RFD900ux2 Radio Modem User Manual 902-928MHz frequency band www.rfdesign.com.au 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au General Cautions During operation there must be a separation distance of 20cm between all persons and the antenna. Ensure that all used RF connectors are secure and properly terminated. When used in the US - FCC Caution Caution: The user is cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. This equipment complies with FCCs RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must be installed and operated to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be collocated or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. Installers must ensure that 20cm separation distance will be maintained between the device
(excluding its handset) and users. When used in Canada - ISED Caution This device complies with RSS 210 of the Industry Canada Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Le prsent appareil est conforme aux CNR dIndustrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. Lexploitation est autorise aux deux conditions suivantes :
(1) lappareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) lutilisateur de lappareil doit accepter tout brouillage radiolectrique subi, mme si le brouillage est susceptible den compromettre le fonctionnement. This equipment complies with Canada radiation exposure limits set forth for uncontrolled environments. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20cm may be adjusted according to actual calculation result between the radiator and your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. Dclaration dIC sur lexposition aux radiations:
Cet quipement est conforme aux limites dexposition aux radiations dfinies par le Canada pour des environnements non contrls. Cet quipement doit tre install et utilis une distance minimum de 20 cm entre lantenne et votre corps. Cet metteur ne doit pas tre install au mme endroit ni utilis avec une autre antenne ou un autre metteur 2 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au Acceptable Antennas This device has been designed to operate with the antenna(s) listed below and having a maximum gain of 3 dBi. Antennas not included in this list or having a gain greater than 3 dBi are strictly prohibited for use with this device. The required antenna impedance is 50 ohms. Acceptable antenna 3dBi RFD whip. 3 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au Table of contents 1 2 Key Features .................................................................................................................................... 5 Specifications .................................................................................................................................. 6 3 OEM Labelling ................................................................................................................................. 7 4 5 6 7 Pin signals and layout ...................................................................................................................... 8 Physical dimensions ........................................................................................................................ 9 Software/GCS Support .................................................................................................................. 10 Diversity ........................................................................................................................................ 11 7.1 7.2 Spatial diversity ..................................................................................................................... 11 Polarisation diversity ............................................................................................................. 11 8 Network options ........................................................................................................................... 12 8.1 8.2 Simple pair (P2P) ................................................................................................................... 12 Asynchronous non-hopping mesh ........................................................................................ 12 8.3 Multipoint synchronised mesh ............................................................................................. 13 9 Useful links .................................................................................................................................... 14 10 Revision History ......................................................................................................................... 14 4 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au 1 Key Features Features Out of the box RF communications. Air data rate speeds of up to 224kbps Diversity antenna support Weight of 14g Outdoor RF line-of-site range of 40km or more depending on antenna configuration Operational Operating voltage: 5V, I/O Voltage (3.3V) Temperature range: -40C to +85C Dimensions of 21mm x 33mm x 10.65mm Current consumption:
TX mode: ~1A peak at +30dBm, RX mode: 45mA (typical) Applications Telemetry data UAV control Remote weather station House automation Long range RC 5 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au 2 Specifications Performance Supported RF Data Rates Indoor Range Line-Of-Sight Range Transmit Power Receiver Sensitivity Low Noise Amplifier Features Serial Data Interface Configuration Method Frequency Band Interference Immunity Serial Interface Data Rate Antenna Connection GPIO Compliance Standards 12 to 224 kbps dependent on type and version of firmware 500m 1km 40km or more depending on antennas and settings 0 to 30dBm in 1dBm steps
-108dBm @ 10-5 BER 12Kbps
>20dB gain
+3.3V nominal, 3.3V tolerant AT Commands, APM Planner, RF Design Modem Tools 902MHz - 928MHz FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) 2400 to 1000000 bps dependent on type and version of firmware 2 x uFl diversity switched ports 1 pin (Digital, PPM capable) FCC Part 15.247, AS/NZS 4268:2012 Networking and Security Addressing Options Channels Supported Network Topologies Network ID: 0 255 Up to 51 Frequency Hopping Channels Point-to-point and asynchronous mesh1 and multipoint synchronous mesh1 1 Only available in separate firmware versions available on the RFD website Power Requirements Supply Voltage Transmit Current Receive Current
+5V nominal (+5V min, +5.5V Max, +6V ABS Max),
~900mA peak at max power
~45mA 6 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au 3 OEM Labelling For equipment containing the RFD900ux2 where the RFD900ux2 label is not visible the following ap-
