GE MDS SD Series Technical Manual
Read Online
Read the GE MDS SD Series Technical Manual online using the built-in PDF viewer.
Text of the manual
Installation and Operation Guide
Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
OCTOBER 2010
Covering ES/SS Units with Firmware Version 4.x
MDS SD Series
Secure, Long Range IP/Ethernet & Serial
Now Featuring Web-Based
Device Manager
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
Need Quick-Start instructions for this product? Please refer to publication 05-4847A01.
All GE MDS user guides are available online at www.gemds.com
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Conventions Used in This Manual .......................................................................................... 1
Software & Device Manager Notations ............................................................................. 1
Model Number Notations .................................................................................................. 1
Authorization Features...................................................................................................... 2
2.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Front Panel Connectors and Indicators .................................................................................. 3
2.2 Key Product Features ............................................................................................................. 4
Media Access Control (MAC).................................................................................................... 4
Coordination of Channel Access....................................................................................... 4
Data Validation ................................................................................................................. 5
2.3 Model Offerings ...................................................................................................................... 5
Model Number Codes ....................................................................................................... 5
2.4 Operating Modes and Applicable Manuals ............................................................................. 5
x710 Mode (Different Manual Required)........................................................................... 5
2.5 Accessories and Spares ......................................................................................................... 6
Protected Network Station ........................................................................................................ 7
Dual Protected Configuration.................................................................................................... 8
3.0 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS............................................................................................................. 9
3.1 Operating Parameters ............................................................................................................ 9
3.2 Example Systems ................................................................................................................. 10
Multiple Address Systems (MAS) ........................................................................................... 10
Point-to-Point System ............................................................................................................. 10
IP/Ethernet Polling ...................................................................................................................11
Port Sharing with Multiple Hosts ............................................................................................. 12
Report-by-Exception ............................................................................................................... 13
IP Polling of Serial Remotes ................................................................................................... 13
Serial Remotes with Two Serial Ports..................................................................................... 14
4.0 INSTALLATION PLANNING ........................................................................................................ 16
4.1 Mounting Options ................................................................................................................. 16
Optional DIN Rail Mounting .................................................................................................... 17
4.2 Antennas and Feedlines ....................................................................................................... 18
Antennas................................................................................................................................. 18
Feedlines ................................................................................................................................ 18
4.3 DC Power Connection .......................................................................................................... 19
4.4 Grounding Considerations .................................................................................................... 20
4.5 Ethernet Data Interface (RJ-45) ........................................................................................... 20
4.6 Serial Data Interfaces ........................................................................................................... 21
COM1 (Serial) Connection...................................................................................................... 22
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
COM2 (Data) Connections...................................................................................................... 23
Pin Descriptions—RS-232 and RS-422/485 Mode ......................................................... 23
5.0 STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION................................................................................................. 25
5.1 Initial Configuration ............................................................................................................... 26
Web-Based Management ....................................................................................................... 26
Alternative Management Methods .......................................................................................... 27
Web Browser Connection ....................................................................................................... 27
Logging On...................................................................................................................... 27
Using the Basic Setup Wizard......................................................................................... 28
Using the Remote Management Wizard ......................................................................... 29
Getting an Overview of Radio Settings ........................................................................... 29
5.2 Initial Startup & Checkout ..................................................................................................... 29
Ethernet Connector LEDs....................................................................................................... 30
5.3 Optimizing the Radio Network .............................................................................................. 30
Modem Type Setting............................................................................................................... 30
Inter-Packet Gap Settings....................................................................................................... 31
Baud Rate Setting................................................................................................................... 31
Ethernet Settings .................................................................................................................... 31
Antenna SWR Check.............................................................................................................. 32
6.0 USING THE DEVICE MANAGER ............................................................................................... 33
6.1 Navigating the Screens ........................................................................................................ 33
Overview Screen..................................................................................................................... 34
Printout Option ................................................................................................................ 34
Logging Out ..................................................................................................................... 34
6.2 Management Tasks .............................................................................................................. 35
6.3 Configuration Screens .......................................................................................................... 39
Radio....................................................................................................................................... 39
Basic Settings ..................................................................................................................39
Device Settings............................................................................................................... 41
Packet Settings............................................................................................................... 42
Media Access Control..................................................................................................... 43
Diagnostic Settings ......................................................................................................... 44
Advanced Settings.......................................................................................................... 45
Features.................................................................................................................................. 47
Bridge Configuration ....................................................................................................... 47
Listen Before Transmit (LBT) Settings............................................................................ 47
IP Payload Configuration (1/2/3)..................................................................................... 49
Multihost Settings (Use only if operating in Packet mode without MAC) ........................ 49
Communications Ports............................................................................................................ 50
COM1 Port Settings ........................................................................................................ 50
COM2 Port Settings ........................................................................................................ 50
IP Configuration .............................................................................................................. 51
Security................................................................................................................................... 52
Device Security............................................................................................................... 52
Wireless Security ............................................................................................................ 53
Login Password .............................................................................................................. 53
Encryption Phrase .......................................................................................................... 54
6.4 Maintenance & Status Screen .............................................................................................. 54
Event Log................................................................................................................................ 55
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
iii
Alarm Summary ...................................................................................................................... 55
All Alarms / Events.......................................................................................................... 55
Alarm Signal Configuration ............................................................................................. 56
Performance........................................................................................................................... 57
Radio Performance ......................................................................................................... 57
I/O Statistics.................................................................................................................... 57
Ethernet Statistics ........................................................................................................... 58
Radio Test............................................................................................................................... 58
RTU Simulator................................................................................................................. 58
Link Test.......................................................................................................................... 59
Ping Test ......................................................................................................................... 60
RF Keying Test ............................................................................................................... 60
Spectrum Graph .............................................................................................................. 60
Firmware Utilities .................................................................................................................... 62
Version Information ......................................................................................................... 62
Web Reprogramming...................................................................................................... 62
TFTP Reprogramming .................................................................................................... 63
Remote Reprogramming................................................................................................. 64
Verify Image.................................................................................................................... 65
Copy Image..................................................................................................................... 65
Device Reboot................................................................................................................. 66
Authorization Codes ........................................................................................................ 66
Configuration Files.................................................................................................................. 67
Dump/Load Configuration File ........................................................................................ 67
TFTP Configuration File .................................................................................................. 67
Save/Restore Configuration ............................................................................................ 68
7.0 TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................................................................... 69
7.1 LED Indicators ...................................................................................................................... 71
7.2 Checking for Alarms/Events ................................................................................................. 71
Major Alarms vs. Minor Alarms............................................................................................... 72
Status and Informational Events ............................................................................................. 72
Event Code Definitions ........................................................................................................... 72
7.3 Operating Constraints ........................................................................................................... 74
8.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE......................................................................................................... 75
8.1 Performing Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics ................................................................... 75
Setting Up Diagnostics.............................................................................................................76
8.2 Over-the-Air Firmware Upgrades ..........................................................................................76
Intrusive vs. Passive (Non-Intrusive) Mode ............................................................................ 77
OTA Reprogramming Overview .............................................................................................. 78
Cancelling OTA Reprogramming ............................................................................................ 79
Error Conditions/Recovery...................................................................................................... 79
Execution and Screen Examples............................................................................................ 79
User Data Explanations .................................................................................................. 79
User Command explanations .......................................................................................... 79
Screen Example.............................................................................................................. 79
8.3 COM1 Operating Modes ...................................................................................................... 80
Changing COM1 Modes ......................................................................................................... 80
8.4 Implementing Sleep Mode .................................................................................................... 81
How Sleep Mode Works .................................................................................................. 81
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Sleep Mode Example ...................................................................................................... 81
8.5 User-Programmable I/O Functions ....................................................................................... 82
8.6 Technical Specifications ...................................................................................................... 82
8.7 dBm-Watts-Volts Conversion Chart ........................................................................................ 89
9.0 GLOSSARY OF TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................ 84
Copyright and Trademark
This manual and all software described herein is protected by Copyright: 2010 GE MDS, LLC. All
rights reserved. GE MDS, LLC reserves its right to correct any errors and omissions in this publi-
cation. Modbus® is a registered trademark of Schneider Electric Corporation. All other trademarks
and product names are the property of their respective owners.
Quality Policy Statement
We, the employees of GE MDS, are committed to understanding and exceeding our customer’s
needs and expectations.
• We appreciate our customers’ patronage. They are our business.
• We promise to serve them and anticipate their needs.
• We are committed to providing solutions that are cost effective, innovative and reliable, with
consistently high levels of quality.
We are committed to the continuous improvement of all of our systems and processes, to improve
product quality and increase customer satisfaction.
RF Safety Notice
Concentrated energy from a directional antenna may pose a health hazard to
humans. Do not allow people to come closer to the antenna than the distances
listed in the table below when the transmitter is operating. More information on
RF exposure can be found online at the following website:
www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins.
Antenna Gain vs. Minimum RF Safety Distance
Antenna Gain
0–5 dBi
5–10 dBi
10–16.5 dBi
Safety Distance (SD4)
0.79 meter
1.41 meters
3.05 meters
Safety Distance (SD9)
0.46 meter
.82 meters
1.74 meters
Safety Distance (SD2)
For SD2, maintain an RF safety distance of
1.50 meters for a 7 dBd (9.15 dBi) antenna.
Use of higher gain antennas means
increasing the distance accordingly.
Safety Distance
(Other SD models):
Consult factory prior to operation.
RF Exposure
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
v
FCC Part 15 Notice
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation. Any unauthorized modification or changes to this device without the
express approval of the manufacturer may void the user’s authority to operate this device. Further-
more, this device is intended to be used only when installed in accordance with the instructions out-
lined in this manual. Failure to comply with these instructions may void the user’s authority to
operate this device.
Manual Revision and Accuracy
This manual was prepared to cover a specific version of firmware code. Accordingly, some screens
and features may differ from the actual unit you are working with. While every reasonable effort
has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, product improvements may also result in
minor differences between the manual and the product shipped to you. If you have additional ques-
tions or need an exact specification for a product, please contact GE MDS using the information at
the back of this guide. In addition, manual updates can often be found on our web site at
www.gemds.com.
Environmental Information
The manufacture of this equipment has required the extraction and use of natural resources.
Improper disposal may contaminate the environment and present a health risk due to hazardous
substances contained within. To avoid dissemination of these substances into our environment, and
to limit the demand on natural resources, we encourage you to use the appropriate recycling sys-
tems for disposal. These systems will reuse or recycle most of the materials found in this equipment
in a sound way. Please contact GE MDS or your supplier for more information on the proper dis-
posal of this equipment.
Product Test Data Sheets
Test Data Sheets showing the original factory test results for this unit are available upon request
from the GE MDS Quality Leader. Contact the factory using the information at the back of this
manual. Serial numbers must be provided for each product where a Test Data Sheet is required.
BSD License Information
The SD Series products contain source code originally released as part of “WPA Supplicant” which
is copyrighted as indicated below and is redistributed under the terms of the BSD license:
WPA Supplicant
Copyright (c) 2003-2010, Jouni Malinen and contributors
All Rights Reserved.
Battery Disposal—This product may contain a battery. Batteries must be disposed of properly,
and may not be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste in the European Union. See the product
documentation for specific battery information. Batteries are marked with a symbol, which may
include lettering to indicate cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), or mercury (Hg). For proper recycling
return the battery to your supplier or to a designated collection point. For more information see:
www.weeerohsinfo.com
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
BSD License
-------
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted pro-
vided that the following conditions are met:
1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and
the following disclaimer.
2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions
and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distri-
bution.
3. Neither the name(s) of the above-listed copyright holder(s) nor the names of its contributors may
be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written
permission.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
“AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIM-
ITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
1
1.0
INTRODUCTION
This Technical Manual is one of two publications for users of the MDS
SD Series Transceiver (Figure 1). It contains an overview of common
applications, installation planning data, specifications, troubleshooting,
and instructions on using the web-based Device Manager for user con-
trol. This manual is intended for technical personnel who perform net-
work design, configuration, and troubleshooting of the equipment.
A companion Setup Guide is also available (Part no. 05-4847A01). The
scope of the Setup Guide is limited to installing the transceiver and
placing it in service for the first time. All product documentation may be
downloaded free of charge from the GE MDS website at
www.gemds.com. The website also contains links to Application Bulletins
and other product information.
Invisible place holder
Figure 1. MDS SD Series Transceiver
1.1
Conventions Used in This Manual
Software & Device
Manager Notations
This product is designed for software control via a connected PC. To
show the names of screen names, keyboard entries, or other information
displayed on a PC, a distinctive bolded font like this is used throughout
the manual:
Bolded font example (for screen names and keyboard entries)
To show the navigation path leading to a particular screen, this same
font is used with forward-pointing arrows between screen names. For
example, suppose you wish to access the radio’s Packet Settings Screen.
The navigation string shown for it would appear as follows:
Configuration>>Packet Settings
Model Number
Notations
The term “SD” or “SD Series” is used in this manual to denote all
models in the SD product line. Specific model numbers such as MDS
SD2 (216-235 MHz), MDS SD4 (350-512 MHz), and MDS SD9
(928-960 MHz) are used only when necessary to reference model-spe-
cific features.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Authorization
Features
Some features of the radio are dependent on purchased options and
applicable regulatory constraints. A “key” icon is shown near the
heading of any such features. In some cases a feature upgrade may be
available. Contact your sales representative for additional information.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
3
2.0
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The SD Transceiver is a software-configurable, industrial radio for use
in licensed data acquisition networks. It may be interfaced with a variety
of data control equipment including remote terminal units (RTUs), pro-
grammable logic controllers (PLCs), flow computers, and similar
devices. Data interface connections may be made for both serial
(RS-232/RS-485) and Ethernet protocols. It is designed for use with
both polled networks and report-by-exception (push) systems.
The radio employs digital signal processing (DSP) technology and a
fully digital transmit and receive IF chain to provide robust communica-
tions even under adverse conditions. DSP also helps eliminate the
effects of component variations or temperature changes, resulting in
optimized performance at all times.
2.1
Front Panel Connectors and Indicators
Figure 2 shows the transceiver’s front panel connectors and indicators.
These items are referenced in the installation steps and in various other
locations in the manual. The transceiver’s LED functions are described
in Table 10 on Page 30.
Invisible place holder
Figure 2. Front Panel Connectors & Indicators
ANTENNA
CONNECTOR (TNC)
SERIAL DATA
CONNECTORS (DB-9)
DC INPUT
POWER
LED INDICATOR
PANEL
ETHERNET
CONNECTOR (RJ-45)
COM1 used for radio management
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
2.2
Key Product Features
The transceiver is designed to meet the demanding needs of today’s
wireless networks in a compact, and rugged package. It offers an array
of features in a single hardware platform:
• Software-configurable via a built-in Device Manager—no man-
ual controls or adjustments.
• Media Access Control (MAC) to prevent data collisions when two
or more radios try to use the radio channel at the same time.
• Available encryption of payload data (AES 128-bit)
• Supports a wide variety of modem speeds and bandwidths for reg-
ulatory compliance in virtually all regions of the world
• Ethernet & serial interfaces—ideal for migration to IP networks
• Dual serial functionality (RS-232 and RS-485)
• Over-the-air reprogramming of remote units—no unnecessary
trips to radio sites
• Licensed 5-watt design, maximizes communications range with
low interference risk from other users
• Configurable via software as a Remote or a Master unit
• Low power “sleep mode”—ideal for battery-powered solar sites
• Virtual Radio Channels (VRC) support multiple polling applica-
tions on one radio
NOTE: Some features may not be available on all units, depending on the
options purchased and regulatory constraints for the region in which
the radio will operate.
Media Access Control (MAC)
An important feature of the SD Transceiver is Media Access Control
(MAC). The SD's MAC is specifically designed for use with narrow
bandwidth, half duplex radio networks such as those commonly used in
licensed telemetry systems. A central unit is designated an Access Point
(AP) and other units are designated as remotes. When enabled, the MAC
provides efficient support of multiple data traffic models including mul-
tiple hosts, synchronous and asynchronous polls, and report-by-excep-
tion (push traffic).
Coordination of
Channel Access
The main objective of the MAC is to coordinate channel access for all
radios in the network, preventing interference or data “collisions” that
can occur from simultaneous transmissions of radios on the same RF
frequency. With MAC operation a single radio is configured as an
Access Point. This AP serves as the controller of the RF network. All
other radios are configured as remotes. Remote's request permission
from the AP to use the RF channel before sending payload data, thus
avoiding collisions of data, and creating a highly reliable wireless net-
work. The MAC is responsible for allocating which unit gets access to
the broadcast medium (the RF channel), when, and for how long.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
5
Data Validation
Additionally, the MAC validates all messages and purges corrupted data
from the system. Successful delivery of data is ensured through the use
of retries and acknowledgements. Minimal overhead is used to accom-
plish these tasks, which translates to increased bandwidth efficiency of
the radio channel. The SD MAC introduces minimal latency, ensuring
that messages are delivered in a timely manner.
2.3
Model Offerings
The radio is available in three model configurations:
• Ethernet—All SD features and functionality
• Standard—All SD features, except over-the-air Ethernet data
• x710—Direct, drop-in compatibility for networks using a mix of
SD and older MDS x710 radios
Model Number
Codes
The unit’s complete model number is printed on the bottom label. Addi-
tional unit details are available through the Overview Screen, described
later in this manual.
2.4
Operating Modes and Applicable Manuals
The radio may be configured to operate in any of three modes as fol-
lows:
• Packet Mode—Payload data from the radio’s serial and Ethernet
ports is assembled into packets and transmitted over the air.
Packet mode supports Ethernet Bridging, AES 128-bit encryp-
tion, and Virtual Radio Channels (VRC). Packet Mode encom-
passes both “Packet” and “Packet w/ MAC” mode selections.
