Product specifications
Table Of Contents
- 1.0 ABOUT THIS MANUAL
- 2.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
- 2.1 Transceiver Features
- 2.2 Model Number Codes
- 2.3 Spread Spectrum Radios— How Are They Different?
- 2.4 Typical Applications
- Multiple Address Systems (MAS)
- Point-to-Point System
- Adding a Tail-End Link to an Existing Network
- Extending a TransNET Network with a Repeater
- 2.5 Accessories
- 3.0 INSTALLATION PLANNING
- 3.1 General Requirements
- 3.2 Site Selection
- Terrain and Signal Strength
- Conducting a Site Survey
- 3.3 A Word About Radio Interference
- 3.4 Antenna & Feedline Selection
- Antennas
- Feedlines
- Antenna System Ground
- 3.5 How Much Output Power Can be Used?
- 4.0 INSTALLATION
- 4.1 Transceiver Installation
- 4.2 Configuring Multiple Remote Units
- 4.3 Tail-End Links
- 4.4 Configuring a Network for Extensions
- 5.0 OPERATION
- 5.1 Initial Start-up
- 5.2 Performance Optimization
- Antenna Aiming
- Antenna SWR Check
- Data Buffer Setting—Modbus Protocol
- Hoptime Setting
- TotalFlow™ Protocol at 9600 with Sleep Mode
- Operation at 115200 bps
- Baud Rate Setting
- Radio Interference Checks
- 6.0 RADIO PROGRAMMING
- 6.1 Radio Programming Methods
- Terminal Interface
- PC-Based Configuration Tool
- 6.2 User Commands
- Entering Commands
- 6.3 Detailed Command Descriptions
- ADDR [1–65000]
- AMASK [0000 0000–FFFF FFFF]
- AT [ON, OFF]
- ASENSE [HI/LO]
- BAUD [xxxxx abc]
- BAND [A, B, C]
- BUFF [ON, OFF]
- CODE [NONE, 1…255]
- CSADDR [1–65000, NONE]
- CTS [0–255]
- CTSHOLD [0–60000]
- DEVICE [DCE, CTS KEY]
- DLINK [xxxxx/ON/OFF]
- DKEY
- DTYPE [NODE/ROOT]
- FEC [ON, OFF]
- HOPTIME [7, 28]
- INIT
- HREV
- KEY
- LED [ON, OFF]
- LPM [1, 0]
- LPMHOLD [0–1000]
- MODE [M, R, X]
- MRSSI [NONE, –40...–90]
- OT [ON, OFF]
- OWM [xxxxx]
- OWN [xxxxx]
- PORT [RS232, RS485]
- PWR [20–30]
- REPEAT [0–10]
- RETRY [0–10]
- RSSI
- RTU [ON, OFF, 0-80]
- RX [xxxx]
- RXD [0–255]
- RXTOT [NONE, 0–1440]
- SAF [ON, OFF]
- SETUP
- SER
- SHOW CON
- SHOW PWR
- SHOW SYNC
- SKIP [NONE, 1...8]
- SLEEP [ON, OFF]
- SREV
- STAT
- TEMP
- TX [xxxx]
- UNIT [10000–65000]
- XADDR [0–31]
- XMAP [00000000-FFFFFFFF]
- XPRI [0–31]
- XRSSI [NONE, –40...–120]
- ZONE CLEAR
- ZONE DATA
- 7.0 TROUBLESHOOTING
- 7.1 LED Indicators
- 7.2 Alarm Codes
- Checking for Alarms—STAT command
- Major Alarms versus Minor Alarms
- Alarm Code Definitions
- 7.3 Troubleshooting Chart
- 7.4 Performing Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics
- 7.5 Internal Fuse Replacement
- 8.0 RADIO FIRMWARE UPGRADES
- 8.1 Obtaining New Firmware
- Saving a Web-Site Firmware File Onto Your PC
- 8.2 Installing Firmware Into Your Radio
- 9.0 OPERATING PRINCIPLES AND CONFIGURATION
- 9.1 SAF Operation with Extension Radios
- Simple Extended SAF Network
- Extended SAF Network
- Retransmission and ARQ Operation
- SAF Configuration Example
- 9.2 Synchronizing Network Units
- Synchronization Messages
- 9.3 Using AT Commands
- 9.4 Configuration Parameters for Store-and-Forward Services
- 9.5 Using the Radio’s Sleep Mode (Remote Units Only)
- Sleep Mode Example
- 9.6 Low-Power Mode (LPM)—Master Enabled
- Setup Commands
- Reading RSSI and Other Parameters with LPM Enabled
- Power Consumption Influence by HOPTIME and SAF Settings
- 9.7 Low-Power Mode versus Remote’s Sleep Mode
- 9.8 Mobile Operation Support
- Introduction
- Operational Influences—Hoptime & SAF
- 9.9 MIRRORED BITS™ Protocol Support
- 9.10 Seamless Mode Emulation
- Master Station Configuration
- Antenna System for Co-Located Master Stations
- 10.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE
- Pin Descriptions—RS/EIA-232 Mode
- Pin Descriptions—RS/EIA-422/485 Mode
- Using the I/O Points with InSite™ NMS Software
- Application Example—Digital Input and Output at a Remote

MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. E MDS TransNET Ref. Manual 11
Table 2 lists several types of feedlines and indicates the signal losses (in dB)
that result when using various lengths of each cable at 900 MHz and Table 3
for 2.4 GHz. The choice of cable will depend on the required length, cost
considerations, and the amount of signal loss that can be tolerated.
Antenna System Ground
Precautions should be taken to assure the antenna and its support structure are
bonded to a good earth ground system to minimize the impact of voltages
created by lightning and atmospheric charges.
CAUTION: Safety grounding systems are beyond the scope of this manual. Below you
will find some elementary advice. These are generalities; every location and
installation is unique and requires a unique safety grounding system design.
Please consider consulting a radio system engineer or other professional for
advice or ground system design. A well-designed ground system will mini-
mize risk of electrical shock to personnel and the chances of equipment
damage.
Table 2. Length vs. loss in coaxial cables at 900 MHz
Cable Type
10 Feet
(3.05 Meters)
50 Feet
(15.24 Meters)
100 Feet
(30.48 Meters)
300 Feet
(91.44 Meters)
LMR 400 0.39 dB 1.95 dB 3.9 dB Unacceptable
Loss
1/2 inch
HELIAX
0.23 dB 1.15 dB 2.29 dB 6.87 dB
7/8 inch
HELIAX
0.13 dB 0.64 dB 1.28 dB 3.84 dB
1-1/4 inch
HELIAX
0.10 dB 0.48 dB 0.95 dB 2.85 dB
1-5/8 inch
HELIAX
0.08 dB 0.40 dB 0.80 dB 2.4 dB
Table 3. Length vs. loss in coaxial cables at 2400 MHz
Cable Type
10 Feet
(3.05 Meters)
50 Feet
(15.24 Meters)
100 Feet
(30.48 Meters)
300 Feet
(91.44 Meters)
LMR-400 0.70 dB 3.50 dB 6.61 dB Unacceptable
Loss
1/2 inch
HELIAX
0.35 dB 1.73 dB 3.46 dB 17.3 dB
7/8 inch
HELIAX
0.20 dB 0.99 dB 1.97 dB 9.85 dB
1-1/4 inch
HELIAX
0.15 dB 0.73 dB 1.45 dB 7.50 dB










