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

12 MDS TransNET Ref. Manual MDS 05-2708A01, Rev. E
Antenna Selection—Choose an antenna that offers a “DC ground” or direct
low-impedance ground connection for all metallic components. This will
allow static charges on the antenna system to be safely dissipated to ground.
It will also provide a low-impedance discharge path to an earth/safety ground
in the event of a direct lightning strike.
Support Earth/Safety Ground—The structure that supports your antenna
system should have a large-gauge ground wire that goes as directly as
possible to an safety/earth ground system. If a tower is used, it should have
its own ground system. Support structure grounds can be bonded to the elec-
trical system ground for increased protection. Do not use the building’s
AC-power supply ground as a safety ground for lightning protection.
Chassis Ground—Connect a safety/earth ground to the ground post
provided on the electronic/electrical equipment. If a ground terminal is
present, bond the chassis to the safety ground at a point that is as close as
possible to the antenna system and primary power entry points on the chassis.
3.5 How Much Output Power Can be Used?
The transceiver is normally supplied from the factory set for an RF power of
+30 dBm (1 Watt) for 900 MHz and +27 dBm (0.5 Watt) for 2400 MHz; this
is the maximum transmitter output power allowed under FCC rules. The
power must be decreased from this level if the antenna system gain exceeds
6 dBi. The allowable level is dependent on the antenna gain, feedline loss, and
the transmitter output power setting. Power considerations for the transceiver
are discussed below.
NOTE: In some countries, the maximum allowable RF output may be limited to less
than your model’s peak output. Be sure to check for and comply with the require-
ments for your region.
To determine the maximum allowable power setting of the radio, perform the
following steps:
1. Determine the antenna system gain by subtracting the feedline loss (in
dB) from the antenna gain (in dBi). For example, if the antenna gain is
9.5 dBi, and the feedline loss is 1.5 dB, the antenna system gain would be
8 dB. (If the antenna system gain is 6 dB or less, no power adjustment is
required.)
2. Subtract the antenna system gain from 36 dBm (the maximum allowable
EIRP). The result indicates the maximum transmitter power (in dBm)
allowed under the rules. In the example above, this is 28 dBm.
3. If the maximum transmitter power allowed in your region is less than 30
dBm, use the
PWR command (described on Page 38) to set the power
accordingly.