Packet mode is intended for networks containing all SD radios.
This manual covers Packet Mode radios.
• Transparent Mode—This mode is over-the-air compatible with
MDS x710 transceivers, while supporting payload data on the
Ethernet interface. This mode is ideal for mixed networks con-
taining SD and older MDS x710 radios. It allows currently
deployed x710 networks to add support for Ethernet data. This
manual covers Transparent Mode radios.
x710 Mode (Different
Manual Required)
• x710 Mode—This mode provides direct, drop-in compatibility
with MDS x710 (4710 or 9710) transceivers, and uses the same
core command set as these radios. It is designed for use in systems
containing a mix of newer SD radios and legacy MDS x710 units.
This manual does not cover x710 Mode operation. Refer instead
to the following manuals for x710 instructions:
• Start-Up Guide (x710 Mode)— Part No. 05-4669A01
• Technical Manual (x710 Mode)—Part No. 05-4670A01
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Invisible place holder
Figure 3. SD Transceivers offer compatibility with older MDS x710
Transceivers (right), and may be used for replacement and/or
interoperability in these networks. A retrofit kit is available for
connector conversion (see Table 1).
2.5
Accessories and Spares
Table 1 lists common accessories and spare items for the transceiver.
GE MDS also offers an Accessories Selection Guide listing additional
items that may be used with the product. Visit www.gemds.com or contact
your factory representative to obtain a copy of the guide.
Table 1. Accessories & Spare Items
Accessory
Description
Part Number
DC Power Plug,
2-pin, polarized
Mates with power connector on radio
case. Screw terminals provided for
wires, threaded locking screws to
prevent accidental disconnect.
73-1194A53
Retrofit Kit, Digital
Contains adapters and connectors
needed to facilitate the replacement
of an existing MDS x710A/C/M
digital transceiver.
03-4696A01
Retrofit Kit, Analog
Contains adapters and connectors
needed to facilitate the replacement
of an existing MDS x710A/C/M
analog transceiver.
03-4697A01
Setup Guide
(for Packet and
Transparent Modes)
Describes the installation and setup
of the transceiver. A companion to
this Technical Manual.
05-4847A01
Flat Mounting
Brackets
(Standard)
Brackets that attach to the bottom of
the unit. Used for mounting to a flat
mounting surface.
03-4123A14
Flat Mounting
Brackets
(x710-compatible)
Brackets that attach to the bottom of
the unit. Used for mounting to a flat
mounting surface. Bracket matches
MDS x710 Transceiver mounting
holes.
Consult
Factory
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
7
Protected Network Station
The transceiver is available in a protected network configuration, known
as the SDxP (Figure 4), where x denotes the particular model of SD
transceiver installed inside the chassis (i.e., SD2, 4, 9, etc.).
The SDxP is a tabletop or rack-mount unit designed to hold two trans-
ceivers, two power supplies, and a switchover logic board that automat-
ically selects between transceiver A or B as the active unit. Manual
selection may also be made using a front panel switch.
Invisible place holder
Figure 4. Protected Network Station
With two transceivers and two power supplies installed, the unit con-
tinues to communicate even if a failure occurs in one of the transceivers,
or its associated power supply. This capability is important in mis-
sion-critical applications where uninterrupted service is required. Refer
to publication 05-4161A01 for detailed information on this product.
DIN Rail Mounting
Bracket Kit
Contains bracket for mounting the
transceiver to standard 35 mm DIN
rails commonly used in equipment
cabinets and panels.
03-4125A04
Reprogramming
Application for
Firmware Upgrade
Automated software program for
upgrading the radio’s internal
firmware code. This application is
under development at press time.
Check with your factory
representative for availability.
06-6241A01
Table 1. Accessories & Spare Items (Continued)
Accessory
Description
Part Number
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Dual Protected Configurations
Two dual transceiver configurations are offered for the SD Series. They
are known as the SDxDT and the SDxDP. These configurations are used
for the following purposes:
• When full duplex operation is desired using dedicated Transmit
and Receive transceivers.
• When a Master or Repeater site requires bandpass duplexers due
to the presence of co-located antennas.
• When streaming Repeater operation is desired using dedicated
Transmit and Receive transceivers
The SDxDT uses the same chassis as the SDxP described above. How-
ever, one radio is configured with the transmit frequency and the other
for the receive frequency with appropriate connections between them. It
also includes a bandpass duplexer tuned to a specific frequency for
simultaneous transmission and reception (full duplex) operation. Note
that the SDxDT provides one serial port and one Ethernet port for user
equipment.
The SDxDP is a protected, full duplex Master or Repeater site configu-
ration. This configuration consists of two SDxP chassis described
above, with appropriate interconnect cabling between the units. The
radios in one SDxP are configured with the transmit frequency and the
radios in the other are configured with the receive frequency. The
SDxDP also includes a bandpass duplexer tuned to a specific frequency
for simultaneous transmission and reception (full duplex) operation.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
9
3.0
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
This section describes common scenarios the transceiver may be used
in. A number of variations are possible; If you have unique requirements
not found here, it is recommended that you consult a support specialist
at GE MDS. Contact information is provided at the back of this manual.
3.1
Operating Parameters
The transceiver can operate in both poll-response and “push” communi-
cation/report-by-exception networks. In poll-response networks a cen-
tral Master unit communicates with a number of Remote radios one at a
time. The Master exchanges data with the currently-connected Remote,
and when finished, it establishes a new connection with the next Remote
in the polling order. In push communication/Report by Exception net-
works, a Remote can also transmits if it has data to send, typically
prompted by a change in status conditions from connected data equip-
ment.
The radio includes a number of parameters which may be set to suit the
requirements of a particular application. Table 2 provides a summary of
common applications, protocols, and radio modes used. Refer to the
table to determine what applications can be supported and what the
required radio settings are.
Table 2. Application Types vs. Key Radio Settings
Application
Protocol
(Example)
Recommended
Radio Mode
Notes
Polled Bridged Ethernet
MODBUS TCP
Packet w/MAC
May also use Packet mode and enable LBT
w/Listen on RX.
Bridged Ethernet
IP(ICMP/TCP/UDP/
MODBUS TCP)
Packet w/MAC
May also use Packet mode and enable LBT
w/Listen on RX.
Mixed Serial and Bridged
Ethernet
MODBUS RTU & IP
Packet w/MAC
Report by Exception
Serial and/or IP
Packet w/MAC
Single Poll Multiple
Response
Serial and/or IP
Packet w/MAC
Two or more concurrent
serial polling applications
(COM2, COM1, and /or
IP Payload at master
DNP3 and Modbus
RTU
Packet w/MAC
Single Port Serial Polling
with encryption (COM2 or
COM1)
Modbus RTU
Packet
AES On
Single Port Serial Polling
without encryption
(COM2, COM1, or IP
Payload at master)
Modbus RTU
Transparent
AES Off
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
3.2
Example Systems
The following sections describe common system arrangements for the
SD transceiver. Other variations are possible, and if you have questions
about a specific application not covered here, you may contact your fac-
tory representative using the information at the back of this guide. For
typical radio settings in these systems, refer to Table 2 on Page 9.
Multiple Address Systems (MAS)
This is a common application for the transceiver. It consists of a central
master unit and several associated remote units as shown in Figure 5. An
MAS network provides communication between a central host com-
puter and remote terminal units (RTUs) or other data collection devices
in the field. Often, such a system is used to carry telemetry data to and
from widely separated remote radios.
Typical MAS applications may be for automatic, remote monitoring of
gas wells, water tank levels, electric power distribution systems, and
similar control and measurement functions.
Invisible place holder
Figure 5. Typical MAS Point-to-Multipoint Network
Point-to-Point System
Where permitted, the transceiver may also be used in a point-to-point
arrangement. A point-to-point system consists of just two radios—one
serving as a master and the other as a remote (see Figure 6). It provides
a simplex (or half-duplex) communications link for the transfer of data
between two locations.
RTU
MASTER STATION
REMOTE RADIO
REMOTE RADIO
RTU
HOST SYSTEM
OR: SDA-Augmented
Master Station
RTU
REMOTE RADIO
RTU
REMOTE RADIO
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
11
Invisible place holder
Figure 6. Typical Point-to-Point Link
IP/Ethernet Polling
Modern data/control networks often employ IP/Ethernet connectivity
throughout the system. The SD transceiver is well suited to provide con-
nectivity between such sites using its RJ-45 modular connector on the
front panel and enabling Ethernet Bridging capabilities. Figure 7 shows
an overview of such a system.
Invisible place holder
Figure 7. IP/Ethernet Polling Example
This type of network can also be used for general Ethernet bridging as
supported by the over-the-air bandwidth of the system. Bridge filters are
available to reduce Ethernet traffic over the RF channel, and improve
performance.
HOST
COMPUTER
REMOTE RADIO
MASTER RADIO
RTU
MASTER UNIT
To Ethernet Port
REMOTE RADIO
(One of several possible sites)
Ethernet
Ethernet RTU
REMOTE RADIO
(One of several possible sites)
Ethernet RTU
Ethernet
Ethernet
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Port Sharing with Multiple Hosts
The transceiver allows for several external data networks to use the
same RF network without confusing the data streams. In such a system,
multiple host computers at the Master Unit poll their respective RTUs,
which may be alone or co-located at the Remote sites. Figure 8 shows
an example of such a system. In this case, two host computers (Host A
and Host B) are connected to the Master Unit via the applicable data
ports.
At the Remote sites, serial and Ethernet-based RTUs are employed, and
responding to a specific host computer. In the case of the Remote shown
on the lower right side of the drawing, two RTUs are co-located, but
responding to different host computers and handling entirely different
data streams.
The SD eliminates the need for two transceivers to support separate data
collection/control networks. Virtual Radio Channels (VRCs) are used to
separate serial data streams on COM2, COM1, or IP payload ports.
Packet With MAC operation provides Media Access Control. It is the
recommended method of operation for port sharing systems.
An option exists to operate in Packet mode without MAC. In fact, this is
the default mode in both the SS and ES models. However, this Packet
mode option should only be used for systems that use legacy methods of
collision avoidance including Multihost and Listen Before Transmit
(LBT). The mode Packet with MAC provides superior performance and
better network reliability, collision avoidance and better overall
throughput. See corresponding sections of the manual for more informa-
tion on these Packet mode options.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
13
Figure 8. Multihost Arrangement Using Packet With MAC
Push Communication (Report-by Exception)
Push Communication, sometimes referred to as Report-by-Exception
(RBE) differs from polled response in that a remote radio can also
transmit when it has data to send. It does not depend on polling from a
master radio to initiate a transmission. Some typical characteristics of
push communication systems are as follows:
• Remotes transmit asynchronously
• May contain large amounts of data
• Buffering, flow control are used
DNP3 and IEC 104 are examples of protocols that implement push com-
munication. Note that both the serial and Ethernet versions of DNP3
support push communication.
IP Polling of Serial Remotes
The transceiver is ideal for use in systems employing a mix of serial and
Ethernet protocols. While many variations are possible, Figure 9 shows
a typical arrangement with an Ethernet host at the Master Unit that is
polling serial-based RTUs at Remote sites.
MASTER RADIO
HOST COMPUTER
(Host A)
To Ethernet Port
REMOTE RADIO
(One of several possible sites)
Radio Mode: Packet w/MAC
Ethernet
HOST C
HOST COMPUTER
(Host B)
Device Settings Screen
Serial
To COM2
Serial Port
Ethernet RTU Responding to
Host A
Serial RTU Responding to
Host B
Ethernet
REMOTE RADIO
(One of several possible sites)
Serial RTU Responding to
Host B
Co-located RTUs
Responding to
Different Hosts
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
In this example, the Host Computer is connected directly to the radio’s
Ethernet port, and the RTUs at the Remote sites are connected to the
transceiver via the radio’s COM2 serial data ports. The IP Payload fea-
ture, used at the master, efficiently passes TCP payload over the air, and
eliminates the need for an external terminal server. (COM1 may also be
used for payload data if properly configured via the management
system. See next example.)
Invisible place holder
Figure 9. IP Polling of Serial Remotes
Serial Remotes with Two Serial Ports
In some cases, it is necessary to poll more than one RTU at a Remote
site. Figure 10 shows an example of this type of system. Here, two
RTUs are connected to each Remote transceiver, by using both of the
radio’s serial ports—COM1 and COM2.
By default, the radio’s COM1 port is configured for serial management
functions with a connected PC, but it may be configured for data service
using the management system. This arrangement allows two telemetry
networks to share a single radio system.
In such a system, each RTU gets every message from the host computer,
and the underlying protocol (e.g., Modbus, DNP, etc.) sorts out which
messages are applicable to a specific RTU.
MASTER RADIO
(TCP Client)
HOST COMPUTER
(TCP Server)
REMOTE RADIO
(One of several possible sites)
MODBUS® SERIAL RTU
To COM2
Serial Port
To Ethernet Port
REMOTE RADIO
(One of several possible sites)
To COM2
Serial Port
Ethernet Data Port Menu
MODBUS RTU
Protocol
MODBUS® SERIAL RTU
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
15
Packet With MAC is the recommended method of operation when both
serial ports are used to pass payload data if there are two hosts (e.g., Post
Sharing with multiple host case). If there is a single host polling all units,
packet or transparent mode is the better option (depending on whether
encryption is required or not) even if there are two RTUs connected to a
remote radio.
Figure 10. Serial Remotes with Two Serial Ports
MASTER RADIO
HOST COMPUTER
(Host A)
To Ethernet Port
REMOTE RADIO
(One of several possible sites)
TCP Ethernet
REMOTE RADIO
(One of several possible sites)
SERIAL RTU
SERIAL RTU
SERIAL RTU
SERIAL RTU
Radio Mode: Packet w/MAC
Device Settings Screen
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
4.0
INSTALLATION PLANNING
This section discusses the factors to be considered before installing the radio.
Careful planning of the installation site will help achieve optimal performance
from the transceiver. Step-by-step installation procedures begin on Page 25.
Figure 11 shows a typical remote station arrangement. The specific details at
an installation site may vary, but there are three main requirements for
installing the transceiver in all cases:
• Adequate and stable primary power
• An efficient and properly installed antenna system
• Correct interface connections between the transceiver and the data
device.
Figure 11. Typical Station Arrangement (Remote shown)
4.1
Mounting Options
The transceiver is normally provided with flat mounting brackets
attached to the bottom of the radio as shown in Figure 12. An optional
35mm DIN rail mounting bracket is also available, and is described
below.
POWER SUPPLY
10.5–16 VDC @ 2.5A
Negative Ground Only
TRANSCEIVER
LOW-LOSS FEEDLINE
ANTENNA SYSTEM
ETHERNET
SERIAL
Master Stations typically use
omni-directional antenna
DATA TELEMETRY DEVICE
OR HOST COMPUTER
OR:
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
17
Invisible place holder
Figure 12. Mounting Bracket Dimensions
NOTE: To prevent moisture from entering the radio, do not mount the case
with the cable connectors pointing up. Also, dress all cables to
prevent moisture from running along the cables and into the radio.
Optional DIN Rail Mounting
The unit may be mounted with an optional 35 mm DIN Rail Mounting
Bracket Kit (Part No. 03-4125A04). Equipment cabinets and racks of
modern design often employ this type of mounting. Once the DIN
bracket is attached to the radio, it allows for quick installation and
removal of the radio from its mounting rail without the need for tools.
The DIN Rail bracket attaches to the unit’s case as shown in Figure 13.
The entire assembly then attaches to the mounting rail.
6.675˝ (16.95 cm)
2.75˝ (7 cm)
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Figure 13. Attachment & Mounting of DIN Rail Bracket
(Unit shown is for example only, and is not an SD Transceiver.)
4.2
Antennas and Feedlines
Antennas
The transceiver may be used with a number of different antennas. The
exact style and gain factor depend on the physical size and layout of
your system. Connection is made to the radio via a TNC coaxial con-
nector.
A directional Yagi (Figure 14) or corner reflector antenna is generally
used at remote sites to minimize interference to and from other users.
Antennas of this type are available from several manufacturers,
including GE MDS. Contact your factory representative for details.
Invisible place holder
Figure 14. Typical Yagi Antenna (mounted to mast)
Feedlines
The selection of an antenna feedline is very important. Poor quality
cable should be avoided as it will result in power losses that may reduce
the range and reliability of the radio system.
Step 1: Attach the bracket using the
Step 2: Clip the assembly onto the
DIN Rail. Removal is performed by
pulling down on the Release Tab.
Release Tab
two screws provided. (Attach to
the end opposite the unit’s connectors.)
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
19
Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5 show the approximate losses that will
occur when using various lengths and types of coaxial cable in the 200,
400 and 960 MHz bands, respectively. Regardless of the type used, the
cable should be kept as short as possible to minimize signal loss.
4.3
DC Power Connection
The transceiver may be operated from any well-filtered 10.0 to 30 Vdc
power source. The supply must be capable of providing at least 2.5
Amperes continuously.
NOTE: Early SD4 models supported 10.5 to 16 Vdc power, not 10 to
30 Vdc. Always check the labeling above the power connector
to confirm the operating range for your unit.
