FreeWave FGR09 Series User manual

FreeWave
Spread Spectrum
Wireless Data Transceiver
User Manual
FreeWave Technologies, Inc.
1880 South Flatiron Court
Boulder, CO 80301
USA
[phone]
[phone] Fax
www.freewave.com

FreeWave Technologies Spread Spectrum Transceiver User Manual
900 MHz and 2.4 GHz
V5.0S
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This manual is for use by purchasers and other authorized users of the
FreeWave™ Wireless Data Transceiver only. No part of this document may
be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, or for any purpose without the express written permission of
FreeWave Technologies, Inc.
Warranty
Your FreeWave Wireless Data Transceiver is warranted against defects in
materials and manufacturing for a period of two years from the date of
purchase. In the event of a product failure due to materials or workmanship,
FreeWave Technologies will, at its discretion, repair or replace the product.
FreeWave Technologies, its suppliers, and its licensors shall in no event be
liable for any damages arising from the use of or inability to use this product.
This includes business interruption, loss of business information, or other loss
which may arise from the use of this product.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
©1995-2002 FreeWave Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.
pcANYWHERE is a registered trademark of Symantec Corporation.
Other product names mentioned in this manual may be copyrights, trademarks, or registered
trademarks of their respective companies and are hereby acknowledged.
The FreeWave Wireless Data Transceiver is made in the United States of America.
Printed in the United States of America.

FreeWave Technologies Spread Spectrum Transceiver User Manual
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900 MHz and 2.4 GHz
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FCC Notification
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1) This
device may not cause harmful interference and 2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
This device must be operated as supplied by FreeWave
Technologies, Inc. Any changes or modifications made to
the device without the express written approval of FreeWave
Technologies may void the user's authority to operate the
device.
CAUTION: The model number FGR09 has a maximum transmitted output
power of 955mW. It is required that the transmit antenna be kept at least 23
cm away from nearby persons to satisfy FCC RF exposure requirements.
The “I”-series radio transceivers have maximum transmitted output power of
500 mW. It is required that the transmit antenna be kept at least 36 cm away
from nearby persons to satisfy FCC RF exposure requirements.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
♦Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
♦Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
♦Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
♦Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Note: Whenever any FreeWave Technologies module is placed inside an
enclosure a label must be placed on the outside of that enclosure which
includes the module's FCC ID.

FreeWave Technologies Spread Spectrum Transceiver User Manual
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FreeWave Technologies Spread Spectrum Transceiver User Manual
900 MHz and 2.4 GHz
V5.0S
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This product is licensed by The United
States. Diversion contrary to U.S. law is
prohibited.
Shipment or re-export of this product
outside of The United States may require
authorization by the U.S. Bureau of Export
Administration. Please contact FreeWave
Technologies for assistance and further
information.

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Model# FGRO9CSU is suitable for use in Class 1,
Division 2, Groups A, B, C, and D or non-
hazardous locations only.

