User's Manual

1.0 Introduction
Nova Engineering’s NovaRoam™ 900 is a complete direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) transceiver tailored
for industrial applications that operates in the 915MHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) frequency band.
This product can be used for multiple access networking, point to point, or broadcast operation. The DSSS
waveform results in enhanced immunity to interference, yielding increased link reliability, especially in
congested areas. DSSS also delivers extended range since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
allows these devices to transmit 30dB more power than conventional ISM band radios.
This User’s Manual introduces the operator to the capabilities, features, and operation of the NovaRoam™ 900,
facilitating efficient integration into a fully functional wireless network. Technical support is available either
directly through Nova Engineering or via one of the NovaRoam™ 900 distributors.
2.0 Getting Started
Each NovaRoam™ 900 is bundled with the following items:
• NovaRoam™ 900 transceiver
• 12VAC transformer
• Automobile cigarette lighter power cord
• Collinear whip antenna and integral 12’ cable
• RJ45 data cable
• Monitor port cable
• User’s manual.
The NovaRoam™ 900 is designed to accept either an AC or DC input power source. The unit receives AC
power from a standard 110VAC wall outlet via a plug-in transformer that steps the voltage down to 12VAC.
Alternatively, the NovaRoam™ 900 can operate from a DC power supply at any voltage between +10 and +20V.
This allows a car battery to serve as the power source for the NovaRoam™ 900 in mobile applications. A
cigarette lighter cord is included for this purpose.
3.0 Theory of Operation
Nova Engineering’s NovaRoam™ 900 is a complete direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) transceiver tailored
for industrial applications that operates in the 915MHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) frequency band.
This product can be used for multiple access networking, point to point, or broadcast operation. The DSSS
waveform results in enhanced immunity to interference, yielding increased link reliability, especially in
congested areas. DSSS also delivers extended range since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
allows these devices to transmit 30dB more power than conventional ISM band radios.
Another compelling benefit of DSSS is that the FCC permits users to install and operate this equipment without
obtaining any special licensing whatsoever. Nova Engineering has conducted the necessary testing to receive
FCC certification for the NovaRoam™ 900. The user’s responsibility is to simply install NovaRoam™ 900 in
accordance with the guidelines supplied in the user manual. This permission is granted by the FCC with the
following stipulations in order to protect the entire community of Part 15 users by ensuring that their equipment
does not generate excessive signal levels. This also serves to guard NovaRoam™ 900 networks by preventing
harmful interference levels from other systems. It should also be noted that the NovaRoam™ 900 has been
specifically tailored to survive levels of external interference that would disable most Part 15 transceivers. This
is due in part to a receiver front end that achieves 30dB higher dynamic range than the competition.
Consequently, NovaRoam™ 900 stands the best chance of delivering reliable wireless links under adverse
conditions.
CAUTION
Changes or modifications to the NovaRoam™ 900 not expressly approved by Nova Engineering could void the
user’s authority to operate this equipment.
Nova Engineering also offers professional NovaRoam™ 900 installation at the user’s discretion. This service
provides the added performance benefit of generating a site survey to achieve the most reliable links possible.