Table 3. Signal Loss in Coaxial Cables (at 200 MHz)
Cable Type
10 Feet
(3 Meters)
50 Feet
(15 Meters)
100 Feet
(30.5 Meters)
200 Feet
(61 Meters)
RG-8A/U
0.26dB
1.27 dB
2.5 dB
5.07 dB
1/2 inch HELIAX
0.06 dB
0.38 dB
0.76 dB
1.6 dB
7/8 inch HELIAX
0.04 dB
0.21 dB
0.42 dB
0.83 dB
1-1/4 inch HELIAX
0.03 dB
0.16 dB
0.31 dB
0.62 dB
1-5/8 inch HELIAX
0.025 dB
0.13 dB
0.26 dB
0.52 dB
Table 4. Signal Loss in Coaxial Cables (at 400 MHz)
Cable Type
10 Feet
(3 Meters)
50 Feet
(15 Meters)
100 Feet
(30.5 Meters)
200 Feet
(61 Meters)
RG-8A/U
0.51dB
2.53 dB
5.07 dB
10.14 dB
1/2 inch HELIAX
0.12 dB
0.76 dB
1.51 dB
3.02 dB
7/8 inch HELIAX
0.08 dB
0.42 dB
0.83 dB
1.66 dB
1-1/4 inch HELIAX
0.06 dB
0.31 dB
0.62 dB
1.24 dB
1-5/8 inch HELIAX
0.05 dB
0.26 dB
0.52 dB
1.04 dB
Table 5. Length vs. Loss in Coaxial Cables (at 960 MHz)
Cable Type
10 Feet
(3.05 Meters)
50 Feet
(15.24 Meters)
100 Feet
(30.48 Meters)
200 Feet
(61 Meters)
RG-8A/U
0.85 dB
4.27 dB
8.54 dB
17.08 dB
1/2 inch HELIAX
0.23 dB
1.15 dB
2.29 dB
4.58 dB
7/8 inch HELIAX
0.13 dB
0.64 dB
1.28 dB
2.56 dB
1-1/4 inch HELIAX
0.10 dB
0.48 dB
0.95 dB
1.90 dB
1-5/8 inch HELIAX
0.08 dB
0.40 dB
0.80 dB
1.60 dB
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
A power connector with screw-terminals is provided with each unit (see
Figure 15). Strip the wire leads to 6 mm (1/4 inch) and insert in the wire
ports, tightening securely. Be sure to observe proper polarity as shown
in Figure 15.
Invisible place holder
Figure 15. DC Power Connector (P/N 73-1194A39)
NOTE: The radio is designed for use in negative ground systems only.
4.4
Grounding Considerations
To minimize the chance of damage to the transceiver and connected
equipment, a safety ground (NEC Class 2 compliant) is recommended
which bonds the antenna system, transceiver, power supply, and con-
nected data equipment to a single-point ground, keeping all ground leads
as short as possible.
Normally, the transceiver is adequately grounded if the supplied flat
mounting brackets are used to mount the radio to a well-grounded metal
surface. If the transceiver is not mounted to a grounded surface, it is rec-
ommended that a safety ground wire be attached to one of the mounting
brackets or a screw on the transceiver’s case.
The use of a lightning protector is recommended where the antenna
cable enters the building; Bond the protector to the tower ground, if pos-
sible. All grounds and cabling must comply with applicable codes and
regulations.
4.5
Ethernet Data Interface (RJ-45)
The transceiver’s Ethernet Port is used to connect the unit to another
Ethernet device. The port has built-in MDIX (auto-sensing) capability,
allowing either a straight-through or crossover cable to be used.
Figure 16 and Table 6 show pinout data for the Ethernet port. The
Ethernet interface supports both radio management and payload data
transport functions.
For management, connecting to the radio via a web browser provides
enhanced functionality and ease-of-use over serial (COM1) management
methods or Telnet. Web-based management is the preferred and primary
Lead
Screws (2)
Binding
Wire Ports (2)
(Polarity: Left +, Right –)
Retaining
Screws (2)
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
21
means of accessing the transceiver through the built-in SD Device Man-
ager.
Telnet may also be used on this connector, and provides the same
menu-based user interface available via COM1. If you wish to use Telnet
for radio control, refer to the SD Serial/Telnet Management Supplement,
Part No. 05-6193A01.
Various options are available for passing Ethernet data on this con-
nector, allowing system administrators to optimize the configuration for
maximum narrowband efficiency, based on the operating characteristics
of their system.
Figure 16. Ethernet Port (RJ-45) Pinout
(As viewed from the outside of the unit)
4.6
Serial Data Interfaces
COM1 and COM2 on the front panel serve as the serial interface ports for
radio management and payload data, respectively. The following sec-
tions identify the pin functions used on each interface. These ports are
user-configurable for specific applications. The procedures for changing
their default operation are provided later in this guide.
NOTE: Not all PCs have a serial port. If one is not available, a
USB-to-Serial adapter and appropriate driver software may be
used to provide serial connectivity. These adapters are avail-
able from several manufacturers, including GE MDS.
Table 6. Ethernet Port (IP/Ethernet) Pinouts
Pin
Functions
Ref.
1
Transmit Data (TX)
High
2
Transmit Data (TX)
Low
3
Receive Data (RX)
High
4
Unused
5
Unused
6
Receive Data (RX)
Low
7
Unused
8
Unused
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
COM1 (Serial) Connection
The default factor settings for the radio’s COM1 port (Figure 17) assigns
it for management or diagnostics of the radio via a serial connection to
a PC. COM1 may be used to set basic parameters such as output power,
modem type and operating frequency of the radio.
This method provides an alternative to the web-based SD Device Man-
ager, accessible via the Ethernet RJ-45 port (see Page 20) when Ethernet
connectivity is not available. If you wish to use serial or Telnet control
instead, refer to the SD Serial/Telnet Management Supplement, Part No.
05-6193A01.
For typical applications, a straight-through DB-9 cable may be used for
PC management. If desired, a cable may be constructed as shown in
Figure 18, using Pins 2 (RXD), 3 (TXD), and 5 (Ground). Table 7 lists
all COM1 pins.
Figure 18. COM1 Wiring for PC Management
Figure 17. COM1 Connector (DB-9F)
As viewed from outside the unit
5
9
6
1
RXD
TXD
GND
2
3
5
RXD
TXD
GND
2
3
5
>
<
DB-9 FEMALE
(COMPUTER)
DB-9 MALE
(RADIO SIDE)
Table 7. COM1 Pin Descriptions
Pin
Number
Radio
Input/
Output
Pin Description
1
--
No function
2
OUT
RXD (Received Data)—Supplies received data to the
connected device.
3
IN
TXD (Transmitted Data)—Accepts TX data from the
connected device.
4
--
No function
5
--
Ground—Connects to ground (negative supply potential) on
chassis.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
23
COM2 (Data) Connections
Typically, the COM2 port (Figure 19) is used for connecting the radio to
an external DTE serial device supporting the RS-232 or RS-485 serial
data format. The radio supports serial data rates of 300, 1200, 2400,
4800, 9600, 19200, and 38400, 57600, 115200 bps (asynchronous only).
Pin Descriptions—
RS-232 and
RS-422/485 Mode
Table 8 and Table 9 provide detailed pin descriptions for the COM2 data
port in RS-232 mode and RS-422/485 modes, respectively.
NOTE: The radio is hard-wired as a DCE device.
6
--
No function
7
--
No function in most applications—User I/O for special
applications
8
---
No function
9
--
No function in most applications—User I/O for special
applications
Table 7. COM1 Pin Descriptions
Pin
Number
Radio
Input/
Output
Pin Description
Figure 19. COM2 Connector (DB-9F)
As viewed from outside the radio
Table 8. COM2 Pin Descriptions—Radio in RS-232 Mode
Pin
Number
Radio
Input/
Output
Pin Description
1
OUT
DCD (Data Carrier Detect/Link)—A low indicates signal
received.
2
OUT
RXD (Received Data)—Supplies received data to the
connected device.
3
IN
TXD (Transmitted Data)—Accepts TX data from the
connected device.
4
IN
Sleep Mode Input—Grounding this pin places the radio in a
low power consumption mode.
5
--
Signal Ground—Connects to ground (negative supply
potential) on chassis.
6
OUT
Alarm Output (DSR)—Behavior is user-configurable. Default
behavior: An RS-232 high/space (+5.0 Vdc) on this pin
indicates an alarm condition. An RS-232 low/mark (–5.0 Vdc)
indicates normal operation.
7
IN
RTS (Request-to-Send)—Keys the transmitter.
5
9
6
1
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
COM2 PORT NOTES & WIRING ARRANGEMENTS:
• RXD+ / RXA and RXD– / RXB are data sent into the radio to be transmitted out
• RXD+ / RXA is positive with respect to RXD– / RXB when the line input is a “0”
• TXD+ / TXA and TXD– / TXB are data received by the radio and sent out
• TXD+ / TXA is positive with respect to the TXD– / TXB when the line output is a “0”
Invisible place holder
Figure 20. RS-422/485 Wiring Arrangements
8
OUT
CTS (Clear-to-Send)—Goes “high” after the programmed
CTS delay time has elapsed (DCE), or keys another
connected radio when RF data arrives (CTS KEY).
9
--
Reserved—User I/O for special applications
Table 9. COM2 Pin Descriptions—Radio in RS-422/485 Mode
Pin
Number
Radio
Input/
Output
Pin Description
1
OUT
Carrier Detect/Link—A low indicates signal received.
2
OUT
TXD+/TXA (Received Data +)—Non-inverting driver output.
Supplies received payload data to the connected device.
3
IN
RXD+/RXA (Transmitted Data +)— (Transmitted Data +).
Non-inverting receiver input. Accepts payload data from the
connected device.
4
IN
Sleep Mode Input—Grounding this pin places the radio in a
low power consumption mode.
5
--
Ground—Connects to ground (negative supply potential) on
the radio’s PC board.
6
OUT
Alarm Output—Behavior is user-configurable. Default
behavior: A high on this pin indicates an alarm condition; a low
indicates normal operation.
7
IN
RXD-/RXB (Transmitted Data -)— Inverting receiver input
8
OUT
TXD-/TXB (Received Data -)—Inverting driver output.
9
--
Reserved—User I/O for special applications
Table 8. COM2 Pin Descriptions—Radio in RS-232
Pin
Number
Radio
Input/
Output
Pin Description
EIA-485 2-WIRE CONNECTIONS
TXD +
RXD +
2
3
7
RADIO
DATA CONNECTOR
8
RXD –
TXD –
EIA-422 4-WIRE CONNECTIONS
RXD+/TXD+
2
3
7
RADIO
DATA CONNECTOR
8
RXD–/TXD–
EXTERNAL DEVICE
EXTERNAL DEVICE
RXD –
TXD +
RXD +
TXD –
RXD –
TXD +
RXD +
TXD –
This jumpering must be provided by user.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
25
5.0
STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION
In most cases, the steps given here are sufficient to install the trans-
ceiver. Refer to “INSTALLATION PLANNING” on Page 16 for addi-
tional details, as required.
1. Mount the transceiver. Attach the mounting brackets to the bottom
of the transceiver case (if not already done), using the four 6-32 x
1/4 inch (6 mm) screws supplied. Mounting bracket dimensions are
shown in Figure 12 on Page 17. Secure the brackets to a flat,
grounded surface. (If a grounded surface is not available, run a
separate ground wire to the transceiver—see “Grounding
Considerations” on Page 20.)
2. Install the antenna and feedline. The antenna used with the radio
must be designed to operate in the radio’s frequency band, and be
mounted in a location providing a clear path to the associated sta-
tion(s). At Remote sites, aim directional antennas toward the master
unit. Low loss coaxial feedline should be used and it should be kept
as short as possible.
3. Connect the data equipment. Connection may be made using
IP/Ethernet signaling, Serial protocols (RS-232/RS-485), or both.
• If an Ethernet device is to be used, connect it to the front panel
ETHERNET port to the right of the PWR connector.
• If a serial device is to be used, connect it to COM2 on the front
panel. The radio is hardwired as a DCE device. A straight-through
cable may be used in most applications.
NOTE:
Do not connect the radio’s Ethernet port to a LAN with high traffic levels.
Excessive traffic will overload the port and cause it to be temporarily
disabled. In general, traffic levels above 4 Mbps are likely to cause port
shutdown. (Traffic limit is less than 4 Mbps with packet sizes smaller than
64 bytes.)
4. Connect primary power. Input power must be within 10.0 to 30
Vdc and capable of providing at least 2.5 Amperes. (Note that some
older SD4 radios only allow a 10.5 to 16 Vdc range. Always verify
the voltage range by checking the label above the power input
socket.)
A power connector with screw-terminals is provided with the unit
(see Figure 15 on Page 20). Strip the wire leads to 6 mm (1/4 inch)
and insert them into the wire ports. Be sure to observe proper
polarity. Tighten the binding screws securely.
The unit is designed for use with negative-ground systems only.
The power supply should be equipped with overload protection
(NEC Class 2 rating), to protect against a short circuit between its
output terminals and the radio’s power connector.
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
5. Configure the Radio Settings. Connecting a new radio shipped
from the factory to a PC via the Ethernet connector, causes the
built-in Device Manager to launch automatically and starts the
Basic Setup Wizard. The wizard steps you through the essential
radio settings in a quick, and streamlined, way. The wizard contains
settings for:
• TX/RX Operating Frequencies
• Power
• Mode
• Modem Type
• Serial Port Configuration
• Ethernet Bridging
• Encryption
• AP or Remote Service
Detailed steps for starting configuration of the radio are presented in
“Initial Configuration” on Page 26.
5.1
Initial Configuration
This section describes setup of the radio for its first on-air operation. A
full description of operating settings is given in Section 6.0.
Web-Based Management
The SD Device Manager is the recommended method for user manage-
ment. It is a built-in software tool that works with your PC’s browser to
provide an intuitive, web-style presentation of all radio information, set-
tings, and diagnostics.
The Device Manager also contains a “wizard” function to assist in set-
ting up a radio with a minimum of user actions. Web management uses
the radio’s ETHERNET RJ-45 connector. Instructions for connecting via
a web browser are given below.
NOTE: Web access must be enabled via the Device Security Screen
before using this feature. This is the default setting on a factory
shipped new radio. If changes are needed, see your Network
Administrator, or check/activate by logging into the Device
Security Screen.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
27
Alternative Management Methods
The following methods are for use where web-based management is not
available:
• Serial—(COM1 DB9 connector). This is the “console terminal”
method of control commonly used on earlier GE MDS radios. For
more information, refer to the Serial/Tenet Management Supple-
ment available from the GE MDS website at www.gemds.com.
• Telnet—(ETHERNET RJ-45 connector). Telnet offers essentially
the same capabilities as Serial control, but may be performed
either through a local connection, or over a network. For more
information, refer to the Serial/Tenet Management Supplement
available from the GE MDS website at www.gemds.com.
Web Browser Connection
The remainder of this section describes connection and use of the radio’s
built-in Device Manager. To connect to the radio and manage it via the
Device Manager, you will need the following:
• A PC with a web browser program installed.
• An Ethernet cable connected between the PC’s Ethernet jack, and
the radio’s Ethernet jack as shown in Figure 21. (Alternatively, a
network connection may be used, as long as the radio can be
reached via its IP address.)
• The radio’s IP address. Check with your Network Administrator,
or determine the address from the radio’s Overview>>SD Summary
screen. The default address for a factory shipped new radio is
192.168.1.1.
• The user name and password for the radio. Check with your Net-
work Administrator, or, if a username and password have not
been set, use the factory defaults of admin for both entries. (For
security, a new password should be established as soon as possi-
ble after login.)
Invisible place holder
Figure 21. PC Connection to Radio for Web Management
Logging On
1. Connect the radio to a PC via an Ethernet connection.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
2. Configure your PC network settings to an IP address on the same
subnet as the radio. The default subnet mask is 255.255.255.0.
3. Enter the radio’s IP address in a web browser window, just as you
would enter a website address. When the login screen appears
(Figure 1), enter the User Name and Password for the radio. The
default entries for a new radio are both admin. Click OK.
Invisible place holder
Figure 1. Login Screen
Using the Basic
Setup Wizard
4. The Basic Setup Wizard (Figure 22) begins automatically upon con-
nection to a new factory shipped radio. It may also be started manu-
ally by selecting Setup Wizards>>Basic Setup, and then clicking Start.
The Wizard displays a series of screens with key selections as fol-
lows:
• TX/RX Frequencies (entries must match station license)
• RF Power Output
• Operating Mode
• Modem Type
• Serial Port Configuration
• Ethernet Bridging
• Encryption Setting
• AP or Remote Service
NOTE:
TX and RX frequencies may not be set when the radio is shipped from the
factory, depending on ordering options. If no frequencies have been set, an
alarm condition is generated and the PWR led flashes. These will be
cleared after the frequencies are set. In all cases, users must verify that the
frequencies are properly set according to the station license.
NOTE:
Operation on exact multiples of 25 MHz is not supported by the SD4 trans-
ceiver (i.e., 400, 425, 450, 475, and 500 MHz).
Continue through each wizard screen until all selections have been
made. (You may back up to previous screens if required, to review or
change settings.) If you are unsure about a required setting, contact
your Network Administrator for assistance.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
29
Invisible place holder
Figure 22. Basic Setup Wizard
5. At the conclusion of the wizard, click Done. Configuration is now
complete for the connected radio. Log out of the Device Manager by
clicking Logout in the upper right hand side of the screen. If desired,
you may proceed with the additional functions described below.
Using the Remote
Management Wizard
To program the key settings of other radios installed in the wireless net-
work, select Setup Wizards>>Remote Management, and follow the prompts
contained in that tool. At the conclusion of the wizard, click Commit Con-
figuration, followed by Done. Remote configuration is now complete.
Getting an Overview
of Radio Settings
To get a top-level view of the key settings and operating parameters for
the radio, select Overview and a screen will be displayed. When finished,
log out of the Device Manager by clicking Logout in the upper right hand
side of the screen.
5.2
Initial Startup & Checkout
In-service operation of the transceiver is completely automatic. Once
the unit has been properly installed and configured as described above,
operator actions are limited to observing the front panel LED indicators
for proper operation.
