User Manual

RF401A-Series Spread Spectrum Radio

5. Overview

Spread spectrum radios spread the normally narrowband information signal

over a relatively wide band of frequencies. This allows the communications to

be more immune to noise and interference from RF sources such as pagers,

cellular phones and multipath. The RF401A-series radios reduce susceptibility

to RF interference from other spread spectrum devices by providing user-

selectable frequency hopping patterns.

The RF401A-series radios can provide up to one mile transmission range when

using an inexpensive whip antenna. The radios can provide up to 10 mile

transmission range when using a higher gain directional antenna at ideal

conditions. Compatible antennas are described in Section 7.7.1, Compatible

Antennas.

5.1 Retired Radios

5.1.1 RF401-Series and RF430-Series Radios

In June 2014, the RF401A and RF411A replaced the RF401 and RF430, and

RF411 and RF431, respectively. It should be noted that the RF401-series and

RF430-series radios have a maximum transmit power of 100 mW. The

RF401A-series radio has a maximum transmit power of 250 mW, configurable

via software. Please ensure that when replacing an existing RF401-series or

RF430-series radio with an RF401A-series radio that the legal transmit power

limits are not exceeded with existing cabling and antenna configuration.

5.1.2 RF400-Series Radios

The RF401A series have a choice of three communication protocol settings:

Transparent, PakBus Aware, and PakBus Node. Transparent is the protocol

used by the RF400, RF410, and CR205. RF401-series radios in networks that

also have RF400-series radios must use the Transparent protocol setting.

Do not mix the Transparent protocol with any of the

PakBus® protocols. This will produce RF traffic without any

RF communications.

6. Specifications

General

Dimensions: 11.1 x 6.9 x 2.7 cm (4.4 x 2.7 x 1.1 in)

Weight: 136 g (4.8 oz)

Two-piece aluminum case, black anodized

Radio

Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Radio Transceiver

Frequency

RF401A: 910 to 918 MHz

RF411A: 920 to 928 MHz

Transmit Power Output: 5 to 250 mW, software selectable

Receiver Sensitivity: –109 dBm

Channel Capacity: 7 hop sequences share 25 frequencies

RF Data Rate: 10 kbps

RF Connector: Reverse Polarity SMA (RPSMA) jack, 50 Ohm unbalanced

CAUTION