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RIM 902M OEM Radio Modem Integrator’s Guide Last Updated: January 11, 1999 Model No. R902M-2-O © 1999, RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED Research In Motion and RIM are registered trademarks of Research In Motion Ltd. Mobitex is a trademark of the Swedish Telecommunications Administration. MS-DOS is a registered trademark, and Windows is a trademark, of Microsoft Corp. Warning: This document is for the use of licensed users only.
FCC Compliance Statement (USA) FCC Class B Part 15 This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Warning Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
Industry Canada Certification This device complies with Industry Canada RSS 119, under certification number TBD. IC Class B compliance This device complies with the Class B limits for radio noise emissions as set out in the interference-causing equipment standard entitled “Digital Apparatus,” ICES-003 of Industry Canada.
Contents FCC Compliance Statement (USA) ........................................ i Industry Canada Certification ............................................... ii About this guide.................................................................... v 1. Introduction............................................................... 1 Radio performance...................................................................... 1 Mobitex network technology.......................................................
Introduction to antenna terminology ..........................................46 Positioning the antenna..............................................................49 Shielding ...................................................................................50 Specifications ...................................................................... 51 Glossary of terms ................................................................ 53 Index..................................................................
About this guide This document is a guide to integrating the RIM 902M OEM radio modem into a variety of devices such as laptop computers, handhelds, vending machines, point-of-sale terminals, vehicle-based mobile terminals, and alarm system.
1. Introduction With the introduction of the RIM 902M, Research In Motion (RIM) has set a new standard for radio modem performance. The RIM 902M is unrivaled in the key areas of receiver sensitivity, ouput efficiency, noise immunity, and power consumption. Its small size and weight make it suitable for virtually any wireless data application, including handheld devices and mobile terminals.
2 Introduction – Radio performance Receiver sensitivity Receiver sensitivity is a measure of how well a radio modem can “hear” a network base station. This figure is important when a device will be used in areas where signal strength is weak, such as inside buildings and in locations that are not close to a base station. A radio modem with good receiver sensitivity can be used in more places than a radio modem with poor sensitivity. The RIM 902M has a receiver sensitivity of –118 dBm, or 0.0016 picowatts.
Introduction – Radio performance 3 Low power requirements If you are planning to integrate the RIM 902M into a handheld or portable device, battery life is a critical issue: your customers will insist on long lasting devices without heavy battery packs. The RIM 902M sets a new power consumption standard for Mobitex radio modems. This ensures efficiency and maximizes battery life. Transmitting data: 1.7 amps or less (at 4.
4 Introduction – Mobitex network technology Mobitex network technology The Mobitex wireless network technology, developed by Eritel in 1984 for Swedish Telecom, has become an international data communication standard. Now managed by the Mobitex Operators Association (MOA), which controls the specifications for this open standard, Mobitex is a secure, reliable, wireless packet switching network specifically designed for wide-area wireless data communications. Mobitex networks are deployed around the world.
Introduction – FCC radio frequency exposure rules 5 forwards it to the mobile. This prevents data loss, and increases the reliability of transmission. Mobitex is optimized for data communication. It uses a packet switching technique to provide the greatest flexibility in data transmission.
6 Introduction – FCC radio frequency exposure rules body of the user and the transmitting radiated structure, the human exposure to RF radiation can be evaluated in terms of Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits for field strength or power density in mWatts/cm2. RIM will submit module specific information and test reports for a generic MPE compliance. For an end product not covered by RIM testing and submission, the integrator will submit for a separate FCC ID.
Introduction – FCC radio frequency exposure rules 7 Label If the final device configuration cannot be controlled so as to limit the user distance to the antenna then the device needs to have an RF radiation hazard label warning the user to keep away from the antenna by the specified distance.
2. Getting started RIM is committed to facilitating the integration of the RIM 902M OEM radio modem. We provide the necessary resources to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a wireless communication solution, and work closely with our partners to develop an application in the shortest time possible. Years of intense R&D have spawned several tools that have been used internally to help streamline our own development process. We have included many of these tools with the RIM 902M OEM Developer’s Kit.
