FCC ID: E5M-INET900 MDS iNet 900

 

MDS NET 900 i i e d u G n o i t a l l a t s n I Wireless IP/Ethernet Transceiver Review Draft 312/17/01 MDS 05-2873A01, REV. D3 DECEMBER 2001 Review Draft 312/17/01 CONTENTS ABOUT THIS MANUAL............................................................4 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION......................................................4 INSTALLATION PLANNING.....................................................5 INSTALLATION ........................................................................6 Step 1Mount the Transceiver....................................................6 Step 2Install the Antenna .........................................................7 Step 3Measure & Install Primary Power...................................7 Step 4Review the Radios Conguration ..................................8 Step 5Connect the Data Equipment.........................................9 Step 6Check for Normal Operation ........................................10 Performance Optimization..........................................................10 TROUBLESHOOTING...........................................................11 iNET SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................13 IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY... .................................................14 INSTALLATION REFERENCE CHART ............. (Center Insert) Copyright Notice This publication is protected by U.S. copyright law. Copyright 2001, Micro-

wave Data Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Serviceability of this Manual While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this manual, product improvements may result in minor differences between the manual and the product shipped to you. If you have additional questions or need an exact specification for a product, please contact our Customer Service Team using the information at the back of this guide. Microwave Data Systems Incorporated reserves its right to correct any errors and omissions. Updated information may also be available on our Web site at www.microwavedata.com. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Installation Guide 1 Review Draft 312/17/01 Operational Safety Notices RF Exposure The radio equipment described in this guide emits radio frequency energy. Although the power level is low, the concentrated energy from a directional antenna may pose a health hazard. Do not allow people to come closer than two meters (6 feet) to the antenna when the transmitter is operating. This manual is intended to guide a professional installer in installing, oper-

ating and performing basic system maintenance on the described equipment. FM/UL/CSA Notice MDS Net 900 When Approved i This product is available for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C & D Hazardous Locations. Such locations are defined in Article 500 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publication NFPA 70, otherwise known as the National Elec-

trical Code. The transceiver has been recognized for use in these hazardous locations by three independent agencies Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). The UL certi-

fication for the transceiver is as a Recognized Component for use in these hazardous locations, in accordance with UL Standard 1604. The FMRC Approval is in accor-

dance with FMRC Standard 3611. The CSA Certification is in accordance with CSA STD C22.2 No. 213-M1987. FM/UL/CSA Conditions of Approval MDS Net 900 When Approved i The transceiver is not acceptable as a stand-alone unit for use in the hazardous loca-

tions described above. It must either be mounted within another piece of equipment which is certified for hazardous locations, or installed within guidelines, or conditions of approval, as set forth by the approving agencies. These conditions of approval are as follows:

1. The transceiver must be mounted within a separate enclosure which is suitable for the intended application. 2. The antenna feedline, DC power cable and interface cable must be routed through conduit in accordance with the National Electrical Code. 3. Installation, operation and maintenance of the transceiver should be in accor-

dance with the transceiver's installation manual, and the National Electrical Code. 4. Tampering or replacement with non-factory components may adversely affect the safe use of the transceiver in hazardous locations, and may void the approval. 2 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Review Draft 312/17/01 EXPLOSION HAZARD!

Do not disconnect equipment unless power has been switched off or the area is know to be non-hazardous. Refer to Articles 500 through 502 of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) for further information on hazardous locations and approved Division 2 1 wiring methods. Z?

FCC Notice, U.S.A. MDS Net 900 When Approved i The MDS iNet 900 transceivers comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful inter-

ference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interfer-

ence that may cause undesired operation. This device is specifically designed to be used under Section 15.247 of the FCC Rules and Regulations. Any unauthorized modification or changes to this device without the express approval of Microwave Data Systems may void the users authority to operate this device. Furthermore, this device is indented to be used only when installed in accordance with the instructions outlined in this manual. Failure to comply with these instructions may also void the users authority to operate this device. FCC Information This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A dig-

ital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio fre-

quency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. 1. This seem like this note should be a DANGER classification if there is a potential for an explosion. Please verify. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Installation Guide 3 Review Draft 312/17/01 ABOUT THIS MANUAL This guide presents installation and initial operating instructions for the MDS 900 transceiver. Following installation, we suggest keeping this guide near the equipment for future reference. iNET The scope of this manual is limited to the safe and effective installation of the unit in typical office or non-hazardous industrial settings. Users who require optimization of the equipments capabilities and oper-

ating range should read the MDS iNET 900 Network Administrators

, P/N 05-xxxxA01. This manual provides more in-depth infor-

Manual mation on antenna selection and optimization, and extensive coverage on user-controllable parameters and diagnostic tools. Many of the essential installation information is contained on the Installation Reference Chart found at the center of this manual. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The MDS transceiver designed for to support wireless data networks. 900 transceiver (shown on the cover) is a data radio iNET iNET The MDS 900 transceiver is designed to provide network man-

agers with a easy-to-install wireless local area network (LAN) services with plug-and-play hardware. The unit can be reconfigured for any one of three standard operating arrangements; some require the use of electronic keys (alphanumeric code) purchased from MDS. The model descriptions reflect their operating mode capabilities. The core data interface services are 1. Ethernet, 2. Serial, and 3. Serial and Ethernet.

(See Table 1 on page 5 for a summary of core interface services.) Three model configurations are available; they are:

1. Ethernet BridgeSupports Ethernet trafc only 2. Serial gatewaySupports serial trafc only

(Encrypted over IP protocol) 3. Access Point/Dual GatewaySupports Ethernet and serial data simultaneously 4 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Review Draft 312/17/01 Table 1. NET 900 Models and Data Interface Services i Model Oper. Mode LAN Data

(IP/Ethernet) COM1 Data COM1 MGT Sys. Access COM2 Data Ethernet 1 Bridge 1 Serial Dual 2 Gateway Yes No Yes Remote Gateway Remote Gateway Remote Gateway &

Access Point No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes NOTES 1. Firmware key required to convert to alternate operating modes:

Remote Serial/LAN Gateway, Ethernet Bridge, or Access Point Oper-

ation. 2. Default: Remote Serial/LAN Gateway. Able to be converted to Access Point without rmware key iNET The MDS 900 transceivers serve as either an Access Point or Remote Gateway. An Access Point is a wireless hub that provides connectivity into a wired Ethernet LAN/WAN. From a radio perspec-

tive, an Access Point also serves as the radio networks master sta-

tion providing synchronization signaling for associated 900 Remote Gateway radios. iNET INSTALLATION PLANNING This section provides tips for selecting an appropriate site, choosing an antenna system, and reducing the chance of harmful interference. General Requirements There are three main requirements for installing the radioadequate and stable primary power, a good antenna system, and the correct interface between the transceiver and the data device. The center Installation Reference Chart lation. shows a typical Remote Gateway instal-

MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Installation Guide 5 Review Draft 312/17/01 Access Point stations are similar, but typically they use an omni-direc-

tional antenna and a Local-Area Network (LAN) or a Wide-Area Net-

work connected to the LAN port. The Access Point iNET radio provides a connection to the wired network for devices attached to the Remote Gateways. Antennas are a vital link in the system; they must be chosen and installed correctly. The provides details on choosing a site and making antenna selections MDS iNET 900 Network Managers Manual INSTALLATION A typical transceiver product shipment consists of an iNET 900 trans-

ceiver and a manual. Check the contents against the packing list attached to the outside of the shipping box. Below are the basic steps for installing a NET 900 transceiver. Should i further information be required, see IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY... on page 14 of this manual for information on contacting the factory. You will also find support information at the Microwave Data System Web site at www.MicrowaveData.com on the Internet. NOTE:

In this way, it will be possible to quickly check the It is recommended that the Access Point station be installed first. operation of each associated Remote Gateway unit as it is placed on the air. 900 transceivers are shipped from the MDS iNET factory set to the Remote Gateway mode unless they are marked differently. Step 1Mount the Transceiver Mount the transceiver to a stable surface. (Fasteners/anchors/screws are not supplied unless specified when the order.) Four threaded holes are located on the bottom of the radio that are suitable for connecting mounting hardware. Use 6-32 x 1/4 inch screws to attach mounting hardware to the bottom of the radio. 6 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Review Draft 312/17/01 Screws used to hold the mounting brackets to the radio should be 516 inch (8 mm) long or shorter to prevent damage to the radios internal PC board. If these screws are replaced for any reason, the new screws must not exceed this length. The radios case is made of a durable cast-aluminum, however, the use of the wrong sized screws can damage the screw sockets on the cover. CAUTION POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT DAMAGE Step 2Install the Antenna The antenna and NET 900 unit should be mounted with the antenna a i minimum of six inches (15 cm) from other equipment, especially metallic objects. NOTE:

Radio frequency energy generated by the NET 900 can i interfere with the operation of nearby low-level RTU circuits and change the reported values of the data being monitored. For this reason, the antenna should be mounted at least 10 feet (>3 meters) from the RTU, sensors and other components of the system. General information on the selection and installation of antenna sys-

tems is provided in the

. MDS iNET 900 Network Managers Manual Step 3Measure & Install Primary Power The primary power at the transceivers power connector must be within 10.530 Vdc and be capable of continuously furnishing up to 500 mA. The optimum voltage is 13.8 Vdc. Be sure to observe proper polarity as shown in Figure 1. A power connector is provided with each radio suitable for use with pigtail leads. Invisible place holder Figure 1. Primary Power (DC) Polarity The radio is designed to be used only in nega-

tive-ground systems. Make sure the polarity of the power source is correct. Reverse polarity will dam-

900s circuitry and will result in per-

age the manent damage to the unit. iNET CAUTION POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT DAMAGE MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Installation Guide 7 Review Draft 312/17/01 The power supply used with the transceiver should be equipped with overload protection (NEC Class 2 rating), to protect against a short cir-

cuit between its output terminals and the transceiver power connector. Step 4Review the Radios Configuration There are two essential settings for NET 900 transceivers that should i be known before placing the radio into service. They are:

Radio Operating Mode Network Name used to generate the hopping pattern. Access Point or Remote Gateway Unique name of the radio network that is NOTE:

Transceivers are normally shipped from the factory config-

ured as a Remote Gateway. Must be a unique number to allow for IP Unit IP Address access through the Ethernet Port. Transmitter Power Output Level Default is 1 Watt. Adjust as necessary for compliance with FCC guidelines. NOTE:

NOTE:

A unique IP address is important if the radios LAN

(Ethernet) port will be used for IP-based data communica-

tions or for unit conguration. ports only function is to provide access to the The iNET 900s management system. COM2 is not functional at this time. COM1 The following is a summary of the installation procedure. For more detailed instructions on using the menu-based COM1 and the HTTP/Bowser interfaces, please read the Administrators Handbook MDS iNET 900 Network

. Procedure a. Connect a personal computers serial communications port Port connector on the radio COM1 nstallation Reference Chart for location.

