Black Box MDR100A-R5 User manual

User Manual
Standard and Rated C1D2 versions are available.
Industrial 900-MHz Wireless Modem
MDR100A-R5
MDR112A-R5
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)
FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
www.blackbox.com • [e-mail]
Customer
Support
Information

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Page 2
Trademarks Used in this Manual
We‘re here to help! If you have any questions about your application
or our products, contact Black Box Tech Support at 724-746-5500
or go to blackbox.com and click on “Talk to Black Box.”
You’ll be live with one of our technical experts in less than 60 seconds.
Trademarks Used in this Manual
Black Box and the Double Diamond logo are registered trademarks of BB Technologies, Inc.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the trademark owners.

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FCC and IC RFI Statements
Federal Communications Commission and Industry Canada Radio Frequency Interference
Statements
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules,
which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own
expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from digital apparatus set out in the Radio
Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques
de la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.
Regulatory Requirements
To satisfy FCC RF exposure requirements for mobile transmitting devices, a separation distance of 23 cm or more should be main-
tained between the antenna of this device and persons during device operation. To ensure compliance, operations at closer than
this distance is not recommended. The antenna being used for this transmitter must not be co-located in conjunction with any
other a WARNING antenna or transmitter.
MAXIMUM EIRP
FCC Regulations allow up to 36dBm Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP). Therefore, the sum of the transmitted power (in
dBm), the cabling loss and the antenna gain cannot exceed 36 dBm.
Who Can Use This Manual
It is assumed that users of the products described in this manual have either system integration or design experience, as well as an
understanding of the fundamentals of radio communications.
Disclaimer:
Black Box Network Services shall not be liable for damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential or cost of cover damages, resulting
from any errors in the product information or specifications set forth in this document and Black Box Network Services may revise this document at any time
without notice.

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NOM Statement
Instrucciones de Seguridad
(Normas Oficiales Mexicanas Electrical Safety Statement)
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca
de una alberca, etc.
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación.
Todo otro servicio deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico
sobre una cama, sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes
que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de ventilación.
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros
aparatos (incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor.
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como
se indique en el aparato.
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados
sobre o contra ellos, poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Quick Start Guide........................................................................................................................................................7
What's Included ...................................................................................................................................................7
Additional Items You Will Need............................................................................................................................7
Setup Procedure...................................................................................................................................................7
1. Specifications........................................................................................................................................................8
2. Overview ..........................................................................................................................................................9
2.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................................9
2.2 Features....................................................................................................................................................9
2.3 What’s Included........................................................................................................................................9
2.4 Hardware Description ...............................................................................................................................5
3. Operating Modes ............................................................................................................................................... 14
3.1 Command Mode.................................................................................................................................... 14
3.2 Data Mode ............................................................................................................................................. 14
3.3 Master .................................................................................................................................................... 14
3.4 Repeater ................................................................................................................................................. 14
3.5 Slave ....................................................................................................................................................... 15
4. Network Topologies ........................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1 Point-to-Point (PTP) ................................................................................................................................ 16
4.2 Point-to-Multipoint (PMP)....................................................................................................................... 18
4.2.1 Point-to-Multipoint TDMA ...............................................................................................................20
4.2.2 Adaptive TDMA ............................................................................................................................... 21
4.2.3 GPS Indexed TDMA (ADHOC) .........................................................................................................22
4.2.4 Fast TDMA .......................................................................................................................................22
4.3 Peer-to-Peer............................................................................................................................................ 27
4.4 Everyone-to-Everyone............................................................................................................................. 27
5. Configuration .....................................................................................................................................................30
5.1 AT Commands .......................................................................................................................................30
A Answer ...............................................................................................................................................30
D/DT/DPxxxxx Dial ................................................................................................................................30
g, G Spectrum Analyzer .........................................................................................................................30
In Identification .....................................................................................................................................30
N Advanced Spectrum Analyzer............................................................................................................. 31
O Online Mode ...................................................................................................................................... 31
&Fn Load Factory Default Configuration ................................................................................................ 31
&H0 Frequency Restriction .....................................................................................................................32
&H1 Repeater Registration .....................................................................................................................33
&V View Configuration ..........................................................................................................................33
&W Write Configuration to Memory...................................................................................................... 33
5.2 Settings (S) Registers ..............................................................................................................................34
S0 Auto Answer .....................................................................................................................................34
S2 Escape Code......................................................................................................................................34
S101 Operating Mode ............................................................................................................................34
S102 Serial Baud Rate.............................................................................................................................35
S103 Wireless Link Rate..........................................................................................................................35
S104 Network Address...........................................................................................................................36
S105 Unit Address ..................................................................................................................................36

