User's Manual

RFD900x User Manual V2.0

www.rfdesign.com.au

8/1/2019

6 Software/GCS Support

The default firmware (see “Useful Links”) is a development of the open source project called “SiK” and

was created by Mike Smith. It has been further developed and modified by Andrew Tridgell and

RFDesign.

The modems feature a boot loader to facilitate field upgrade of the modem firmware via the serial

port. This is most easily performed by using the latest version RFD Modem tools (see “Useful links”)

Parameters such as power levels, air data rates, serial speeds, GPIO pins etc can all be custom set by

the user using the AT Command set, the RFD Modem Tools V2 or later and APM Planner.

Default serial port settings are as follows:

• 57600 baud

• No parity

• 8 data bits

• 1 stop bit

The RFD900x Radio Modem has many software features including:

• Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum

• Transparent Serial Link

• Configuration by AT commands for local radio, RT Commands for remote radio

• User configurable serial data rates and air data rates

• Error correction routines

• 128-bit AES hardware encryption with user settable key

• MAVLink protocol framing (user selectable)

• MAVLink radio status reporting (Local RSSI, Remote RSSI, Local Noise, Remote Noise)

• Automatic antenna diversity switching on a packet basis in real-time

• Automatic duty cycle throttling based on radio temperature to avoid overheating

• PPM (R/C signal) pass through (Control vehicle across radio).

• GIPO pin mirroring