(COM1 or COM2) to the transceiver. (See the I Data defaults: 19,200 kbs/8N1.) b. Launch a terminal emulator program, such as HyperTerminal, on the computer. c. Depress the ENTER key. The radio will respond with the start-up screen of a text-based Management System. 8 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Review Draft 312/17/01 d. A login with password will be required to make any changes to the radio. (Default =

) admin e. Select the desired options to review existing settings and to initiate necessary changes such as the IP address and other network parameters. Changes are saved in the units ash memory. f. Repeat the above steps for each transceiver in the network. Basic NET Unit Parameter Defaults i The table on the center provides a sum-

mary of basic operating parameters range of and default values. All of these are available through the NETs Management System acces-

i sible through a terminal emulator connected to the Installation Reference Chart COM1 port. Step 5Connect the Data Equipment Connect Ethernet/IP-compatible equipment data equipment to the transceivers LAN port. The port supports only 10BaseT. Installation Reference Chart Use only the required pins for the applicationdo not connect any-

thing to unused pins. Use a straight-through Ethernet cable to connect to a hub or a crossover cable to connect directly to an Ethernet station or RTU. See the guide for pinout information. Remote Gateway If the radio network seems to be operating prop-

erly based on observation of the units LEDs, connect the user data command to verify the equipment to the LAN port. Use the IP communications link integrity with the Access Point unit. Access Point Connect the WAN/LAN to the LAN port of the radio. in the middle of this PING LED Indicators A table of LED functions can be found on the center

. erence Chart Installation Ref-

MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Installation Guide 9 Review Draft 312/17/01 Step 6Check for Normal Operation a. Observe the transceiver LED status panel (See the Installation Reference Chart operating system, the following LED indications will be seen within 30 seconds of start-up:

) for the proper indications. In a normally Lit continuously PWR LINK uously on Access Point stations. LAN Blinks (flickers) with data activity. Blinks intermittently at Remote Gateways and contin-

On indicates it connected to a good Ethernet cable. b. Check the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for an adequate signal level from the radio networks Access Point station. (RSSI available through the iNET Management Sys-

tem) It may be necessary to reposition the gateway radios antenna for better reception/signal strength, or if a directional antenna is used, rotate it until the signal is optimized. Installation Reference Chart for details on the LED functions See the and chart of Management System menus. If all checks out OK, you are done with the installation. Congratula-

tions!

Performance Optimization After the basic operation of the radio has been checked, you may wish to optimize its performance using some of the suggestions given here. The effectiveness of these techniques will vary with the design of your system and the format of the data being sent. Complete instructions on using the units configuration options refer-

enced within this section are can be found in the MDS iNET 900 Net-

work Managers Manual. 10 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Review Draft 312/17/01 TROUBLESHOOTING It is best to begin troubleshooting at the Access Point station, as the rest of the system depends on the Access Point for polling instructions and synchronization data. If the Access Point station has problems, the operation of the entire network will be affected. All radios in the network must meet these basic requirements:

Adequate and stable primary power An efficient and properly aligned antenna system Secure connections (RF, data & power) Proper programming of the radios operating parameters, especially Mode selection (Access Point/Remote), Network Name, and IP Network Address The correct interface between the radio and the connected data equipment (proper cable wiring, data format and timing). Table 2 on page 12 provides suggestions for resolving system difficul-

ties that may be experienced in the radio system. If problems persist, contact the factory for further assistance. Refer to the inside back cover of this guide for contact information. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Installation Guide 11 Review Draft 312/17/01 Table 2. Troubleshooting Techniques Difficulty Recommended System Checks The PWR LED does not turn on. a. Check for the proper supply voltage at the power connector. Interference is suspected. b. Cycle the power and wait for the unit to reboot.

( 30 seconds) a. Verify that the system has a unique network name. A nearby systems (Access Point station) with the same network name will cause interference. b. If omnidirectional antennas are used on, consider changing to directional antennas. This will often limit interference to and from other stations. c. The installation of a filter in the antenna line may be necessary. Consult the factory for further assistance. The LINK LED does not turn on. a. Check for secure interface connections at the radio and the connected device. b. Check the antenna, feedline and connectors. Reflected power should be less than 10% of the forward power reading (SWR 2:1 or lower). c. No synchronization with Access Point, or poor overall performance. Check RSSI level. Cannot pass IP data to WAN. a. Use the PING command to test communication with iNET units in the local radio system. b. If successful with local PING, attempt to PING an IP unit attached to an iNET radio. c. If successful with the LAN PINGs, try connecting to a known unit in the WAN. 12 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Review Draft 312/17/01 INET SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL Temperature Range:

Humidity:

Primary Power:

External Power Supply Options:

Supply Current (typical):

Transmit:

Size (Excluding mtg. hardware):

Weight:

Case:

Shock and Vibration:

RADIO CHARACTERISTICS GENERAL:

Frequency Range:

Mode:

TRANSMITTER:

Power Output

(at antenna connector):

Duty Cycle:

Output Impedance:

RECEIVER:

Type:

Sensitivity:

30C to +70C (22 F to 158 F) 95% at +40C (104 F); non-condensing 10.530 Vdc(13.8 Vdc Nominal) 48 Vdc; 110120/210220 Vac

(@1 Watt RF Output) 500 mA @ 13.8 Vdc 1.5" x 6" x 4" (H x W x D) 3.8 x 15.2 x 10.2 cm 0.9 kg / 2 lb Cast Aluminum Meets MIL STD 202F, 810E, 202D 902928 MHz ISM Band Freq. Hopping Spread-Spectrum (FHSS) 0.1 to 1.0 watt (+20 dBm to +30 dBm) Increments of1.0 dB, set by user Continuous 50 Ohms Double conversion superheterodyne 92 dBm @ 512 kbps < 1x10-6 BER 100 dBm @ 256 kbps < 1x10-6 BER Time Required to Synchronize with Access Point Radio:

Less than 13 seconds (typical) MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Installation Guide 13 Review Draft 312/17/01 IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY... MDS products are designed for long life and trouble-free opera-

tion. However, this equipment, as with all electronic equipment may have an occasional component failure. The following infor-

mation will assist you in the event that servicing becomes neces-

sary. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Technical assistance for MDS products is available from our Cus-

tomer Support Team during business hours (8:00 A.M.5:30 P.M. Eastern Time). When calling, please give the complete model number of the radio, along with a description of the trouble symptom(s) that you are experiencing. In many cases, problems can be resolved over the telephone, without the need for returning the unit to the factory. Telephone 1+ 585-242-8510 for product assistance or visit the tech-

nical support area of the Microwave Data Systems Web site at www.MicrowaveData.com. FACTORY SERVICE If return of the equipment is necessary, please contact the MDS Cus-

tomer Support Team. You will be issued a Returned Material Autho-

rization (RMA) number. The RMA number will help expedite the repair so that the equipment can be repaired and returned to you as quickly as possible. Please be sure to include the RMA number on the outside of the shipping box, and on any correspondence relating to the repair. No equipment will be accepted for repair without an RMA number. A statement should accompany the radio describing, in detail, the trouble symptom(s), and a description of any associated equipment normally connected to the radio. It is also important to include the name and telephone number of a person in your organization who can be contacted if additional information is required. 14 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Review Draft 312/17/01 The radio must be properly packed for return to the factory. The orig-

inal shipping container and packaging materials should be used when-

ever possible. All factory returns should be addressed to:

Microwave Data Systems Inc. Customer Service Department

(RMA No. XXXX) 175 Science Parkway Rochester, NY 14620 USA When repairs have been completed, the equipment will be returned to you by the same shipping method used to send it to the factory. Please specify if you wish to make different shipping arrangements. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. D3 Installation Guide 15 175 Science Parkway, Rochester, New York 14620 General Business: +1 (716) 242-9600 FAX: +1 (716) 242-9620 Web: www.microwavedata.com

 

 

MDS iNet 900 Wireless IP/Ethernet Transceiver MDS 05-2873A01, REV. FCC AUGUST 2001 DRAFT 68/30/01 QUICK START GUIDE Below are the basic steps for installing the MDS iNet 900 transceiver. Detailed instructions are given in the Section 3.0, INSTALLATION PLANNING

, on page 5 of this manual. 1. Install and connect the antenna system to the radio Use good quality, low-loss coaxial cable. Keep the feedline as short as possible. Preset directional antennas in the direction of desired transmission/reception. 2. Apply DC power to the radio (13.8 Vdc @ 500 mA) Connect a DC power source to the Nets power connector.(Negative ground only.) i Observe proper polarity when connecting the DC cable. See Figure 10 on page 16. 3. Review the initial configuration profile Connect a computer with HTTP browser to the LAN port, or a terminal to the COM1 port, to identify, and revise if necessary the MDS Net 900s primary operating parameters. (See Step 5Review i the Radios Configuration on page 16 for details.)









Operating Mode: Access Point (Master) or Station Adaptor (Remote) Internet Protocol (IP) Address Network Name 1 Time and DateIf event logging is enabled Z?

i 4. Verify proper operation of the MDS Net radio-modem See Table 2 on page 7 for an explanation of the LED status indicators. Refine the antenna heading for maximum received signal strength using the radio signal strength indicator (

RSSI

) function found on the browsers home page. The RSSI display will be in dBm. 5. Connect the users equipment to the MDS Nets LAN, COM1or COM2 ports i LANUse a RJ-45 Ethernet connector/cable. COM2Recommended for serial-based data equipment. Use a DB-9 female connector. Interface is RS-232/EIA-232 compatible. COM1Reserve, if practical, for use to connect terminal for unit configuration. Use a DB-9 male connector. Interface is RS-232/EIA-232 compatible.

