TS4000 Radio Modem User’s Manual Version 4.00G November 1998 2635 North First Street, Suite 205 San Jose, CA 95134-2032 (408) 232-0180 (800) 663-3674 (408) 232-0188 Fax www.teledesignsystems.com sales@teledesignsystems.com support@teledesignsystems.com corpcomm@teledesignsystems.
Copyright This document is copyrighted by Teledesign Systems Inc. with all rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Teledesign Systems Inc. Copyright 1995 - 1998 by Teledesign Systems Inc. All rights reserved. Disclaimer This manual has been thoroughly reviewed for accuracy, and every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate and complete.
Emissions FCC Part 15 The TS4000 has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part15 of the FCC rules (Code of Federal Regulations 47CFR Part 15). Operation is subject to the condition that this device does not cause harmful interference. Part 90 The TS4000 has been type accepted for operation by the FCC in accordance with Part 90 of the FCC rules (47CFR Part 90). See the label on the unit for the specific FCC ID and any other certification designations.
Table of Contents Emissions...................................................................................................... iii FCC .................................................................................................... iii Industry Canada ................................................................................. iii Notice ...................................................................................................... iii 406.0 to 406.1 MHz Operation ........................
AirNet Packet Protocol................................................................................ 21 Overview ................................................................................................ 21 Configuration Options.......................................................................... 22 Packet General................................................................................. 22 Packet for Port..................................................................................
Appendix D - Case Dimensions ................................................................. 54 Appendix E - PCB Component Locations................................................. 55 Appendix F - Internal Jumper Block ..........................................................
TS4000 Overview Introduction The TS4000 Radio Modem is an integrated radio and modem designed for the wireless transmission of digital data. The TS4000 can transfer data at rates greater than 19,200 bits per second. The TS4000 includes a synthesized VHF, UHF or 900 MHz transceiver that can be programmed for up to 99 channels. This product is ideally suited to OEMs and system integrators who require a versatile radio modem in a single package.
Integrated AirNet Packet Data Protocol ! Allows user directed transmissions to only selected destinations. ! Provides addressed communications for devices that are not directly addressable themselves. ! Can be optimized for point to point, point to multi-point, and full mesh networks. ! Supports group and all-call broadcast transmissions. ! Built in CSMA/CA algorithm minimizes transmission collisions to maximize channel efficiency and utilization.
transmit attack time (amount of time to initiate a transmission) does not have to increased excessively. Channel Spacing and Bandwidth For some frequency bands, there are multiple options for the radio module channel spacing and bandwidth. Channel Spacing The channel spacing defines how close together the channels are within a band (i.e. 12.5 kHz).
asynchronous serial interfaces and are setup as DCEs. The serial ports provide all the standard RS-232 handshake lines. In addition, the TS4000 provides a number of configuration options that allow the serial port line usage to be customized for different host equipment (see Serial Port Configuration Options). Signal Levels Serial port 1 can be configured for either RS-232 or TTL signal levels.
Example: Max Power = 10 watts (The actual value depends on the particular radio module in the TS4000). Power Supply Voltage = 20 volts Max Power Supply Current = 10 / 20 = 0.5 amps Standard Case With the standard case power can be connected through either the power connector or one of the serial port connectors. The power connector is a 2 pin Molex Micro-Fit 3.0 (Molex P/N 43045-0202) with pin 1 as ground and pin 2 as power. The mating plug for this connector is a Molex P/N 43025-0200.
Status LEDs The TS4000 has three LED indicators to provide operational status of transmit (TX), receive (RX) and power (PWR) functions. Special combinations of these indicators are used to indicate secondary operating modes and fault conditions. TS4000 State Normal Operation LEDs PWR Indicator State On when the TS4000 is powered. RX On when the TS4000 detects activity on the radio channel. TX On when the TS4000 is transmitting. Program Mode RX, TX Both on continuously.
Configuration Program The configuration program is used to configure the TS4000 for operation. Configuring the TS4000 consists of independently configuring both the modem operation and the radio frequency channels. The configuration program consists of controls and menus. The controls set the configuration and test options. The menus (line items at the top of the screen) execute program commands.
Programming and Retrieving Configurations The configuration of the TS4000 can be read out of the modem by selecting the Retrieve Configuration command from the Modem menu or by pressing the Retrieve Configuration button. To program a configuration into the TS4000, use the Program Configuration command from the Modem menu or the Program Configuration button. CAUTION: Programming a configuration into the TS4000 will write over (destroy) the configuration currently in the TS4000.