If all parameters are correctly set, operation of the radio can be started
by following these steps:
1. Apply DC power.
2. Observe the LED status panel for proper indications (Table 10).
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
3. If not done earlier, refine the antenna heading of the station to maxi-
mize the received signal strength (RSSI) from the Master Unit. The
Performance screen may be used to observe RSSI. Turn the antenna
heading slowly so that the RSSI display can be updated.
NOTE:
The RSSI facility limits the maximum displayed signal strength to –60
dBm.
Invisible place holder
Ethernet Connector LEDs
The 10/100 Base-T Ethernet connector has two embedded LEDs. A
flashing green indicator shows data activity, and a yellow indicates 100
Mbps operation has been achieved.
5.3
Optimizing the Radio Network
The following are additional checks/settings that you may wish to per-
form to optimize the operation of the radio system. See “USING THE
DEVICE MANAGER” on Page 33 for instructions on accessing and
changing these parameters.
Modem Type Setting
All radios in the network must be set to the same modem type and speed.
A range of values is available. The default setting is 9600. This setting
may be set/viewed using the Configuration>>Radio>>Basic Settings screen.
See Page 39 for details.
In general, the higher the modem baud rate, the faster the communica-
tion speed over the air. However, it must be remembered that signal
strength also plays a role in how fast a transmission may be sent. If sig-
nals are strong, faster speeds are possible. If signals are fair or poor,
slower speeds may be needed to achieve the best communication results
with the least number of re-transmissions due to errors.
Table 10. LED Status Indicators
LED Name
Description
PWR
• Continuous—Power applied, no problems detected.
• Rapid flash (5 times-per-second)—Alarm indication, or
RX/TX frequencies not set.
LAN
• Flashing—Data is being transmitted and received.
• Off—Ethernet signals not detected
DATA 1/DATA2
These LEDs show data activity on the DB-9 serial payload
port(s).
LINK
When lit, indicates that a communication link exists with the
Master Unit.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
31
Inter-Packet Gap Settings
For radios operating in Packet Mode, the inter-packet gap is a timing set-
ting used to delimit a packet on the serial interface. Too short of a time
can cause serial streams to be combined into one large packet instead of
two smaller ones. Too long of a time can slow down the communica-
tions channel.
Inter-Packet Gap Settings for COM1 and COM2 are made using the Con-
figuration>>Radio>>Packet Settings screen. See Page 42 for details.
Baud Rate Setting
The higher the baud rate, the faster the communication speed of the
serial link connected to the COM port. However, this setting has no direct
effect on over-the-air transmission speed.
The modem baud rate is set using the Configuration>>Communication
Ports>>COM1/2 Port Settings screens. See Page 50 for details.
Ethernet Settings
The local Ethernet connection must be configured to conform to the
needs of the local Ethernet network. The Configuration>>Communication
Ports>>IP Configuration screen is used to set/view these settings. Here are
some general points that apply to Ethernet settings:
• The radio's Ethernet settings must be configured in order to com-
municate over the LAN to which it is connected.
• It must be known whether or not a DHCP server is active in a net-
work to make use of the radio’s DHCP setting.
• If DHCP is available, it can be enabled. Once enabled, it can take
a few minutes before the radio obtains an IP address, which will
be displayed in the Current IP Address field.
• If DHCP operation is unavailable (or is not desired), then a static
IP address may be manually set. IP network setup is beyond the
scope of this manual. Consult your network administrator.
• As a quick reference, a typical LAN setup might appear as fol-
lows:
Static IP Address 192.168.1.101
Static IP Netmask 255.255.255.0
Static Default Gateway 192.168.1.1
DHCP
Disabled
See Page 51 for more information on Ethernet settings.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Antenna SWR Check
Before placing the radio into final service, a check should be made of
the antenna system’s standing wave ratio (SWR). Use a directional watt-
meter suited to the frequency of operation for this check. High SWR
(above 2:1) may indicate an antenna, connector, or feedline problem,
and should be corrected.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
33
6.0
USING THE DEVICE MANAGER
The radio contains a built-in management system known as a Device
Manager. This web-based tool is accessed with a PC connected to the
radio’s Ethernet port as shown in Figure 23. It offers an intuitive, easy
to use method for managing your radio and performing common main-
tenance tasks.
NOTE: The Device Manager is the preferred method for managing the
transceiver. Menu-based Serial or Telnet management is also
possible. Refer to the SD Serial/Telnet Management Supple-
ment, Part No. 05-6193A01 for details.
If you are using the Device Manager for the first time, refer to “Initial
Configuration” on Page 26 for instructions on connecting a PC to the
radio and logging into the Device Manager for basic radio setup,
including use of the Setup Wizards.
Figure 23. PC Connection to Radio for Web Management
6.1
Navigating the Screens
Upon login into the Device Manager, the Overview screen appears as
shown in Figure 24. The selection pane at the left side of this screen pro-
vides access to any of the available screens. Simply click an item of
interest, and the new screen appears. Sub-level screens are displayed
under the main heading, and may be clicked to open them.
With a desired screen displayed, simply scroll up or down to reach a
required setting or indication. Drop-down boxes or blank fields are pro-
vided for entering new information. Once a new parameter is entered,
click Commit Configuration on the right-hand side of the screen to apply
the setting, or select Undo to cancel it.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Invisible place holder
Figure 24. Overview Summary Screen
Overview Screen
The Overview screen (Figure 24) provides a read-only view of all key
settings and operating conditions for the radio. The Health & Maintenance
Summary, in particular, can help you quickly spot changes in operating
conditions. By becoming familiar with expected readings, you can iden-
tify parameters that are outside their normal ranges, and take action to
prevent difficulty.
Printout Option
Clicking the Printer friendly configuration label at the bottom of the screen
brings up a print-ready report that includes not only the Overview
screen, but all settable items and indications. Printing this report and
keeping it with the manual provides a convenient way of reviewing the
settings for a particular unit at any point in the future.
Logging Out
To exit the Device Manager, click Logout in the upper right hand side of
any screen. The session is terminated.
NOTE: To maintain security, it is best to log-out of the Device
Manager as soon as you are done working with it. If you do not
log out, the session automatically ends after 10 minutes of
inactivity.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
35
6.2
Management Tasks
Table 11 shows a listing of commonly-needed tasks and the appropriate
sections of the Device Manager to refer to. The table can be used as a
quick reference before consulting the more detailed screen information
which follows in this section.
Table 11. Common Tasks with Device Manager
Task
Category
If you wish to...
Refer to this Screen
View Overall
Status & Performance
Information
View top-level unit information (Owner
Name/Message, Unit Number, IP Address,
Serial No., Firmware version, Run time, Alarm
presence, etc.)
Overview, Page 34
View Radio Performance data (Power Output,
Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Received Signal
Strength, DC Input voltage, operating
temperature)
Maintenance & Status>>
Radio Performance, Page
57
Or: Overview>>
Health & Maintenance
Summary (shows uptime),
Page 34
View Serial No., Model 1 (hardware), Model 2
(software) version, Firmware Version, Build
Date
Overview>>
SD Summary, Page 34
View Bootloader version information, Active
Firmware Image, Firmware Version level
Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>
Version Information, Page
62
View Alarm/Event information, I/O Statistics,
Ethernet Statistics
Maintenance & Status>>
Alarm Summary, Page 55
Maintenance & Status>>
Performance, Page 57
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
View/Set Radio (RF) Operating Parameters
Set RF Output Power, Modem Type, RX/TX
Frequency
Configuration>>Radio,
Basic Settings, Page 39
View/Set Soft-Carrier Dekey status, RX/TX
Time-Out options
Configuration>>
Radio>>
Advanced Settings, Page 45
Data-Key and RTS-Key settings (ON/OFF)
Configuration>>
Radio>>
Advanced Settings, Page 45
Push-to-Talk/Clear-to-Send Delay times (ms)
Configuration>>
Radio>>
Advanced Settings, Page 45
Automatic Frequency Correction (AFC) setting
Configuration>>
Radio>>
Advanced Settings, Page 45
Switched Carrier ON/OFF setting (B Modems)
Configuration>>
Radio>>
Advanced Settings, Page 45
Configure Listen-Before-Transmit (LBT)
collision avoidance
Configuration>>
Features>>
LBT Settings, Page 47
View Received Signal Strength (RSSI) level
Maintenance & Status>>
Performance, Page 57
Key the radio transmitter, view power output
Maintenance & Status>>
Radio Test>>
RF Keying Test, Page 60
Monitor local radio emissions for possible
interference
Maintenance & Status>>
Radio Test>>
Spectrum Graph, Page 60
View/Set Device Configuration
View Serial No., Model 1 (hardware), Model 2
(software) version, Firmware Version, Build
Date
Overview>>
SD Summary, Page 34
Set Owner Name/Message, enable/disable
Sleep Mode, set COM LED mode, Radio Mode
Configuration>>
Radio>>Device Settings,
Page 41
Configure time delays to identify packets on
serial ports
Configuration>>
Radio>>
Packet Settings, Page 42
Configure Media Access Control (MAC) settings
Configuration>>
Radio>>
Media Access Control>>
Settings, Page 43
Configure Unit ID and/or DLINK diagnostics
settings
Configuration>>
Radio>>
Diagnostic Settings, Page
44
Table 11. Common Tasks with Device Manager (Continued)
Task
Category
If you wish to...
Refer to this Screen
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
37
Security Settings
Set Password for radio
Configuration>>
Security>>
Login Password, Page 53
Set Device Security (enable/disable local login
requirement, enable/disable Telnet access)
Configuration>>
Security>>
Device Security, Page 52
Set Wireless Security parameters (Encryption
on/off, phrase, DLINK Security on/off)
Configuration>>
Security>>
Wireless Security, Page 53
Ethernet Port
Configuration
Configure the IP settings (Static IP Address,
Static IP Netmask, Static Default Gateway,
DHCP enable/disable, Virtual Radio
Channels–VRCs)
Configuration>>
Communication Ports>>
IP Configuration, Page 51
Configure Ethernet Bridging
Configuration>>
Features>>
Bridge Configuration, Page
47
Configure the Ethernet Port settings
(Enable/disable port, set mode, Local IP Port,
Destination IP Address, Destination IP Port,
TCP Keepalive time)
Configuration>>
Communication Ports>>
IP Configuration, Page 51
Serial Port
Configuration
Configure COM1 settings (Startup mode, Data
Baud Rate, Data format, Virtual Radio
Channels–VRCs)
Configuration>>
Communication Ports>>
COM1 Port Settings, Page
50
Configure COM2 settings (Mode, Baud Rate,
Format, Buffer on/off, Device Type, Virtual
Radio Channels–VRCs)
Configuration>>
Communication Ports>>
COM2 Port Settings, Page
50
Table 11. Common Tasks with Device Manager (Continued)
Task
Category
If you wish to...
Refer to this Screen
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Transceiver Maintenance and Diagnostic Tests
View Radio Performance data (Power Output,
Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Received Signal
Strength, DC Input voltage, operating
temperature)
Maintenance & Status>>
Performance>>
Radio Performance, Page
57
Perform radio tests (Radio Keying, run
Spectrum Analyzer, run RTU Simulator)
Maintenance & Status>>
Radio Test, Page 58
View Bootloader version information, Active
Firmware Image, Firmware Version level
Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>Version
Information, Page 62
Locally Reprogram the Transceiver via TFTP
transfer
Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>TFTP
Reprogramming, Page 63
Broadcast Remote Configuration settings to all
radios in the network
Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>
Remote Reprogramming,
Page 64
Work with Configuration Files...
–Restore Factory default configuration
–Save/restore user configuration
–View/restore key configuration parameters
–Save/load key configuration parameters
using file transfer (TFTP)
Maintenance & Status>>
Configuration Files, Page
67
Start radio network reprogramming (and monitor
progress)
Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>
Remote Reprogramming,
Page 64
Perform Ethernet PING to local Ethernet host
Maintenance & Status>>
Radio Test>>Ping Test,
Page 60
Test communications to specific Remote radio
Maintenance & Status>>
Radio Test>>Link Test,
Page 59
Enter a Factory Authorization code, or view
currently enabled features
Maintenance & Status>>
Firmware Utilities>>
Authorization Codes, Page
66
View active Alarms/Events
Maintenance & Status>>
Alarm Summary, Page 55
View logged Events
Maintenance & Status>>
Event Log, Page 55
Set alarm signal output (active high/low)
Maintenance & Status>>
Alarm Summary>>
Alarm Signal Configuration,
Page 56
View I/O Statistics for COM1, COM2, Ethernet
Port, Remote Programming, Ethernet Interface,
Data Link Layer, and MAC)
Maintenance & Status>>
Performance>>
I/O Statistics, Page 57
Maintenance & Status>>
Performance>>
Ethernet Statistics, Page 58
Table 11. Common Tasks with Device Manager (Continued)
Task
Category
If you wish to...
Refer to this Screen
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
39
The remainder of this section covers the screens for Configuration,
Maintenance, and Status of the transceiver. The emphasis is on available
selections, how to access them, and their effect on radio operation. If
you are unsure of the setting required for a particular radio in your net-
work, consult your Network Administrator for assistance.
NOTE: The Device Manager screens shown in this manual were
obtained from a radio operating in a lab environment and are
provided as examples only. The parameters and settings shown
may differ from those seen in field service conditions.
6.3
Configuration Screens
The Configuration screen (Figure 25) contains a number of key settings
for the radio, including RF parameters, modem selection, packet set-
tings, MAC parameters, and several advanced settings. Individual
screens may be selected beneath Configuration on the left side of the
screen.
Figure 25. Configuration Screen
(Portion of screen shown—scroll for additional selections)
Radio
Basic Settings
The Basic Settings screen contains important RF and modem selections
for radio operation, as discussed below.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
• RF Output Power (dBm)—The RF output power may be set between
20 and 37 dBm (0.1 to 5 watts) in 1 dB increments. The default
setting is 37 dBm. Full power is not required in many cases, and
lower settings will place less demand on the DC power supply
and reduce the chance of interference with other stations. Only
the power necessary to carry out reliable communications should
be used.
NOTE: In Band B (220-222) MHz MDS SD2 power is limited to 2
watts to meet regulatory requirements.
• Modem Type—This setting determines the over-the-air data speed
and bandwidth of the radio’s transmitted signal. All radios in the
network must use the same modem setting to communicate with
each other. The default setting is Modem 9600, but it may be set to
any of the selections shown in Table 12. The table also lists
modem sensitivity ratings for the various modems. Note that
some modem choices are limited based on the model purchased.
1) For MDS x710-compatible operation.
2) For ETSI compliance.
3) 3200 bps not applicable to SD4.
4) Only available for SD2 with wide bandwidth hardware option.
Table 12. Modem Selection vs. Speed, Bandwidth & Sensitivity
Modem Type
Selection
OTA Speed
(bps)
B/W (kHz)
Approximate
Sensitivity
Modem 96001
9600
12.5
-112 dBm
Modem 48001, 2
4800
12.5
-112 dBm
Modem 32001, 3
3200
5.00
-108 dBm
Modem 9600M1, 2
9600
12.5
-106 dBm
Modem 4800F
4800
6.25
-108 dBm
Modem 9600B1
9600
12.5
-106 dBm
Modem 4800B1
4800
12.5
-110 dBm
Modem BELL1
1200
12.5
-110 dBm
Modem V23
1200
12.5
-110 dBm
Modem 19200N
19200
12.5
-100 dBm
Modem 19200E2
19200
12.5
-96 dBm
Modem 9600N
9600
6.25
-98 dBm
Modem 19200
19200
25.0
-105 dBm
Modem 650004
65000
50.0
-104 dBm
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
41
• Transmit/Receive Frequency—The receive and transmit frequencies
may be viewed or set here. If no frequencies have been entered,
the fields will be blank and the radio’s PWR led will flash, indi-
cating that an entry is needed. Frequencies must be entered for the
radio to operate. Consult your station license to determine the
authorized frequencies for your system, and enter them exactly as
listed.
Device Settings
• Owner Name/Owner Message—An owner name and message may
be entered for the radio for informational purposes. These are
“free-form” fields which do not affect the operation of the radio
in any way. Such fields might be used to identify the network
administrator/company name, and include a site-specific message
(i.e., Unit 2 at North Tower site). A limit of 30 alpha-numeric charac-
ters may be entered (there is no minimum), and any printable
characters may be used.
• Enable Sleep—Sleep Mode places the transceiver into a “hiber-
nated” low power state, with a nominal current draw of less than
10 mA (at 13 Vdc). “Wake-up” time is approximately 50 milli-
seconds. Sleep Mode is often used at battery/solar-powered
remote sites to conserve power. An active low on Pin 4 of the
COM2 port is what actually puts the radio to sleep. This signal
must be supplied by the equipment connected to the radio (i.e.,
RTU, PLC, etc.). Sleep mode is not intended for use on master
radios.
• COM LED Mode—The behavior of the radio’s COM/DATA LEDs
may be configured using this box. By default, the LEDs show
dual port activity (Auto). Four LED modes may be selected as
summarized in Table 13.
Table 13. COM/DATA LED Modes vs. Behavior
LED Mode Selection
Serial COM/DATA LED Behavior
LED1 Function
LED2 Function
x710
Monitors TXD on COM2
port
Monitors RXD on COM2
port
COM1 Activity
Monitors any COM1 RX or
TX activity
OFF
COM2 Activity
OFF
Monitors any COM2 RX or
TX activity
Dual Port Activity
(Auto Default)
Monitors any COM1 RX or
TX activity
Monitors any COM2 RX or
TX activity
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
• Radio Mode—The radio can operate in one of several modes. The
available selections are: Packet, Packet with MAC, x710, and
Transparent.
