Reference Manual
Table Of Contents
- Preface
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Basic Radio Programming and Setup
- 2.1. Setting the Radio's Role in the Network and the Network Type
- 2.2. Establishing Communication with Instrumentation and Computers
- 2.3. Establishing Communication with Other Radios in the Network
- 2.4. Designate the RF Transmission Characteristics
- 2.4.1. 900MHz Channel Select Parameters
- 2.4.2. 900MHz Frequency Key (Golden Setting)
- 2.4.3. 900MHz Frequency Zones
- 2.4.4. High Noise
- 2.4.5. 900MHz Hop Frequency Offset
- 2.4.6. 900MHz Hop Table Size
- 2.4.7. 900MHz Hop Table Version
- 2.4.8. Max Packet Size and Min Packet Size (Golden Setting)
- 2.4.9. MCU Speed
- 2.4.10. Remote LED
- 2.4.11. Retry Time Out
- 2.4.12. RF Data Rate (Golden Setting)
- 2.4.13. RTS to CTS
- 2.4.14. Slave Security
- 2.4.15. Transmit Power
- 2.4.16. Transmit Rate
- 3. Configuring Point-to-MultiPoint Networks
- 3.1. Point to MultiPoint Network Characteristics
- 3.2. Point-to-MultiPoint Network Quick Start
- 3.3. Point-to-MultiPoint Operation LEDs
- 3.4. Overlapping MultiPoint Networks
- 3.5. Establishing Communication with Other Radios in a MultiPoint Network
- 3.6. Routing Communications through the Network
- 3.7. Setting Other MultiPoint Parameters
- 3.7.1. 1 PPS Enable Delay
- 3.7.2. Diagnostics
- 3.7.3. DTR Connect
- 3.7.4. Local Mode
- 3.7.5. Master Packet Repeat
- 3.7.6. Master Packet Repeat in MultiPoint Networks with Repeaters
- 3.7.7. Max Slave Retry
- 3.7.8. Radio ID
- 3.7.9. Radio Name
- 3.7.10. Repeaters
- 3.7.11. Repeater Frequency
- 3.7.12. Retry Odds
- 3.7.13. Slave / Repeater
- 3.8. Conserving Power
- 3.9. Reading Diagnostics in Tool Suite
- 4. Configuring Point-to-Point Networks
- 5. Advanced Programming
- 6. Viewing Radio Statistics
- 7. Approved Antennas
- 8. FGR3 Wireless Data Radios Pinouts
- 9. Troubleshooting
- 10. FGR3 Release Notes
- Appendix A: FGR3 Technical Specifications
- Appendix B: FGR3 Board Level Mechanical Drawing
- Appendix C: 900MHz Factory Default Settings
- Appendix D: 900MHz Channel Frequency IDs
- Appendix E: FreeWave Legal Information
1. Introduction
FGR3
User-Reference Manual
LUM0110AA Rev Jan-2019 Page 12 of 143 Copyright © 2019FreeWave
This document is subject to change without notice. This document is the property of FreeWave Technologies, Inc.
and contains proprietary information owned by FreeWave. This document cannot be reproduced in whole or in
part by any means without written permission from FreeWave Technologies, Inc.
1.1. Choose a Radio Location
Placement of the FreeWave radio may have a significant impact on its performance. The key to
the overall robustness of the radio link is the height of the antenna.
When using an external antenna, placement of that antenna is critical to a solid data link. Other
antennas in close proximity are a potential source of interference.
Use the Radio Statistics to help identify potential problems. In general, FreeWave units with a
higher antenna placement will have a better communication link.
In practice, the radio should be placed away from computers, telephones, answering machines,
and other similar devices. The cable included with the radio provides ample distance for
placement away from other equipment.
Note: FreeWave offers directional and Omni-directional antennas with cable lengths ranging from 3
to 200 feet.
An adjustment as little as 2 feet in antenna placement may resolve noise issues.
In extreme cases, (e.g., Cellular Telephone tower interference) the band pass filters that
FreeWave offers may reduce out-of-bandnoise.
In extreme cases, such as when interference is due to a Pager or Cellular Telephone tower, the
band pass filters that FreeWave offers, may reduce this out-of-band noise.
1.2. Choosing Point-to-Point or Point-to-MultiPoint Operation
Important!: For either a PTP or PTMP network, adding a Repeater cuts the network throughput by
50%.
1.2.1. Point-to-Point (PTP) Network
A PTP network work best when the network consists of one Master and one Slave radio.
Note: A maximum of four Repeaters can be added to extend the reach of the network.
1.2.2. Point-to-MultiPoint (PTMP) Network
In a PTMP network (also referred to as MultiPoint network) the Master radio is able to
simultaneously communicate with numerous Slave radios.
l A MultiPoint network functions with the Master broadcasting its messages to all Slave
radios.
l If requested by the Master, the Slave radios respond to the Master when given data by the
device connected to the data port. The response depends on the setup.
l The network reach can be extended with as many Repeaters as is required.