Command Diagnostics Action Run, read and display diagnostic status of the TS4000. The diagnostics tests the major components of the modem and also monitors the power supply voltages. Retrieve Hardware Configuration Read and display the hardware configuration. This includes details on the firmware version and memory configuration. Retrieve Radio Configuration Read and display the radio configuration. This includes details about the radio’s frequency, channel spacing and transmit power.
Serial Port The serial port provides an asynchronous data connection between the TS4000 and the host equipment. The TS4000 serial port is a standard RS-232 serial port with a number of options to allow connection to a wide variety of serial host equipment. RS-232 Serial Port Basics The EIA (Electronic Industries Association) RS-232C standard is a standard for short distance (less than 50 feet) serial communications.
The most common form of hardware flow control, and the one used by most full duplex wired (as opposed to wireless) modems, is RTS/CTS. With RTS/CTS flow control, RTS provides flow control for the DTE and CTS provides flow control for the DCE. One problem with RTS/CTS flow control is that for many half duplex modems (most wireless modems) the RTS signal is used to frame transmit data going from the DTE to the DCE. This use of RTS conflicts with using RTS for flow control of data to the DTE.
connecting the TS4000 to other serial devices. For most serial devices this is not a problem because RI is a modem (DCE) output and the TS4000 power supply mostly falls within the allowed voltage range for RS-232 signals. Therefore the power voltage on this pin is interpreted as an active RI signal. For systems that use the RI signal differently, or cannot operate with power on this pin, this pin should be disconnected between the TS4000 and the host equipment.
Baud Rate List Data Bits Parity Protocol Options The baud rate list provides selection of the serial port asynchronous baud rate. The available selections are 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200 and 38400 baud. These options set the number of data bits in each asynchronous character. These options set the parity of the asynchronous characters. Selection Hardware Handshake Description In this mode the RTS handshake line is used to frame transmit data into bursts.
Wait For Complete Burst Before Beginning Transmission Receive Data Protocol This option only has effect if packet operation is not enabled. Selection Disabled Description The modem begins transmitting as soon as it receives the first non-control character of a transmit burst. Enabled The modem waits for a complete transmit burst before it begins transmitting.
CTS Line Control DSR Line Control Selection Always Active Description The CTS line is active. Active when Transmitter is Sending Data CTS is normally inactive and is activated when the TS4000 is transmitting and the radio channel is ready for the transmission of data. Active when Transmitting CTS is normally inactive and is activated when the TS4000 is transmitting. Note that the modem begins transmitting only after it has received at least one character (non-control string) of data.
Radio Setup The radio setup requires setting the modem configuration options and also setting the radio frequencies. The modem configuration options are accessed on the Radio tab of the Modem Configuration. The frequency programming is accessed with the Frequency Configuration button on the main screen of the configuration program. Configuration Options Modulation The radio configuration options set the operation of the radio.
Selection GMSK (BT=0.3) Description Gaussian Minimum Shifted Keyed modulation with a BT = 0.3. This is the less spectrally efficient than 4 Level FSK modulation and more spectrally efficient than GSMK (BT=0.5) modulation. GMSK (BT=0.5) Gaussian Minimum Shifted Keyed modulation with a BT = 0.5. This is the least spectrally efficient modulation. However, it provides the best BER for a given receive signal level. Rate The over the air modulation bit rate.
Attack time is the amount of time necessary to establish the radio channel. This includes the power up time for the transmitter and the time for the receiver to sense and demodulate the transmit signal. The TS4000 is preset for the appropriate attack time of the installed radio module. Therefore, this control should normally be set to zero. Enable Coding Data Scramble Code Frequency Programming Selection Disabled Description This minimizes the amount of overhead required to send data.
Radio vs. File Settings Channel Switching The minimum and maximum frequencies and the channel spacing depend on the specific radio module in the TS4000. The configuration program does not know this information unless it is connected to the TS4000. Therefore, these fields in the Radio Settings frame only show up when the configuration program is connected to the TS4000. When the user creates a new frequency configuration file these values can be set in the channel frequencies frame.
+TSC? Note: The letter characters must be upper case. The response string is sent out the serial port and is as follows. +TSCxx Where: xx = Channel number from 01 to 99 Invalid Channel Selection If a frequency channel is selected that has not been programmed with valid frequencies, the modem will not receive or transmit and the RX and TX LEDs will alternately flash.
