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User Manual
RTcom-Universal, Global
Max and Outback
Radio Modems
Copyright Radio-Tech Limited 1998-2000
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CONTENTS 3 5 5 6 6 7 8 9 2 18 EMC Conformity 17 Using WindowsTM Terminal or Hyper Terminal 17 proprietary protocols Using 17 The RTcom protocol COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS 17 COMMISIONING 16 All LED's Blinking 16 Status LED's OPERATION 15 Data rate setting chart 15 Interface mode switch 15 Data format mode switch 14 Table for the RTcom range Operating Modes CONFIGURATION 13 Data and Power CONNECTIONS 12 RTcom-Max 12 RTcom-Outback 11 Universal RTcom-Global and GENERAL ARANGEMENT 10 Antenn
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INTRODUCTION RTcom RTcom Modem Modem Fig 1: Simple point to point link RTcom Slave Station (1) Modem RTcom Modem Master station RTcom Slave Station (2) Modem Polled Master to multiple slave system day, all year round. However, for any radio communications system to be reliable care should be taken in the design of the whole system. Many countries impose restrictions on the frequency, power, channel power and occupied bandwidth of transmissions. Others in addition impose strict test and 3 certifi
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In many countries it is quite legal to operate systems without need for operating licences. These countries include the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, South Africa, Scandinavia and Other countries, such as the United States also permit unlicensed transmissions under FCC- Part 15, but both the power and duty cycle limits imposed make modem operation impractical for reliable Before using your RTcom Radio Modem please ensure that you have purchased the correct version and selected t
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Frequency of operation Often there is not a choice over operating frequency. In most countries frequency allocations are very limited, by way of example in Europe there is only 433-435MHz UHF or 868-870MHz SHF. While the UK and many others offer VHF, UHF and SHF allocations. However other frequencies may be used In order to generalise the choice of frequency should be based upon the distance of intended operation, power supply constraints, data rate, duty cycle, attenuation, portability (antenna
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modem includes a test mode that places the modems transmitter into constant transmit mode. This permits the measurement of signal strength at the receiver. Normally our modems will work 6 proven very successful. heater used. This practice has been used by our own field service engineers for many years and has similar IP rating and where the climate is variable a thermostatically controlled anti-condensation also recommend that where possible the modem should be mounted within a second enclosure
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URM67 URM76 7 URM67. reliable, robust and readily available connector that can accommodate low loss cables such as TNC) can be supplied to customer specific orders. Generally we find the N-Type to be the most Our modems are normally supplied with N-Type terminations (sockets). Other terminations (BNC or 5.3 1.6 5.0 2.52 0.68 10.3 7.6 2.0 5.0 RG58 1000MHz 100MHz Dia Cable Type dB Loss per 10m length The following table gives loss figures from typical popular 50-Ohm coaxial cables: - It is importa
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RTcom Data Modem Terminal Surge Arrestor PSU point. 8 connected in series with the data and/or power connections, again bonded to the common Earth point. apparatus. If however is not practical to implement, then a second surge protection device should be Note: Failure to connect the data terminal to the same Earth point compromises the protection of the modem and the other connected apparatus and secondly they are all connected to a common Earth can only be effective the impedance of the cable c
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(Directional yagi antenna (vertically polarised)) (Directional yagi antenna (vertically polarised) (Omni-directional antenna (vertically polarised)) (Directional yagi antenna (vertically polarised) 9 the same or a similar frequency. Note: Polarisation can be put to good use when it is desirable to reject an unwanted transmission on 30dB may be encountered. It is very important that all antennas in a system share the same polarisation otherwise losses of up to For mobile systems the only practica