• User Interface—This parameter selects the method of radio man-
agement. The default selection is Menu, which presents the type of
screens shown in this manual. Alternatively, you may select CLI,
which switches the radio to a Command Line Interface. With a
CLI interface, commands are entered in text-based fashion, as
described in the SD Serial/Telnet Management Supplement, Part
No. 05-6193A01 more information.
Packet Settings
• COM1/COM2 Port Inter-Packet Gap—Timing setting used to delimit a
packet on the serial interface for radios operating in Packet Mode.
Too short of a time can cause serial streams to be combined into
one large packet instead of two smaller ones. Too long of a time
can effectively slow down the communications channel. The
Inter-Packet Gap is specified by the number of character times
(the time it takes to send an individual character).
• Transparent RX Timeout (ms)—This setting is similar to the timing
parameters for COM1/COM2 Inter-Packet Gap, but it applies to data
received over-the-air. It tells the radio how to build an Ethernet
packet based on a transparent data stream received over the radio
channel.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
43
Media Access
Control
• Device Type—Selects either Access Point or Remote. An Access
Point serves as the Controller of the RF network. Only one radio
should be configured as an AP. Typically this is the “polling mas-
ter.” A Remote is connected to end devices in the field (e.g. PLC,
RTU), and there can be any number of these in a network. Each
Remote must have a unique Unit Address, however, which is set
on the Diagnostic Settings screen (see below).
• Repeater Network—(AP Only) This setting must be enabled if the
RF network contains a P70 SD repeater, or communications will
not work. Remotes automatically learn this setting from the AP.
• Retry Count—If a message is not acknowledged after transmission
it will be resent. This value controls how many times the radio
attempts to resend the message before discarding it.
• Time-to-Live (s)—When a message arrives from the payload inter-
face(s) it is time-stamped and queued for radio transmission. If
the radio cannot transmit the message before the Time-to-live
(TTL) value, the message is discarded. This helps prevent stale or
old data from being sent over the air.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Diagnostic Settings
• Unit #—This parameter identifies the radio in the wireless network
with a specific ID during diagnostic sessions.
• Dlink Type—This setting identifies the radio as either a Node, Root,
Repeater, Peer, or Gate. Each of these are operating modes of the
transceiver with respect to diagnostic/management activities.
(See “Performing Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics” on
Page 75 for details.
• Dlink Status—This item is used to enable or disable diagnostics
functionality. Setting it to ON configures the radio to pass the
diagnostic link protocol (DLINK) over the radio’s COM1 manage-
ment port.
• Dlink Baud Rate—This setting determines the COM1 serial data
diagnostics communication rate in bits-per-second (bps).
• Dlink TCP Access—This setting enables DLINK over Ethernet via
TCP. This allows an external NMS to manage the radio without
tieing up a serial port.
• Dlink TCP Port—This setting specifies the TCP port for DLINK
communication. The address for Ethernet-based DLINK commu-
nication is given by the radio's IP address (from the general set-
tings menu) and the port number specified here.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
45
Advanced Settings
• Soft-Carrier Dekey (ms)—Specifies how long (in ms) to wait after
the removal of the keying signal before actually dropping the
transmitter’s carrier. The default setting is 0, but it may be set to
any value up to 255 ms. In most cases, no change is required from
the default setting. A possible exception is when the transceiver
is inter-working with certain early-generation MDS radio equip-
ment.
• RX Time-Out Enable—Enables or disables the RX time-out func-
tion. RX time-out protects against a receiver which fails to
receive data for a period exceeding the time-out delay setting (see
below). When the time is exceeded, an alarm is issued. The alarm
may be used to signal switchover to an alternate unit in redundant
systems. The RX time-out is cleared when the radio receives a
new Carrier Detect signal. The default selection is OFF (no RX
time limit).
• RX Time-Out Delay (min)—Sets the time delay, after which an alarm
is issued when no signals have been received. The default setting
here is 1111 minutes.
• TX Time-Out Status—Enables or disables the TX time-out function.
Time-Out protects against a transmitter which remains keyed for
a period exceeding the time-out delay setting (see below). When
this time is exceeded, the transmitter is taken offline, preventing
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
disruption of the wireless network. The TX time-out is cleared
when the keying source goes away and the radio keys again.The
default selection is ON (transmitter shuts down when time limit is
reached).
• TX Time-Out Delay (sec)—Sets the time delay, after which a keyed
transmitter is taken offline. The default time-out setting is 30 sec-
onds.
• Datakey—Determines whether or not the radio is configured to
key (transmit) upon receipt of payload data at its interface port.
The default setting is ON.
• RTS Key—Determines whether or not the radio is configured to
key (transmit) upon receipt of an RTS (ready to send) signal at its
interface port. The default setting is ON.
• Push-To-Talk Delay (ms)—Allows programming a brief time delay
after a keying event, which must expire before the radio is
allowed to transmit. The allowable range is 0 to 255 ms, with the
default being 0.
• Clear-To-Send Delay (ms)—Allows programming a brief time delay
between when an RTS (ready-to-send) signal is received and
when the CTS (clear-to-send) signal is returned. The allowable
range is 0 to 255 ms, and the default is 0.
• Automatic Freq. Correction—Automatic Frequency Correction
(AFC), is used to counteract the slight RF frequency drift that
may occur over time or through wide swings of ambient temper-
ature.
• Switched Carrier (B Modems)—The Switched Carrier setting is only
for use on radios with “B” modem suffixes, and only applies to
remote radios. (“B” modems are intended for compatibility with
earlier MDS x710 radios.) In some networks, the master unit is
not keyed continuously, and transmits only when it has data to
send to remotes. This is known as Switched Carrier operation. In
such a network, the remote radios should have the Switched Car-
rier setting turned ON. The default setting is OFF.
• RX Signal Attenuation—This setting is intended for use in very
strong signal environments (-20dbm or stronger). It should be
kept off when working with normal or weak signal levels.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
47
Features
Bridge
Configuration
• Bridge Mode—Used to enable or disable Ethernet Bridging on the
radio. Default setting is OFF.
• Basic Bridge Filter Sel—Sets the type of bridge filter to be used.
Available selections are: Broadcast/Unicast (All), Unicast and ARP,
and Unicast Only.
• Adv Bridge Filter Status—When on, this filter bridges the Ethernet
traffic received from a specific Ethernet-enabled device matching
one of the Adv Src Addr Filter Values (see below).
• Adv Src Addr Filter Val—Sets the Advanced SRC Address Filter
Values. Four address values are available. If the Adv Bridge Filter
Status is on, and an incoming Ethernet frame src addr matches
any of these values, the radio bridges the frame. Otherwise, it is
dropped by the radio. The entry format must be xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.
Listen Before
Transmit (LBT)
Settings
• Listen Before Transmit—The SD Transceiver provides an optional
collision avoidance scheme called Listen Before Transmit (LBT).
It employs P-Persistent CSMA protocol, which senses channel
usage and inhibits transmission if the channel is currently in use.
CSMA is an abbreviation for Carrier Sense Multiple Access.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
NOTE: The Listen Before Transmit (LBT) feature requires radios to
be configured for Packet Mode operation. Packet with MAC
operation provides an alternative media access method.
• LBT Behavior—LBT can be configured to behave in one of two
ways; either listen on the radio’s transmit frequency (TX) or listen
on the radio’s receive frequency (RX). Typically, Remote radios
are configured to Listen on RX (the default selection) to avoid col-
lisions with the Master unit. In peer-to-peer configurations, Listen
on TX may be preferred. Optimal choices depend on the data trans-
mission characteristics of the connected system.
• Min/Max Channel Wait (ms)—These settings refer to the time period
(in milliseconds) to wait after the channel is free before transmis-
sion is allowed.
Minimum wait time: Normally, the minimum channel wait time
should not be changed from its default setting of 0 ms unless per-
forming advanced operations, such as staggering the responses
from multiple Remotes.
Maximum wait time: Normally, this setting should not be
changed from its default of 100 ms unless performing advanced
operations. Some examples of when this may be beneficial
include:
• There is a need to stagger responses from several Remote
radios.
• The transmission latency from the time the channel is free is
too high, in which case a lower value can be entered.
• Collisions over the air are too high, in which case a higher
value can be entered.
Note that the lower the value of the Maximum Wait Time, the
higher the chances of collisions occurring over-the-air. Con-
versely, the higher the value of the Maximum Wait Time, the
higher the transmission latency.
• Timeout (ms)—Provides a setting for the maximum time to wait (in
milliseconds) for the channel to become free. When this time is
exceeded, the radio follows the action defined in the Packet Action
on Timeout setting (either Drop or Send).
• Packet Action on Timeout—Determines what to do with a packet
once the timeout period has expired and the channel is still not
available. If set to Drop, the packet is discarded. If set to Send,
transmission of the packet is attempted despite the channel being
busy.
• Clear Channel RSSI (dBm)—LBT works by sensing the presence of
a carrier signal on the radio’s operating frequency. If a carrier is
present, transmission is inhibited. The Clear Channel RSSI setting
allows a threshold to be set which, when equaled or exceeded,
declares the channel busy and therefore unavailable for transmit-
ting.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
49
IP Payload
Configuration (1/2/3)
• Status—Enables or disables the IP Payload port.
• Mode—The operating mode for the IP port may be set to UDP
Socket, TCP Client Socket, TCP Server Socket, or TCP Server/Client
Socket to match the service in which it will operate.
• Talk on/Listen to—Any combination of the three Virtual Radio
Channels may be entered in these menu fields. For more informa-
tion on how VRC settings are used, refer to the SD Serial/Telnet
Management Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01 more informa-
tion.
• Local Radio IP Port—Used to specify a port number for the RJ-45
modular connector on the radio’s front panel. As a general rule,
port numbers below 2000 should be avoided, as some are
reserved for special applications in data networks.
• Destination IP Address—Specifies the IP address associated with
the device connected through the RJ-45 modular connector on the
radio’s front panel (typically a PC). Any valid IP address may be
entered.
• Destination IP Port—Used to specify a port number for the RJ-45
modular connector on the connected device (typically a PC). Port
numbers below 2000 should be avoided, as some are reserved for
special applications in data networks.
• TCP Keepalive—Specifies the number of seconds that the TCP
socket is active after the receipt of data.
NOTE: IP Payload selections vary depending on the mode selected.
Multihost Settings
(Use only if operating
in Packet mode
without MAC)
The Multihost settings screen is typically used only when Packet
w/MAC mode is not selected. It provides an alternative way of running
multiple host applications at the master unit, which may be operating on
different computers. Multihost operation is described in more detail in
the SD Serial/Telnet Management Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01
more information.
Packet with MAC operation replaces multihost operation, and is the rec-
ommended method for passing multiple data streams. See “Device Set-
tings” on Page 41 for instructions on setting the Radio Mode to Packet
with MAC.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
• Multihost Enable—Enables or disables multihost capability.
• Multihost Delay—Sets the desired delay time (in ms) for switching
between hosts during multihost operation.
Communications Ports
COM1 Port Settings
• Startup Mode—The default mode for COM1 is Console when the
transceiver is first powered up, but the startup mode may also be
set to Data if the port is to be used for passing payload data.
• Current Mode—The mode setting for the COM1 port may be
changed on demand (Console or Data) using this selection.
• Data Baud Rate—The default data rate for COM1 is 115200 bps, but
it may be set to any of the following speeds: 300, 1200, 2400,
4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200.
• Data Format—The default data format for the transceiver is 8 char-
acter bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1). A number of settings are
possible as listed below:
8 character bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (Default)
8 character bits, no parity, 2 stop bits
8 character bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit
8 character bits, odd parity, 2 stop bits
8 character bits, even parity, 1 stop bit
8 character bits, even parity, 2 stop bits
7 character bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, no parity, 2 stop bits
7 character bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, odd parity, 2 stop bits
7 character bits, even parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, even parity, 2 stop bits
• Talk on/Listen to—Any combination of the three Virtual Radio
Channels may be entered in these menu fields. For more informa-
tion on how these settings are used, refer to the SD Serial/Telnet
Management Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01 more informa-
tion.
COM2 Port Settings
COM2 is the standard port used for connection of serial payload data.
The COM2 Port Settings screen contains a number of settings that may be
configured to suit the needs of your system.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
51
• Mode—The COM2 port can operate in either RS-232 or RS-485
mode. The default is RS-232.
• Baud Rate—The default data rate for COM2 is 9600 bps, but it may
be set to any of the following speeds: 300, 1200, 2400, 4800,
9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200.
• Data Format—The default data format for the transceiver is 8 char-
acter bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1). A number of settings are
possible as listed below:
8 character bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (Default)
8 character bits, no parity, 2 stop bits
8 character bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit
8 character bits, odd parity, 2 stop bits
8 character bits, even parity, 1 stop bit
8 character bits, even parity, 2 stop bits
7 character bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, no parity, 2 stop bits
7 character bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, odd parity, 2 stop bits
7 character bits, even parity, 1 stop bit
7 character bits, even parity, 2 stop bits
• Buffer—The transceiver’s buffer provides a way of handling data
“over-runs,” where more data is passing through the COM2 port
than can be immediately handled by the unit. When the buffer is
on, any such data is stored up and processed in the appropriate
order. Available selections are Data Handling ON or Data Handling
OFF.
• Device—This setting controls the device behavior of x710 legacy
radios. It does not apply to packet or Ethernet radios, and may be
disregarded for these models.
• Talk on/Listen to—Any combination of the three Virtual Radio
Channels may be entered in these menu fields. For more informa-
tion on how these settings are used, refer to the SD Serial/Telnet
Management Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01 more informa-
tion.
IP Configuration
The IP Configuration Menu contains various settings for the IP data
stream. Each item is listed below along with instructions for making
changes. Note that the bottom of the screen displays the current settings
that have been applied to the radio in a read-only fashion.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
• Current IP Address—Read-only indication of the current IP address
programmed.
• Current Subnet Mask—Read-only indication of the subnet mask
programmed.
• Current Default Gateway—Read-only indication of the current
default gateway programmed.
• Static IP Address—The radio requires a local IP address to support
remote management and serial device (terminal server) services.
An IPv4 IP address should be entered in this field, unless DHCP
is enabled, in which case it is not required.
• Static IP Netmask—This refers to the radio’s IPv4 local subnet
mask. This parameter is used when the radio attempts to send a
locally-initiated message, either from the terminal server, or a
management process. You need not define it if DHCP is enabled.
• Static Default Gateway—This is the IPv4 address of the default gate-
way device, typically a router connected to the radio.
• DHCP—Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) handles
the assignment of IP parameters (Address, Netmask, Gateway) to
all units in a network, and allows for introducing new devices on
the network with minimal manual intervention. The assigned
parameters are valid for a specific “lease” time, at which point
they can be reassigned or renewed.
Security
The transceiver offers a number of safeguards against unauthorized
management access and protection of payload data. All of these features
are accessed via the security configuration screens.
Device Security
• Local Security—This parameter is used to specify whether or not a
local log-in is required when using the transceiver’s menu system.
The default setting is Local Login Required, and is appropriate for
most circumstances. Setting this parameter to No Local Login
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
53
Required might be useful in cases where only a small number peo-
ple with administrative duties have physical access to the radio,
and need to access the menu frequently. In this mode, the menu
operation behaves identically to the Administrator level login.
• Telnet Access—Telnet access is a powerful feature that allows
management of the radio via an Ethernet connection. This may be
done locally, using a cable connected to the management PC, or
could be performed at any distance using an IP/Ethernet network
connection. Telnet access is also possible over the air if the Ether-
net Bridging feature is enabled. Any user with the IP address of
the radio can log in to the unit with this method.
• Web Access—Setting determines whether the unit’s Device Man-
ager can be accessed via a web connection.
Wireless Security
• Payload Encryption—When on, applies encryption to payload data
stream. The default selection is OFF.
• Dlink Security—Applies security restrictions to network-wide
diagnostic data. The default setting is OFF. If Dlink Security
enabled, users performing network-wide diagnostics must log in
before being able to change the configuration of the radio via
Dlink.
Login Password
• Administrator Password—When the transceiver is shipped from the
factory, the password is normally set to the default entry of admin.
However, it is recommended that it be changed at the time of
installation to one that is known only to the Administrator or
authorized user of the system. The password should be changed
periodically to maintain the best security.
Passwords are case sensitive and may use up to 13 alpha-numeric
characters. Do not use punctuation mark characters. You will be
required to enter the current password to set a new one. Follow the
prompts, and refresh your web browser (typically View>>Refresh
or View>>Reload at the top menu bar) to apply the change to all
pages.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
TIP: For enhanced security, consider using misspelled words, a combi-
nation of letters and numbers, and a combination of upper and
lower case letters. Also, the more characters used (up to 13), the
more secure the password will be. These strategies help protect
against sophisticated hackers who may use a database of common
words (for example, dictionary attacks) to determine a password.
Encryption Phrase
• Encryption Phrase—If encryption has been enabled, a valid
“phrase” must also be set. Both the sending and receiving station
must have the same phrase for communication to occur. The
phrase must have at least 8 characters (maximum of 37), and any
printable character may be used.
6.4
Maintenance & Status Screen
The Maintenance & Status screen (Figure 26) provides access to several
tools used in testing the radio and performing routine management tasks.
Individual screens may be selected beneath Maintenance & Status at the
left side of the screen.
Figure 26. Maintenance & Status Screen
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
55
Event Log
The Event Log is used to display all events stored by the transceiver,
even if the radio has been power-cycled. It also shows a running total of
the alarms stored.
• Total Event Log Events—Displays the number of events that have
been logged by he transceiver. To view the Event Log, click Show
Log. The listed events can be cleared by clicking Clear Log. (You
will be challenged by a cautionary message to make sure that you
intend to clear the event log.)
Alarm Summary
All Alarms / Events
This screen provides a listing of all events and alarms since power-up of
the transceiver. Events include alarms (major and minor), status condi-
tions, the status of the Alarm Output Signal. A hexadecimal code is also
shown for active alarms. This code is useful for processing alarm reports
by automated equipment.