AirNet Packet Protocol AirNet is an embedded packet protocol available in some Teledesign Systems modems. AirNet provides a complete protocol that manages the end to end data transfers of wireless networks. The AirNet protocol is flexible and configurable so that it can be used with any host (user) system or network architecture. Overview Packet Basics The basic purpose of the AirNet packet protocol is to ensure that data is reliably transferred between nodes in the network.
logistically difficult and may not completely solve all propagation problems. The AirNet protocol provides an option where nodes can be set up as store and forward relays. The relay nodes store packets that they receive and repeat (forward) the packets when the channel is idle. The relay nodes can be set to relay all packets or only packets with certain source or destination addresses. Features Complete Packet Capability ! Nodes automatically re-send packets which are not received correctly.
Packet Activate Medium (Channel) Access Control (MAC) Selection Enable Packet Operation Description This activates packet operation for all user data. The type of Medium Access Control (MAC) determines how a modem decides when to transmit packets. This effects the transmission of both data and acknowledgment packets. Selection Master-Slave Description The modem will transmit data as soon as the channel becomes idle.
CSMA MAC Setup Control Slot Time Description This sets the transmit slot time (see Setting Slot Time). Min Idle Slots This sets the minimum number of idle slots before a modem attempts transmission (see Setting Min Idle Slots). If the minimum number of idle slots is set to zero the modem randomizes its transmission attempts with the first slot after the channel becomes idle. For values greater than zero, the modem waits that many slots before randomizing its transmission attempts.
Individual Packets - Relay Activate Selection None Description No individually addressed packets are relayed. Some The individual packets that are relayed is determined by the individual relay addresses control. All All individually addressed packets are relayed. The exception is packets whose final destination is the relay node. Individual Relay Addresses This control consists of a list of address ranges. Each item in the list represents a range of addresses that are relayed.
Control Enable Multicast Reception Description This control enables the multicast capability of the modem and also enables the entry of multicast groups. Multicast Groups This control is a list of multicast addresses. These addresses have the same range as the group addresses. The user can use as few or as many (up to the list size) multicast groups as desired. By default, a modem accepts two kinds of broadcasts. ! Network broadcasts are received by all modems.
Default Destination Address Packet Status Data CSMA MAC Setup These fields select the default destination address that the modem defaults to at power up. This address will remain as the default until it is switched using the appropriate control strings. Type Individual Address Description The default destination individual address. Group Address The default destination group address.
Control and Status Strings Type Data Packets Description These are any packets that carry user data. These include data packets for all the different types of transfers (i.e. Individual, Individual w/o ACK, Broadcast). ACK Packets These are the acknowledgment packets for the individually addressed data packets. Relay Packets These are any packets that are relayed with the store and forward relay option. Both data packets and ACK packets can be relayed. These values are set on the Packet General tab.
Control String Description transmit packet. The packet number is set to 0 when the modem is reset. Status Strings Master-Slave System Setup Status String +TSIAggiii Description Received an individual packet from this address. The first two address characters represent the group address and the next three the individual address. +TSNAggiii Received an individual without acknowledgment packet from this address.
Where: Decay Time = Tx Decay Time + Additional Transmit Attack Time Attack Time = Tx Attack Time + Additional Transmit Attack Time Tx Decay Time and Tx Attack Time are fixed values that are preset for the radio in the TS4000. These values can be read out of the TS4000 using the retrieve radio configuration menu or button. The Additional Transmit Attack Time is the value set on the radio tab of the modem configuration.
Example: Tx Attack Time = 20 ms Additional Transmit Attack Time = 0 ms Over air channel rate = 9600 bps Number of async chars in packet = 50 Number of data bits per async char = 8 Coding = Enabled Packet Length = ((50 x 8) + 112) x 1.1 x 1.