10 Getting started – Test board overview Test board overview The RIM test board provides a standard RS-232 serial interface between a PC and the radio modem. It is designed to help you quickly interface the RIM 902M to a standard PC (through a COM port) or a terminal device with an RS-232 serial port. The test board also provides access points to the radio’s serial communication port, which allows you to monitor activity with a logic probe, multimeter, or oscilloscope.
Getting started – How to connect the test board 11 operate the radio. The voltage is converted into the necessary levels by the power supply section on the test board. LED indicators The test board includes several LED indicators designed to indicate the flow of data to and from the host (in real time), the radio power status, power to the test board, and more.
12 Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool 3. Power adapter (test board to AC outlet) Plug the 120VAC-to-12VDC power adapter into the wall outlet. Connect the other end to the power jack of the test board. 4. Antenna cable (radio to magmount antenna) Your developer’s kit includes a high-performance, 6dB-gain magmount antenna. This antenna is terminated with a screw-on SMA plug. The RIM 902M radio modem includes a snap-on MMCX jack.
Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool 13 The RIM 902M contains a diagnostic utility called MENU. With this utility, you can set the current network, “ping” your radio modem, or view radio and network status values. Setup The following instructions assume that your RIM 902M is connected to a PC running a terminal program, such as Windows HyperTerminal. The MENU utility is based in the RIM 902M’s firmware, so HyperTerminal is the only software required to use it.
14 Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool RIM 902M Firmware Version 1.0.0 (c) 1999 Research In Motion Limited Radio Setup Radio Serial Number = 031/11/066300 Command Key ----------Q Description ----------Quit and reset the radio. N P Set the current network. Ping: Send a Status MPAK to yourself. Networks Available: ------------------1. RMDUS (B433/B433) 2.
Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool 15 radio modem. This number is often referred to in other documents as ESN (Electronic Serial Number) or MSN (Mobitex Serial Number). Mode shows whether the radio is in powersave mode or express mode. The default operating mode is powersave, which reduces power consumption by the radio but introduces a latency of up to 10 seconds when receiving packets from the network. This mode may be changed through software.
16 Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool 0000 The radio modem status is normal. There are no warnings. 0001 The RIM 902M has been out of coverage for a long time. No adequate base station was found. Possible causes include lack of network coverage, wrong network selected, or the battery level is too low. 0002 This is a new RIM 902M being used for the first time. No action is necessary. 0008 The radio modem has exhausted its internal memory. This should not happen under ordinary use.
Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool 17 RIM 902M Firmware Version 1.0.0 release (c) 1999 Research In Motion Limited Radio Setup Radio Serial Number = 031/11/066300 Command Key ----------Q Description ----------Quit and reset the radio. N P Set the current network. Ping: Send a Status MPAK to yourself. Networks Available: ------------------1. RMDUS (B433/B433) 2. CANTEL (C4D7/C4D7) Your Choice ? Choose a network from the list (1..
18 Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool RIM 902M Firmware Version 1.0.0 (c) 1999 Research In Motion Limited Radio Setup Radio Serial Number = 031/11/066300 Command Key ----------Q Description ----------Quit and reset the radio. N P Set the current network. Ping: Send a Status MPAK to yourself. Networks Available: ------------------1. RMDUS (B433/B433) 2.
Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool 19 RIM 902M Firmware Version 1.0.0 (c) 1999 Research In Motion Limited Radio Setup Radio Serial Number = 031/11/066383 Command Key ----------Q Description ----------Quit and reset the radio. N P Set the current network. Ping: Send a Status MPAK to yourself. Networks Available: ------------------1. RMDUS (B433/B433) 2.
3. Mechanical integration This chapter provides information about the RIM 902M that will be useful in determining the physical positioning of the radio modem within an application. Environmental properties and testing, physical properties, mounting methods, and connector information are presented. Environmental properties During environmental testing, RIM takes samples of its radio modems and subjects them to a variety of harsh conditions.