(See Table 9 on page 34 for pin descriptions and Figure 9 on page 16 for port defaults.) 6. Verify proper operation of the users equipment A properly configured system will work exactly as it would if the data equipment were communicating through a conventional wired system. (See Table 4.6 on page 18) The LINK LED will blink intermittently under normal operation if it connects with another MDS iNet 900 transceiver. Use the IP PING command to verify the Access Point can be contacted by the Station Adapter. 1. While this may be of value, the time and date setting does not seem like a primary parameter and is beyond the scope of this draft. DRAFT 68/30/01 DRAFT 68/29/01 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 ABOUT THIS MANUAL................................................................ 1 2.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ......................................................... 1 2.1 Transceiver Features ........................................................................2 2.2 Spread Spectrum Radios How Are They Different? ..........................................................................3 2.3 Typical Applications ..........................................................................3 Wireless IP/Ethernet LAN Connectivity ..........................................3 Point-to-Point System .....................................................................3 Dealing with difcult terrain.............................................................4 2.4 Accessories ......................................................................................4 3.0 INSTALLATION PLANNING......................................................... 5 3.1 General Requirements .....................................................................5 3.2 Site Selection ...................................................................................6 Terrain and Signal Strength ............................................................6 Conducting a Site Survey ...............................................................7 3.3 A Word About Radio Interference ....................................................8 3.4 Antenna & Feedline Selection ..........................................................9 Antennas ........................................................................................9 Feedlines ......................................................................................11 3.5 How Much Output Power Can be Used? .......................................11 Calculating System Gain ..............................................................12 4.0 INSTALLATION .......................................................................... 13 4.1 Step 1 Mounting the Transceiver ................................................13 4.2 Step 2Install the Antenna and Feedline ......................................15 4.3 Step 3Connect the Data Equipment ...........................................15 4.4 Step 4Measure & Install Primary Power .....................................16 4.5 Step 5Review the Radios Conguration ....................................16 Procedure .....................................................................................17 4.6 Step 6Connect the User Data Equipment ..................................18 4.7 Step 7Check for Normal Operation ............................................18 Procedure .....................................................................................18 4.8 Performance Optimization ..............................................................19 Antenna Aiming ............................................................................19 Antenna SWR Check (Z? Major revision needed?)......................20 5.0 TRADITIONAL REPEATER CONFIGURATION WITH TWO RADIOS 20 5.1 Overview ........................................................................................20 MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A i MDS Net 900 Installation and Operation Guide i DRAFT 68/29/01 5.2 Antennas ........................................................................................21 5.3 Network Name ...............................................................................21 5.4 Interface Wiring ..............................................................................21 6.0 PROGRAMMING....................................................................... 21 6.1 Programming Via an HTTP/Web Browser ......................................22 Making the Connection.................................................................22 Start-up Screen ............................................................................22 System Conguration Screen.......................................................23 Radio/Modem Screen Z?..............................................................23 6.2 Programming Via COM1 Port & a Terminal Program .....................24 Making the Connection.................................................................24 Communicating with the iNet transceiver .....................................24 Using the Menu-Based Management Toolbox ..............................24 Review and Changing Essential Parameters................................26 7.0 TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................... 26 7.1 LED Indicators ................................................................................27 7.2 Troubleshooting Chart ....................................................................27 8.0 REPEATER ASSITED LANS ..................................................... 28 Repeater Systems ........................................................................28 Option 1Traditional with two-radio repeater ..............................28 Option 2With Store-and-Forward Station ..................................29 9.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE ....................................................... 30 9.1 Technical Specications .................................................................30 9.2 Data Interface Connectors LAN, COM1 & DATA Ports .....................................................................32 LAN (Local Area Network) PortRJ-45 Ethernet Interface..........32 COM1 Port ...................................................................................33 COM2 Port....................................................................................34 9.3 Table-Top Test Setup ......................................................................34 9.4 Using a Personal Computer to Congure the iNet Radio ...............35 Connecting a PC to iNets LAN (Ethernet) Port ............................35 Connecting a PC to iNets COM1 Port..........................................35 10.0 GLOSSARY OF TERMS.......................................................... 36 10.1 dBm-Watts-Volts Conversion Chart ..............................................39 Copyright Notice This Installation and Operation Guide and all software described herein are protected by copyright. Copyright 2001, Microwave Data Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. ii i MDS Net 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A RF Exposure DRAFT 68/29/01 Serviceability of this Manual While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this manual, product improvements may result in minor differences between the manual and the product shipped to you. If you have addi-

tional questions or need an exact specification for a product, please con-

tact our Customer Service Team using the information at the back of this guide. Microwave Data Systems Incorporated reserves its right to cor-

rect any errors and omissions. Updated information may also be avail-

able on our Web site at www.microwavedata.com. Operational Safety Notices The radio equipment described in this guide emits radio frequency energy. Although the power level is low, the concentrated energy from a directional antenna may pose a health hazard. Do not allow people to come within two meters (6 feet) of the antenna when the transmitter is operating. This manual is intended to guide a professional installer in installing, operating and performing basic system maintenance on the described equipment. FM/UL/CSA Notice MDS Net 900 When Approved i This product is available for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C & D Hazardous Locations. Such locations are defined in Article 500 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publication NFPA 70, otherwise known as the National Electrical Code. The transceiver has been recognized for use in these hazardous locations by three independent agencies Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Fac-

tory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). The UL certification for the transceiver is as a Rec-

ognized Component for use in these hazardous locations, in accordance with UL Standard 1604. The FMRC Approval is in accordance with FMRC Standard 3611. The CSA Certification is in accordance with CSA STD C22.2 No. 213-M1987. FM/UL/CSA Conditions of Approval MDS Net 900 When Approved i The transceiver is not acceptable as a stand-alone unit for use in the haz-

ardous locations described above. It must either be mounted within another piece of equipment which is certified for hazardous locations, or installed within guidelines, or conditions of approval, as set forth by the approving agencies. These conditions of approval are as follows:

1. The transceiver must be mounted within a separate enclosure which is suitable for the intended application. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A i MDS Net 900 Installation and Operation Guide iii DRAFT 68/29/01 2. The antenna feedline, DC power cable and interface cable must be routed through conduit in accordance with the National Electrical Code. 3. Installation, operation and maintenance of the transceiver should be in accordance with the transceiver's installation manual, and the National Electrical Code. 4. Tampering or replacement with non-factory components may adversely affect the safe use of the transceiver in hazardous loca-

tions, and may void the approval. 5. When installed in a Class I, Div. 2, Groups A, B, C or D hazardous location, observe the following:

Do not disconnect equipment unless power has been switched off or the area is know to be non-hazardous. EXPLOSION HAZARD Refer to Articles 500 through 502 of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) for further information on hazardous loca-

1 tions and approved Division 2 wiring methods. Z?

FCC Notice, U.S.A. MDS Net 900 When Approved i The MDS iNet 900 transceivers comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This device is specifically designed to be used under Section 15.247 of the FCC Rules and Regulations. Any unauthorized modification or changes to this device without the express approval of Microwave Data Systems may void the users authority to operate this device. Furthermore, this device is indented to be used only when installed in accordance with the instructions outlined in this manual. Failure to comply with these instructions may also void the users authority to operate this device. FCC Information This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environ-

1. This seem like this note should be a DANGER classification if there is a potential for an explosion. Please verify. iv i MDS Net 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 ment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A i MDS Net 900 Installation and Operation Guide v DRAFT 68/29/01 1.0 ABOUT THIS MANUAL This guide presents installation and basic operating instructions for the MDS keeping this guide near the equipment for future reference. Net 900 transceiver. Following installation, we suggest i The terms Access Point and Station Adapter are abbreviated as and in various technical illustrations and tables used in this manual wherever space is at a premium. S.A. A.P. This manual does not cover all possible MDS iNet 900 user-controllable parameters and/or diagnostic tools. For an in-depth description of all of the features and controls of the MDS iNet 900, please read the MDS iNet Network Managers Manual

, P/N 05-xxxxA01. Net 900 transceiver, shown in Figure 1, is designed to pro-

i 2.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The MDS vide network managers with a easy-to-install wireless local area net-

work (LAN) services with plug-and-play hardware. For basic services, just hook up an antenna, connect your Ethernet LAN to the radios LAN port, apply primary power, and you are done. And, no license is required. The transceiver is a spread-spectrum radio designed for operation in the license-free 900 MHz frequency band. The MDS Net 900 provides reli-

i able communications up to distances of 30 miles (50 km), even in the presence of weak signals or interference. Only two user-controllable parameters need to be checked at the time of installationthe radios Access Point/Station Adapter operating mode, and network name of the unit. Net 900 transceiver is based on the IEEE 802.11 wireless The MDS i LAN specification. From this perspective, Net transceivers serve as i Access Points and Station Adapters. An Access Point is a wireless hub that provides connectivity into a wired Ethernet LAN. This connec-

tivity is achieved through remote Station Adapters. From a radio per-

spective, an Access Point also works as a master station providing synchronization signaling for the remote radios (Access Point units). A Station Adapter provides wireless connectivity to and Access Point to one or more Ethernet devices connected to its local interface. From a radio perspective, the Station Adapter also works as a remote radio that communicates to a master radio (Access Point). MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A i MDS Net 900 Installation and Operation Guide 1 DRAFT 68/29/01 Users with a mixture of equipment with Ethernet and serial data inter-

faces can choose to use one of the two user-configurable serial ports. This flexibility allows the iNet transceiver to provide services in data networks that are on a path from legacy serial/EIA/RS-232-based hard-

ware to the faster and more easily interfaced Ethernet world. The radio and data interfaces are easily arranged via the LAN

(Ethernet) port using HTTP. port or via the COM1 Figure 1. The MDS iNet 900 Transceiver The transceiver is housed in a compact and rugged cast-aluminum case that needs only be protected from direct exposure to the weather. It con-

tains a single printed circuit board with all necessary components for radio operation and data communications. 2.1 Transceiver Features Listed below are several key features of the MDS Net 900 transceivers. i These are designed to ease the installation and configuration of the radio, while retaining the ability to make changes in the future. Plug-and-Play ConnectivityEthernet bridge configuration option requires virtually no setup High Speed512 kbps is 50-times faster than 9.6 kbps radios Long Range30 miles (50 km) in wireless LAN configuration Robust Radio CommunicationsDesigned to operate in high-interference environments Industrial-Grade ProductExtended temperature range for trouble-free operation in extreme environments Serial PortsIP gateway to legacy serial interface based equip-

ment Same hardware for Access Point and Station Adaptor configu-

rations 2 i MDS Net 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 2.2 Spread Spectrum Radios How Are They Different?

The main difference between a traditional (licensed) radio system and the Net transceivers is that these units hop from channel to channel i many times per second using a specific hop pattern applied to all radios in the network. A distinct hopping pattern is provided for each of the network name, thereby minimizing the chance of interference with other spread spectrum systems. In the USA, and certain other countries, no license is required to install and operate this type of radio system. 2.3 Typical Applications Wireless IP/Ethernet LAN Connectivity This is the most common application of the MDS Net 900 transceiver. i It consists of a central control station (Access Point) and one or more associated Station Adapter units, as shown in Figure 2. A LAN provides communications between a central host computer and remote terminal units (RTUs) or other data collection devices. The operation of the radio system is transparent to the computer equipment with the Access Point station serving as the gateway to the WAN or host computer. Invisible place holder iNet S.A. RTU iNet S.A. iNet S.A. RTU iNet A.P. RTU iNet S.A. iNet S.A. RTU RTU HOST COMPUTER Figure 2. Typical wireless LAN Point-to-Point System A point-to-point configuration (Figure 3) is a simple arrangement con-

sisting of just two radiosa Access Point and a Station Adapter. This provides communications link for the transfer of data between two loca-

tions. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A i MDS Net 900 Installation and Operation Guide 3 DRAFT 68/29/01 Invisible place holder RTU HOST COMPUTER iNet A.P. iNet S.A. Figure 3. Typical point-to-point link

(A LAN connection may be used in place of a Host Computer) Dealing with difficult terrain In some geographical areas there may be obstacles that make communi-

cation between iNet transceivers difficult. These obstacles commonly are large buildings, natural geological formations or dense foliage. These obstacles can often be overcome with a repeater station. See REPEATER ASSITED LANS on page 28 for descriptions of basic repeater configurations. 2.4 Accessories The MDS iNet 900 transceiver can be used with one or more of the accessories listed in Table 1. Contact the factory for ordering details. Accessory A/C Power Adapter LAN Antenna TNC to N Adapter Table 1. Accessories Description A small switching power supply module designed for continuous service. UL approved. Output 13.8 Vdc @ 500 mA.s Small and flexible 1/4 wavelength antenna plugged directly into the radios ANTENNA port. Suitable for short-range local area networks. Short length of coaxial cable (6/15 cm) used to connect the radios TNC antenna connector to a Type N commonly used on large diameter coaxial cables. MDS P/N 03-xxxxA01 03-xxxxA01 03-xxxxA01 Ethernet RJ-45 Cross-over Cable Cable assembly used to cross-connect the Ethernet ports of two iNet radios used in a repeater configuration. (Cable length = 3/1M) 03-xxxxA01 Flat-Surface Mounting Brackets Brackets: 2 x 3 plates designed to be screwed onto the bottom of the transceiver for surface-mounting the radio. 82-1753-A01 Screws: 6-32/1/4 with locking adhesive.