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Table of Contents
S107 Static Mask ....................................................................................................................................36
S108 Output Power................................................................................................................................36
S109 Hop Interval ..................................................................................................................................37
S110 Data Format ...................................................................................................................................38
S112 Packet Max Size..............................................................................................................................38
S113 Packet Retransmissions...................................................................................................................38
S115 Repeat Interval ...............................................................................................................................38
S116 Character Timeout .........................................................................................................................39
S118 Roaming.........................................................................................................................................39
S119 Quick Enter to Command Mode ....................................................................................................40
S123 Average RSSI..................................................................................................................................40
S130 No Sync Intake...............................................................................................................................40
S133 Network Type ................................................................................................................................40
S140 Destination Address....................................................................................................................... 41
S141 Repeaters Y/N ................................................................................................................................ 41
S142 Serial Channel Mode...................................................................................................................... 41
S143 Sleep Mode ................................................................................................................................... 41
S144 Sleep Time .....................................................................................................................................43
S145 Wake Time.....................................................................................................................................43
S149 LED Brightness ...............................................................................................................................43
S150 Sync Mode.....................................................................................................................................43
S151 Fast Sync Timeout ..........................................................................................................................44
S153 Address Tag ...................................................................................................................................44
S158 Forward Error Correction (FEC) Mode ...........................................................................................44
S159 Encryption Mode (AES)..................................................................................................................45
S177 Binary Encryption Key ....................................................................................................................45
S217 Protocol Type .................................................................................................................................46
S232 Max Buffer in Storage ...................................................................................................................46
S237 Sniff Timeout.................................................................................................................................46
S244 Channel Request Mode.................................................................................................................46
S248 Sync Timeout.................................................................................................................................47
S251 Master Hop Allocation Timeout ....................................................................................................47
5.3 Serial Interface Commands.....................................................................................................................47
&Cn Data Carrier Detect (DCD)..............................................................................................................48
&Dn Data Terminal Ready (DTR).............................................................................................................48
&K Handshaking.....................................................................................................................................48
&Sn Data Set Ready (DSR)......................................................................................................................48
6. Installation ........................................................................................................................................................49
6.1 Path Calculation......................................................................................................................................50
6.2 Installation of Antenna System Components.......................................................................................... 51
6.2.1 Antennas..................................................................................................................................... 51
6.2.2 Coaxial Cable ..............................................................................................................................52
6.2.3 Surge Arrestors ........................................................................................................................... 52
6.2.4 External Filter ..............................................................................................................................52
Appendix A: AT Command Quick Reference ............................................................................................................53
Appendix B: Settings (S) Register Quick Reference....................................................................................................55
Appendix C: RS-485 Wiring......................................................................................................................................58
Appenidx D: Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................59

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Quick Start Guide
Quick Start Guide
This Quick Start guide will enable you to promptly establish basic connectivity between a pair of MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5
modems in a point-to-point configuration.
What’s Included
• (2) MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 Radios with power adapters and Rubber Ducky Antennas
Additional Items You Will Need
• (2) PCs with HyperTerminal (or equivalent) and (1) COM port each, or
• (1) PC with HyperTerminal and (2) COM ports.
• (2) straight-through serial cables (9-pin M to 9-pin F).
Setup Procedure
Open HyperTerminal and configure it as 9600, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no handshaking, then open the “connection”
(at bottom left of HyperTerminal window, the word “Connected” should appear).
Plug the included power adapter (8-30-VDC) into a wall outlet and press the CFG/CONFIG button on the front of the
MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5.
The HyperTerminal window should show the response “NO CARRIER OK.”
At this point, both MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 radios are in COMMAND MODE. To configure one module as the Master, type
AT&F6 [Enter], then type AT&WA [Enter]. This module’s TX LED (red) should light. To configure the other module as the Slave,
type AT&F7 [Enter], then type AT&WA [Enter]. This module’s RX and 3 RSSI LEDs will light.
The radio is now connected. If you enter text in one PC’s HyperTerminal window, it will appear in the other’s window and vice
versa.

