User's Manual
Table Of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Hardware
- 3. The A431 Radio Module
- 3.1. About the A431 Radio Module
- 3.2. Functional description
- 3.3. Manufacturing Issues
- 3.3.1. Marking and labeling issues
- 3.3.2. Alignment Range and Switching Range
- 3.3.3. Tuning Procedure
- 3.3.4. Setting Up the Default Parameters
- 3.3.5. Definitions
- 3.3.6. Test Equipment Settings
- 3.3.7. Trimming Elements
- 3.3.8. Adjusting the Receiver Front End
- 3.3.9. Adjusting the VCOs
- 3.3.10. Adjusting the Crystal Reference
- 3.3.11. Checking the Receiver Parameters
- 3.3.12. Checking the Transmitter Parameters
- 3.3.13. Data Transfer Check
- 3.6. Frequency Reference Specifications
- 3.7. A431 Module’s Photographs
- 4. Software
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1. Introduction
1.1. About the A440
The A440 Wireless Modem is a portable low-power, medium-range serial interface
telemetry modem. The unit is based on a powerful 8-bit Flash RISC microcontroller,
which can also be programmed in the field (for software upgrades).
The units incorporates an A431 radio module operating in the 430 to 470 MHz
range, making it adaptable to most radio communication regulations in the world.
The output power is 0.5 W, while the modulation is narrow band FM (12.5, 20 or 25
kHz channel spacing).
Due to its construction, as well as to the software controlling it, the power consump-
tion is extremely low (average 1 mA). The unit operates from an extrenal 5.6 to 10
volt power supply. The power is fed via the common data/power connector/cable.
The A440 is a ruggedized unit, complying with the IP65 environmental protection
class (NEMA 4). It can be easily installed and is compatible with both the standard
Adcon low speed protocol and the upcoming high speed protocol.
This manual describes the technical details of the A440, both hardware and soft-
ware. It is organized in several parts, as follows:
• Hardware: includes the schematics as well as a description of the main board
of the A440 (the processor, modems and interfaces)
• The A431 radio module: includes the schematics and description of the radio
module
• Software: a short description of the software with the most important com-
mands that can be used to control the unit over the serial interface