• Refresh—Clicking this button manually updates the listed
alarms/events with the latest information.
• Auto—Initiates automatic updating of alarm/event listings. A
time (in seconds) may also be set in the box provided, to specify
how often alarms/events are updated.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Alarm Signal
Configuration
This screen contains settings to determine what events are detected, and
what will be done with them. At the bottom section of the screen are
selections for displaying specific alarms, conditions, and informational
events that will be reported. Select events to be reported by clicking the
box to the left of the item.
• Alarm Signal Sense—This parameter may set to either Active High or
Active Low. An active high means that Pin 6 on the COM2 port will
output a high DC signal when an alarm exists. (This is the default
behavior.) An active low means that Pin 6 on the COM2 port will
output a low DC signal when an alarm exists. Select the desired
behavior in the drop-down box and click Set Alarm Signal Sense to
apply the setting.
• Set Signal by Class—Here, you to specify what classes of alarms
result in an signal being produced by the alarm output line. The
choices are:
Never assert Alarm Signal
Assert signal on Major Alarm
Assert Signal on Major or Minor Alarm
Assert Signal on Any Alarm or Status
• Set Alarm Bits—This button is used to set the selections made in
the check box list below it. First, you must select which specific
alarms will result in a signal being produced by the alarm output
line. To set an alarm/message for reporting by the output line,
simply click the check box next to an item of interest. To clear a
check box, simply click it again. When you are finished with the
selections, click the Set Alarm Bits button.
• Undo—This button may be used to return the screen to its original
selections. It clears any selections made prior to clicking the Set
Alarm Bits button.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
57
Performance
Radio Performance
This screen contains several measurement parameters that can be used
to check the operating conditions of the radio.
• Measured RF Power—Read-only indication of the measured RF
output power (in dBm).
• Signal to Noise—Read-only indication of the signal-to-noise ratio
of received signal.
• RSSI—Read-only indication of the received signal strength (in
dBm).
• DC Voltage—Read-only indication of the DC supply voltage
applied to the transceiver.
• Temperature—Read-only indication of the chassis temperature
(degrees C).
I/O Statistics
This screen allows viewing transmitted and received bytes on any of the
transceiver interface modules.
• Module Select—The drop-down box to the right of this area allows
selection of any of the transceiver interface modules: All, Media
Access Controller, Port(s), COM1, COM2, IP Payload Port 1, 2, 3, Remote
Reprogram. Once a module is selected, click Set Module to view a
summary of TX and RX bytes, along with the number of packets
missed, retries, and number of blocks (as applicable, depending
on the interface selected). The display continually refreshes to
show the latest information, and may be cleared at any time by
selecting Clear Module Statistics.
• Refresh—Clicking this button updates the displayed statistics on
demand.
• Auto—Initiates automatic updating of statistics. A time (in sec-
onds) may be entered in the box provided, to specify how often
the display is updated.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Ethernet Statistics
This screen presents a detailed summary of packets received and trans-
mitted, dropped packets, errors, overruns of the buffer, RX data rate
(bps), and RX/TX data for Unicast, Multicast, and Broadcast transmis-
sions.
• Clear Statistics—Clicking this button resets the displayed statistic
counts.
• Refresh—Clicking this button updates the displayed statistics on
demand.
• Auto—Initiates automatic updating of statistics. A time (in sec-
onds) may be entered in the box provided, to specify how often
the display is updated.
Radio Test
The Radio Test functions are a collection of tools useful for testing the
RF performance of the transceiver. It provides a way to key (activate)
the transmitter, measure power output, run a spectrum test, and enable
the built-in RTU simulator.
RTU Simulator
The unit’s built-in RTU simulator generates random data similar to what
would be supplied by an external RTU connected to the radio. It is
useful for system testing within the radio network by providing realistic
data to pass over the radio channel.
• RTU Enable—Select ON or OFF from the drop-down box.
• RTU Number—Enter the desired RTU number in this box.
When you are done with these settings, press Commit Configuration to
apply the changes.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
59
Link Test
The primary use of the Link Test is to verify that a specific radio's set-
tings are consistent with the initiator including: Assigned frequency,
unit number setting, encryption (if enabled), etc. Also collected at the
same time is an indication of link quality. All radios are always ready to
respond to a Link Test message. Only the initiating radio requires con-
figuration when using the Link Test screen, and it is only available when
operating in packet mode.
A summary of data statistics is displayed on the right side of the screen,
including transmit/receive packet counts, total bits, and total number of
bit errors.
NOTE: No other data traffic should be active when performing a Link-
test.
• Destination Unit Address—Enter the Unit Address of the other radio
being tested.
• Linktest Count—Enter the number of times for the message to be
sent across the radio link.
• Response Timeouts (msec)—Enter the time (in milliseconds) that
will result in a timeout if no response is received in within that
period.
• Start Test—Set this box to ON to start the Link Test, or OFF to stop
the test.
When you are done with the settings above, press Commit Configuration to
apply the changes.
• Refresh—Clicking this button updates the displayed statistics on
demand.
• Auto—Initiates automatic updating of statistics. A time (in sec-
onds) may be entered in the box provided, to specify how often
the display is updated.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Ping Test
A connectivity test to a specific destination address may be performed
using the radio’s Ping Test screen.
• Destination Address—Enter the IP Address of the other radio being
ping tested.
• Count—Enter the number of pings to send across the radio link.
• Bytes—Enter the number of bytes in each ping.
• Interval—Use this box to specify how long (in seconds) between
ping transmissions after a response is received.
• Timeout—Use this box to specify how long (in seconds) to wait
for a ping response before a timeout occurs.
RF Keying Test
The RF Keying Test screen provides a way to place the transmitter on
the air to check the measured RF power output, measure reflected power
from an antenna system, or to provide a signal at a receiving station so
that RSSI can be checked.
• Key Radio—Set to ON to enable the RF keying test; OFF to disable
it. The Commit Configuration button must be clicked to apply the
setting.
• Measured RF Power—Provides an indication (in dBm) of the mea-
sured power output of the transmitter.
Spectrum Graph
A unique feature of the transceiver is the ability to view the RF spectrum
above and below the operating frequency using its built-in Spectrum
Graph. Often, this can assist in diagnosing the cause of interference, or
to view other signals near your operating frequency.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
61
To use the Spectrum Graph, you must first specify a center frequency
and a span frequency. The center frequency is the frequency that you
wish the spectrum display to be centered on. The span frequency defines
the width of the overall spectrum to be examined.
• Center Frequency—The frequency (in MHz) that the graph will be
centered on.
• Span Frequency—Width (in kHz) of the total spectrum to be exam-
ined.
A sample spectrum graph from the transceiver is shown below.
Example Spectrum Graph
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Firmware Utilities
Version Information
This screen shows Bootloader version information and indicates which
firmware image (1 or 2) is currently active, as well as the firmware ver-
sion of each image. The information on this screen is read-only.
• Refresh—Clicking this button updates the displayed information
on demand.
• Auto—Initiates automatic updating of the information. A time (in
seconds) may be entered in the box provided, to specify how often
the display is updated.
Web
Reprogramming
In the space provided, enter the *.mpk file to reprogram into this radio,
then click Program to start the file upload process. Do not click away
from this page until the upload has finished processing.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
63
TFTP
Reprogramming
The TFTP Reprogramming screen contains settable parameters for
TFTP file transfers and selections for Importing/Exporting configura-
tion files via TFTP.
• Host IP—Use this field to enter a valid IP address for the host com-
puter (where the configuration file resides).
• File—This field is used to enter the exact name of the configura-
tion text file that will be used by the radio to import or export con-
figuration data.
• Timeout—Determines the amount of time (in seconds) that the
radio should wait for a TFTP server to respond. The default set-
ting is 10 seconds, and will not normally require any change. If a
change is needed, enter a new timeout value in this field.
When all of the above fields have been set and you are ready to load a
new configuration file, click the Retrieve File button to begin reprogram-
ming.
This screen may be updated on demand by clicking the Refresh button.
It may also be refreshed automatically by clicking the Auto button. A
time (in seconds) may be entered for automatic refresh in the box to the
right of the Auto button.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Remote
Reprogramming
The transceiver has facilities for reprogramming key settings of other
radios in the network. These functions are contained on the Remote
Reprogramming screen shown below. Additional information on remote
reprogramming is given in “Over-the-Air Firmware Upgrades” on
Page 76.
• Channel Usage—Set to either intrusive or passive as desired.
• Packet Data Size—Used to specify the size of the reprogramming
data packets. Default size is 40.
• Retry Count—Used to specify the number of times a transmission
is repeated when a packet is not received correctly. Default set-
ting is 3.
• Reprogram Block Size—Sets the overall block size (in bytes) of
each data packet. Default setting is 512.
• Auto-Reboot—When enabled, causes the transceiver to automati-
cally reboot after a firmware image upgrade. If disabled, the
newly loaded image will not become valid until the transceiver is
rebooted.
• Download Delay—This field can be used to introduce a time delay
as to when reprogramming begins. Typically, it is set to None, but
may be increased incrementally by selecting one of the extended
delay times from the drop-down box (Extended Delay-1, 2, 3)
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
65
Verify Image
This screen is used to verify the integrity of an image stored in flash
memory. You may wish to verify an image after reprogramming or as
part of a troubleshooting sequence.
• Verify—Click this button to verify the firmware image selected in
the drop-down box at the top of the screen. The available selec-
tions from the box are: Current active image, Image 1, Image 2, and
Inactive image.
Copy Image
• Active Image—Shows the firmware package currently being used
by the transceiver (1 or 2).
• Package 1—Shows the version of firmware package 1.
• Package 2—Shows the version of firmware package 2.
• Copy—Click this button to copy the currently running firmware to
the inactive image.
This screen may be updated on demand by clicking the Refresh button.
It may also be refreshed automatically by clicking the Auto button. A
time (in seconds) may be entered for automatic refresh in the box to the
right of the Auto button.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Device Reboot
• Active Image—Shows the firmware package currently being used
by the transceiver (1 or 2).
• Package 1—Shows the version of firmware package 1.
• Package 2—Shows the version of firmware package 2.
• Image—Allows selection of the firmware image to use when
rebooting: Current active Image, Image 1, Image 2, Inactive Image.
• Reboot—Initiates reboot of the radio with the selected firmware
image.
Authorization Codes
This screen provides an overview of which features are enabled in the
transceiver and allows for entry of a new authorization key.
• Authorization Key—A factory furnished code used to enable oper-
ating features of the transceiver. Contact your factory representa-
tive for ordering details.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
67
Configuration Files
Dump/Load
Configuration File
The transceiver provides a Dump/Load Configuration File utility to ease
programming of operating parameters. This is especially useful if you
have a large number of radios to configure, or simply want to ensure that
each radio is uniformly configured.
• Dump Current Config—Click this button to generate and save the
current configuration file being used by the transceiver. You will
be prompted for a location to save the file.
• Load Config File—Click this button to select a configuration file for
loading into the transceiver. You will receive a Browse window
to help you locate the file on your computer and upload it to the
transceiver.
TFTP Configuration
File
The TFTP Configuration File screen contains settable parameters for
TFTP file transfers and also selections for Importing/Exporting config-
uration Files via TFTP.
• Host IP Address—Enter a valid IP address here for the host com-
puter (where the configuration file resides).
• Filename—Enter the exact name of the configuration text file that
will be used by the radio to import or export configuration data.
• Timeout (sec)—Determines the amount of time in seconds that the
radio should wait for a TFTP server to respond. The default set-
ting is 10 seconds, and will not require any change in most cases.
If a change is needed, enter a new timeout value in this box.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Save/Restore
Configuration
This screen allows saving or restoring a configuration file for the trans-
ceiver. Saving a configuration file can be helpful in future trouble-
shooting tasks, as it allows reverting to a “known good” configuration
of the radio.
• Restore to Factory Defaults—Click this button to restore the radio's
configuration settings to the factory defaults.
• Save Current Config—Click this button to save the radio’s current
configuration to flash memory.
• Restore Saved Config—Click this button to restore the radio’s con-
figuration from the last saved version.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
69
7.0
TROUBLESHOOTING
Successful troubleshooting of the radio system requires a logical
approach. It is best to begin troubleshooting at the master unit, as the rest
of the system depends on the master for polling commands. If the master
unit has problems, the overall operation of the network will be affected.
It is good practice to start by checking the simple things. For proper
operation, all radios in the network must meet these basic requirements:
• Adequate and stable primary power
• Secure cable connections (power, data and Antenna)
• An efficient and properly aligned antenna system and a received
signal strength of at least –90 dBm. (It is possible for a system to
operate with weaker signals, but reliability will suffer.)
• The correct interface between the transceiver and the connected
data equipment (correct cable wiring, proper data format, timing,
etc.)
• Proper programming of the transceiver’s operating parameters.
Table 14 provides suggestions for resolving system difficulties that may
occur in the radio system. If problems persist, contact the factory for fur-
ther assistance. Refer to the inside back cover of this guide for contact
information.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Table 14. Troubleshooting Guide
Difficulty
Recommended System Checks
Unit is
inoperative.
a. Check for the proper supply voltage at the power
connector.
b. The transceiver’s internal fuse may have opened. Factory
repair is required.
Interference or
signal overload is
suspected.
a. Use the Spectrum Analyzer/Graph function to check for
interference near the radio channel.
b. Try re-orienting the station antenna to limit interference to
and from other stations.
c. For excessively strong signals, set RX Signal Attenuation
to ON (Configuration>>Radio>>Advanced Settings). Note:
Also affects the strength of desired, on-channel signals.
No link with Master,
or poor overall
performance.
a. Check for secure interface connections at the radio and
the connected device.
b. Check the antenna, feedline and connectors. Reflected
power should be less than 10% of the forward power reading
(SWR 2:1 or lower).
c. If the Remote radio links, but performance is poor, check
the received signal strength using the RSSI feature on the
Radio Performance screen. If RSSI is low, it may indicate
antenna problems, or misalignment of directional antenna
headings.
d. Verify proper programming of system parameters: mode,
data interface baud rate, RF output power, etc.
e. Check for alarms using the Statistics/Events screen.
No communication
to user interface
(Ethernet system)
a. Verify correct IP address is set.
b. Ensure PC is set to same subnet as radio.
Ethernet port shuts
down
a. Excessive data throughput. Do not connect radio to a LAN
with high traffic levels.
b. Auto Power Save is shutting the port down. Disable Auto
Power Save on Ethernet Port Configuration screen.
No communication
to user interface
(serial system)
a. Connect terminal emulator to COM1 port, cycle power,
and press the Enter key within 10 seconds to obtain Login
prompt.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
71
7.1
LED Indicators
The LED status indicators are an important troubleshooting aid, and
should be checked whenever a problem is suspected. Table 10 on
Page 30 describes the function of each status LED and their normal indi-
cations.
7.2
Checking for Alarms/Events
When an alarm condition exists, the transceiver registers it as an
“event”. These events can be viewed the Device Manager’s Maintenance
& Status>>Alarm Summary>>All Alarms/Events screen. Here, users can check
for currently active alarms, whether they be Major, Minor, Status Con-
ditions, or Informational Events.
In addition, all historical events may be viewed by accessing the Device
Manager’s Event Log screen. To access the Event Log, select Mainte-
nance & Status>>Event Log and click Show Log to view stored events (see
Figure 27).
Invisible place holder
Figure 27. Event Log Screen
BER is too high.
Data throughput is
spotty.
a. If in packet mode, check the packet settings screen for
proper configuration.
b. If in serial mode, check the COM2/COM1 port settings
screen for proper configuration.
Latency is too high.
a. Adjust packet node settings.
Unit won’t wake up
from Sleep Mode
a. Disconnect the device connected to COM2, and disable
Sleep Mode on the Device Settings Screen.
b. Verify that the connected device is outputting the required
0 Vdc to 5 Vdc to control sleep mode on Pin 4 of COM2.
Correct as necessary.
c. Re-enable Sleep Mode on Device Settings Screen,
re-connect device to COM2, and check for proper operation.
Password lost or
forgotten
Contact GE MDS for password reset authorization code.
Proof of authorized user required.
Alarm message
“RF Output Out of
Range”
No load on Antenna connector or poor/shorted/open load.
Check condition of antenna cable, connectors, and antenna
system.
Transmitter keys
when using terminal
communications
program.
Many terminal programs raise the RTS line by default.
Keying can be avoided by setting the transceiver’s RTSkey
parameter to OFF (Radio Configuration>>Advanced
Settings Screen)
Table 14. Troubleshooting Guide (Continued)
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Both setting and clearing of major/minor alarms and status conditions
are logged, as well as informational events (i.e., remote rebooted, repro-
gramming in process, etc.).
Major Alarms vs. Minor Alarms
Major Alarms report serious conditions that generally indicate a hard-
ware failure, or other abnormal condition that will prevent (or seriously
hamper) further operation of the transceiver. Major alarms generally
indicate the need for factory repair. Contact your factory representative
for further assistance.
Minor Alarms report conditions that, under most circumstances will not
prevent transceiver operation. This includes out-of-tolerance conditions,
baud rate mismatches, etc. The cause of these alarms should be investi-
gated and corrected to prevent system failure.
Status and Informational Events
Status events indicate current states or conditions that are not errors.
They are used merely to indicate process functions (i.e., Reprogramming
in Process).
Informational (Info) events pertain to those items which have occurred
since bootup. They may or may not indicate an error, and they do not
show current conditions, just an even that occurred at some point after
boot-up (i.e., Event #32 Booting Up).