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Chapter 1: Specifications
1. Specifications
Electrical/General
Frequency 902–928 MHz
Spreading Method Frequency-Hopping/DTS
Band Segments Selectable via Frequency Restriction
Error Detection 32 bits of CRC, ARQ
Data Encryption (Optional) 128-bit or 256-bit AES Encryption (requires an export permit outside U.S. and Canada)
Range 60+ miles (100 km)
Speed
Serial Baud Rate Up to 230.4 kbps (slow/fast);
Up to 3.2 Mbps (turbo, synchronous)
Link Rate 19.2 kbps to 1.3824 Mbps
Power
Output Power 100 mW to 1 W (20–30 dBm)
Sensitivity -116 dBm (slow),
-108 dBm (fast),
-100 dBm turbo
Core Voltage 3.3 VDC nominal (±0.3 V)
Current Consumption See Table 1-1 below.
Environmental
Operating Temperature -40 to +185° F (-40 to +85° C)
Humidity 5 to 95% noncondensing
Mechanical
Connectors (1) enclosed RP-SMA female bulkhead antenna
Dimensions 1.75"H x 3.75"W x 2.25"D (4.5 x 9.5 x 5.7 cm)
Weight 0.6 lb. (0.27 kg)
Table 1-1. Current Consumption (mA).
Current Consumption MIn. Typical Max.
Full-time RX* 140 240 280
Max. continuous TX current 1000 1300 1500
Typical TX and RX average —450 —
Sleep Current Draw — 2 —
Current Consumption RX TX @1W (average) TX @ 1 W (peak)
@12 V 80 mA to 110 mA 400 mA 540 mA
@24 V 40 mA 210 mA 270 mA
* Depends on speed and mode.

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Chapter 1: Specifications
Dimensional Diagrams
Dimensions for the modem are shown in Figures 1-1 through 1-3.
Figure 1-1. MDR100A-R5 top view.
Figure 1-2. MDR100A-R5 front view.
Figure 1-3. MDR100A-R5 back view.

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Chapter 2: Overview
2. Overview
2.1 Introduction
The MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 delivers high-performance wireless serial communications in a variety of network topologies.
The MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 operates within the 902–928 MHz ISM frequency bands, using frequency- hopping spread-
spectrum (FHSS) technology. It provides reliable wireless asynchronous data transfer between most equipment types that use an
RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 interface.
The small size and superior performance of the MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 makes it ideal for many applications. Some typical
uses for this modem include:
• SCADA
• Remote telemetry
• Traffic control
• Industrial controls
• Remote monitoring
• Fleet management
• GPS
• Wireless video
• Robotics
• Display signs
• Railway signaling
2.2 Features
Key performance features of the MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 include:
• Transmission within a public, license-exempt band of the radio spectrum1—this means that the modems may be used without
access fees or recurring charges (such as those incurred by cellular airtime).
• Transparent, low-latency link providing up to 1.2 Mbps continuous throughput.
• Communicates with virtually all PLCs, RTUs, and serial devices through either an RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 interface.
• Supports point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, store-and-forward repeater, TDMA.
• Wide temperature specification.
• Maximum allowable transmit power (1 Watt).
• Low power consumption in Sleep Mode (real-time clock wakeup).
• 32 bits of CRC, selectable re-transmission and forward error correction.
• Separate diagnostics port—transparent remote diagnostics and online network control.
• Easy to install and configure—the MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 uses a subset of standard AT-style commands, similar to those
used by traditional telephone-line modems.
2.3 What's Included
• (2) MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 Radios with power adapters and Rubber Ducky Antennas