22 Mechanical integration: Physical properties Storage temperature The RIM 902M OEM radio modem may be stored at a temperature from -40qC to +85qC (-40qF to +185qF). Operating temperature The RIM 902M is designed to operate between -30qC to +70qC (-22qF to +168qF). The end user should be careful not to exceed the upper temperature limit of +70qC, as performance degradation or damage to the power amplifier may occur past this point, especially when packets are transmitted frequently.
Mechanical integration: Physical properties 23 RIM 902M OEM Radio Modem – Integrator’s Guide
24 Mechanical integration: Mounting methods Mounting methods The RIM 902M OEM radio modem may be securely fastened using a variety of methods. The operating environment must be carefully considered when choosing a mounting option. For example, extreme temperature or heavy vibration may require a special mounting solution. It is important to ensure that the RIM 902M remains securely attached in the environment where it will be used.
Mechanical integration: Mounting methods 25 Tie wraps Tie wraps can be used to as a secure but non-permanent means of attaching the RIM 902M to a surface.
26 Mechanical integration: Mounting methods into the surface on either side of the RIM 902M. This allows the radio to be attached to a shell, a PCB, or some other mounting surface. If using tie wraps, ensure that the surface beneath the RIM 902M is flat. Otherwise, the mounting surface could push up on the bottom surface of the radio case while tightening the tie wraps pushes down on the edge of the radio case.
Mechanical integration: Cables and connectors 27 Cables and connectors There are two connectors on the RIM 902M radio modem. These connectors allow interfacing from the radio modem to a serial computing device, a power supply, and an antenna. Serial cable and connector The RIM 902M serial communication and control signals are carried on a flat 22-conductor 0.30 mm (0.012”) thick flexible printed circuit (FPC) cable in 1.00 mm centerline spacing, which can plug into a matching connector.
28 Mechanical integration: Cables and connectors This cable can plug into a matching 22-position 1.0 [0.039] horizontal FPC connector. A variety of connectors are manufactured by Molex. More information about each connector, including mechanical drawings, is available from the manufacturer’s web site (www.molex.com), or you can contact RIM (rim902m@rim.net) for help with selecting an appropriate connector for your application.
Mechanical integration: Cables and connectors 11MMCX-50-2-1C/111 16MMCX-50-2-1C/111 25SMA-50-2-25/111 EZ Flex 405 133REEZ4-12-S2/1216 133REEZ4-12-S2/1699 29 Straight MMCX connector Right-angle MMCX connector SMA connector Low-loss matching (50 :) cable 8” cable, straight MMCX to SMA 8” cable, right-angle MMCX to SMA The following cable is included with the RIM 902M Developer’s Kit: Contact: Huber & Suhner Essex Junction, VT, USA tel: (802) 878-0555 fax: (802) 878-9880 www.hubersuhnerinc.
4. Power requirements The RIM 902M radio modem must be provided with a clean power source capable of delivering bursts of high current. This can be provided by a plug-in power supply unit, a rechargeable battery pack, or single use batteries. RIM has conducted extensive research and has developed guidelines for integrators to follow when designing the power supply system for the RIM 902M.
32 Power requirements: Batteries Radio load profile (at 4.5V) Transmitter ON at 2.00 W to antenna worst-case peak instantaneous (due to extreme temperature, poorly matched antenna, etc.) 1.7 A 2.2 A Receiver ON In EXPRESS mode, the receiver is always ON. In POWERSAVE mode, the receiver is typically ON for 0.15 s then OFF for 9.85 s 57 mA Standby (transmitter and receiver are both OFF) Standby mode occurs for 9.85 s out of 10 s if in POWERSAVE mode and no activity has taken place for previous 10 s 0.
Power requirements: Batteries 33 should be obtained from the manufacturer. The RIM engineering development team can help you determine whether a particular battery is suitable for your application. The cells chosen must be able to meet the load specifications of the RIM 902M. Specifically, they must be able to provide 1.7 A (at 4.5V) for transmission. Rechargeable cells vary considerably, because capacity varies with current draw.
34 Power requirements: Plug-in supplies “alkaline” on the label, or to use well-known brands such as Duracell or Energizer. This should be communicated to the user of your product. Plug-in supplies A plug-in supply converts normal AC power (usually 110 volts or 220 volts) into a steady DC source that can be used instead of batteries. The plug-in supply must be designed to ensure voltage spikes, lightning, and other power fluctuations cannot damage the radio modem.
