses are identical, the value of the mask is not important. Notes: This is the default configuration. All units have address 1234, and all modems will talk to all other modems with address 1234.
Installation 1. Secure the FireLine modem using the four mounting holes on the side flanges of the unit. 2. Connect a DC power source to the DC IN connection on the front of the modem. 3. Connect a good quality antenna, cut to the operating frequency, to the BNC connector on the front of the modem. Use a good antenna, and place is at high-above obstructions as possible. 4.
The FCC website also offers a list of Frequency Coordinators. These are private organizations officially certified by the FCC to help you through the process, and who in most cases will handle the actual filing of your application. With few exceptions, you must apply for an FCC license through a Frequency Coordinator. They are located throughout the country, making it easy for you to find one that is familiar with radio operations in your area.
Serial Port Data and Handshaking In computer terminology, the RF modem is considered a “Data Communications Equipment” device, or DCE. The user’s hardware that the modem is connected to is considered “Data Terminal Equipment”, or DTE. Following is a description of how data and control is communicated over the various serial port signals between the modem (DCE) and another device (DTE) that the modem’s I/O port is connected to. TxD (INPUT) This line is used to transmit data from the DTE to the DCE.
will negate the CTS signal once the FireLine’s internal data buffers become full. CD On this line the modem indicates to the DTE that it has received a carrier from a remote device. It will assert this signal any time there is a carrier detected. The modem may be configured to assert this when an RF carrier is detected (any on-channel RF, voice or data), assert it only when another RF modem signal is detected, or always assert it. The operation of this line is configured with the ATR1 command.
User Serial Port Commands Overview The asynchronous serial portion the RF modem is used to send and receive data over the air, as well as to configure the RF modem. In normal operation, the user sends data into the TxD pin of the user port, and this data is transmitted over the air. Received data from another RF modem is output to the user via the RxD pin of the user port. This is the default operating condition of the RF modem. There also is a “Command Mode”.
Reading a Parameter To read the value of a particular setting, issue the command, with no parameter. The modem will return the value followed by an “OK”. The modem’s OK response is: The value in ASCII decimal format. A ( = ASCII 0D, = ASCII 0A). An “O”, “K”, , and sequence.
Command Mode Commands AT Command Command Description Parameters AT Silence AFTER Sequence - Sets period of silence after the command sequence characters in mS. Range:0 – 1000 (mS) BD Baud Rate – Sets serial com port baud rate (bps). Over-the-air (throughput) baud rate is factory-set only. If a PC’s serial baud rate is set higher than the fixed over-the-air baud rate of the module, may need to be implemented.
K2 K4 K7 MK NB NS PE MT R0 Disable LEDs – When 1, LEDs are always off to conserve power. When 0, LEDs work normally. Disable DCD pin – When 1, DCD pin is always asserted, regardless whether carrier is present. When 0, DCD works normally. Carrier Detect – When 1, DCD pin operates with RF carrier. When 0, DCD indicates presence of digital data. Note K4 must be 0 for this setting to matter. Address Mask – Configures local and global address space. Each digit may be a 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E,or F.
SL Serial Number – Reads and returns a unique module serial number. Read Only 1 - 65525 SH Show – Display the configuration of the modem. This will return a page of ASCII characters, showing the main configuration parameters. none None SV Save – Save all the parameters to EEPROM. This command must be used if changed parameters are to be stored in non-volatile memory, and used next time the modem is powered up. Modem exits configuration mode after this command is executed.
Debug Related Commands Testing (Must be in command mode to test. Enter +++ at the keyboard to put unit into config/test mode.) ATTD x Various transmit test routines. 0 = Go back to normal mode. Stops the test. 1 = Random data transmit. 2 = Hop up/down one channel 3 = Force PLL to fast lock mode 4 = Transmit all 0s 5 = Transmit all 1s 6 = Enable the test points on the PCB. 7 = Transmit CW on center of channel SHOW Display an overview of the configuration.
Tune-up and Alignment Do not key the transmitter for more than 30 seconds out of every 300 seconds. The transmitter is rated at 10% duty cycle maximum. The following table lists the parameters in the modem that are calibrated at the factory. Calibration values are stored in registers R0 – R9. The FireLine radio modem has the capability of incorporating a variety of different radios modules. Each different radio model is considered a different “radio type”.