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Chapter 2: Overview
To download this user manual from our Web site:
1. Go to www.blackbox.com
2. Enter the part number (MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5) in the search box:
3. Click on the “Resources” tab on the product page, and select the document you wish to download.
If you have any trouble accessing the Black Box site to download the manual, you can contact our Technical Support
at 724-746-5500 or [e-mail].
2.4 Hardware Description
The MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 provides a fully enclosed, standalone modem, requiring only cabled connections. The
MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 can be used on a table top surface or mounted on a flat surface or a wall using the mounting
holes.
A pair of the Industrial 900-MHz Wireless Modems are shown in Figure 2-1. On the front of the unit is the DIAGNOSTIC port,
CONFIG Button, and the RSSI, TX and RX LEDs. The RX and RSSI LEDs on the unit on the right are lit green to indicate that the
unit is receiving data. The components are described in Table 2-1. The TX LED on the unit on the left is lit red to indicate that it is
transmitting data.
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 5
Figure 2-1. Front panel.
Table 2-1. Modem components.
Number in Figure 2-1 Component.Description
1DB9 connector The diagnostic port (RS-232) is used for two purposes:
• Online diagnostics and configuration at 115.2 kbps.
• Firmware upgrades.
2CONFIG Button Press and hold this button while powering-up the modem to boot the unit
into configuration mode: the default serial interface (rear DB9, RS-232) will be
active and set to operate at its default serial baud rate of 9600 bps.
3(3) Receive Signal
Strength Indicator
(RSSI) (3x Green)
As the received signal strength increases, starting with the furthest left, the
number of active RSSI LEDs increases. Signal strength is calculated based on
the last four valid received packets with correct CRC. RSSI is also reported in
S123.
4TX LED (Red) When lit, this LED indicates that the modem is transmitting data over the air.
5RX/SYNC LED
(Green)
When lit, this LED indicates that the modem is synchronized and has received
valid packets. NOTE: There is also a Power LED below the TX and RX LEDs.

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Chapter 2: Overview
Table 2-2. RS-232 diagnostic port pinout.
Signal Name Pin Number Input or Output
DCD —
RXD 2 O
TXD 3 I
DTR —
SG 5
DSR —
RTS —
CTS —
Data Port (RS-232 Port DCE)
The DATA (RS-232 Port (DCE) on the rear of the circuit board is used for:
• RS-232 serial data (300-230, 400 bps) when in DATA MODE, or
• for configuring the modem when in COMMAND MODE.
Table 2-3. RS-232 data port pinout.
Signal Name Pin Number Input or Output
DCD 1 O
RXD 2 O
TXD 3 I
DTR 4 I
SG 5 —
DSR 6 O
RTS 7 I
CTS 8 O
RING 9 O

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Chapter 2: Overview
RS-422/485 Port
The RS-422/485 Port is used to interface the MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 to a DTE with the same interface type. Either the
RS-232 or RS-422/485 interface is used for data traffic.
Vin+/Vin– is used to power the unit. The input Voltage range is 9–30 VDC.
Table 2-4. RS-422/485 port pinout.
Green Conn. Pin No. Name Input or Output
6TxB (D+) O
5TxA (D-) O
4RxB (R+) I
3RxA (R-) I
2Vin - —
1Vin + I
CAUTION: Using a power supply that does not provide proper voltage may damage the modem.

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Chapter 3: Operating Modes
3. Operating Modes
3.1 Command Mode
In this mode:
• The MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 module is offline (data is not passing through the unit via it’s local data lines or RF
communications).
• The MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5's configuration options (registers) may be viewed and modified.
How to Enter Command Mode
Two methods are typically used to place the MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 into command mode:
1. Force to Command Mode:
• Power off the MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5.
• Connect a 9-pin straight-through serial cable from PC COM port to the rear RS-232 port.
• Launch a terminal communications program (e.g. HyperTerminal) and configure for 9600 bps, 8 data bits, No parity, 1 stop bit
(8N1).
• Press and hold the CFG/CONFIG button (S1 on front of unit).
• Continue to press the CFG/CONFIG button and apply power to the modem.
• Release the CFG/CONFIG button.
• Observe the front panel—only the small green LED should be lit, indicating that the MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 is in
Command Mode.
2. Escape from Data Mode:
• With the MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 “online,” connect a 9-pin straight-through serial cable from the PC COM port to the
rear RS-232 port.
• Launch a terminal communications program (e.g. HyperTerminal) and configure for the MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5’s
established serial baud rate parameters (PC and modem must match).
• Pause 1 second, type “+++” (see Section 5.2, S1), pause 1 second: the monitor should show the module response of “NO
CARRIER OK.”
• The MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 is now in Command Mode (observe the front panel: only the small green LED should be lit).
3.2 Data Mode
Data Mode is the normal operational state of all deployed MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 radios. In this mode, the module is
prepared to exchange data as per its configuration settings. Available LED indications can provide an indication of the data
exchange (TX and RX LEDs).
To enter DATA mode from COMMAND mode, enter the command: ATA [Enter].
The following three modes are the “radio network” roles (see Section 5.2, S101).
3.3 Master
One per network, the source of synchronization for the system. The Master controls the flow of data through the system; all data
passes to or through it.
3.4 Repeater
Required only if necessary to establish a radio path between a Master and Slave(s); stores and forwards the data sent to it.
Synchronizes to Master and provides synchronization to “downstream” units.