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Table of Contents
QUICK START.....................................................................................................1
QUICK START ON A MULTIPOINT SYSTEM....................................................2
TUNING TRANSCEIVER PERFORMANCE .......................................................3
OPERATION MODE SELECTIONS....................................................................6
(0) POINT-TO-POINT MASTER...........................................................................6
(1) POINT-TO-POINT SLAVE..............................................................................6
(2) POINT-TO-MULTIPOINT MASTER..................................................................6
(3) POINT-TO-MULTIPOINT SLAVE.....................................................................6
(4) POINT-TO-POINT SLAVE/REPEATER ............................................................6
(5) POINT-TO-POINT REPEATER.......................................................................7
(6) POINT-TO-POINT SLAVE/MASTER SWITCHABLE ...........................................7
(7) POINT-TO-MULTIPOINT REPEATER ............................................................10
(F) ETHERNET OPTIONS.................................................................................10
MULTIPOINT OPERATION...............................................................................11
THEORY OF OPERATION.................................................................................11
INSTALLING MULTIPOINT SYSTEMS .................................................................11
OVERLAPPING MULTIPOINT SYSTEMS.............................................................12
(0) NUMBER REPEATERS ...............................................................................12
(1) MASTER PACKET REPEAT.........................................................................12
MASTER PACKET REPEAT IN MULTIPOINT SYSTEMS WITH REPEATERS.............14
(2) MAX SLAVE RETRY...................................................................................15
(3) RETRY ODDS ...........................................................................................15
(4) DTR CONNECT........................................................................................15
(5) REPEATER FREQUENCY............................................................................15
(6) NETWORK ID...........................................................................................16
(8) MULTIMASTER SYNCH..............................................................................16
(9) 1 PPS ENABLE/DELAY .............................................................................16
(A) SLAVE/REPEATER....................................................................................17
(B) DIAGNOSTICS ..........................................................................................17
(C) SUBNET ID..............................................................................................17
(D) RADIO ID.................................................................................................20
BAUD RATE SELECTIONS..............................................................................21
(1) SET BAUD RATE......................................................................................21
(2) DATA WORD LENGTH AND PARITY ............................................................22
(3) MODBUS RTU .........................................................................................22
RS232/485...................................................................................................22
SETUP PORT .................................................................................................23
TURNOFF DELAY............................................................................................23
FLOW CONTROL ............................................................................................24
CALL BOOK SELECTIONS..............................................................................25
ENTERING OR MODIFYING NUMBERS IN THE CALL BOOK ..................................26
PROGRAMMING THE CALL BOOK TO USE 3 OR 4 REPEATERS ..........................27
PROGRAMMING THE CALL BOOK IN MULTIPOINT SYSTEMS ..............................28

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RADIO TRANSMISSION PARAMETERS.........................................................29
(0) FREQKEY................................................................................................30
(1) MAX PACKET SIZE AND..........................................................................34
(2) MIN PACKET SIZE .................................................................................34
(3) XMIT RATE..............................................................................................36
(4) RF DATA RATE .......................................................................................36
(5) RF XMIT POWER.....................................................................................37
(6) SLAVE SECURITY.....................................................................................37
(7) RTS TO CTS..........................................................................................37
(8) RETRY TIME OUT ....................................................................................38
(9) LOWPOWER MODE...................................................................................38
(A) HIGH NOISE............................................................................................39
(B) MCU SPEED...........................................................................................39
RADIO STATISTICS.......................................................................................... 40
PASSWORD......................................................................................................43
SETTING A PASSWORD...................................................................................43
CHANGING A PASSWORD ...............................................................................43
DISABLING A PASSWORD................................................................................44
TRANSCEIVER LOCATION.............................................................................. 45
FRONT PANEL LEDS.......................................................................................46
RS232 PIN ASSIGNMENTS..............................................................................48
FGRO RF BOARD ONLY PINOUT....................................................................50
FGR-115WC WATERPROOF ENCLOSURE PINOUT .........................................51
ESTABLISHING DATA COMMUNICATION LINKS .........................................52
RS422 & RS-485 OPERATION.........................................................................56
OTHER SETTINGS............................................................................................58
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................59
TROUBLESHOOTING ......................................................................................67
OEM BOARD LEVEL MECHANICAL DRAWING.............................................65

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List of Tables
Table 1:Setup Menu Terminal Settings..................................................................................3
Table 2: AT Script File Commands.........................................................................................8
Table 3: Subnet ID Settings..................................................................................................19
Table 4: Data Word Length and Parity Selections................................................................22
Table 5: Data port protocol Selections..................................................................................23
Table 6: Set-up port Selections ............................................................................................23
Table 7: Flow control Selections...........................................................................................24
Table 8: Frequency Bands, 900 MHz ..................................................................................31
Table 9: Frequency Bands, 2.4 GHz………………………………………………………………32
Table 10: Min Packet Size Settings (Bytes)..........................................................................34
Table 11: Max Packet Size Settings (Bytes) RF Data Rate=2..............................................35
Table 12: Max Packet Size Settings (Bytes) RF Data Rate=3..............................................35
Table 13: Low Power Settings..............................................................................................39
Table 14: MCU speed Settings.............................................................................................40
Table 15: LED Status in Point to Point Mode........................................................................47
Table 16: LED Status in Multipoint Mode..............................................................................48
Table 17: RS232 Pin Assignments.......................................................................................52
Table 18: FGRO Series Pinout.............................................................................................54
Table 19: FGR-115WC Pinout..............................................................................................55
Table 20: RS-422 & RS 485 full duplex................................................................................61
Table 21: RS 485 half duplex................................................................................................61