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Gain and Directional Properties Comments 1/4 wave dipole < -0.8dB near omni in the For portable apparatus operating above 400MHz vertical plane only. Requires a ground plane for operation Helical < -4 to -10dB near omni in the For portable apparatus < 400MHz vertical plane only. Requires a ground plane for operation 1/2 wave dipole + 1.2 to + 1.8dB near omni- For portable and fixed apparatus looking for a low directional in the vertical plane. cost antenna that does not require a ground plane E
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Guide to your RTcom-Global & Max Modem Carrier Detect LED (Global only) Channel selection switch (Global Only, See Table) Mode Switch for RS232 / Reset Button RS485 Modes Status LED's Mode Switch for Data Rate and data format Links to select 2-4 wire RS485 RS422 & Interface RS232 interface 11 RS485 supply 12-24V dc
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Guide to your RTcom-Outback Optional Location for Battery Configuration Mode RS422 & Links to select 2-4 wire dc RS485 RS232 interface Interface Guide to your RTcom-Max (Please take care when opening cover) Radio Module mounted in cover Connections as per Global Modem 12 supply RS485 Solar/12-24V Switch
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1 +24V dc supply 2 GND 3 +12V dc supply 4 GND 5 DTR** 6 DCD 7 TXD (RS232) 8 RXD (RS232) 9 Z = TX (-) Y = TX (+) " A = RX (+) " B = (RX(-) " GND Connections for the Global and Max modems 1 +24V dc supply 2 GND 3 +12V dc supply 4 GND 5 TXD (RS232) from 6 RXD (RS232) 7 Y TX(+) 8 Z TX(-) " 9 " A (RX(+) " GND Connections for the RTcom-Europa Modem 13 Ground 11 10 B RX (-) RS485/ RS422 modem Input data to modem data Output Ground Ground Notes Designation WRT Modem Terminal Number Ground 13 12 11 10
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1 DCD 2 RX (data) 3 TX(data) 4 RTS 5 GND 6 7 " 8 +Vs 9 N/C GND Z = TX(-) Y = TX(+) " +Vs GND Connections for the Universal & Plastic Housed Global Modem CONFIGURATION:- UHF: VHF/UHF UHF: MPT1329 RTcom-Max RTcom-Global RTcom-Outback RTcom-Outback 1200-2400bps 1200-4800bps 2400-9600bps 7 & 8 bit ASCII 7 & 8 bit ASCII 7 & 8 bit ASCII 7 & 8 bit ASCII Even & odd parity Even & odd parity Even & odd Even & odd parity 1 or 2 Stop bits 1 or 2 stop bits 1 or 2 stop bits 1 or 2 stop bits Operating Modes av
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Switch Number Function 1 Baud Rate (See Table) 2 Baud Rate (See Table) 3 8 or 9 bit data (Off = 8-bit, on = 9-bit) ( excluding 1 start and stop bit) 4 5 6 7 8 Test Mode ( Off = Run, on = Test mode) Data Format Mode switch function SW1 Switch Number Function 1 2 3 On = RS485 / RS422 4 On = RS232 Interface Mode switch SW2 Mode SW1,1 Mode SW1,2 Data Rate Off Off 2400 bps Off 4800 bps Off 9600bps 19200bps Date rate setting table subject to version constraints listed above. 15 cable paths. RTcom Mode
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The RTcom protocol permits 100% transparent operation and direct cable emulation. Simply what goes in comes out! R.F. packet framing, code balancing, encryption and preambles etc are taken care of automatically within the data transfers and will probably already be in use over your link, particularly if you are linking PLC's. Rather than . Status LED's are provided to aid use. On the Global, Universal and Max, the top, green LED indicates The centre amber LED is for received data communications
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COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS TM TM TM TM 17 problem we believe with these programmes is the low priority placed on communications by the 98 version has however been improved but performance will vary from machine to machine. The 95 version. The 3.11 version of Terminal.exe to be more reliable than the Windows the Windows programs that can be used to transfer files between two platforms. From experience we have found depending upon its version contains terminal (Terminal.EXE or Hyper Terminal.EXE) W
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Windows is a registered Trade Mark of the Microsoft Corporation Copyright Radio-Tech Limited 1998-2000. All information is given in good faith. Equipment should not be used where failure could result in loss of life or damage to the environment. No losses can be accepted for errors or omissions contained in this document. It is the responsibility of the user to confirm licensing and other legal issues. Revision 2, Issue 1 18 Where applicable a Type Examination/ EMC Declaration of Conformity will