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Chapter 3: Operating Modes
If a local device is attached to a Repeater‘s serial data port, the Repeater will also behave as a Slave (aka Repeater/Slave).
Adding one or more Repeaters within a network will HALVE the throughput; the throughput is halved only once, i.e., it does not
decrease with the addition of more Repeaters.
If there is a “path” requirement to provide Repeater functionality, but throughput is critical, place two modems at the Repeater
site in a “back-to-back” configuration. One modem would be configured as a Slave in the “upstream” network; the other a
Master (or Slave) in the “downstream” network. Local connection between the modems uses a “null modem” cable. Each
modem would require its own antenna; carefully consider antenna placement and modem configuration.
3.5 Slave
Endpoint/node within a network to which a local device is attached. Communicates with the Master either directly or through
one or more Repeaters. See Sections 4.3 and 4.4 for information regarding “Slave-to-Slave” communications.

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Chapter 4: Network Topologies
4. Network Topologies
The MDR100A-R5 or MDR112A-R5 may be configured to operate in a number of different operating modes and participate in
various network topologies.
NOTE: This section describes network topologies and also contains details about related factory default settings to enable the
reader to readily see the correlation between various registers. Refer to Chapter 5 for detailed information about
configuration options and details.
For convenience, a number of factory default configurations related both to operating modes and network topologies are
available. Configuring modems using factory default settings has the following benefits:
• Hastens the configuration process.
Load default and if necessary, apply only minor settings adjustments.
• Aids in troubleshooting.
if settings have been adjusted and basic communications cannot be established, simply revert to the applicable factory default
setting and any improper adjustments will be overwritten and a “fresh start” can be made with known-to-work settings.
Settings (S) register S133 configures the modem for the “Network Type” within which it will be participating.
4.1 Point-to-Point (PTP)
In a point-to-point network, a path is created to transfer data between Point A and Point B, where Point A may be considered the
Master modem and Point B a Slave. Such a PTP network may also involve one or more Repeaters (in a store-and-forward capacity)
if the radio signal path dictates this requirement.
A PTP configuration may also be used in a more dynamic sense: there may be many Slaves (and Repeaters) within the networ;
however, the Master may have its “Destination Address” (S140) changed if and when required to communicate with a specific
Slave.
PTP factory default settings:
Master &F6
Slave &F7
slow mode (optional) :
Master &F8
Slave &F9

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Chapter 4: Network Topologies
Figure 4-1. &F6 Master Configuration View.
The screen captures on this page clearly show that most of the registers in both the Master and the Slave have the same values.
(S105 is not visible in the Master view: its value is, and must be, 1.)
The differences are S101 (Operating Mode), S105 (Unit Address), and S140 (Destination Address).
The Master’s destination (S140) is 2 (the Unit Address (S105) of the Slave); the Slave’s destination is the Master.
Figure 4-2. &F7 Slave Configuration View.
“Network Type” (S133) is set to 1 for PTP operation.
NOTE: The Master has a register “S141 - Repeaters Y/N” and the Slave does not. This register informs the Master that there are
one or more Repeaters in this network. The factory defaults assume “no” and assign a value of 0. If you plan to install a
Repeater, and maintain all the Master and Slave defaults, follow the procedure on the next page for how to configure a
Repeater into this fixed (non-mobile) PTP network.

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Page 18
Chapter 4: Network Topologies
Master
• Enter into Command Mode.
• Change S141 (Repeaters Y/N) to 1 (which means “Yes”).
• Save the change using the AT&W command.
• Go online with the ATA command.
Repeater
• Enter into Command Mode.
• Load a third modem with &F7 (PTP Slave factory default settings).
• Change the Operating Mode (S101) from 2 (Slave) to 1 (Repeater).
• Change the Unit Address (UA) (S105) from 2 to 3.
• Save the changes using the AT&W command.
• Go online with the ATA command.
Slave
• Enter into Command Mode.
• Change S118 from 1 (the UA of the Master) to 3 (the UA of the Repeater).
• Save the change using the AT&W command.
• Go online with the ATA command.
You can test this system by sending text at 9600 bps, 8N1 through the RS-232 serial port of one modem and observing that it
appears at the RS-232 serial port of the other modem. The Slave is synchronized to the Repeater, which in turn is synchronized to
the Master. If the Repeater is taken offline, in a matter of moments the Slave’s RSSI LEDs will indicate that it is “scanning” for its
immediate upstream unit; place the Repeater online and the Slave will quickly acquire it. If the Master is taken offline, both the
Repeater and Slave will begin to scan.
4.2 Point-to-Multipoint (PMP)
In a point-to-multipoint network, a path is created to transfer data between the Master modem and numerous remote modems.
The remote modems may simply be Slaves with which the Master communicates directly, and/or Slaves that communicate via
Repeaters. Some or all of the Repeaters may also act as Slaves in this type of Network, i.e., the Repeaters are not only storing and
forwarding data, but are also acting as Slaves. Such Repeaters may be referred to as “Repeater/Slaves.”
Factory default settings:
Master &F1
Slave &F2
Repeater &F3
slow mode (optional):
Master &F4
Slave &F5