FreeWave Technologies Spread Spectrum Transceiver User Manual
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Table of Figures
Figure 1: Initial Menu ..............................................................................................................4
Figure 2: FreeWave Operation Mode Menu...........................................................................5
Figure 3: Using Mode 6 to Call Through Repeaters ...............................................................9
Figure 4: Multipoint Parameters............................................................................................14
Figure 5: Multipoint Subnet Diagram ....................................................................................19
Figure 6: Baud Rate, and other items related to the Data port.............................................21
Figure 7: Call Book Menu ......................................................................................................26
Figure 8: Calling a Slave Through 4 Repeaters.....................................................................27
Figure 9: Radio Parameters Menu.........................................................................................29
Figure 10: Hop Table Parameters ........................................................................................30
Figure 11: Frequency Key & Hop Table Options, 2.4 GHz …………………………………..…33
Figure 12: Modem statistics...................................................................................................41
Figure 13: Waterproof Connector..........................................................................................55

FreeWave Technologies Spread Spectrum Transceiver User Manual
900 MHz and 2.4 GHz
V5.0S
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Quick Start
When purchased as a pair the FreeWave®Wireless Data Transceivers are
shipped from the factory pre-configured to operate together in point-to-point
applications. The Transceivers are preset for high-speed data communications
and to communicate only with each other.
FreeWave will potentially operate in virtually any environment where RS232 data
communications occur. The transceivers function as a 9 pin null modem cable.
If FreeWave is to be used in an application where a null modem cable is used
(such as communication between two computers), then FreeWave can be
connected directly. If FreeWave is to be used to replace a straight-through
RS232 cable, then a null modem cable must be placed between the transceiver
and the DCE instrument to which it is connected.
To establish communications between a pair of FreeWave Wireless Data
Transceivers just received from the factory:
1. Set the baud rate on each transceiver to match the baud rate of the instrument to
which it is attached. Please note that when you are setting the transceiver's baud
rate you are setting its RS232 data rate, which must match the rate for the
instrument to which it is attached. This in turn means that the baud rate does not
have to be on the same setting for the two transceivers.
2. Verify that the RS232 connector on the cable supplied will fit the RS232 interface
on the instrument to which it is being connected. The cable supplied will fit a 9
pin male RS232 connector, any other format will need an adapter or different
cable.
3. Connect Antennas to the modems. Any FreeWave transceiver may be operated
without an antenna for benchtop testing without concern for damaging the
product.
4. Connect the Transceiver to the instrument with the RS232 cable and attach the
power adapter to the Transceiver. Shortly after both modems are plugged in they
should establish a communications link with each other and your connection is
complete!
Note: The terms Modem and Transceiver are used interchangeably in this
manual and in the text of the setup menu. While the words have different
meanings, the two terms should be treated as one and the same for the
purposes of use of the FreeWave product.

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Quick Start on a Multipoint System
0) Set Operation Mode
Program one of the units to be a multipoint Master (Operation Mode 2)
Program the Multipoint Slaves (Operation Mode 3)
1) Set Baud Rate
Set the Baud Rate to match the baud rate of the device to which the transceiver
will be connected.
3) Edit Radio Transmission Characteristics
Set FreqKey, Max Packet Size, Min Packet Size, and RF Data Rate to identical
settings on every radio to be used in the network. It is always a good idea to
set the FreqKey, Max Packet Size, Min Packet Size to values other than the
factory defaults.
4) Edit Multipoint Parameters
Will there be a repeater in the network or do you intend to be able to run
diagnostics on the network? If so set that value to 1.
Set the NetworkID to a value between 1 and 4095, other than 255 (enables call
book).
The rest is just fine tuning . . .