5. Interface specification The asynchronous serial interface on the RIM 902M operates at 3.0V. It is similar to RS-232 except that 0V represents a “low” and 3V represents a “high.” This interface can be connected directly to a micro-controller, or through a UART to a microprocessor data bus.
36 Interface specification: MASC and RAP link-layer protocols is designed to be extremely robust and redundant, and should be used when the serial link is unreliable or when the serial cable to the RIM 902M is very long. Advances in mobile computing technology have helped to ensure that serial links are short enough to make bit errors extremely unlikely. This is especially true for smaller devices such as laptops and PDAs.
Interface specification: Pin descriptions 37 There is no “best” protocol. The MASC or RAP protocol is used strictly for the link between the radio modem and the computing device, and does not have any influence on the speed or reliability of communication between the radio and the Mobitex network. The RIM engineering development team (e-mail: rim900@rim.net) can help you select the protocol most suited to your needs. Pin descriptions All input and output lines are 3.
38 Pin 6 Interface specification: Pin descriptions ~COV ~Coverage This is an output from the radio. The active state of this line is low, and indicates that the radio is in network coverage, as measured by the presence of a signal from the network base station. When the radio does not have contact with the wireless network, this line is high. Pin 9 GND Ground This line should be tied to the system ground of the host unit to ensure proper operation.
Interface specification: Pin descriptions Pin 12 TRI 39 Transmit Indicate The active (radio transmitting) state of this line is high. This output from the radio that is asserted while the RIM 900 is transmitting a packet to the network base station. TRI can be used to provide real-time visual feedback to the user that the radio is transmitting packets. If this is not necessary, the line can simply be left disconnected. This line is low when the Radio is off.
40 Interface specification: Pin descriptions This is an output from the RIM 900 to the computing device. This line is asserted low by the RIM 900 to indicate that it is ready to receive data from the computing device. When this line is high, any data sent from the computing device to the RIM 900 may be lost. This is a flow control mechanism that is normally reacted to by the UART in your serial communication system.
Interface specification: Pin descriptions Pin 19 ~DTR 41 ~Data Terminal Ready This line is an input to the radio. The active (data terminal ready) state of this line is low, and indicates that the computing device is ready to receive data from the RIM 900. De-asserting this line high will turn communication off; the RIM 900 would not attempt to deliver data to the computing device until ~DTR is again asserted low.
42 Interface specification: How to turn the radio on and off Pin 21 RX Receive This is an output from the radio. Its idle (no data) state is high. This line is an asynchronous serial output from the radio unit, and should be connected to the host terminal’s Receive Data input. This line carries data at 9600 bits per second. MASC parameters are 7 bits, Even parity, 1 stop bit. RAP parameters are 8 bits, No parity, 1 stop bit.
Interface specification: Interface to an RS-232 device 43 Shutdown will normally require several seconds to complete, and the radio should not be disturbed while it is shutting down. Attempting to communicate with the radio during shutdown may extend the time taken to perform shutdown operations. The ONI signal will be de-asserted (low) when the radio has shut down. All serial inputs to the radio should be low when the radio is turned off.
44 Interface specification: Interface to microprocessor Integrator’s Guide – RIM 902M OEM Radio Modem
6. Antenna selection The antenna is one of the most important components of a wireless communication system. The right antenna will maximize the coverage area of the RIM 902M. The antenna that you choose should complement the needs of your specific project. There are many different antenna types and options that will meet your engineering and user requirements while remaining within budget constraints.
46 Antenna selection: Introduction to antenna terminology effectively doubling the length of the antenna by creating a virtual “mirror image” of the antenna beneath the plane. Antenna requirements The following are the minimum requirements of the antenna system used with the RIM 902M. Impedance: Center frequency: 50 : 913.5 MHz, r5 MHz (O=32.8 cm, r0.