Event Code Definitions
Table 15 contains a listing of event codes that may be reported by the
transceiver. The codes shown are a subset of a larger pool of codes used
for various GE MDS products. For this reason, the table does not show
a sequential listing of all code numbers. Only the codes applicable to
this product series are shown.
Table 15. Event Codes
Event
Code
Event
Class
Description
000
Major
#0 Reserved
001
Major
Hardware mismatch.
002
Major
Frequency not programmed.
003
Major
Authorization fault detected.
004
Major
RF synthesizer out-of-lock condition.
005
Major
#5 Reserved
006
Major
A-to-D fault detected.
007
Major
Voltage regulator fault detected.
008
Major
Radio not calibrated. Factory calibration is required for proper
operation.
009
Major
DSP download fault.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
73
010
Major
Flash write failure.
011
Major
Checksum fault.
012
Major
Receiver time-out. No data received within the specified
receiver time-out time.
013
Major
Transmitter time-out.
014
Major
#14 Reserved.
015
Major
VSWR fault. Possible antenna/feedline problem.
068
Major
Excessive Ethernet traffic on interface.
016
Minor
Unit address not programmed.
017
Minor
Data parity error. This usually indicates a parity setting
mismatch between the radio and the RTU.
018
Minor
Data framing error. May indicate a baud rate mismatch
between the radio and connected equipment.
019
Minor
#19 Reserved.
020
Minor
Configuration error.
021
Minor
#21 Reserved.
022
Minor
#22 Reserved.
023
Minor
#23 Reserved.
024
Minor
#24 Reserved.
025
Minor
6v regulator output not in valid range. If the voltage is too far
out of tolerance, operation may fail.
026
Minor
DC input voltage approaching limit. If the voltage is too far out
of tolerance, operation may fail.
027
Minor
#27 Reserved.
028
Minor
#28 Reserved.
029
Minor
RF Output Power not in valid range.
030
Minor
#30 Reserved.
031
Minor
Internal temperature approaching limit.
037
Minor
Unexpectedly executing APP 1.
038
Minor
Unexpectedly executing APP 2.
039
Minor
Boot error; active image unknown.
042
Minor
Reprogramming failure.
064
Minor
A socket operation failed.
070
Minor
AP not available.
041
Status
Forced restart of Ethernet interface.
043
Status
Reprogramming in progress.
Table 15. Event Codes (Continued)
Event
Code
Event
Class
Description
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
7.3
Operating Constraints
The SD transceiver is a flexible unit offering a wide variety of features
needed in the industry today. While many system arrangements and
applications are possible, there are a few constraints that system plan-
ners should be aware of when designing a radio network. Table 16 lists
these constraints and explains how to avoid difficulty in operation.
Table 16. Operating Constraints
Constraint
Detailed Information
Minimum Firmware Version
Requirement
When operating in “Packet w/ MAC” mode, do not
downgrade the firmware revision below REV400.
Downgrading firmware to a lower revision will
cause erratic and unpredictable behavior, including
causing the radio to become continuously keyed.
RSSI display in Strong
Signal Environments
The RSSI facility limits the maximum displayed signal
strength to –60 dBm.
DC Input Voltage (SD4)
Early SD4 models supported 10.5 to 16 Vdc power, not
10 to 30 Vdc. Check the labeling above the power
connector to confirm the operating range for your unit.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
75
8.0
TECHNICAL REFERENCE
8.1
Performing Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics
Diagnostics data from a remote radio can be obtained by connecting a
laptop or personal computer running GE MDS diagnostic software, such
as MDS PulseNET or MDS InSite to any radio in the network. Figure 28
shows a sample arrangement for performing network-wide remote diag-
nostics.
Figure 28. Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics Setup
NOTE: This section of the manual assumes that the radio’s Ethernet
port is being used for diagnostic configuration. This is the
preferred/recommended method to use. Alternatively, the
COM1 port may be used. See the SD Serial/Telnet Manage-
ment Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01 more information.
RTU
DIAGNOSTICS DATA
(TO NMS APPLICATION)
HOST COMPUTER
RTU
TO DIAGNOSTICS
PORT (DB-9)
TO DATA PORT
(DB-25)
MASTER STATION
DTYPE
ROOT
PAYLOAD DATA
(TO SCADA APPLICATION)
RTU
DTYPE
NODE
DTYPE
NODE
DTYPE
NODE
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
With a PC connected to any radio in the network, intrusive polling
(polling that interrupts payload data transmission) can be performed. To
perform diagnostics without interrupting payload data, connect the PC
to a radio defined as the “root” radio. This is defined using the Device
Manager on a connected PC. The following path takes you to the screen
where all diagnostic settings are made:
Configuration>>Radio>>Diagnostic Settings
To define a radio as the “root” unit, go to the Dlink Type box in the Diag-
nostics Settings screen, and select Root from the drop-down list.
Setting Up Diagnostics
The steps below outline the basic procedure of setting up diagnostics for
an SD radio.A more extensive discussion of remote diagnostics can be
found in the Network-Wide Diagnostics System Handbook
(05-3467A01).
1. At the AP/master radio, set the Dlink Type to Root.
2. Set the Dlink Type for all other radios in the network to Node.
3. On the root radio, set Dlink TCP Access to Enabled on the Diagnostic
Settings Screen.
4. Connect a PC running the management software (i.e., MDS
PulseNET or MDS InSite) to the root radio, or to one of the nodes,
using the radio’s Ethernet port. (This PC may also be the computer
being used to collect payload data, as shown in Figure 28.)
5. Launch the management application at the PC. (Refer to the associ-
ated User’s Guide for instructions—PulseNET: Part No.
05-4942A01; InSite: Part No. 05-3696A01
8.2
Over-the-Air Firmware Upgrades
A major benefit of the SD transceiver is the ability to reprogram remotes
in the network without the need to physically visit each radio site. This
is accomplished using the over-the-air (OTA) channel. OTA reprogram-
ming always re-programs the “Inactive” firmware image of the radio to
ensure that active firmware is not accidentally overwritten.
NOTE: OTA reprogramming over a narrowband radio channel can be
a lengthy process, requiring several hours to complete. The
time required depends on several factors, as discussed below.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
77
Intrusive vs. Passive (Non-Intrusive) Mode
Firmware code may be transmitted to stations in either intrusive or pas-
sive (non-intrusive) mode using the built-in diagnostic capabilities of
the radio. When OTA reprogramming is initiated from either a root or
node the firmware image is broadcast to all Remotes in intrusive or pas-
sive use of the channel.
Intrusive operation means that the payload application data will be
interrupted while programming data is sent over the air. This is the
fastest method of programming radios over the air, but it comes at the
cost of interruptions in the primary use of the radio network. See
Table 17 for the approximate times needed for intrusive reprogram-
ming.
NOTE: Intrusive mode should be used only when the radio channel
can be devoted to the reprogramming operation, as payload
data will be interrupted.
Passive (Non-intrusive) operation “piggy-backs” reprogramming data
onto normal payload data streams, thus allowing payload data to con-
tinue uninterrupted. This mode requires payload data to be sent so that
the reprogramming data can be carried.
NOTE: Radio networks configured for Packet w/MAC operation
support intrusive operation while still sending payload data.
Data is sent at the first chance, and does not wait for user data
to be sent.
Table 17. Approximate Reprogramming Times—Intrusive Mode
Modem Speed
(bps)
Approximate Time Required
4800
1 hour, 30 minutes
9600
35-40 minutes
19200
20-25 minutes
Radio assumptions: Signal strength -85 dBm or
stronger, Packet Size: 40, Block Size: 512, Retry: 3
Polling assumptions: Serial polling with 1-second poll
time, sending random data at 50-100 bytes. Slower
polling times will significantly increase completion time.
Polling should be temporarily suspended while OTA
reprogramming is active.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
The disadvantage to passive operation is that it takes longer to convey
the reprogramming information since it is must be attached to existing
data transactions. See Table 18 for the approximate times needed for
passive reprogramming.
NOTE: It is possible for Remote radios receiving a firmware upgrade
to complete reprogramming before the initiating station does.
This is because transmissions are sent out “broadcast style”
and will be sent up to the number of times entered in the Retry
Count parameter of the radio. In a strong signal environment,
the image may be received successfully the first time, but the
initiator does not know this, and continues broadcasting image
data blocks until the specified retry count has been reached.
OTA Reprogramming Overview
The “Root” is the central location from which polling originates. Other
locations in the network should be designated as “Nodes” which are the
receiving stations. Over-the-air firmware upgrades should always be
initiated from the Root. This ensures that all radios in the network will
be properly updated.
Once an OTA reprogram session has started, the initiating radio selects
either the active or inactive image stored in its non-volatile storage
which is copied to all the other radios in the network.
The initiator broadcasts a series of messages to one or more remote
Nodes to accomplish the reprogramming process. The “broadcast”
method is used to program the greatest number of radios in the shortest
amount of time, however, the initiating station remains unaware of the
number or success of downstream radios participating in reprogram-
ming.
During reprogramming the status of the reprogramming will be avail-
able on all the radios participating in process. Because the initiator is
“broadcast-only” this status can only indicate progress toward sending
out of all messages. On the Nodes, the progress toward completion of
reception of reprogramming information is indicated.
Table 18. Approximate Reprogramming Times—Passive Mode
Modem Speed
(bps)
Approximate Time Required
4800
6 hours, 7 minutes
9600
1 hour, 30 minutes
19200
1 hour, 30 minutes
Radio assumptions: Signal strength -85 dBm or
stronger, Packet Size: 40, Block Size: 512, Retry: 3
Polling assumptions: Serial polling with 1-second poll
time, sending random data at 50-100 bytes. Slower
polling times will significantly increase completion time.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
79
Receiving stations can automatically reboot to the new image after suc-
cessful reprogramming. Alternatively, there is an OTA reboot command
that can be broadcast from the initiator to all receiving stations. This last
option instructs the receivers to reboot to a specific firmware revision if
available, and not already running at that revision.
Cancelling OTA Reprogramming
During the reprogramming operation the user has the ability to cancel
reprogramming at anytime either on the initiator, which will affect all
radios, or on individual receiving stations. Note that cancelling repro-
gramming at the initiator results in all radios in the network having only
one (instead of two) applications programmed in their image banks.
That is, the “inactive” image (which was only partially upgraded) will
be corrupt and unusable until reprogrammed at a later time.
Error Conditions/Recovery
Other than cancelling the reprogramming process, there are few error
conditions that the initiator knows or can do anything about. Receiving
radios perform checks and verification on the incoming data. If after the
end of the reprogramming sequence a radio still has an invalid image
(for whatever reason) the radio will not reboot but continue running with
its active, and valid image.
Execution and Screen Examples
User Data
Explanations
Displayed information during reprogramming (at Root radios):
• Progress (Percent Complete—Read-only): This parameter indi-
cates percent complete of a firmware upgrade. The calculation is
done each time a block of data is successfully transmitted or
received.
User Command
explanations
Command options available during reprogramming (at Root radios):
• Abort—Terminate remote firmware upgrade for all remote nodes
in the network. Inactive images on non-root radios will be invalid.
(No change to status of root radio images)
• Reboot—Manually send a reboot to all remote nodes in the net-
work. All remote nodes will reboot to their inactive image, unless
already at the desired version of firmware chosen to reboot to, or
if neither the active nor inactive image is equal to the desired ver-
sion.
Command options available during reprogramming (at “Non-Root”
radios):
• Abort—Terminate Remote Reprogramming for local radio. Inac-
tive image will be invalid.
Screen Example
Figure 29 shows the Remote Reprogramming Screen
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Invisible place holder
Figure 29. Remote Reprogramming Screen
8.3
COM1 Operating Modes
The COM1 port can operate in one of several possible modes. From the
user's perspective, it can be considered to be in Data mode or Manage-
ment mode, where user input can be accepted via either a menu inter-
face, a command line interface, or a diagnostic interface such as GE
MDS-proprietary DLINK protocol. The list below shows all possible
modes for the COM1 port:
• Menu mode—For serial-based “console terminal” control of the
radio. Menu screens are presented where you make selections and
apply them with the Enter key.
• Data mode—Where COM1 is used for payload data, and not user
control/management of the transceiver.
• DLINK (diagnostics) mode—Where a PC running InSite or
NETview management software is connected to COM1.
• Command line/scripting mode—Where text-based commands
are used to manage the radio, typically by means of an automated
“scripting” system, rather than by manual entry. (Refer to SD
Serial/Telnet Management Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01 for
a summary of text commands.)
Changing COM1 Modes
The Device Manager may be used to change the COM1 operating mode
by accessing the Configuration>>Communication Ports>>Com 1 Port Settings
screen (see “COM1 Port Settings” on Page 50). Using this screen, the
Startup Mode and Current Mode may be set to either Console or Data from
the drop-down selections.
NOTE: The COM1 operating mode may also be set using a PC
terminal connected directly to the port. See SD Serial/Telnet
Management Supplement, Part No. 05-6193A01 for details.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
81
8.4
Implementing Sleep Mode
Sleep Mode places the transceiver into a low power “hibernating” state,
with a nominal current draw of less than 10 mA (at 13 Vdc) and a
“wake-up” time of approximately 50 milliseconds. Sleep Mode is often
used at battery/solar-powered sites to conserve power.
The ability to enter Sleep Mode is controlled through the Device Set-
tings Screen (see “Device Settings” on Page 41), but an active low on
Pin 4 of the COM2 port is what actually places the radio in Sleep Mode.
NOTE: Sleep mode is not intended for use on a master radio.
How Sleep Mode
Works
When Sleep Mode is enabled via the Device Settings Screen, the state
of Pin 4 on COM2 is continuously monitored to detect a request to enter
sleep mode from an external device (RTU, PLC, etc.). For ease of use,
there are certain conditions which temporarily override the sleep request
to prevent unwanted behavior of the radio. These conditions are:
1. The radio must be powered up for at least 60 seconds before it is
allowed to enter sleep mode.
2. Any user-originated activity on the console terminal disables
entering sleep mode for 30 seconds, measured from the time of last
keystroke.
3. When locally reprogramming the transceiver’s firmware, sleep
mode is disabled throughout the reprogramming time, and is sup-
pressed for 30 seconds thereafter.
4. The passage of payload data does not inhibit sleep mode.
Sleep Mode Example
This section describes how to implement Sleep Mode in a typical sce-
nario. Before using Sleep Mode, the following conditions must be met
to provide proper operation and avoid damage to the transceiver:
a. Sleep Mode must be enabled on the radio’s Device Settings
Screen.
b. Output voltage to the radio must not exceed +5.0 Vdc.
c. Output voltage to wake up the radio must be between +2.0 Vdc
and +5.0 Vdc.
d. Output voltage to enter Sleep Mode must be +0.6 Vdc or less.
With the above conditions met, you are ready to use Sleep Mode. As a
working example, suppose you need communication to each Remote
site in your network only once per hour. Program the RTU/PLC at the
Remote sites to raise an RS-232 line once each hour (DTR for example),
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
and wait for a poll and response before lowering it again. Connect the
RS-232 line to Pin 4 of the radio’s COM2 port. This allows each Remote
to be polled once per hour with a significant savings in power consump-
tion.
8.5
User-Programmable I/O Functions
The transceiver can be internally configured to provide three user I/O
functions on the COM1 and COM2 data connectors. These signals are
commonly used for RTU resetting or for input monitoring. Once the
transceiver has been properly configured, these pins can be activated
through compatible NMS software, such as InSite.
The jumpering changes required to enable these functions are beyond
the scope of this manual. Consult the factory for further information on
enabling and using these I/O functions.
8.6
Technical Specifications
GENERAL
Frequency Range:
SD2: 216-235 MHz in one of 3 bands as follows:
Band A—216 to 220 MHz
Band B—220 to 222 MHz
Band C—220 to 235 MHz
SD4: 350–512 MHz in one of 3 bands as follows:
Band A—350 to 400 MHz
Band B—400 to 450 MHz
Band C—450 to 512 MHz
SD9: 928–960 MHz
Specific frequency authorizations are dependent on the type-approval of the radio. Con-
sult the factory for details.
Bandwidth:
SD2: 5.0, 6.25, 12.5, 25 kHz
SD4: 6.25 12.5, 25 kHz
SD9: 12.5, 25 kHz
RECEIVER
Maximum Usable Sensitivity:
–112 dBm at 1x10–6 BER (9600 BPS)
NOTE: This is a typical sensitivity rating at 9600 BPS. See modem type listing in Section
6.0 for detailed ratings.
TRANSMITTER
Carrier Power:
0.1 Watts to 5 Watts
Power Measurement Accuracy:
+/- 1.5 dB
NOTE: For SD2 operating in Band B (220-222 MHz), RF output limited to 2 watts.
Duty Cycle:
Continuous
Output Impedance:
50
FCC ID:
SD2: E5MDS-SD2
SD4: E5MDS-SD4
SD9: E5MDS-SD9
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
83
IC ID:
SD2: 101D-SD2
SD4: 101D-SD4
SD9: 101D-SD9
FCC Emission Designators (SD2):
6.25 kHz B/W (MODEM 4800F):
3K24F1D, F2D, F3D
12.5 kHz B/W (MODEM 9600,
19200N):
9K322F1D, F2D, F3D
25.0 kHz B/W (MODEM 19200):
16K8F1D, F2D, F3D
5.0 kHz B/W (MODEM 3200):
2K80F1D, F2D, F3D
15.0 kHz B/W (MODEM 9600M,
19200E):
8K15F1D, F2D, F3D
FCC Emission Designators (SD4):
6.25kHz B/W (MODEM 4800F):
6K00F1D, F2D, F3D
12.5 kHz B/W (MODEM 9600,
9600M, 4800):
11K2F1D, F2D, F3D
25.0 kHz B/W (MODEM 19200):
20K0F1D, F2D, F3D
FCC Emission Designators (SD9):
12.5 kHz B/W (MODEM 9600,
9600M, 4800):
10K6F1D, F2D, F3D
25.0 kHz B/W (MODEM 19200):
16K2F1D, F2D, F3D
DATA CHARACTERISTICS
Signaling Types:
RS-232/485; DB-9 Female connector
Ethernet 10/100 Mbps; RJ-45F connector
COM2 Data Rates:
300–115200 bps, asynchronous
Data Latency:
11 ms typical (transparent)
PRIMARY POWER
Voltage:
10.0 to 30 Vdc (Negative ground only)
NOTE: Early SD4 models supported 10.5 to 16 Vdc power, not 10 to 30 Vdc. Check the
labeling above the power connector to confirm the operating range for your unit.
