Spread Spectrum Radio

RF450900 MHz, 1 W Spread Spectrum Radio/ModemTh e RF450 900 MHz radio provides a solution for wireless network communications over distances up to 60 miles. Designed specifi cally for our PakBus® dataloggers, the RF450 consists of a radio module manufactured by FreeWave Technologies and a Campbell Scientifi c interface board. Th e radio’s transmission distance is ideal for point-to-multipoint networks. In point-to-multipoint networks, data is collected from one or more data-logger(s) and then transmitted to a central site. Th e central site typically contains a PC running LoggerNet soft ware, but may contain a datalogger, instead.Spread Spectrum TechnologySpread spectrum radios spread the normally narrow-band information signal over a relatively wide band of frequencies. Th is process makes communications more immune to noise and interference from RF sources such as pagers, cellular phones, and multi-path.1 User-selectable frequency hopping patterns reduce the radios’ susceptibility to RF interference from other spread spectrum devices.Powering the RadioAt the computer site, the radio is typically powered by the #15966 wall charger. At the fi eld station, the radio is typically powered by the datalogger through its CS I/O port. Th e #14291 Field Cable can also be used to connect the radio to an appropriate 12 Vdc power supply. Th e fi eld cable is required when the datalog-ger was purchased before December 1997 or when the radio is connected to the datalogger’s RS-232 port instead of the CS I/O port.FeaturesIndividual FCC license not required• 2Maximum transmission distance of 60 miles, and • realistic reliable transmission distance of ap-proximately 13 miles. All transmission distances assume line-of sight and appropriate antenna (line-of-sight obstructions, RF interference, and antenna type will aff ect transmission distance).Low current drain (6 mA sleep, 86 mA while • receiving, 500 mA while transmitting)High noise immunity—superior performance • in noise congested environmentsWide operating temperature range (-40° to +75°C)• High Speed—115.2 kbps continuous throughput• Error Free Communications—32 bit Cyclical • Redundancy Checking (CRC) with automatic retransmissionSeparate diagnostic port—real time remote • diagnostics and setup, transparent to network communicationsAbility to have standalone RF router/repeaters • (up to 8 repeaters)1The operating frequency band of this radio may be shared with other non-licensed services such as cordless telephones and with licensed services including emergency, broadcast, and air-traffic control.2The RF450 radio, like all FCC Part 15 devices, is not allowed to cause harmful interference to licensed radio communications and must accept any interference that it receives. Most Campbell Scientific users operate in open or remote locations where interference is unlikely. If there is a problem, interference can be reduced using methods such as moving the device, reorienting or using a different type of antenna, or adding RF shielding. 2AntennasCall one of our Applications Engineers for help in choosing an antenna. Only the following FCC ap-proved antennas can be used.Indoor, Low-Gain AntennasBelow are inexpensive antennas that can transmit short distances. Th ey must reside in an environmental enclosure or building:19512• —0 dbd, ½-wave, whip antenna with SMA connector that attaches directly to the radio; no antenna cable is needed.20644• —1 dBd, dipole antenna with window or wall mount. Antenna is supplied with a 10-ft RG-174 cable that attaches to the radio.Outdoor, Higher-Gain AntennasBelow are higher gain, outdoor antennas. Th eir type N female connector attaches to an antenna cable that’s purchased separately (see Antenna Cables):14221• —3 dBd omnidirectional antenna with mounting hardware. Th e 14221 is suitable for base station use where it needs to communicate with multiple stations located in diff erent directions.14201• —9 dBd, Yagi antenna with mounting hard-ware. Please note that because the FCC limits EIRP to 36 dBm, use of this antenna may require a reduction of the RF450’s transmit power (consult manual for details).Antenna Cables/Surge Protectors for Outdoor AntennasRecommended for cable lengths less than 10 ft COAXSMA-L• —LMR195 antenna cable with SMA connector and type N male connector. Specify length, in feet, aft er the L.Recommended for cable lengths greater than 10 ft and/or use with lightning protectionCOAXNTN-L• —Low-loss RG8 antenna cable with type N male to type N male connectors. It requires the 19533 surge protector (see below). Specify cable length, in feet, aft er the -L.19533• —Surge suppressor kit for RF450 or other SMA devices. It is recommended when the length of the antenna cable is greater than 10 feet. Th e surge suppressor helps protect the radio from elec-trical discharge being conducted down the anten-na cable. It includes a COAXSMA-L1.5 cable and requires the COAXNTN-L antenna cable.The 14221 