3. Adjust the deviation register setting so that the frequency is exactly 2.0kHz low. The deviation is set with a digital adjustment. Use the ATR0 command to read or set the value. This value is negative, and is typically around -200. TX Modulation Balance 1. Transmit an alternating 10101.. pattern using the ATTD 8 command. 2. While monitoring the modulation using an FM demodulator, adjust the balance digital pot value, by setting it with the ATR9 xx command.
4. Send the ATRA nnn command. Set nnn to be equal to the RSSI setting you would like the CD signal to trip at. The BUSY LED will also indicate an RF carrier when the RF carrier is above the threshold set with the ATRA command. 5. Generate an RF signal on-channel with a level of -115dBm. Verify the Power/BUSY LED stays on. If it does not, repeat step 4, adjusting in increments of 10. Company Confidential 24 Raveon Technologies Corp.
SkyLine Compatibility Mode General The FireLine RF modem has built-in compatibility with a radio modem made by Sonik Technologies, Vytek Wireless, and Cal Amp called the SkyLine. In most applications, Raveon’s FireLine modem can communicate with SkyLine modems, provided the FireLine is properly configured.
Certain features of the SkyLine modem are not currently implemented in the FireLine modem. They are: Repeater Function No store and forward repeating is implemented. Retransmission If the SkyLine user enabled the ACKS, the FireLine will not send the ACK. Company Confidential 26 Raveon Technologies Corp.
Antenna Information Key to a successful installation is the choice and installation of a good antenna system. A good quality antenna can more than double the range of a radio system. Properly locating the antenna is vital to creating a quality radio link, and a poor installation can decrease the range of the system by as much at 90%. Use these guidelines to evaluate your antenna system design, and be sure contact a quality radio communication equipment distributor such as Talley Electronics (http://www.
Internal Radio Connection Internal to the FireLine, the modem circuit board interfaces to a radio transceiver module via a 14 pin single in-line connector. The following table describes the function of each pin. Pin # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Function System ground +7.5V regulated output, ±5%. 1.5amp maximum current source. +7.5V transmit, ±5%. 100mA maximum current source. RX ON. +5.0V in RX mode 0V TX mode. 10mA maximum current source. Radio ON. +5.0V DC to radio. Digital output.
Appendix A. Null Modem Cables Null modem without handshaking How to use the handshaking lines in a null modem configuration? The simplest way is to don't use them at all. In that situation, only the data lines and signal ground are cross connected in the null modem communication cable. All other pins have no connection. An example of such a null modem cable without handshaking can be seen in the figure below. Simple null modem without handshaking (DB-9 Female shown.
(DB-9 Female shown. Same wiring for male-to-male cable) Connector 1 Connector 2 Function 2 3 Rx Tx 3 2 Tx Rx 4 6 DTR DSR 5 5 Signal ground 6 4 DSR DTR 7 8 RTS CTS 8 7 CTS RTS Compatibility issues The null modem cable with full handshaking does not permit the older way of flow control to take place. The main incompatibility is the cross connection of the RTS and CTS pins. Originally, these pins are used for a question/answer type of flow control.
Troubleshooting Symptom: Unit will not receive Solution #1. Verify that the modem is on the correct RF channel. If it is, the RX LED should blink every time another modem tries to transmit to it. If the RX LED does not blink when it should be receiving, it is on the wrong RF frequency. Solution #2. If the RX LED blinks, verify that the Unit Address of the sending modem matches the unit address of the receiving modem.
Solution #2. Handshaking. You may have hardware handshaking enabled on your terminal program, but the hardware or cable may not support it. Disable hardware handshaking on your terminal program to verify this is the issue. Symptom: Modem appears dead. Solution #1. Verify the power is on. When the modem has good DC power, the PWR LED will blink once per second. If it is not blinking, either the modem does not have power, the modem is broken, or the LEDs have been disabled via the ATJS2 command.
Mechanical Company Confidential 33 Raveon Technologies Corp.
Limited One Year Warranty If within one year from date of purchase, this product fails due to a defect in material or workmanship, Raveon Technologies, Incorporated will repair or replace it, at Raveon’s sole discretion. This warranty is extended to the original consumer purchaser only and is not transferable.
