Black Box Industrial Modem RF115 User manual

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Industrial Modem RF115
Wireless async communication
that stands up to extreme
conditions—without sacrificing
data quality or speed.

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» Data speeds of up to 115.2 kbps half-duplex.
» Supports a distance of up to 20 miles (32.2 km)
for line-of-sight, up to 60 miles (96.6 km)
with 2 repeaters.
» 10- or 11-bit word structure.
» Offers Modbus RTU protocol support.
» Optional antennas available—omnidirectional
and unidirectional.
FEATURES
The Industrial Modem RF115 is designed to stand up to
electromagnetic and radio interference, industrial motors, and
temperature extremes found in oil and gas fields and refineries,
utility substations, manufacturing floors, military installations—
anywhere ordinary equipment can’t go. This wireless async modem
uses Spread-Spectrum technology to speed your data to its final
destination—safe and error-free. Data travels over the license-free
902–928-MHz radio band.
You can use two modems in a point-to-point configuration and
receive incoming signals from a remote control device. Or use the
modem in a polled multipoint configuration and communicate with
multiple remote devices. The Modem’s DB9 connector is an RS-232
interface. Optional RS-485 Modules are also available.
Each Industrial Modem includes a fixed whip antenna with
a 20-mile (32.2-km) line-of-sight range. The modem can also
be outfitted with any of our optional antennas. Choose from
omnidirectional or unidirectional antennas—in a variety of cable
lengths and mounting options.
For additional security, the modem features voltage clamps
and fuses to protect your transmissions from electrical surges
found on power lines.
Still Compatible
If you already have an Industrial Modem RF115, don’t worry—
the MDR100A-R4 is compatible with older models and antennas.
We also offer adapter cables for attaching older Industrial Modem
RF115 s to newer antennas or attaching older antennas to newer
Industrial Modem RF115s.
Choosing the Right Antenna for Your Industrial Modem RF115
For ordinary line-of-sight installations, the built-in antenna may
be all you need.
If you can’t get a direct line of sight without separating the
modem from the antenna, choose one of our Omnidirectional
Antennas.
If you need to transmit through trees or non-metallic structures—
or if you want to increase signal-to-noise ratio—choose a Yagi
(unidirectional) Antenna with Bracket Mount.
Remember, you always need a direct line of sight in any
application over a 0.25- to 0.5-mile (0.4- to 0.8-km) range.
OVERVIEW
Recognize any of these situations?
• Youwaitmorethan30minutestogetthrough
to a vendor’s tech support.
• Theso-called“tech”can’thelpyouorgivesyou
the wrong answer.
• Youdon’thaveapurchaseordernumberandthe
tech refuses to help you.
• It’s9p.m.andyouneedhelp,butyourvendor’s
tech support line is closed.
According to a survey by Data Communications magazine, 90%
of network managers surveyed say that getting the technical support
they need is extremely important when choosing a vendor. But even
though network managers pay anywhere from 10 to 20% of their
overall purchase price for a basic service and support contract, the
technical support and service they receive falls far short of their
expectations—and certainly isn’t worth what they paid.
At Black Box, we guarantee the best value and the best support.
You can even consult our Technical Support Experts before you buy if
you need help selecting just the right component for your application.
Don’t waste time and money—call Black Box today.
Why Buy From Black Box? Exceptional Value.
Exceptional Tech Support. Period.

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Spread-Spectrum Technology Explained
Unlike conventional radio, Spread Spectrum doesn’t stick
to one frequency.
During transmission, Spread-Spectrum signals are spread over
a wide range of frequencies. Then a receiver collects (de-spreads)
the transmissions into their original form.
The Spread-Spectrum signal is then tagged with a pseudo-
random code. Only the user’s receiver recognizes this code. The
receiver knows in advance how the transmitter will spread the
spectrum, so it can easily find the signal and track the
transmission.
To do this, the receiver uses a locally generated replica pseudo-
random noise code, a received code, and a receiver correlator
to separate only the desired coded information from all possible
transmitters. (Think of the correlator as a filter that responds to
signals encoded with a pseudorandom noise code that matches
its own code.)
No Interference
The correlator is not susceptible to man-made interference
or other noises—whether natural or generated by other Spread-
Spectrum radios. The code simply sounds like background noise,
so it’s difficult for an unauthorized user to detect.
No Jamming
To prevent jamming, the de-spreading process spreads
(decreases) the power level of other signals.
How the Technology Caught On
Low susceptibility to interference and anti-jamming features—
plus the ability to tolerate high levels of electromagnetic and
multipath interference—are what prompted the United States
military to use the technology during World War II.
Spread Spectrum and the FCC
In 1985, the FCC let radios based on a Spread-Spectrum
modulation method operate without a license in certain portions
of the radio spectrum. The three frequencies the FCC specified
for commercial Spread Spectrum are:
• 902MHzto928MHz
• 2400MHzto2483.5MHz
• 5725MHzto5850MHz.
Why the Technology is Popular Today
Spread-Spectrum technology is the ideal medium for wireless
data transmission for a number of reasons:
• Transmissionsremainfreefrominterferenceandjamming.
• Transmissionscanbespecificallyaddressed.
• Multipleconversationscanoccursimultaneouslyinrelatively
small areas.
• Dataratescanbeveryhighifyouusethe2400band
or higher.
Technically Speaking

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Tech SPecS
Speed —Upto115.2kbpshalf-duplex(upto57.6kbpsfull-duplex)
Protocol — Async, Modbus RTU support
Distance — Up to 20 miles (32.2 km) line-of-sight, depending on environment,
geographicconditions,andoptionalantenna;upto60miles(96.6km)
with 2 repeaters
Hopping Code — 15 orthogonal user-selectable pseudorandom algorithms
Occupied Bandwidth — 230 KHz
Spreading Function — Frequency-hopping 112 channels
(96channelsinternational)
Word Length — 10-/11-bit maximum
Radio Frequency — 902- to 928-MHz spread spectrum;
No FCC license required
RF Output Power — 1⁄10 to 1 watt (selectable in 1⁄10 increments)
Interface — RS-232 (can support
2- or 4-wire RS-485 with the optional RS-485 Modules)
Connectors — RS-232: DB9; Antenna: Standard-thread
SMA F; RS-485: 2- or 4-wire screw terminal strip
Indicators — P (Power), C (Carrier), I (Data In), O (Data Out)
Operating Environment —-40to+167°F(-40to+75°C)
Relative Humidity Tolerance — Up to 95%, noncondensing
Power — 12 VDC (24 VDC available as special order);
115- or 230-VAC wallmount transformer included
Size —1.4"Hx5"Wx7.8"D(3.6x12.7x19.8cm)
Weight — 1.8 lb. (0.8 kg)
Item Code
Industrial Modem RF115 MDR100A-R4
RS-485 RF Modem Module
2-Wire MD3310-R2
Optional RF Antennas
Omnidirectional with Bracket Mount
10-ft. (3.0-m) Cable MDR151-0010-R2
  25-ft.(7.6-m)Cable  MDR151-0025-R3
50-ft. (15.2-m) Cable MDR151-0050-R3
100-ft. (30.4-m) Cable MDR151-0100-R3
Yagi (Unidirectional) with Bracket Mount
50-ft. (15.2-m) Cable MDR152-0050-R4
100-ft. (30.4-m) Cable MDR152-0100-R4
You may also need…
DB9 Extension Cable with EM/RFI Hoods EDN12H
Standard SMA Male to
“N” Type Male Adapter Cable MDR153
The MDR1000A-R4 has a
fixed-whip antenna but can also be
used with an optional RF antenna.