(Industry Standard MS 51957-26) 70-2620-A01 Adaptor for mounting one MDS iNet 900 radio in a standard 19-inch equipment rack. 03-xxxxA01 19 Rail Mounting Brackets 4 i MDS Net 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 DIN Rail Mounting Brackets Short-Range Antenna Table 1. Accessories

(Continued) Adaptor for mounting one MDS iNet 900 radio in a DIN standard equipment rack. 03-xxxxA01 Short 1/2-wave antenna. Mounts directly onto the radios coaxial connector. Suitable only for short-range LANs, such as within a building or small campus. 03-xxxxA01 3.0 INSTALLATION PLANNING The installation of the radio is not difficult, but it does require some planning to ensure station reliability and efficiency. This section pro-

vides tips for selecting an appropriate site, choosing an antenna system, and reducing the chance of harmful interference. 3.1 General Requirements There are three main requirements for installing the radioadequate and stable primary power, a good antenna system, and the correct inter-

face between the transceiver and the data device. Figure 4 shows a typical Station Adapter installation. An external direc-

tional antenna is normally used and an RTU/PLC is connected to one of the serial ports (COM1/COM2). 13.8 Vdc is supplied to the Station Adapter by an external source. Invisible place holder ANTENNA SYSTEM REMOTE TERMINAL UNIT iNet RADIO TRANSCEIVER LAN PORT POWER SUPPLY 13.6 VDC @

500 mA (MIN.) LOW-LOSS FEEDLINE Figure 4. Typical Station Adapter arrangement

(RTU can be connected to any compatible LAN or COM Port) MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A i MDS Net 900 Installation and Operation Guide 5 DRAFT 68/29/01 3.2 Site Selection For a successful installation, careful thought must be given to selecting proper sites for the Access Points and Station Adapters. Suitable sites should provide:

Protection from direct weather exposure A source of adequate and stable primary power Suitable entrances for antenna, interface or other required cabling Antenna location that provides an unobstructed transmission path in the direction of the associated station s

(

) These requirements can be quickly determined in most cases. A possible exception is the last itemverifying that an unobstructed transmission path exists. Radio signals travel primarily by line-of-sight, and obstruc-

tions between the sending and receiving stations will affect system per-

formance. If you are not familiar with the effects of terrain and other obstructions on radio transmission, the discussion below will provide helpful background. Terrain and Signal Strength While the 900 MHz band offers many advantages over VHF and lower UHF frequencies for data transmission, the band is more prone to signal attenuation from obstructions such as terrain, foliage or buildings in the transmission path. A line-of-sight transmission path between the central Access Point sta-

tion and its associated remote access station site is highly desirable s

)

(

and provides the most reliable communications link. A line-of-sight path can often be achieved by mounting the station antenna on a tower or other elevated structure that raises it to a level sufficient to clear sur-

rounding terrain and other obstructions. The importance of a clear transmission path relates closely to the dis-

tance to be covered by the system. If the system is to cover only a limited geographic area, say up to 3 miles (4.8 km), then some obstructions in the transmission path can usually be tolerated with minimal impact. For longer range systems, any substantial obstruction in the transmission path could compromise the performance of the system, or block trans-

mission entirely. Much depends on the minimum signal strength that can be tolerated in a given system. Although the exact figure will differ from one system to another, a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of 80 dBm or stronger will provide acceptable performance in many systems. While the equipment will work at lower signal strengths, this provides a fade 6 i MDS Net 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 margin to account for variations in signal strength which may occur from time-to-time. RSSI can be measured with a terminal connected to Port or with a HTTP browser to the LAN (Ethernet) connector. the

(See Section 4.6 on page 18 for details.) COM1 Conducting a Site Survey If you are in doubt about the suitability of the radio sites in your system, it is best to evaluate them before a permanent installation is begun. This can be done with an on-the-air test (preferred method); or indirectly, using path-study software. An on-the-air test is preferred because it allows you to see firsthand the factors involved at an installation site and to directly observe the quality of system operation. Even if a computer path study was conducted ear-

lier, this test should be done to verify the predicted results. The test can be performed by first installing a radio and antenna at the proposed Access Point station site and then visiting each Station Adapter site with a transceiver and a hand-held antenna. (A PC with a network adapter can be connected to each radio in the network to simu-

late data during this test using the PING command.) With the hand-held antenna positioned near the proposed mounting spot, a technician can check for synchronization with the Access Point station (shown by a lit LINK LED on the front panel) and measure the reported RSSI value. (See Section 4.6 on page 18 for details.) If ade-

quate signal strength cannot be obtained, it may be necessary to mount the station antennas higher, use higher gain antennas, select a different site or consider installing a repeater station. To prepare the equipment for an on-the-air test, follow the general installation procedures given in this guide and become familiar with the operating instructions found in Section 4.0 on page 13. If time is short, and a site survey is impractical, a computer path study is a good alternative. Factors such as terrain, distance, transmitter power, receiver sensitivity, and other conditions are taken into account to predict the performance of a proposed system. Contact MDS for more information on path study services. Table 2.iNet Front Panel LED Functions LED Label LAN COM1

(Console) Activity ON Blinking OFF ON Blinking OFF Indication Link integrity OK Data TX/RX LAN not detected Not Defined Data TX/RX No data detected MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A i MDS Net 900 Installation and Operation Guide 7 DRAFT 68/29/01 Table 2.iNet Front Panel LED Functions LED Label COM2 PWR LINK

(Access Point) LINK

(Station Adapter) Activity ON Blinking OFF ON Blinking OFF ON Blinking OFF ON Blinking OFF Indication Not Defined Data TX/RX No data detected Primary power (DC) present Slow = Sleep mode Quick = Alarm present Primary power (DC) absent Default state Data Tx/Rx Not Defined Associated to AP Data Tx/Rx Data Tx/Rx 3.3 A Word About Radio Interference The iNet 900 transceivers share frequency spectrums with other ser-

vices and other Part 15 (unlicensed) devices in the USA. As such, near 100% error-free communications may not be achieved in a given loca-

tion, and some level of interference should be expected. However, the radios flexible design and hopping techniques should allow adequate performance as long as care is taken in choosing station location, con-

figuration of radio parameters and software/protocol techniques. In general, keep the following points in mind when setting up your com-

munications network:

1. Systems installed in rural areas are least likely to encounter interference; those in suburban and urban environments are more likely to be affected by other devices operating in the license-free frequency band and by adjacent licensed services. 2. If possible, use a directional antenna at remote sites. Although these antennas may be more costly than omnidirectional types, they con-

ne the transmission and reception pattern to a comparatively nar-

row lobe, which minimizes interference to (and from) stations located outside the pattern. 3. If interference is suspected from a nearby licensed system (such as a paging transmitter), it may be helpful to use horizontal polarization of all antennas in the network. Because most other services use ver-

tical polarization in this band, an additional 20 dB of attenuation to interference can be achieved by using horizontal polarization. 8 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 4. Multiple iNet 900 Access Point transceivers can co-exist in proxim-

ity to each other with only very minor interference as long as they are each assigned a unique network name. Each network name has a different hop pattern. Additional isolation can be achieved by using separate directional antennas with as much vertical or horizontal separation as is practical. 5. If constant interference is present in a particular frequency zone, it may be necessary to lock out that zone from the radios hopping pattern. The radio includes built-in software to help users identify and remove blocked frequency zones from its hopping pattern. 6. If interference problems persist even after removing blocked zones, try reducing the length of data streams. Groups of short data streams have a better chance of getting through in the presence of interfer-

ence than do long streams. 7. The power output of all radios in a system should be set for the low-

est level necessary for reliable communications. This lessens the chance of causing unnecessary interference to nearby systems. 3.4 Antenna & Feedline Selection Antennas The equipment can be used with a number of antennas. The exact style used depends on the physical size and layout of a system. Contact your MDS representative for specific recommendations on antenna types and hardware sources. In general, an omnidirectional antenna (Figure 5) is used at the Access Point station site. This provides equal coverage to all of the Station Adapter sites. NOTE: Antenna polarization is important. If the wrong polarization is used, a signal reduction of 20 dB or more will result. Most systems using a gain-type omnidirectional antenna at the Access Point station employ vertical polarization of the signal;

therefore, the remote antenna(s) must also be vertically polar-

ized (elements oriented perpendicular to the horizon). When required, horizontally polarized omnidirectional antennas are also available. Contact your MDS representative for details. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 9 DRAFT 68/29/01 Invisible place holder Figure 5. Omnidirectional antenna for iNet 900 transceiver Invisible place holder Figure 6. Omnidirectional antenna for iNet 900 transceiver (mounted to mast) At Station Adapter sites and units in point-to-point LANs, a directional Yagi (Figure 7) antenna is generally recommended to minimize interfer-

ence to and from other users. Antennas are available from a number of manufacturers. Invisible place holder 10 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A Figure 7. Typical Yagi antenna (mounted to mast) DRAFT 68/29/01 Feedlines The choice of feedline used with the antenna should be carefully consid-

ered. Poor-quality coaxial cables should be avoided, as they will degrade system performance for both transmission and reception. The cable should be kept as short as possible to minimize signal loss. For cable runs of less than 20 feet (6 meters), or for short range trans-

mission, an inexpensive type such as Type RG8A/U may be acceptable. Otherwise, we recommend using a low-loss cable type suited for 900 MHz, such as Heliax. Table 3 lists several types of popular feedlines and indicates the signal losses (in dB) that result when using various lengths of cable at 900 MHz. The choice of cable will depend on the required length, cost considerations, and the amount of signal loss that can be tolerated. Table 3. Length vs. loss in coaxial cables at 900 MHz Cable Type RG-8A/U 1/2 inch HELIAX 7/8 inch HELIAX 1-1/4 inch HELIAX 1-5/8 inch HELIAX 10 Feet

(3.05 Meters) 50 Feet

(15.24 Meters) 100 Feet

(30.48 Meters) 500 Feet

(152.4 Meters) 0.85 dB 0.23 dB 0.13 dB 0.10 dB 0.08 dB 4.27 dB 1.15 dB 0.64 dB 0.48 dB 0.40 dB 8.54 dB 2.29 dB 1.28 dB 0.95 dB 0.80 dB 42.70 dB 11.45 dB 6.40 dB 4.75 dB 4.00 dB 3.5 How Much Output Power Can be Used?