FreeWave Technologies Spread Spectrum Transceiver User Manual
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Tuning Transceiver Performance
FreeWave allows you to tune several parameters to optimize its performance for
your particular application. All adjustments are done through the FreeWave
setup program, a user interface which eliminates the need for setup diskettes,
DIP switch settings, or custom software.
The setup program is invoked by connecting FreeWave to any computer running
a terminal program, setting the baud rate for that terminal to 19200 baud, and
putting the transceiver into setup mode (on most models this is done by pressing
the Setup button). While any terminal which can be set to 19200 baud will work,
examples for this manual were generated using Microsoft Windows' Terminal or
Hyperterminal applications.You may connect to either the Data Port or the
Diagnostics port (using a special cable that you may obtain from FreeWave).
Table 1:Setup Menu
Terminal Settings
Parameter Setting
Baud Rate 19200
Data Bits 8
Parity None
Stop Bits 1
Parity Check None / Off
Carrier Detect None / Off
Flow control Xon/Xoff

FreeWave Technologies Spread Spectrum Transceiver User Manual
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When the setup program is invoked all three LEDs on the FreeWave front panel
will turn green and will remain green for the entire time the Transceiver is in setup
mode. The main menu screen for the setup program is shown in Figure 1:
The initial menu provides the Transceiver's unique serial number, firmware
version, and the set of choices for editing the operational parameters and viewing
the performance data.
(0) Set Operation Mode
When item (0) is selected the Operation Mode Menu appears as shown in figure
2. The Operation Mode option is used to designate the method in which the
particular FreeWave Transceiver will be used. FreeWave operates in a Master to
Slave configuration; therefore, any Transceivers which are intended to operate
together must be set up as such. In a point-to-point setup, either the master or
slave may be used on either end of the communications link without any
performance degradation. One consideration when setting up the Transceivers is
that a number of parameters are controlled by the settings in the master;
therefore, you may wish to deploy the master on the communications end where
you will have easier access to the transceiver.
Figure 1: Initial Menu

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V5.0S
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Figure 2:FreeWave Operation
Mode Menu

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Operation Mode Selections
(0) Point-to-Point Master
As mentioned previously, FreeWave operates in a Master/Slave configuration.
When designated as a master in point-to-point mode the Transceiver will call any
or all slaves it is instructed to call in the Call Book. In Point to Point mode the
master determines the settings used for most of the Radio Transmission
Characteristics, regardless of the settings in the slaves and/or repeaters. The
settings for the slave and repeater(s) not determined by the master are RF Xmit
Power, Slave Security, and Retry Time Out.
A quick method of identifying a master is to power up the Transceiver. Prior to
establishing a communication link with a slave or repeater all three of the master's
LEDs will be solid red.
(1) Point-to-Point Slave
When set up as a point to point slave a FreeWave Transceiver will communicate
with any master in its call book, either directly or through up to four repeaters.
When functioning as a slave, the Entry to Call feature in the Transceiver's call
book (Figure 7) is not operational. The slave will communicate with any master
listed in its Call Book that calls it.
(2) Point-to-Multipoint Master
The FreeWave Transceiver may be set to run in Multipoint mode, which allows
one master to simultaneously be in communication with numerous slaves. A
Point-to-Multipoint Master will communicate only with other transceivers
designated as Point-to-Multipoint Slaves or Point-to-Multipoint Repeaters.
Please refer to the next chapter 'Multipoint Operation', for more information on
running a Multipoint network.
(3) Point-to-Multipoint Slave
Setting (3) allows the transceiver to operate as a slave in a Multipoint network.
Please refer to the next chapter -'Multipoint Operation' for more information on
running a Multipoint network.
(4) Point-to-Point Slave/Repeater
Option 4 allows you to designate the transceiver to act as either a slave or a
repeater, depending upon the instructions received from the master for the specific
communications session. When a transceiver is placed in an ideal location, this
setting offers the flexibility of using that transceiver as an end point in the
communication link (slave) or to extend the link to a point further (repeater).
These functions are not, however, available simultaneously (the transceiver cannot
act as both a slave and a repeater at the same time). This option is available in
point to multipoint operation.
A word of caution: A transceiver designated as a repeater has no security
features, as explained below. When a transceiver is designated as a Point-to-
Point Slave/Repeater, it will allow any master to use it as a repeater.