Min Idle Slots Tx Index Min Idle Slots - ACK Packets Min Idle Slots - Data Packets =0 =1 Tx Index - ACK Packets = 1 Tx Index - Data Packets = Estimated Backlogged Nodes / Attempt Rate Where: Attempt Rate = Packet Detection Ratio Packet Detection Ratio = Slot Time / Total Packet Time Total Packet Time = Attack Time + Packet Transmit Time + Decay Time Packet Transmit Time = Packet Length / Channel Rate Packet Length = (Data Bits + Overhead Bits) x Framing Overhead x Coding Overhead = (Data Bits + 112) x 1
Tx Index Tx Index - ACK Packets = 1 Tx Index - Relay Packets = 1 Tx Index - Data Packets = Estimated Backlogged Nodes / Attempt Rate Where: Estimated Backlogged Nodes (number of nodes that simultaneously want to transmit) = the greater of A) Average Number of Backlogged Nodes or B) 1/4 Maximum Possible Number of Backlogged Nodes Attempt Rate = Packet Detection Ratio Packet Detection Ratio = Slot Time / Total Packet Time Total Packet Time = Attack Time + Packet Transmit Time + Decay Time Packet Transmit Tim
Relay #Y ACK Packet Delay = Decay Time + (Y x Slot Time) + Attack Time + ACK Packet Transmit Time ACK Packet Transmit Time = ACK Packet Length / Channel Rate ACK Packet Length -Uncoded = 16 bytes x 8 bits per byte = 128 bits -Coded = 128 bits x 1.
Systems with Relays For systems with one or more relay nodes, the simplest and most efficient system setup is where each relay is assigned a particular slot. This way the relays do not collide or contend for the channel the way data packets do. The data packets are set so that they will leave the necessary number of slots open for the relays and ACK packets. This type of setup has the advantage that the delay for sending data through the relay(s) is consistent and predictable.
Decay Time = Tx Decay Time + Additional Transmit Attack Time Attack Time = Tx Attack Time + Additional Transmit Attack Time Tx Decay Time and Tx Attack Time are fixed values that are preset for the radio in the TS4000. These values can be read out of the TS4000 using the retrieve radio configuration menu or button. The Additional Transmit Attack Time is the value set on the radio tab of the modem configuration. Calculate the packet detection ratio, which is the slot time normalized to the total packet time.
Total Packet Time = Attack Time + Packet Transmit Time + Decay Time = 20 ms + 59 ms + 12 ms = 91 ms Packet Detection Ratio = Slot Time / Total Packet Time = 30 ms/ 91 ms = 0.33 Attempt Rate = sqrt(Packet Detection Ratio) = sqrt(0.33) = 0.57 Since: Max Backlogged Nodes / 4 > Average Backlogged Nodes Estimated Backlogged Nodes = Max Backlogged Nodes / 4 = 100 / 4 = 25 Transmission Index = Estimated Backlogged Nodes / Attempt Rate = 25 / 0.
The time it takes each relay to send the packet is basically the packet transmit time. Added to this must be the number of idle slots between the last transmission and when the current relay decides to transmit.
Tslot = Slot Time PDR = Packet Detection Ratio TI = Transmission Index N = Backlogged Nodes PR = (TI - 1)/TI Average Delay = Tslot x (1 + PDR - PRN) PDR x ln(1/PR) Where: ln symbolizes the natural log function. Example: Using the values from the previous example, calculate the average delay for various backlogs. Tslot = Slot Time = 30 ms = 0.03 sec PDR = Packet Detection Ratio = 0.33 (from previous example) TI = Transmission Index = 44 (from previous example) PR = (TI - 1)/TI = (44 - 1)/ 44 = 0.
Testing AirTest The TS4000 configuration program is provided with AirTest, Teledesign’s general purpose wireless modem test software. AirTest can send data and gather performance statistics about the link between two modems. To start AirTest press the AirTest button on the main screen of the configuration program. For details on using AirTest consult AirTest’s on line help. Data Test To test the operation of the TS4000, AirTest can be used to pass data between two modems.
The longer a BER test runs the more accurate the result. To get an accurate result a BER test should be run until at least 100 errors have been received. This provides a 90% confidence level in the BER value. However, in a relatively error free environment this can take a very long time. An alternative is to run the BER test until at least 10 errors have been received which provides a 68% confidence level. AirTest can be setup to run a BER test.
Upgrading Firmware The TS4000 comes with flash program memory that allows the firmware to be easily upgraded in the field. Firmware is upgraded with the upgrade program which is included as part of the TS4000 configuration program. Upgrading 1) Attach the TS4000 to a PC serial port. 2) Start the upgrade program by pressing the Upgrade Firmware button on the main screen of the configuration program. 3) Select the firmware version to upgrade to.