The transceiver is normally supplied from the factory set for a nominal

+30 dBm (1 Watt) RF power output setting; this is the maximum trans-

mitter output power allowed under FCC rules. The power must be decreased from this level if the antenna system gain exceeds 6 dBi. The allowable level is dependent on the antenna gain, feedline loss, and the transmitter output power setting. Power considerations for point-to-mul-

tipoint and point-to-point systems using the iNet 900 transceivers are discussed in the next sections. NOTE: In some countries, the maximum allowable RF output may be limited to less than 1 watt (For example, 100 mW /+20 dBm). Be sure to check for and comply with the requirements for your area. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 11 DRAFT 68/29/01 Calculating System Gain To determine the maximum allowable power setting of the radio, per-

form the following steps:

1. Determine the antenna system gain by subtracting the feedline loss

(in dB) from the antenna gain (in dBi). For example, if the antenna gain is 9.5 dBi, and the feedline loss is 1.5 dB, the antenna system gain would be 8 dB. (If the antenna system gain is 6 dB or less, no power adjustment is required.) 2. Subtract the antenna system gain from 36 dBm (the maximum allowable EIRP). The result indicates the maximum transmitter power (in dBm) allowed under the rules. In the example above, this is 28 dBm. 3. If the maximum transmitter power allowed is less than 30 dBm, use one of the transceivers control tools as described in PROGRAM-

MING on page 21 to set the power accordingly. For convenience, Table 4 lists several antenna system gains and shows the maximum allowable power setting of the radio. Note that a gain of 6 dB or less entitles you to operate the radio at full power output30 dBm

(1 watt). Table 4. Antenna system gain vs. power output setting (USA) Antenna System Gain

(Antenna Gain in dBi*

minus Feedline Loss in dB) 6 (or less) 8 10 12 14 16 Maximum Power Setting

(in dBm) EIRP

(in dBm) 30 28 26 24 22 20 36 36 36 36 36 36

* Most antenna manufacturers rate antenna gain in dBd in their literature. To convert to dBi, add 2.15 dB. Feedline loss varies by cable type and length. To determine the loss for common lengths of feedline, see Table 3 on page 11. For details on how to set the power level via the Ethernet/HTTP inter-

face, See Programming Via an HTTP/Web Browser on page 22 for details. 12 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 4.0 INSTALLATION A typical transceiver product shipment consists of an iNet 900 trans-

ceiver and a manual. Check the contents against the packing list secured to the outside of the shipping box. Accessories and spare parts kits, if any, are wrapped separately. Inspect all items for signs of damage and save all packing materials for possible re-shipment. Below are the basic steps for installing a iNet 900 transceiver. In most cases, these steps alone will be sufficient to complete the installation. Should further information be required, contact the factory at the number given on the inside back cover of this manual. If you are installing a traditional repeater system, you should also see TRADITIONAL REPEATER CONFIGURATION WITH TWO RADIOS on page 20 for important details on antennas and cabling. NOTE: It is recommended that the Access Point station be installed first. In this way, it will be possible to quickly check the oper-

ation of each associated Station Adapter unit as it is placed on the air. MDS iNet 900 transceivers are shipped from the factory set to the Station Adapter mode unless they are marked differently. 4.1 Step 1 Mounting the Transceiver Mount the transceiver to a stable surface. (Fasteners/anchors are not supplied unless specified when the order.) Figure 8 shows the dimen-

sions of the transceiver case and its mounting bracket. If possible, choose a mounting location that provides easy access to the connectors on the end of the radio and an unobstructed view of the LED status indi-

cators. Four threaded holes are located on the bottom of the radio which are suitable for connecting mounting hardware. Use 6-32 x 1/4 inch screws to attach mounting hardware to the bottom of the radio. (See Figure 8 on page 14 for dimensions.) MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 13 DRAFT 68/29/01 Invisible place holder

) m c 4

. 1 1

(

5

. 4

) m c

. 5 3 6

(

5

. 2 TOP FRONT BOTTOM THREADED HOLES FOR MOUNTING SCREWS (4)

#6-32 X 1/4 SIDE 6.75 (17.15 cm) 4.85 (12/3 cm) 4.25 (10.8 cm) 4.75 (12 cm) 1.25 (3.17 cm) Figure 8. Transceiver dimensions CAUTION POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT DAMAGE The screws holding the brackets to the radio are 516 inch (8 mm) long or shorter to prevent damage to the radios PC board when they are tightened. If these screws are replaced for any reason, the new screws must not exceed this length. The radios case is made of a durable cast-aluminum, however, the use of the wrong sized screws can dam-

age the screw sockets on the cover. 14 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 4.2 Step 2Install the Antenna and Feedline Antennas should be mounted in the clear and in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Additional information on antennas and feedlines is contained in Section 3.4 (page 9). NOTE: Strong fields near the antenna can interfere with the operation of the low-level RTU circuits and change the reported values of the data being monitored. For this reason, the antenna should be mounted at least 10 feet (>3 meters) from the radio, RTU, sensors and other components of the system. 4.3 Step 3Connect the Data Equipment Connect the data equipment to one of the transceivers three ports: LAN, COM1 or COM2. Use only the required pins for the applicationdo not connect anything to unused pins. See Figure 19 on page 33 details on COM1 Port and Figure 20 on page 34 for the COM2 Port. Figure 9 on page 16 identifies the ports factory defaults. NOTE: The data cabling between the transceiver and the connected device should be kept as short as possible. Cable runs over 50 feet (15 meters) may require the use of a EIA-422 signaling adapter. Consult the factory for further information. Configuration Toolbox Access Figure 9 on page 16 shows the default functions and services for the front panel interface connectors. The three data portsLAN, COM1 and COM2are user configurable through the use of a terminal connected to the COM1 port or a HTTP browser through the Ethernet port. NOTE: The data communications parameters and functions described in the installation procedures and shown in Figure 9 on page 16 are based on factory defaults. If the COM1 Port is configured to transport data, connect to it with a terminal program and use the ESC + K sequence to reset the radios data interface ports to the default settings. Connect a terminal to COM1 to access the menu driven configuration and control tool. The menu will automatically display on the terminals screen. To use a HTTP browser, connect to the Ethernet port and type in HTTP:// + unit IP address. The units IP address can be found through the use of a terminal connected to the COM1 port. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 15 DRAFT 68/29/01 Invisible place holder LAN N 10BaseT N IP/Ethernet Port N Connect IP Data Equip. COM1 N DCE Console/Terminal N 115,200 bps/8N1 N No Handshaking COM2 N DTE Serial Data Equip. N 9600 bps/8N1 N Full Handshaking N Connect Legacy Equip. ANTENNA N 50 TNC PRIMARY POWER N 13.8 Vdc @ 500 ma

(10.530 Vdc) N Negative Ground N +/Left /Right Figure 9. MDS iNet Interface Default Configuration & Functions 4.4 Step 4Measure & Install Primary Power The primary power at the transceivers power connector must be within 10.530 Vdc and be capable of furnishing up to 500 mA. The optimum voltage is 12 Vdc. Be sure to observe proper polarity as shown in Figure 10. Invisible place holder Figure 10. Primary Power (DC) Polarity NOTE: The radio is designed for use only in negative ground systems. The power supply used with the transceiver should be equipped with overload protection (NEC Class 2 rating), to protect against a short cir-

cuit between its output terminals and the transceiver power connector. 4.5 Step 5Review the Radios Configuration There are two essential settings for iNet 900 transceivers that should be known before placing the radio into service. They are:

Radio Operating ModeAccess Point or Station Adaptor Network NameUnique name of the radio network used to generate the hopping pattern. NOTE: Transceivers are normally shipped from the factory pre-configured as remotes. 16 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 There are additional settings for iNet 900 transceivers that may need changing before placing the radio into service. They are:

Unit IP AddressMust be a unique number to allow for IP access through the Ethernet Port. Transmitter Power Output LevelDefault is 1 Watt. Adjust as necessary for compliance with FCC guidelines. NOTE: The IP address is important if the radios LAN (Ethernet) port will be used for IP-based data communications or for unit conguration. The following procedures are summaries only. For more detailed instructions on using the menu-based COM1 and the HTTP/Bowser interfaces, see See PROGRAMMING on page 21. Procedure a. Connect a personal computers serial communications port

(COM1 or COM2) to the COM1 Port connector on the radio transceiver. (See Figure 9 on page 16 for location. Data defaults:

115,200 kpbs/8N1.) b. Launch a terminal emulator program, such as Hyperterminal, on the computer. c. Depress the ENTER key. The radio will respond with the start-up screen of a text-based Management Toolbox. d. Select the desired options to review existing settings and to ini-

tiate necessary changes such as the IP address and other network parameters. A login with password will be required to make any changes to the radio. (Default password= admin) e. Record the unit Mode, IP Address and Network Name settings on a label and place it on the transceivers cover f. Exit the set-up tool. g. Repeat the above steps for each transceiver in the network. a. Connect a personal computers Ethernet port to the EHTERNET Port connector on the radio transceiver. (See Figure 9 on page 16 for location.) With Terminal Program With HTTP Browser MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 17 DRAFT 68/29/01 NOTE: It may be necessary to change your IP access to the local area network on which the MDS iNet 900 radio is attached. The radios IP address should be listed on the units packaging slip. If it is not, you can find it out using the preceding procedure to communicate with the radio through the COM1 Port. a. Launch a Web-browser (HTTP) program, such as Internet Explorer, on the computer. b. Type in HTTP:// followed by the radios IP address. For exam-

ple http://192.168.1.1/. 1Z? (Default = 192.168.1.1) c. The Management Toolbox startup screen will appear. d. Select the desired options to review existing settings and to ini-

tiate necessary changes such as the IP address and other network parameters. A login with password will be required to make any changes to the radio. (Default password= admin) e. Record the unit Mode, IP Address and Network Name settings on a label and place it on the transceivers cover. f. Exit the Management Toolbox. g. Repeat the above steps for each transceiver in the network. 4.6 Step 6Connect the User Data Equipment If the radio network seems to be operating properly based on observa-

tion of the units LEDs, connect the user equipment to one of the data ports. Use the IP PING command to verify the link integrity with the Access Point unit. 4.7 Step 7Check for Normal Operation Procedure a. Apply primary power to the radio. 1. The address 127.0.0.1 has also been suggested as the default. Which is cor-

rect?