Interfacing and Controlling the RIM 902MAntenna selection: Introduction to antenna terminology 47 An isotropic radiator a 100% efficient point source radiator with a spherical radiation pattern. Its field energy density is identical in any direction from the radiator at each fixed distance from the radiator. An isotropic radiator cannot exist in practice; it is an unrealisable theoretical reference for measuring antenna gain and radiation patterns. The power output of the RIM 902M is 62 mW to 2.
48 Antenna selection: Introduction to antenna terminology 1 VSWR 1 - Preflected Poutput Preflected Poutput Equation 2: VSWR VSWR = 1 or RL = f dB is a perfect match. In practice, there will always be imperfections, which means that VSWR will be greater than 1 and RL will be a negative number. VSWR and RL normally vary as a function of frequency. The RIM 902M’s frequency range includes 896 to 902M MHz (transmit) and 935 to 941 MHz (receive).
Interfacing and Controlling the RIM 902MAntenna selection: Positioning the antenna 49 Positioning the antenna Proper positioning of the antenna will maximize the gain provided by the antenna. In determining the proper position, the designer must carefully consider the environment in which the device will be used. Physical devices can vary significantly, and incorporating the antenna is an integral part of a successful design.
50 Antenna selection: Shielding Shielding The electrical design of the RIM 902M provides high immunity to RF noise. The metal casing also acts as a shield to help minimize the effect of RF interference originating from the computing device to which it is attached, and to prevent the RIM 902M from emitting RF energy into the computing device and disrupting the computing device’s operation. ! Consequently, you do not need to provide any additional RF shielding between the RIM 902M and a computing device.
Specifications The following is a summary of the RIM 902M OEM radio modem specifications. Power supply & typical current usage x x x x x x x Single power supply; operating range: 4.1 to 4.75V DC Single 3.0V logic line to turn on/off Typical off current consumption: less than 10PA Battery save stand-by mode: 0.2 mA (at 4.5V) Receive / express stand-by mode: 57 mA (at 4.5V) Transmit mode: up to 1.7A (at 4.5V, output 2.0W) Average current usage: 20 mA (at 4.
52 Specifications: Shielding Other features x A simple-to-use firmware utility displays serial number, MAN, RSSI level, battery x x x x x strength, and network parameters. It can also select different Mobitex networks or "ping" the network to test the radio modem.
Glossary of terms Term: Meaning: c The speed of light. dB decibel. A measure of power, based on a logarithmic scale. Embedded System A computer without the normal display, keyboard, and disk drives of a PC. FPC Flexible Printed Circuit. The serial communication cable on the RIM 902M is made using this type of flat multiconductor wiring. Gain In this document, refers to increase/decrease in radiated power. MAN Mobitex Access Number. Each Mobitex radio modem has one unique MAN.
54 Glossary of terms: Shielding Term: Meaning: OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer. Usually implies that the “OEM product” is re-labelled with another manufacturer’s name. The RIM 902M is designed to be embedded in OEM terminals, PCs and data gathering equipment, and as such the equipment it is embedded in will not normally carry RIM’s name. OSI The Open Systems Interconnection model allows different systems, following the applicable standards, to communicate openly with each another.
Index A Antenna efficiency • 48 gain • 46 gain, maximizing • 48 physical location • 49 return loss • 47, 54 shielding • 49 SMA connector • 54 VSWR • 47, 54 C Cables serial • 27, 53 E M MAN • 53 MASC • 53 MOA • 4 Mobitex • 53 overview • 4 packet switching • 5 Mounting permanent • 26 requirements • 24 MPAKs • 5 N Noise FCC compliance statement • i, ii noise immunity • 2 shielding • 49 Embedded system • 53 O I Industry Canada Certification • ii Interface about • 35 connecting to • 27 connecting to an RS2
56 Index: Shielding R Reliability noise immunity • 2 RIM 900 battery life • 3 controlling • 43 features • 1 output power • 2 physical size • 3, 22 RS232 • 54 S Schematics 8250 serial interface • 44 Shutdown • 42 Startup turning the radio on • 42 TURNON • 38 T Temperature range • 22 Integrator’s Guide – RIM 902M OEM Radio Modem