TX Supply Current (Typical):
2.5 Amperes maximum @ 5 Watts RF Output
RX Supply Current (Typical):
Operational—125 mA, Nominal
Sleep—<10 mA typical @ 13.8 Vdc
Fuse:
5-Ampere, internal
ENVIRONMENTAL
Humidity:
SD2: 95% at 40°C (104°F), non-condensing
SD4: 95% at 70°C (158°F), non-condensing
SD9: 95% at 40°C (104°F), non-condensing
Temperature Range:
–40 to 70 degrees C (–40°F to 158°F)
Weight (nominal):
1.22 lbs. (0.55 kg)
Transceiver Dimensions:
6.5” long (16.51 cm), 4.625” wide (11.75 cm),
1.5” High (3.81 cm)
Mean Time Between Failure
(MTBF):
Consult factory for on-file data
DIAGNOSTICS INTERFACE
Signaling Standard:
RS-232 (COM1, DB-9F connector)
RS-232/RS-485 (COM2, DB-9F connector)
All specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
8.7
dBm-Watts-Volts Conversion Chart
Table 19 is provided as a convenience for determining the equivalent
wattage or voltage of an RF power expressed in dBm.
Table 19. dBm-Watts-Volts Conversion—for 50 Ohm Systems
dBm
V
Po
+53
100.0
200W
+50
70.7
100W
+49
64.0
80W
+48
58.0
64W
+47
50.0
50W
+46
44.5
40W
+45
40.0
32W
+44
32.5
25W
+43
32.0
20W
+42
28.0
16W
+41
26.2
12.5W
+40
22.5
10W
+39
20.0
8W
+38
18.0
6.4W
+37
16.0
5W
+36
14.1
4W
+35
12.5
3.2W
+34
11.5
2.5W
+33
10.0
2W
+32
9.0
1.6W
+31
8.0
1.25W
+30
7.10
1.0W
+29
6.40
800mW
+28
5.80
640mW
+27
5.00
500mW
+26
4.45
400mW
+25
4.00
320mW
+24
3.55
250mW
+23
3.20
200mW
+22
2.80
160mW
+21
2.52
125mW
+20
2.25
100mW
+19
2.00
80mW
+18
1.80
64mW
+17
1.60
50mW
+16
1.41
40mW
+15
1.25
32mW
+14
1.15
25mW
+13
1.00
20mW
+12
.90
16mW
+11
.80
12.5mW
+10
.71
10mW
+9
.64
8mW
+8
.58
6.4mW
+7
.500
5mW
+6
.445
4mW
+5
.400
3.2mW
+4
.355
2.5mW
+3
.320
2.0mW
+2
.280
1.6mW
+1
.252
1.25mW
dBm
V
Po
0
.225
1.0mW
-1
.200
.80mW
-2
.180
.64mW
-3
.160
.50mW
-4
.141
.40mW
-5
.125
.32mW
-6
.115
.25mW
-7
.100
.20mW
-8
.090
.16mW
-9
.080
.125mW
-10
.071
.10mW
-11
.064
-12
.058
-13
.050
-14
.045
-15
.040
-16
.0355
dBm
mV
Po
-17
31.5
-18
28.5
-19
25.1
-20
22.5
.01mW
-21
20.0
-22
17.9
-23
15.9
-24
14.1
-25
12.8
-26
11.5
-27
10.0
-28
8.9
-29
8.0
-30
7.1
.001mW
-31
6.25
-32
5.8
-33
5.0
-34
4.5
-35
4.0
-36
3.5
-37
3.2
-38
2.85
-39
2.5
-40
2.25
.1µW
-41
2.0
-42
1.8
-43
1.6
-44
1.4
-45
1.25
-46
1.18
-47
1.00
-48
0.90
dBm
mV
Po
-49
0.80
-50
0.71
.01µW
-51
0.64
-52
0.57
-53
0.50
-54
0.45
-55
0.40
-56
0.351
-57
0.32
-58
0.286
-59
0.251
-60
0.225
.001µW
-61
0.200
-62
0.180
-63
0.160
-64
0.141
dBm
µV
Po
-65
128
-66
115
-67
100
-68
90
-69
80
-70
71
.1nW
-71
65
-72
58
-73
50
-74
45
-75
40
-76
35
-77
32
-78
29
-79
25
-80
22.5
.01nW
-81
20.0
-82
18.0
-83
16.0
-84
11.1
-85
12.9
-86
11.5
-87
10.0
-88
9.0
-89
8.0
-90
7.1
.001nW
-91
6.1
-92
5.75
-93
5.0
-94
4.5
-95
4.0
-96
3.51
-97
3.2
dBm
µV
Po
-98
2.9
-99
2.51
-100
2.25
.1pW
-101
2.0
-102
1.8
-103
1.6
-104
1.41
-105
1.27
-106
1.18
dBm
nV
Po
-107
1000
-108
900
-109
800
-110
710
.01pW
-111
640
-112
580
-113
500
-114
450
-115
400
-116
355
-117
325
-118
285
-119
251
-120
225
.001pW
-121
200
-122
180
-123
160
-124
141
-125
128
-126
117
-127
100
-128
90
-129
80
.1ƒW
-130
71
-131
61
-132
58
-133
50
-134
45
-135
40
-136
35
-137
33
-138
29
-139
25
-140
23
.01ƒW
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
85
9.0
GLOSSARY OF TERMS &
ABBREVIATIONS
If you are new to digital radio systems, some of the terms used in this
guide may be unfamiliar. The following glossary explains many of these
terms and will prove helpful in understanding the operation of the trans-
ceiver.
Active Messaging—This is a mode of diagnostic gathering that may
interrupt payload system polling communications (contrast with passive
messaging). Active (or intrusive) messaging is much faster than passive
messaging because it is not dependent upon the RTU polling cycle.
Antenna System Gain—A figure, normally expressed in dB, repre-
senting the power increase resulting from the use of a gain-type antenna.
System losses (from the feedline and coaxial connectors, for example)
are subtracted from this figure to calculate the total antenna system gain.
Bit—The smallest unit of digital data, often represented by a one or a
zero. Eight bits (plus start, stop, and parity bits) usually comprise a byte.
Bits-per-second—See BPS.
BPS—Bits-per-second. A measure of the information transfer rate of
digital data across a communication channel.
Bridging—(see Ethernet Bridging)
Byte—A string of digital data usually made up of eight data bits and
start, stop and parity bits.
CTS—Clear to Send
Decibel (dB)—A measure computed from the ratio between two signal
levels. Frequently used to express the gain (or loss) of a system.
Data Circuit-terminating Equipment—See DCE.
Data Communications Equipment—See DCE.
Data Terminal Equipment—See DTE.
dBi—Decibels referenced to an “ideal” isotropic radiator in free space.
Frequently used to express antenna gain.
dBm—Decibels referenced to one milliwatt. An absolute unit used to
measure signal power, as in transmitter power output, or received signal
strength.
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
DCE—Data Circuit-terminating Equipment (or Data Communications
Equipment). In data communications terminology, this is the “modem”
side of a computer-to-modem connection. The transceiver described in
this manual is hardwired as a DCE device.
Digital Signal Processing—See DSP.
DLINK—Data Link Mode. This is a GE MDS-proprietary protocol
used when the transceiver is in diagnostics mode.
DSP—Digital Signal Processing. The transceiver’s DSP is the core
operating unit of the transceiver through which nearly all functions
depend.
DTE—Data Terminal Equipment. A device that provides data in the
form of digital signals at its output. Connects to the DCE device.
ETH—Ethernet
Ethernet Bridging—A mode of operation for the SD transceiver where
the radio decides whether messages are handled locally or sent intact
over-the-air.
Fade Margin—The greatest tolerable reduction in average received
signal strength that will be anticipated under most conditions. Provides
an allowance for reduced signal strength due to multipath, slight antenna
movement or changing atmospheric losses. A fade margin of 20 to 30
dB is usually sufficient in most systems.
FPGA—Field Programmable Gate Array
Frame—A segment of data that adheres to a specific data protocol and
contains definite start and end points. It provides a method of synchro-
nizing transmissions.
Gate—An operating mode of the transceiver with respect to diag-
nostic/management activities. See also NODE, PEER, and ROOT.
Hardware Flow Control—A transceiver feature used to prevent data
buffer overruns when handling high-speed data from the RTU or PLC.
When the buffer approaches overflow, the radio drops the clear-to-send
(CTS) line, which instructs the RTU or PLC to delay further transmis-
sion until CTS again returns to the high state.
Host Computer—The computer installed at the master unit, which con-
trols the collection of data from one or more remote sites.
I/O—Input/Output
IP—Internet Protocol
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
87
Intrusive Diagnostics—A mode of remote diagnostics that queries and
commands radios in a network with an impact on the delivery of the
system “payload” data. See Active messaging.
LAN—Local Area Network
LED—Light Emitting Diode
Latency—The delay (usually expressed in milliseconds) between when
data is applied to TXD (Pin 2) at one radio, until it appears at RXD
(Pin 3) at the other radio.
Listen Before Transmit—A collision avoidance mechanism that
attempts to allow transmission only when the channel is clear.
mA—Milliamperes (current flow)
MAC—Media Access Control
MAS—Multiple Address System. A radio system where a central
master unit communicates with several remote stations for the purpose
of gathering telemetry data.
Master (Station)—Radio which is connected to the host computer. It is
the point at which polling enters the network.
Multiple Address System—See MAS.
Network-Wide Diagnostics—An advanced method of controlling and
interrogating GE MDS radios in a radio network.
Node—An operating mode of the transceiver with respect to diag-
nostic/management activities. See also GATE, PEER, and ROOT.
Non-intrusive diagnostics—See Passive messaging.
OTA—Over-the-Air
PA—Power Amplifier
Packet Radio—A transmission scheme in which data elements are
assembled into units, that are consecutively numbered and
error-checked at the time of transmittal. Errored packets result in retry
requests from the receiving station.
Passive messaging—This is a mode of diagnostic gathering or repro-
gramming that does not interrupt payload system polling communica-
tions. Diagnostic/reprogramming data is sent/collected non-intrusively
over a period of time; polling messages are carried with payload system
data (contrast with active messaging).
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
Payload data—This is the application’s user communication data
which is sent over the radio network. It is the transfer of payload data
that is the primary purpose of the radio communications network.
Peer—An operating mode of the transceiver with respect to diag-
nostic/management activities. See also GATE, NODE, and ROOT.
Point-Multipoint System—A radio communications network or
system designed with a central control station that exchanges data with
a number of remote locations equipped with terminal equipment.
Poll—A request for data issued from the host computer (or master PLC)
to a remote radio.
PLC—Programmable Logic Controller. A dedicated microprocessor
configured for a specific application with discrete inputs and outputs. It
can serve as a host or as an RTU.
PPM—Parts per Million
Programmable Logic Controller—See PLC.
Remote (Station)—A radio in a network that communicates with an
associated master unit.
Remote Terminal Unit—See RTU.
Redundant Operation—A station arrangement where two transceivers
and two power supplies are available for operation, with automatic swi-
tchover in case of a failure.
Root—An operating mode of the transceiver with respect to diag-
nostic/management activities. See also GATE, NODE, and PEER.
RTS—Request-to-send
RTU—Remote Terminal Unit. A data collection device installed at a
remote radio site. An internal RTU simulator is provided with the trans-
ceiver to isolate faults to either the external RTU or the radio.
RX—Abbreviation for “Receive.”
Signal-to-Noise Ratio—See SNR.
SCADA—Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. An overall term
for the functions commonly provided through an MAS radio system.
SNR—Signal-to-Noise ratio. A measure of how well the signal is being
received at a radio relative to noise on the channel.
SSID—Secure Silicon Identifier
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
89
Standing Wave Ratio—See SWR.
Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition—See SCADA.
SWR—Standing Wave Ratio. A parameter related to the ratio between
forward transmitter power and the reflected power from the antenna
system. As a general guideline, reflected power should not exceed 10%
of the forward power ( 2:1 SWR).
Telnet—A terminal emulation protocol that enables an Internet user to
communicate with a remote device for management activities as if it
were locally connected to a PC.
Transparent Mode—A mode in which payload data is unchanged from
its original format when it is sent over the air. A radio in this mode is
said to be “transparent” to connected equipment at each end of a link.
TX—Abbreviation for “Transmit.”
WAN—Wide Area Network
x710—The generic name for GE MDS legacy transceiver-family prod-
ucts, including the MDS 9710 (900 MHz), MDS 4710 (400 MHz), 2710
(200 MHz) and MDS 1710 (100 MHz).
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
NOTES
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
SD Series Technical Manual
I-1
INDEX
A
Active messaging (defined) 84
Alarms
alarm code definitions 72
major vs. minor 72
Antenna
installation 25
system gain, defined 84
Yagi, illustrated 18
Antennas 18–19
Applications
point-to-point system 10
B
Bits-per-second. See BPS 84
BPS (bits-per-second), defined 84
Byte, defined 84
C
Cable
maximum length, recommended 24
Cable, loss due to length of coaxial at 960 MHz 19
Cautions
use attenuation between all units in test setup 75
connectors 20
Conversions, dBm-Watts-Volts 89
D
Data Circuit-terminating Equipment—See DCE 84
Data Communications Equipment—See DCE. 84
Data Terminal Equipment—See DTE 84
dB. See Decibel 84
dBi, defined 84
dBm, defined 84
DCE (Data Circuit-terminating Equipment), defined 85
Decibel (dB), defined 84
Description, product 3, 4
Diagnostics
interface specifications 83
network-wide, performing 75, 81, 83
PC software used for 76
using InSite software for network-wide 75
Digital Signal Processing—See DSP. 85
DIN Rail Mounting Bracket 7
Downloading new software 76
DSP (Digital Signal Processing), defined 85
DTE (Data Terminal Equipment), defined 85
E
Environment specifications 83
Equalization, defined 85
F
Fade margin, defined 85
Feedlines 18
Frame, defined 85
G
Glossary 84
H
Half-duplex 10
Hardware flow control, defined 85
Host computer, defined 85
I
Illustrations
antenna, Yagi 18
MAS network 10, 14
network-wide diagnostics 75
point-to-point link 11
remote station arrangement 16
InSite software
using to perform remote diagnostics 75
Installation
antenna 25
power 25
power connection 19, 20
Interference
troubleshooting 70
Intrusive diagnostics (defined) 86
L
Latency, defined 86
LEDs
PWR 30
status indicators, illustrated 30
Loss. See Signal
M
MAS (Multiple Address System)
defined 86
illustration 10, 14
Master Station
defined 86
Model number codes 6
Mounting instructions 17
Multiple Address System—See MAS. 86
N
Network-wide diagnostics
active messaging, defined 84
defined 86
illustrated 75
intrusive diagnostics, defined 86
passive messaging (defined) 86
procedures 75, 81, 83
Non-intrusive diagnostics—See Passive messaging. 86
O
Operation
environment specifications for 83
P
Passive messaging (defined) 86
Payload data (defined) 87
PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), defined 87
Point-to-point
link, illustrated 11
system 10
Poll, defined 87
port
LAN 20
Power
connection 19, 20
installing 25
LED status indicator (PWR LED) 30
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx
SD Series Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. D
RF, chart for converting dBm-Watts-Volts 89
specifications 83
Procedures
checking for alarms (STAT command) 71
downloading new software 76
mounting the transceiver 17
network-wide diagnostics 75, 81, 83
troubleshooting 69–73
Product
description 3, 4
model number codes 6
Protected Network Station
definition of 7
PWR
LED 30
R
Radio
Configuration Software 76
inoperative (troubleshooting chart) 70
no synchronization with master (troubleshooting chart) 70
poor performance (troubleshooting chart) 70
Receiver
specifications 83
system specifications 82
Redundant operation, defined 87
Remote
Station, defined 87
Station, illustrated 16
RTU (Remote Terminal Unit)
defined 87
S
SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition),
defined 87
Signal
loss due to coaxial cable length at 960 MHz, table 19
Simplex 10
Sleep mode
shown by PWR LED status indicator 30
Software
diagnostics and control used from PC 76
upgrading 76
Specifications
diagnostics interface 83
environment 83
power 83
receiver 83
receiver system 82
transmitter 82
transmitter system 82
Standing Wave Ratio—See SWR. 87
Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition—See SCADA. 88
SWR (Standing Wave Radio), defined 88
T
Tables
alarm code definitions 72
conversions, dBm-Watts-Volts 89
LED status indicators 30
length vs. loss in coaxial cables at 960 MHz 19
troubleshooting 70
Technical reference 74–89
Transceiver
diagnostics using PC software 76
mounting 25
mounting instructions 17
upgrading software 76
Transmitter
specifications 82
system specifications 82
Troubleshooting 69–73
performing network-wide diagnostics 75, 81, 83
STAT command (Status) 71
table 70
using PC software for 76
RSPSupply - 1-888-532-2706 - www.RSPSupply.com
http://www.RSPSupply.com/p-8461-MDS-UP-SD9-MS2ES-Upgrade-Key-SD9-MS-to-SD9-ES.aspx