18 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 b. Observe the transceiver LED status panel (Table 2 on page 7) for the proper indications. In a normally operating system, the fol-

lowing LED indications will be seen within a few seconds of start-up:

PWR lamp lit continuously LINK lamp blink intermittently If the LINK LED is not on, check the received signal strength indi-

cator for an adequate signal level from the radio networks Access Point station. It may be necessary to reposition the radios antenna for better reception/signal strength, or if a directional antenna is used, rotate it until the signal is optimized. In-service operation of the MDS iNet 900 transceiver is completely automatic. Once the unit has been properly installed and cong-

ured, operator actions are limited to observing the LED status indi-

cators for proper operation. See Table 2 on page 7 for details on the LED functions. 4.8 Performance Optimization After the basic operation of the radio has been checked, you may wish to optimize its performance using some of the suggestions given here. The effectiveness of these techniques will vary with the design of your system and the format of the data being sent. Complete instructions on using the units configuration options refer-

enced within this section are can be found in Section 6.0, PROGRAM-

MING (beginning on page 21). Antenna Aiming For optimum performance of directional antennas, they must be accu-

rately aimed in the direction of desired transmission. The easiest way to do this is to point the antenna in the approximate direction, then use the remote radios built-in Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) fea-

ture to further refine the heading for maximum received signal strength. RSSI can be read by connecting a terminal (COM1 Port) or Internet browser (LAN Port) to the iNet 900 radio and requesting the RSSI reports. In an iNet 900 system, RSSI readings are only meaningful when initi-

ated from a Station Adaptor. This is because the Access Point station typically receives signals from several remote sites, and the RSSI would be continually changing as the Access Point receives from each remote in turn. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 19 DRAFT 68/29/01 Antenna SWR Check (Z? Major revision needed?) It is necessary to briefly key the transmitter1Z? for this check by placing the radio in the SETUP mode (page 42) and using the KEY command on the HHT. (To unkey the radio, enter DKEY; to disable the setup mode and return the radio to normal operation, enter Q or QUIT.) The SWR of the antenna system should be checked before the radio is put into regular service. For accurate readings, a wattmeter suited for 1000 MHz is required. One unit meeting this criteria is the Bird Model 43 directional wattmeter with an 5J element installed. The reflected power should be less than 10% of the forward power (2:1 SWR). Higher readings usually indicate problems with the antenna, feedline or coaxial connectors. If the reflected power is more than 10%, check the feedline, antenna and its connectors for damage. 5.0 TRADITIONAL REPEATER CONFIGURATION WITH TWO RADIOS 5.1 Overview Two MDS iNet 900 radios may be connected back-to-back through the LAN Ports to form a repeater station. (The cable must be a cross-over Ethernet cable for this to work). This configuration is sometimes required in a network that includes a distant Station Adaptor that would otherwise be unable to communicate directly with the Access Point station due to distance or terrain. A repeater works by re-transmitting data from the outlying remote site to the Access Point station and vice versa. It introduces a small amount of end-to-end transmission delay, but this is not a problem in most sys-

tems. The geographic location of a repeater station is especially important. A site must be chosen that allows good communication with both the Access Point and the outlying remote site. This is often on top of a hill, or other elevated terrain from which both sites can be seen by the repeater station antennas. A detailed discussion on the effects of terrain is given in Section 3.2, Site Selection (beginning on page 6). The following paragraphs contain specific requirements for repeater systems. 1. Is it true that we still need to key the transmitter to use the RSSI function to aim the antenna?

20 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 5.2 Antennas Two antennas are required at repeater stationsone for each radio. Measures must be taken to minimize the chance of interference between these antennas. One effective technique for limiting interference is to employ vertical separation. In this arrangement, one antenna is mounted directly over the other, separated by at least 10 feet (3 Meters). This takes advantage of the minimal radiation exhibited by most antennas directly above and below their driven elements. Another interference reduction technique is to cross-polarize the repeater antennas. If one antenna is mounted in the vertical plane, and the other in the horizontal plane, an additional 20 dB of attenuation can be achieved. (Remember that the corresponding stations must use the same antenna orientation when cross-polarization is used.) 5.3 Network Name The two radios that are wired together at the repeater site must have dif-

ferent network names. To set or view the network names, see PRO-

GRAMMING on page 21 and Table 5 on page 26 for details. 5.4 Interface Wiring A null-modem cable (Figure 11) is required between the COM1 port con-

nectors of the two radios forming a repeater station. This allows them to freely exchange data even though they are both configured as DCE devices. Invisible place holder DB-25 DB-25 TXD RXD GND 2 3 7 3 2 7 RXD TXD GND e t o m e R

) E C D

(

m u r t c e p S d a e r p S m u r t c e p S d a e r p S r e t s a M

) E C D

(

Z? REVISON NEED TO DB-9 CONNECTORS Figure 11. Data interface cable wiring for null-modem cable

(used for traditional repeater) 6.0 PROGRAMMING There are no manual adjustments on the transceiver. Programming and control is performed remotely, using one of these methods:

HTTP (Browser) via the iNet 900s ETHERNET Port MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 21 DRAFT 68/29/01 Telenet via the iNet 900s ETHERNET Port (To Be Developed) ASCII Terminal or emulator via the COM1 Port This section needs further development. The only items that com-

monly need changes are the units network name, IP address, power level and system modeAccess Point or Station Adapter. 6.1 Programming Via an HTTP/Web Browser A wide range of configuration, control and diagnostic tools are available through a Web browser communicating with the radio via the Internet Protocol (IP). The following is a brief overview of the HTTP interface and several key configuration parameters since detailed help is available on-line. Making the Connection Connect a personal computers Ethernet port to the EHTERNET Port con-

nector on the radio transceiver. (See Figure 9 on page 16 for location.) NOTE: It may be necessary to change your IP access to the local area network on which the MDS iNet 900 radio is attached. The radios IP address should be listed on the units packaging slip. If it is not, you can find it out using the preceding procedure to communicate with the radio through the COM1 Port. Start-up Screen Invisible place holder Figure 12. MDS iNet Web Management System Start-up Screen The startup screen is the gateway to many radio performance monitoring and configuration functions. Interact with it as you would any Web site. 22 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 System Configuration Screen Invisible place holder System Mode Data Interface Figure 13. System Configuration Screen

(Items discussed are outlined with red and blue.) This screen is the location where you will check and set, if necessary, the System Mode. If the unit will serve as the Access Point station and Access Point (gateway) into the IP network, click on Access Point. There should only be one radio in each iNet network set to Access Point. All other radios in the system should be set to Station. Here too is the location for choosing the primary data port for the radio. By default, it is the ETHERNET Port. If you are connecting lower speed, RS/EIA-232 devices, click on the Serial Port button, and then the Submit button to implement the change. Radio/Modem Screen 1Z?

Invisible place holder Figure 14. Radio/Modem Menu Items

(Item discussed are outlined with red.) 1. This direction is a guess as the setting controls are not active on my prototype. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 23 RF Power Output DRAFT 68/29/01 This screen is the location where you will check and set, if necessary, the radios RF power output. The default is one Watt. If you need to lower the power, click on the RF Output Setpoint menu item, type in the desired power level in dBm on the right-hand portion of the screen and then click the Submit button to implement the change. See Table 5, . Common Transceiver Parameters, on page 26 for a list of common configuration parameters and their defaults. 6.2 Programming Via COM1 Port & a Terminal Program A serial-interface based Management Toolbox is available for local con-

figuration of the MDS iNet 900 transceiver. Making the Connection Connect a personal computers communication port to the transceivers COM1 Port connector on the radio transceiver. (See Figure 9 on page 16 for location.) The default interface is EIA-232 at 115,200 bps with 8N1. Initializing the Connection On you Windows PC, launch a terminal program, such as MS Win-

dows Hyperterminal, and select the serial port connected to the COM1 Port of the transceiver. The default interface is EIA-232 at 115,200 bps with 8N1. Communicating with the iNet transceiver The transceivers port will automatically display the text-based Man-

agement Toolbox start-up screen as seen in Figure 15 on page 25 one the ENTER key is pressed. NOTE: If the terminal program is running and your computer connected to the transceiver, you may see a series of pages of text information relating to the booting of the units microcom-

puter. Disregard this information and wait a few seconds for the display to stabilize before proceeding. Using the Menu-Based Management Toolbox The menu-based Management Toolbox provides access to view and configure many unit parameters and provides you with basic diagnostic tools. 24 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 Invisible place holder Navigation Help Logging In and Password Logging Out Figure 15. Management Toolbox Start-up Screen From the Main Menu you navigate by pressing the key to the left of the offering. You will then be taken to a screen associated with that func-

tion. If you select a menu item that is not user-configurable, the message Note: This is not a configurable item. Pressing the ESCAPE key will navigate you to the previous menu or level. Pressing F1 from any menu will place the Management Toolbox in the Help mode; pressing the key corresponding to the menu item will pro-

vide you with useful information or instructions. Pressing the ESCAPE key will exit the Help Mode and return you to the previous screen. All screens are accessible to any user. To change a user-controllable parameter, you must log into the system and enter a password. The default user password is admin in lowercase letters. The main menu item will change from Login to Logout. The user will automatically be logged out after 10 minutes of inactivity.1Z?

If you know that you want in advance to change one or more parameter, you should log in from the Main Menu. Once you are logged in, you can go to the System Conguration Menu and change the password (case-sensitive). Follow any changes to the pass-

word or other parameters with an ENTER key to save the change. 1. This is a guess. Please verify value and function MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 25 DRAFT 68/29/01 Review and Changing Essential Parameters Through the Main Menu you can access other screen to review and change several commonly altered parameters. The table below will provide you with a summary of the location and parameters range of values. Table 5. Common Transceiver Parameters1 Item System Mode Screen Values System Configuration Station Adapter Access Point System Password System Configuration 18 alphanumeric characters. May be mixed case. CAUTION: Login is case sensitive. Default Station Adapter admin

(lower case) Data Interface Network Name IP Address System Configuration Ethernet EIA/RS-232 Ethernet Wireless Network Configuration Network Configuration Menu 116 alphanumeric characters. May be mixed case. mds-wlan

(lower case) Contact your network administrator 192.168.1.12Z?

Power Output Radio/Mode m 2030 dBm

(0.11.0 Watts) 30 dBm

(1.0 Watt) 1. All parameters are protected by password. You must be logged in to make any changes. 2. I was told 127.0.0.1 by Aaron Wright. Which is correct?