is suitable for base station use where it needs to com-municate with multiple stations located in diff erent directions.The 14201 Yagi antenna has a narrow beam width, so precise aiming is mandatory. This directional antenna is useful for longer transmission distances and when communicating only with one other station.The 20644 has adhesive backing to allow it to adhere to a wall, rear-view mirror, or other suitable fl at non-conductive surface.3Demo KitTh e 21108 provides a two week rental of an RF450 demo kit. Th e kit includes two RF450 radios, sev-eral types of antennas, and a power supply. It allows customers to test our RF450 Spread Spectrum Radios prior to purchase, and ensure that the radios will work in their system’s environment. Customers can also determine the best antenna options for their system. Contact Campbell Scientifi c for more information.Additional Accessories18663• —Null modem cable used to connect the radio to the RS-232 port on a datalogger.CM230• —Adjustable Angle Mounting Kit that secures an outdoor antenna to a mast or pipe with a 1.3-in to 2.1-in outer diameter.20625• —FreeWave Diagnostics cable and Soft ware CD. Th ese items allow advanced users to perform Network Diagnostics.14413• —Data cable that connects the radio to an SRM-5A Short Haul Modem, SDS-122 Serial Data Switch, or another 25-pin DTE RS-232 port.Compatible DevicesTh e RF450 radios are compatible with all of our con-temporary dataloggers and most of our retired data-loggers. However, the internal radio of a CR206(X), CR211(X), or CR216(X) datalogger should not be used with the RF450.To increase transmission distance, the RF450 radio can be combined with our COM220 phone modems, MD485 Multidrop Modem, and SRM-5A Short Haul Modem. At the non-datalogger site, an A100 adapter fastened to a PS100 or CH100 is required.Campbell Scientifi c does not recommend using RF450 radios in networks containing RF401-series or RF430-series spread spectrum radios.A CM230 supporting a Yagi antenna is attached to the mast of a CM110 tripod. Only the first cross element of the Yagi antenna is shown.The 14413 is a RS-232 DB9 male-to-DB25 male cable typi-cally used to connect the RF450 to an SRM-5A Short Haul Modem. It has a 6 ft length.The 18663 null modem cable connects the radio to the datalog-ger's RS-232 port. This cable is the only option available for con-necting the radio to a CR200(X)-series datalogger.The A100 Null Modem Adapter fastens onto a PS100 Power Supply or CH100 Regulator. The null modem ports allow the RF450 and another device to talk to each other without a datalogger in between. Campbell Scientific, Inc. | 815 W 1800 N | Logan, Utah 84321-1784 | (435) 753-2342 | www.campbellsci.comUSA | AUSTRALIA | BRAZIL | CANADA | COSTA RICA | ENGLAND | FRANCE | GERMANY | SOUTH AFRICA | SPAINSpecifi cations Operating Frequency: 902 to 928 MHz Type: Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Transceiver FCC ID: KNY-6231812519 Canada ID: 2329B-DGR09RAS Ships with: SC12 CS I/O cable, 10873 RS-232 cable, screws, grommetsPower Requirements Input Voltage: 7 to 28 Vdc Average Current Drain @ 12 Vdc Sleep: 7 mA Idle: 22 mA Receiving: 76 mA Transmitting: 500 mATransmit Power Output: 5 mW to 1 W, user-selectable Range: Maximum transmission distance of 60 miles, and realistic reliable transmission distance of ~13 miles. All transmis- sion distances assume line- of sight and appropriate antenna (line-of-sight obstructions, RF interference, and antenna type will aff ect transmission distance). Modulation: GFSK, 120 or 170 kbps Occupied Bandwidth: 230 kHz at 60 dB Channel Spacing: 230 kHz Hopping Patterns: 15 per band, 105 total, user selectable Hopping Channels: 50 to 112, user selectable Hopping Bands: 7, user selectable Frequency Zones: 16 zones, 7 channels per zoneReceive Sensitivity 10-6 Bit Error Rate: -108 dBm 10-4 Bit Error Rate: -110 dBm Selectivity: -20 dB at Fc ±115 kHz; -60 dB at Fc ±145 kHz System Gain: 140 dBData Transmission Error Detection: 32-bit CRC, retransmit on error Data Encryption: Substitution, dynamic key Link Throughput: 115.2 kbps, maximumData Interface Protocol: RS-232, DCE, CS I/O, ME, and SDC; user selectable RS-232 Baud Rate: 1200 bps, 4800 bps, 9600 bps, 19.2 kbps, 34.4 kbps, 57.6 kbps, or 115.2 kbps RS-232 Connector: 9-pin D Female (4 wire: Tx, Rx, CTS, GND) CS I/O Connector1: 9-pin “D” Male Antenna Connector: SMA Power Connector: Barrel plug, center positive 12 V; used to connect the 14291 Field Power Cable or 15966 AC adapterEnvironmental Operating Temperature: -40° to +75°C Relative Humidity: 0 to 95% RH non-condensingPhysical Dimensions: 1.44” x 3.17” x 5.70” (3.66 x 8.05 x 14.48 cm) With Mounting Plate: 1.44” x 3.17” x 7.5” (3.66 x 8.05 x 19.05 cm) Weight: 0.7 lb (0.3 kg)1Newer dataloggers provide power to the RF450 radio on this connector. Dataloggers purchased before December 1997 require the #14291 Field Power Cable.Copyright © 2007, 2011Campbell Scientifi c, Inc. Printed June 2011