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Chapter 4: Network Topologies
Figure 4-3. &F1 Master Configuration View.
The factory default PMP Master configuration reveals the following differences with respect to the PTP factory default Master:
S133=0 (PMP network) and S140=65535 (the broadcast address, indicating that this Master [point] will send its data to all
modems—multipoint). On a PMP Master, set S113=0 and increase only if required.
Figure 4-4. PMP Slave Configuration View.

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In Figures 4-3 and 4-4, the difference between the factory default for the PMP Master and PMP Slave are simply the Operating
Mode (S101), Unit Address (S105), and the Destination Address (S140).
With the exception of the Master modem, all modems in a PMP network have a Destination Address of 1—the UA of Master
modem—to which all data is destined.
The settings for a factory default PMP Repeater are unique only with respect to S101 (1) and S105 (3).
NOTES:
Each modem in any network must have a unique Unit Address.
When bench testing PMP and using the factory default settings for the Master, Repeater, and Slave:
Master S141 must be changed from 0 to 1, and Slave S118 must be modified to be the UA of the Repeater (3), otherwise the
Slave will synchronize directly to the Master, bypassing the Repeater.
4.2.1 Point-to-Multipoint TDMA (Standard TDMA)
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) is available as a special form of the PMP network topology.
In Standard TDMA mode, a list of remote units is configured in the Master modem. The Master unit then cycles through the list
and indicates to the remote when it is able to transmit its data. The remote unit would then begin sending data, if it had data to
send, and then release the channel when no longer needed. This would indicate to the master unit to queue the next unit and so
on.
In this mode, each slave unit has the channel or right to broadcast, for varying lengths of time, and if a remote did not respond,
the Master would need to time out before moving on to the next unit in the list. The maximum number of Remotes that can
communicate with a Master in this configuration is 213 (8192).
To configure a Standard TDMA network, the default settings described in 4.2 apply, with the exception that the following regis-
ters (ref. Section 5.2) on the Master must be modified as required:
• S244 Channel Request Mode.
• S251 Master Hop Allocation Timeout.
For TDMA, set S244=1. (Must be set on Master and all Slaves.)
The default for S251 is 10 (hop intervals). If the system is to be deployed in a “clean” RF environment, this number should be
reduced to 2 or 3 to provide enough time for the Slave to initiate its response but to not potentially waste a significant number of
hop intervals waiting for an unresponsive Slave to send data.
In addition, the following AT commands (see Section 5.1) are used to populate, view and change the Registered Slaves List:
• T?: View entire Registered Slaves List
• Tn= UA: Enter a Slave’s Unit Address (UA) into the Registered Slave’s List item number n, where n = 0-8191, and UA = 0–
65534 (selecting a UA value of 0 terminates the list).
• Tn?: View Registered Slaves List entry number n, where n = 0–8191. Response is UA of List entry.
The default Registered Slaves list consists of 8192 entries (0–8191), populated with Unit Addresses of 2 thru 8193 respectively.
Below is an example to illustrate basic TDMA operation. For an actual deployment, application-specific parameters must be
considered and other various modem configuration options optimized accordingly.
Example:
5 Slaves, configured with PMP defaults (&F2). Unit Addresses: 3, 7, 10, 15 and 21.
UA 3 has some data, 7 has no data, 10 has data, 15 is powered-off, and 21 has data but its RF connection is very intermittent
due to an intermittent outdoor antenna connection.
Master has been configured as PMP default Master (&F1). Clean RF environment.