7.0 TROUBLESHOOTING Successful troubleshooting of an MDS transceiver system is not diffi-

cult, but requires a logical approach. It is best to begin troubleshooting at the Access Point station, as the rest of the system depends on the Access Point for polling instructions and synchronization data. If the Access Point station has problems, the operation of the entire network will be affected. When communication problems are found, it is good practice to begin by checking the simple things. All radios in the network must meet these basic requirements:

Adequate and stable primary power An efficient and properly aligned antenna system Secure connections (RF, data & power) Proper programming of the radios operating parameters, espe-

cially Mode selection (Access Point/Remote) and IP Network Address The correct interface between the radio and the connected data equipment (proper cable wiring, data format and timing). 26 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 7.1 LED Indicators The LED status indicators are an important troubleshooting tool and should be checked whenever a problem is suspected. Table 2 on page 7 describes the function of each status LED. 7.2 Troubleshooting Chart Table 6 provides suggestions for resolving system difficulties that may be experienced in the radio system. If problems persist, contact the fac-

tory for further assistance. Refer to the inside back cover of this guide for contact information. Table 6. Troubleshooting Techniques Recommended System Checks Difficulty Unit is inoperative. Interference is suspected. No synchronization with Access Point, or poor overall performance. a. Check for the proper supply voltage at the power connector. b. The transceivers internal resettable fuse may have tripped. To reset it, momentarily remove and re-apply power to the radio. a. Verify that the system has a unique network name. Nearby systems with the same network name will cause interference. b. If omnidirectional antennas are used on Station Adaptors, consider changing to directional antennas. This will often limit interference to and from other stations. a. Check for secure interface connections at the radio and the connected device. b. Check the antenna, feedline and connectors. Reflected power should be less than 10% of the forward power reading (SWR 2:1 or lower). MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 27 DRAFT 68/29/01 8.0 REPEATER ASSITED LANS Repeater Systems A repeater works by re-transmitting data from the outlying remote site to the Access Point station and vice-versa. It introduces a small amount of end-to-end transmission delay, but this is not a problem in most sys-

tems. The geographic location of a repeater station is especially important. A site must be chosen that allows good communication with both the Access Point and the outlying remote site. This is often on top of a hill, or other elevated terrain from which both sites can be seen by the repeater station antennas. A detailed discussion on the effects of terrain is given in Section 3.2, Site Selection (beginning on page 6). The following paragraphs contain specific requirements for repeater systems. Option 1Traditional with two-radio repeater 1Z?

Although the range between iNet LANS is up to 50 miles over average terrain, it is possible to extend the range considerably by connecting two units together at one site in a back-to-back fashion to form a repeater, as shown in Figure 16. Invisible place holder REPEATER LINK K T L I N O I N O - P T - T O I N P iNet A.P. Cross-Over Cable iNet S.A. iNet S.A. iNet S.A. HOST COMPUTER RTU iNet S.A. RTU iNet S.A. RTU Figure 16. Typical LAN with dual-transceiver repeater For more detailed information on this configuration, see TRADI-

TIONAL REPEATER CONFIGURATION WITH TWO RADIOS on page 20 1. What are the advantages and/or limitations of each of these two repeater con-

figurations?

28 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 Option 2With Store-and-Forward Station A LAN can be extended through the use of an alternate arrangement (see Figure 17). This second arrangement overcomes the limitations of ter-

rain by using a single-unit repeater to re-transmit the signals of all sta-

tions in the network. The repeater is a standard MDS iNet 900 radio configured as an Access Point with data store-and-foreword. Invisible place holder STORE-AND-FORWARD iNet A.P. iNet S.A. iNet S.A. RTU RTU iNet S.A. iNet S.A. HOST COMPUTER RTU Figure 17. Typical network with store-and-forward repeater MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 29 DRAFT 68/29/01 9.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE The following section contains material that is not essential to using the radio, but may prove helpful in diagnosing performance problems or in gaining a better understanding of the units operation. 9.1 Technical Specifications GENERAL Temperature Range:

30C to +70C (22 F to 158 F) Humidity:

Primary Power:

95% at +40C (104 F); non-condensing 10.530 Vdc(13.8 Vdc Nominal) External Power Supply Options:

48 Vdc; 110120/210220 Vac Supply Current (typical):

(@ 1 Watt RF Output) Transmit:

Receive:

500 mA @ 13.8 Vdc

< 125 mA @ 13.8 Vdc Doze Mode:

< 30 mA @ 13.8 Vdc Size (Excluding mtg. hardware):

1.5" x 6" x 4" (H x W x D) 3.8 x 15.2 x 10.2 cm Mounting w/Optional Hardware:

Flat surface mounting brackets Weight:

Case:

DIN rail 19 rack (1U high) 0.9 kg / 2 lb Cast Aluminum Shock and Vibration:

MIL STD 202F, 810E, 202D APPROVALS/HOMOLOGATION (PLANNED) FCC Part 15.247 Industry Canada RSS-210 and RSS-139 UL/FM Class 1, Div. 2; Groups A, B, C and D hazardous locations UL Listed CE Mark Contact MDS for information on availability and governmental approvals in other countries UNIT & NETWORK MANAGEMENT HTTP (Embedded Web server) SNMPv1, MIB II, Enterprise MIB Text-based menu on COM1 serial port Telnet 30 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 DATA CHARACTERISTICS PORTS:

Ethernet:

Interface Connectors:

RJ-45 Standard Data Rate:

10-BaseT Serial (2):

Signaling Standard:

EIA-232/V.24 Interface Connectors:

DB-9 female Interface:

Data Rate:

Data Latency:

Byte Length:

OPERATING MODES:

PROTOCOLS:

PHYSICAL INTERFACE:

Ethernet:

Serial:

RADIO CHARACTERISTICS GENERAL:

COM1: DCE / COM2: DTE/DCE 1200115,200 bps asynchronous

<10 ms typical 10 or 11 bits Configurable as Access Point or Station LAN Adapter CSMA/CA Wireless Protocol with Collision Avoid-

ance (802.11) IEEE 802.11 CSMA/CD IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) IP/Ethernet (ICMP, UDP, TCP, ARP) Mobile IP Clear-channel mode for serial async multidrop protocols including: Modbus, DNP.3, ISO Asyn-

ch1Z?, Bisync, BASP, Poll Select. 10BaseT, RJ-45 EIA/RS-232/V.24, DB-9F, DCE EIA/RS-232/V.24/DB-9M, DTE/DCE Frequency Range:

902928 MHz ISM Band Frequency Hopping Range:

Hop Pattern:

Frequency Stability:

Simplex Operation:

TRANSMITTER:

Power Output

(at antenna connector):

Up to 1019 frequencies within user-configurable 3.2 MHz zones Based on network name 40 ppm User selectable 0.1 to 1.0 watt (+20 dBm to +30 dBm) 1.0 dB, set by user Duty Cycle:

Continuous 1. Is this spelling correct or should it be Async?

MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 31 Modulation Type:

Output Impedance:

Spurious:

Harmonics:

Occupied Bandwidth:

RECEIVER:

Type:

Sensitivity:

Intermodulation:

Desensitization:

Spurious:

Interference Ratio

(BER degraded by 10-1):

DRAFT 68/29/01 Binary CPFSK 50 Ohms 60 dBc 80 dBc 312.5 kHz Double conversion superheterodyne 90 dBm @ 512 kbps < 1x10-6 BER 100 dBm @ 256 kbps < 1x10-6 BER 59 dB minimum (EIA) 75 dB 70 dB minimum Co-channel:10 dB Adjacent channel:+30 dB Two channels away:+50 dB Three channels away:+60 dB Time Required to Synchronize with Access Point Radio:

Less than 13 seconds (typical) 9.2 Data Interface Connectors LAN, COM1 & DATA Ports Three data interface connectors are provided on the face of the trans-

ceiver. The first, the LAN Port, is an RJ-45 connector. The balance are two DB-9 interface connectors which use the RS-232 (EIA-232) sig-

naling standard. Note that the connector for COM1 Port is DCE (Female DB-9) and the COM2 Port is DTE (male DB-9). The iNet 900 transceiver meets U.S.A.s FCC Part 15, Class A limits when used with shielded data cables. LAN (Local Area Network) PortRJ-45 Ethernet Interface The LAN Port is used to connect the radio to an Ethernet network. The iNet transceiver will provide a data link to an Internet Protocol-based

(IP) data network through the radio networks Access Point station. Each radio transceiver in the network must have a unique IP address for the network to function properly. The LAN port only supports the Internet Protocol (IP). CAUTION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE POTENTIAL 32 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 The connector uses the standard Ethernet RJ-45 cables and wiring. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Figure 18. LAN Port (RJ-11) Pinout

(Viewed from the outside of the radio.) Ref. High Low High Table 9-7. LAN Port (IP/Ethernet) Pin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Functions Transmit Data (TX) Transmit Data (TX) Receive Data (RX) Unused Unused Receive Data (RX) Unused Unused Low COM1 Port 5 1 9 6 Figure 19. COM1 Port

(Viewed from the outside of the radio. Table 8. COM1 Port Pinout Pin Functions DCE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Unused Receive Data (RXD) Transmit Data (TXD) >[ In

<[ Out Unused Signal Ground (GND) Unused Unused Unused Unused MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 33 DRAFT 68/29/01 COM2 Port 1 5 6 9 Figure 20. COM2 Port Viewed from the outside of the radio Table 9. COM2 Port (DTE/DCE1)

(DB-9/RS-232 Interface, Output: Out ]>, Input: In [< ) Pin Functions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Data Carrier Detect (DCD) Receive Data (RXD) Transmit Data (TXD) Data Terminal Ready (DTR) Signal Ground (GND) Data Set Ready (DSR) Request-to-Send (RTS) Clear-to-Send (CTS) Unused DTE In ]<

In ]<

Out ]>

Out ]>

In ]<

Out ]>

In ]<

1. Default = DTE; User congurable to DCE 9.3 Table-Top Test Setup It may be convenient to set up table-top network that can be used to verify the basic operation of the MDS iNet 900 transceivers and give you a chance to experiment with network designs, configurations or net-

work equipment in a convenient location. This test can be performed with any number of MDS iNet 900 radios. To simulate data traffic over the radio network, connect a PC or LAN to the Ethernet port of each radio. One of the MDS iNet 900 transceivers in this mini-network must be set to the Access Point Mode for proper operation. NOTE: It is very important to use a Network Name that is different from ones currently in use in your area during the testing period. This will eliminate unnecessary traffic on the existing network while you become familiar with the MDS iNet 900 transceivers or evaluate variations of unit operating parame-

ters. Use any convenient antenna that can be connected to the transceivers TNC connector. You may purchase a flexible one-quarter wavelength antennas from Microwave Data Systems. (P/N xx-xxxxAxx) 34 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 9.4 Using a Personal Computer to Configure the iNet Radio Any personal computer with either a serial port and terminal emulator program if an Ethernet port can be used to access the iNets test and con-

figuration tool set. Once connected, the user will be provided with on-line user instructions for each resource. Connecting a PC to iNets LAN (Ethernet) Port To connect a PC to the radios LAN port, an RJ-45 to RJ-45 cross-over cable (MDS P/N 05-______A___) is required. If desired, this cable may be purchased from a computer retail store or mail-order company. Connecting a PC to iNets COM1 Port To connect a PC to the radios COM1 port use a DB-9M to DB-9F cross-over cable (MDS P/N 05-______A___). This cable may also be purchased from a computer retail store or mail-order company. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 35 DRAFT 68/29/01 10.0 GLOSSARY OF TERMS If you are new to spread spectrum radio, some of the terms used in this guide may be unfamiliar. The following glossary explains many of these terms and will prove helpful in understanding the operation of the trans-