Licensing To be operated legally, radio equipment requires two types of licensing; the manufacturer’s license that the manufacturer obtains and the user license that the user must obtain. User’s License For most radio equipment, the user is required to obtain an operating license. This is done so that the government can coordinate radio users in order to minimize interference. It is the user’s responsibility to obtain the necessary licenses prior to transmitting over the air with the TS4000.
The TS4000 is licensed under the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Part 90 rules. The FCC regulates the operation and licensing of radio equipment in the US. To obtain a license to operate radio equipment a user must fill out the appropriate FCC forms and pay an application fee. USA (FCC) Many FCC licenses also require that the user obtain frequency coordination from the appropriate organization.
comply with. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the TS4000 meets the required regulations.
Service and Support We at Teledesign Systems are committed to providing excellent service and support to our customers. Our goal is to make using our products as easy and painless as possible. To accomplish this Teledesign provides free technical support for all our products during all phases of sales, installation, and use. Contacting Teledesign Service and technical support can be reached during our normal business hours of 8 AM to 5 PM (Pacific Standard Time) Monday through Friday.
Warranty Two Year Warranty Teledesign Systems Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of shipment. During the warranty period, Teledesign Systems Inc. will, at its option, either repair of replace products that prove to be defective.
Appendix A - Serial Ports Standard Case Connector The standard case uses a DE-9 subminiature 9 pin D connector with female pins for each serial port.
Notes: Pin 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Port 1 1 --2 2 2 16 1 17 18 1 1 19 1 Signal Receive Data (RD) Data Carrier Detect (DCD) Ground (Power) Modem Power Clear To Send (CTS) Request To Send (RTS) Data Set Ready (DSR) Alt) Always in high state Not Connected Alt) Data Set Ready (DSR) Request To Send (RTS) Data Set Ready (DSR) Alt) Always in high state Clear To Send (CTS) Direction Output Output -Input Output Input Output Output -Output Input Output Output Output Wire Color [6] Notes [1] [3] [1] [4] [5] [
amperage limitation of the flex circuit connecting the LEMO connector to the modem board. [6] These are the wire colors of the internal wires for the standard cable provided with the watertight version of the TS4000.
TTL Signal Levels Type Output (Driver) Level (volts DC) Low High 0.0 to +0.4 +3.0 to +5.0 (sinking up to 4 mA) (sourcing up to 4 mA) Input (Receiver) -25 to +0.8 +2.4 to +25 (3k to 7k ohm load) Signal Polarity The signal polarity is the same for both RS-232 and TTL operation.
Appendix B – ASCII Character Set Control Char Ctrl-@ Ctrl-A Ctrl-B Ctrl-C Ctrl-D Ctrl-E Ctrl-F Ctrl-G Ctrl-H Ctrl-I Ctrl-J Ctrl-K Ctrl-L Ctrl-M Ctrl-N Ctrl-O Ctrl-P Ctrl-Q Ctrl-R Ctrl-S Ctrl-T Ctrl-U Ctrl-V Ctrl-W Ctrl-X Ctrl-Y Ctrl-Z Ctrl-[ Ctrl-\ Ctrl-] Ctrl-^ Ctrl-_ Char NUL SOH STX ETX EOT ENQ ACK BEL BS HT LF VT FF CR SO SI DLE DC1 DC2 DC3 DC4 NAK SYN ETB CAN EM SUB ESC FS GS RS US Value Dec Hex 0 00 1 01 2 02 3 03 4 04 5 05 6 06 7 07 8 08 9 09 10 0A 11 0B 12 0C 13 0D 14 0E 15 0F 16 10 17 11 18 12 19
Appendix C - Specifications Data Interface Data Rates Data Format Signal Levels Handshake Protocols Data Only Time Out Data Connector Radio - General (varies based on specific model) Channel Options Optional Packet Protocol Frequency Ranges Number of Channels Channel Spacing Channel Rate Modulation RF Output Power 132-208, 380-520, 928-960 MHz 99 receive/transmit pairs (in non-volatile memory) 5, 6.25, 7.5, 10, 12.
Appendix D - Case Dimensions TS4000 Radio Modem User’s Manual Appendix D - Case Dimensions 54
Appendix E - PCB Component Locations TS4000 Radio Modem User’s Manual Appendix E - PCB Component Locations 55
Appendix F - Internal Jumper Block TS4000 Radio Modem User’s Manual Appendix F - Internal Jumper Block 56