plies. Equipment using the RFD900ux2 in the USA must display a label referring to the enclosed module. This label must contain the words Contains FCC ID: 2ADLE-900UX2. Equipment using the RFD900ux2 in Canada must display a label referring to the enclosed module. This label must contain the words Contains IC ID: 24610-900UX2. 7 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au 4 Pin signals and layout Pin #
1 2 3 Pin #
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Name V External Supply V Standard Name GND V External GND GPIO1_EXT V Standard RX TX RTS CTS GND Figure 4-1 Connector diagram rear of ux modem Description External 5V supply, connected to pin 2 of JST connector. The supply pin for the modem 5V supply, connected to pin 5 of JST connector, for supply from a Pixhawk or FTDI Table 4-1: Pin functions for power jumper Direction
Input
I/O INPUT Input Output Output Input
Table 4-2: Pin ux modem JST connector Description Ground External 5V supply Ground Digital I/O, PPM I/O Pixhawk/FTDI 5V supply UART Data In UART Data Out Request to send UART Clear to send Ground Max Voltage 5V 5V 5V Max Voltage 0V 5V 0V 3.3V 5V 3.3V 3.3V 3.3V 3.3V 0V Note: A jumper must be fitted between pin 1 and 2 (external supply) or pin 2 and 3 (Pixhawk/FTDI supply) to power the modem. 8 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au 5 Physical dimensions 9 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au 6 Software/GCS Support The default firmware (see Useful Links) is a development of the open source project called SiK and was created by Mike Smith. It has been further developed and modified by Andrew Tridgell and RFDesign. The modems feature a boot loader to facilitate field upgrade of the modem firmware via the serial port. This is most easily performed by using the latest version RFD Modem tools (see Useful links) Parameters such as power levels, air data rates, serial speeds, GPIO pins etc can all be custom set by the user using the AT Command set, the RFD Modem Tools V2 or later and APM Planner. Default serial port settings are as follows:
57600 baud No parity 8 data bits 1 stop bit The RFD900ux2 Radio Modem has many software features including:
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum Transparent Serial Link Configuration by AT commands for local radio, RT Commands for remote radio User configurable serial data rates and air data rates Error correction routines 128-bit AES hardware encryption with user settable key MAVLink protocol framing (user selectable) MAVLink radio status reporting (Local RSSI, Remote RSSI, Local Noise, Remote Noise) Automatic antenna diversity switching on a packet basis in real-time Automatic duty cycle throttling based on radio temperature to avoid overheating PPM (R/C signal) pass through (Control vehicle across radio). GIPO pin mirroring 10 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au 7 Diversity The RFD900ux2 has two antenna ports and firmware which supports diversity operation of antennas. During the receive sequence the modem will check both antennas and select the antenna with the best receive signal. The antenna selected during receive is then also used for subsequent transmission. In the case of only one antenna connected, it will automatically select the port with the antenna connected. Testing by Silicon Labs has shown that link budgets can be improved up to the order of 8dB by employing a diversity scheme. 7.1 Spatial diversity Spatial diversity is the case where the antennas are separated by some distance from one another. It is recommended that two antennas connected to the RDF900 modem be separated by at least 25cm, more if possible. 7.2 Polarisation diversity Polarisation diversity is the case where the antennas are perpendicular to each other. i.e. one vertical, and one horizontal. This is effective in reducing multipath effects which affect one or the other polarisation. This scheme also helps to maintain the link between non-static objects such as aircraft performing acrobatics by increasing the likelihood that one antenna will maintain the same polarisation as an antenna on the other side of the link. Figure 8-1 depicts how two right-angle monopole antennas can be positioned to achieve polarisation diversity. Figure 8-1: Antenna configuration to achieve polarisation diversity 11 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au 8 Network options RFD900ux2 support firmware for simple pair (peer to peer), asynchronous mesh network and multipoint network. Available for download from the website (see Useful Links). 8.1 Simple pair (P2P) The out-of-the-box firmware of the RFD900ux2 radio modem is set to work in simple pair mode. If you purchased a bundle, you are only required to connect the antennas and supply to initiate the link. As soon as the pair synchronises, the on-board LED will become solid green. Nodes within range Node 1 Node 2 Figure 8-1 Peer to peer modem pair network 8.2 Asynchronous non-hopping mesh The asynchronous non-forwarding mesh firmware offers a straight forward communication option that allows the user to quickly transmit and receive data across a great distance between two or more nodes. Figure 9-2 depicts this communication topology. If all the nodes are within range and have compatible parameters, communication between them will succeed. 12 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au All nodes within range Node 0 Node 1 Node 2 Node 3 Node 4 Figure 8-2 Asynchronous mesh topology It is also possible to establish forwarding between nodes in the network. (See the asynchronous firmware datasheet for details) 8.3 Multipoint synchronised mesh The network requires that one of the devices assumes a base role to control the timeslot distribution of the surrounding radios. If one the nodes is out of the bases range, communication is still possible if the parameter SyncAny is properly set. Within base node range Node 0 Base Node 1 Node 2 Node 3 Figure 8-3 Multipoint mesh topology 13 21/6/2022 RFD900ux2 User Manual V2.2 www.rfdesign.com.au 9 Useful links RFD900ux2 Firmware http://rfdesign.com.au/firmware/
RFD SiK firmware is default RFD Asynchronous firmware RFD Multipoint firmware RFD900ux2 Flash Programmer http://rfdesign.com.au/downloads/
FTDI Cable documentation http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/DataSheets/Cables/DS_TTL-232R_CABLES.pdf 10 Revision History Version 1.0 1.1 2.0 2.1 2.2 Date 22/09/17 22/05/18 1/11/18 6/5/22 21/6/22 Changes Release document Updated to correct typos, mistakes, and changes in new versions Updated for compliance Updated for the RFD900ux2 Updated for RFD900ux2 compliance 14 21/6/2022