ceiver. Antenna System GainA figure, normally expressed in dB, repre-

senting the power increase resulting from the use of a gain-type antenna. System losses (from the feedline and coaxial connectors, for example) are subtracted from this figure to calculate the total antenna system gain. BitThe smallest unit of digital data, often represented by a one or a zero. Eight bits (plus start, stop, and parity bits) usually comprise a byte. Bits-per-secondSee BPS. BPSBits-per-second. A measure of the information transfer rate of digital data across a communication channel. ByteA string of digital data usually made up of eight data bits and start, stop and parity bits. Decibel (dB)A measure of the ratio between two signal levels. Fre-

quently used to express the gain (or loss) of a system. Data Circuit-terminating EquipmentSee DCE. Data Communications EquipmentSee DCE. Data Terminal EquipmentSee DTE. dBiDecibels referenced to an ideal isotropic radiator in free space. Frequently used to express antenna gain. dBmDecibels referenced to one milliwatt. An absolute unit used to measure signal power, as in transmitter power output, or received signal strength. DCEData Circuit-terminating Equipment (or Data Communications Equipment). In data communications terminology, this is the modem side of a computer-to-modem connection. DTEData Terminal Equipment. A device that provides data in the form of digital signals at its output. Connects to the DCE device. EqualizationThe process of reducing the effects of amplitude, fre-

quency or phase distortion with compensating networks. 36 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 Fade MarginThe greatest tolerable reduction in average received signal strength that will be anticipated under most conditions. Provides an allowance for reduced signal strength due to multipath, slight antenna movement or changing atmospheric losses. A fade margin of 20 to 30 dB is usually sufficient in most systems. FrameA segment of data that adheres to a specific data protocol and contains definite start and end points. It provides a method of synchro-

nizing transmissions. Frequency HoppingThe spread spectrum technique used by the MDS iNet 900 transceivers, where two or more associated radios change their operating frequencies several times per second using a set pattern. Since the pattern appears to jump around, it is said to hop from one frequency to another. Frequency ZoneThe transceivers use up to 1,019 discrete channels in the 902 to 928 MHz spectrum. A group of 128 channels is referred to as a zone. The transceivers use eight frequency zones. (Five channels are reserved for network control purposes.) Hardware Flow ControlA transceiver feature used to prevent data buffer overruns when handling high-speed data from the RTU or PLC. When the buffer approaches overflow, the radio drops the clear-to-send

(CTS) line, which instructs the RTU or PLC to delay further transmis-

sion until CTS again returns to the high state. Host ComputerThe computer installed at the Access Point station site, which controls the collection of data from one or more remote sites. LatencyThe delay (usually expressed in milliseconds) between when data is applied to TXD (Pin 2) at one radio, until it appears at RXD

(Pin 3) at the other radio. MASMultiple Address System. A radio system where a central Access Point station communicates with several Station Adaptors for the purpose of gathering telemetry data. Access Point (Station)The one radio transceiver in a spread spectrum network that automatically provides synchronization information to one or more associated remote transceivers. A radio may be programmed for either Access Point or remote mode using software commands. See Sec-

tion 6.0, PROGRAMMING (beginning on page 21). MCUMicrocontroller Unit. This is the processor responsible for con-

trolling system start-up, synthesizer loading, hop timing, and key-up control. Microcontroller UnitSee MCU. MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 37 DRAFT 68/29/01 ModeThis refers to the programmed function of an MDS spread spec-

trum radioAccess Point or remote. (See also Station Adaptor and Access Point Station.) Multiple Address System (MAS)See Point-Multipoint System. Network AddressUser-selectable number between 1 and 65000 that is used to identify a group of transceivers that form a communications network. The Access Point and all remotes within a given system must have the same network address.1Z?

Network-Wide DiagnosticsAn advanced method of controlling and interrogating MDS radios in a radio network. Point-Multipoint SystemA radio communications network or system designed with a central control station that exchanges data with a number of remote locations equipped with terminal equipment. PollA request for data issued from the host computer (or master PLC) to a remote radio. PLCProgrammable Logic Controller. A dedicated microprocessor configured for a specific application with discrete inputs and outputs. It can serve as a host or as an RTU. Remote RadioA radio in a spread spectrum network that communi-

cates with an associated Access Point station. A radio may be pro-

grammed for either Access Point or remote mode using software commands. See Section 6.0, PROGRAMMING (beginning on page 21). Remote Terminal UnitSee RTU. RTURemote Terminal Unit. A data collection device installed at a remote radio site. SCADASupervisory Control And Data Acquisition. An overall term for the functions commonly provided through an MAS radio system. Standing Wave RatioSee SWR. SWRStanding Wave Ratio. A parameter related to the ratio between forward transmitter power and the reflected power from the antenna system. As a general guideline, reflected power should not exceed 10%

of the forward power ( 2:1 SWR). ZoneSee Frequency Zone. 1. Is this relevant to this product?

38 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A DRAFT 68/29/01 10.1 dBm-Watts-Volts Conversion Chart Table 10 is provided as a convenience for determining the equivalent voltage or wattage of an RF power expressed in dBm. Table 10. dBm-Watts-Volts conversionfor 50 ohm systems Po dBm V

+53

+50

+49

+48

+47

+46

+45

+44

+43

+42

+41

+40

+39

+38

+37

+36

+35

+34

+33

+32

+31

+30

+29

+28

+27

+26

+25

+24

+23

+22

+21

+20

+19

+18

+17

+16

+15

+14

+13

+12

+11

+10

+9

+8

+7

+6

+5

+4

+3

+2

+1 100.0 200W 100W 70.7 64.0 80W 64W 58.0 50W 50.0 40W 44.5 32W 40.0 25W 32.5 32.0 20W 16W 28.0 12.5W 26.2 10W 22.5 8W 20.0 6.4W 18.0 16.0 5W 4W 14.1 3.2W 12.5 2.5W 11.5 2W 10.0 1.6W 9.0 8.0 1.25W 1.0W 7.10 800mW 6.40 640mW 5.80 500mW 5.00 400mW 4.45 320mW 4.00 3.55 250mW 200mW 3.20 160mW 2.80 125mW 2.52 100mW 2.25 80mW 2.00 1.80 64mW 50mW 1.60 40mW 1.41 32mW 1.25 25mW 1.15 20mW 1.00

.90 16mW 12.5mW

.80 10mW

.71 8mW

.64 6.4mW

.58 5mW

.500

.445 4mW 3.2mW

.400 2.5mW

.355 2.0mW

.320 1.6mW

.280

.252 1.25mW Po 1.0mW

.80mW

.64mW

.50mW

.40mW

.32mW

.25mW

.20mW

.16mW

.125mW

.10mW dBm V 0

-1

-2

-3

-4

-5

-6

-7

-8

-9

-10

-11

-12

-13

-14

-15

-16

.225

.200

.180

.160

.141

.125

.115

.100

.090

.080

.071

.064

.058

.050

.045

.040

.0355

.001mW

.01mW dBm mV Po

-17

-18

-19

-20

-21

-22

-23

-24

-25

-26

-27

-28

-29

-30

-31

-32

-33

-34

-35

-36

-37

-38

-39

-40

-41

-42

-43

-44

-45

-46

-47

-48 31.5 28.5 25.1 22.5 20.0 17.9 15.9 14.1 12.8 11.5 10.0 8.9 8.0 7.1 6.25 5.8 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.2 2.85 2.5 2.25 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.25 1.18 1.00 0.90

.1W dBm V 2.9

-98 2.51

-99

-100 2.25 2.0

-101 1.8

-102 1.6

-103 1.41

-104 1.27

-105

-106 1.18 dBm nV 1000

-107 900

-108 800

-109

-110 710 640

-111 580

-112 500

-113 450

-114 400

-115

-116 355 325

-117 285

-118 251

-119 225

-120 200

-121

-122 180 160

-123 141

-124 128

-125 117

-126 100

-127 90

-128

-129 80 71

-130 61

-131 58

-132 50

-133 45

-134

-135 40 35

-136 33

-137 29

-138 25

-139

-140 23 Po

.1pW Po

.01pW

.001pW

.1W

.01W

.01W dBm mV Po

-49

-50

-51

-52

-53

-54

-55

-56

-57

-58

-59

-60

-61

-62

-63

-64 0.80 0.71 0.64 0.57 0.50 0.45 0.40 0.351 0.32 0.286 0.251 0.225 .001W 0.200 0.180 0.160 0.141 Po

.1nW

.01nW

.001nW dBm V 128

-65 115

-66

-67 100 90

-68 80

-69 71

-70 65

-71 58

-72

-73 50 45

-74 40

-75 35

-76 32

-77 29

-78 25

-79

-80 22.5 20.0

-81 18.0

-82 16.0

-83 11.1

-84 12.9

-85

-86 11.5 10.0

-87 9.0

-88 8.0

-89 7.1

-90 6.1

-91

-92 5.75 5.0

-93 4.5

-94 4.0

-95 3.51

-96

-97 3.2 MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide 39 DRAFT 68/29/01 NOTES 40 MDS iNet 900 Installation Guide MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY... MDS products are designed for long life and trouble-free operation. However, this equipment, as with all electronic equipment may have an occasional component failure. The following informa-

tion will assist you in the event that servicing becomes necessary. FACTORY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Technical assistance for MDS products is available from our Customer Support Team during busi-

ness hours (8:00 A.M.5:30 P.M. Eastern Time). When calling, please give the complete model number of the radio, along with a description of the trouble symptom(s) that you are experiencing. In many cases, problems can be resolved over the telephone, without the need for returning the unit to the factory. Please use the following telephone numbers for product assistance:

FACTORY REPAIRS 716-241-5510 (Phone) 716-242-8369 (FAX) Component-level repair of radio equipment is not recommended in the field. Many components are installed using surface mount technology, which requires specialized training and equipment for proper servicing. For this reason, the equipment should be returned to the factory for any PC board repairs. The factory is best equipped to diagnose, repair and align your radio to its proper operating specifications. If return of the equipment is necessary, you will be issued a Returned Material Authorization

(RMA) number. The RMA number will help expedite the repair so that the equipment can be repaired and returned to you as quickly as possible. Please be sure to include the RMA number on the outside of the shipping box, and on any correspondence relating to the repair. No equipment will be accepted for repair without an RMA number. A statement should accompany the radio describing, in detail, the trouble symptom(s), and a description of any associated equipment normally connected to the radio. It is also important to include the name and telephone number of a person in your organization who can be contacted if additional information is required. The radio must be properly packed for return to the factory. The original shipping container and packaging materials should be used whenever possible. All factory returns should be addressed to:

Microwave Data Systems Inc. Customer Service Department

(RMA No. XXXX) 175 Science Parkway Rochester, NY 14620 USA When repairs have been completed, the equipment will be returned to you by the same shipping method used to send it to the factory. Please specify if you wish to make different shipping arrange-

ments. 175 Science Parkway, Rochester, New York 14620 General Business: +1 (716) 242-9600 FAX: +1 (716) 242-9620 Web: www.microwavedata.com