GE MDS 4710M User manual

MDS™ Master Station
Modular Communications Platform
MDS 05-6399A01, Rev E
AUGUST 2015
Firmware Version 3 1 0 and higher
Technical Manual

Quick-Start instructions for this product are contained in publication 05-6398A01.
Visit our website for downloadable copies of all documentation at www.gemds.com.
IMPORTANT
This manual describes the details, installation, configuration and operation of the
MDS™ Master Station. It does not cover the description or configuration of features and
settings common to the MDS Orbit family of products. For full information on config-
uring the parts of the system that are not directly related to SD networking or the
MDS™ Master Station, please reference the MDS Orbit MCR Technical Manual
(p/n: 05-6632A01). The MDS™ Master Station manual is designed to be used in paral-
lel with the MCR Technical Manual, and as such does NOT cover information already
described in that manual.

MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................9
1.1 Organization of Manual............................................................................................9
Related Publications...........................................................................................10
2.0 KEY PRODUCT FEATURES.............................................................................11
2.1 Accessories and Spare Items................................................................................12
2.2 Technical Specifications ........................................................................................14
2.3 FCC Emission Designators: How to Find Them.....................................................15
2.4 Front Panel............................................................................................................16
2.5 Rear Antenna Connections....................................................................................17
3.0 INSTALLATION PLANNING..............................................................................18
3.1 Applications ...........................................................................................................19
Repeater and Polling Remote Operation............................................................19
Simplex and Switched Carrier Operation............................................................19
3.2 Network Management............................................................................................19
Network-Wide Diagnostics .................................................................................19
Network Management Using PulseNET.............................................................19
3.3 Redundant versus Non-redundant Operation........................................................20
3.4 Antennas and Feedlines........................................................................................20
Antennas ............................................................................................................20
Feedlines............................................................................................................20
3.5 Grounding Considerations.....................................................................................21
3.6 Data Interface Connections ...................................................................................22
Ethernet Data Interface (RJ-45)..........................................................................22
Serial Data Interfaces.........................................................................................22
Serial Data Connection.......................................................................................22
Mini USB ............................................................................................................23
Alarm Output and 4-Wire Audio..........................................................................23
4.0 INSTALLATION PROCEDURES.......................................................................24
4.1 Unpacking and Inspection......................................................................................24
4.2 Installation Steps ...................................................................................................24
Initial Startup & Operation ..................................................................................27
Module LED Indicators.......................................................................................28
Normal Indications..............................................................................................28
Maximizing RSSI................................................................................................29
5.0 DEVICE MANAGEMENT...................................................................................30

2 MDS™ Master Station MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E
5.1 Pre-Configured Settings.........................................................................................30
5.2 One-Time “Recovery” Passwords..........................................................................30
One-Time Passwords: How They Work..............................................................30
Creating a One-Time Password .........................................................................31
Logging in With a One-Time Password..............................................................31
Deleting a One-Time Password..........................................................................31
5.3 Configuration via Command Line (CLI)..................................................................32
Tab Completion Feature.....................................................................................32
CLI Quick Reference Table ................................................................................32
5.4 Interface Naming ...................................................................................................34
5.5 Configuration via the Device Manager...................................................................34
General Configuration ........................................................................................34
5.6 Interface Configuration ..........................................................................................36
Understanding....................................................................................................36
Configuring.........................................................................................................36
5.7 LAN........................................................................................................................39
Understanding....................................................................................................39
Configuring.........................................................................................................39
5.8 Bridging..................................................................................................................42
Understanding....................................................................................................42
Configuring.........................................................................................................42
5.9 SDMS Interface .....................................................................................................42
Understanding....................................................................................................42
General...............................................................................................................45
Configuration......................................................................................................45
General...............................................................................................................46
Dlink ...................................................................................................................50
MAC Settings......................................................................................................51
IP Payload..........................................................................................................53
IPv4....................................................................................................................57
Firewall Filter......................................................................................................58
VLAN..................................................................................................................58
NAT....................................................................................................................59
Advanced ...........................................................................................................60
Audio..................................................................................................................63
Enabled Alarms..................................................................................................64
RTU Simulator....................................................................................................64
Remote SD Reprogramming ..............................................................................64

MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station 3
Force Alarm........................................................................................................64
Link Test.............................................................................................................65
Perform Failover.................................................................................................66
Remote Management Command........................................................................66
Remote SD Firmware.........................................................................................67
RF Key Test........................................................................................................67
Spectrum Analyzer.............................................................................................67
Remote SD Reprogramming ..............................................................................68
Monitoring...........................................................................................................71
Statistics.............................................................................................................71
Performance.......................................................................................................73
IPv4 / IPv6..........................................................................................................73
5.10 SD-x/0/0 Interfaces................................................................................................73
General...............................................................................................................73
Statistics.............................................................................................................74
6.0 MASTER STATION MODULES.........................................................................78
6.1 AC Power Supply Module......................................................................................78
6.2 DC Power Supply Module......................................................................................79
6.3 Platform Manager Module......................................................................................80
Platform Manager LED Indicators.......................................................................81
Ethernet Interfaces.............................................................................................81
COM1 Interface..................................................................................................82
COM2 Interface..................................................................................................82
Mini USB Interface..............................................................................................84
WiFi Antenna Interface (Optional) ......................................................................85
GPS Antenna Interface (Optional)......................................................................85
6.4 SD Master Radio Modules.....................................................................................85
SD Master Radio Module LED Indicators...........................................................85
SD Master Radio Module RF Interface...............................................................86
SDM9 Radio Module – 900MHz.........................................................................86
SDM4 Radio Module - 400 MHz.........................................................................86
6.5 Alarm and Alarm/Relay Modules ...........................................................................87
Alarm Module LEDs............................................................................................88
Alarm/Audio Interface.........................................................................................88
Alarm/Relay Toggle Switch (6847 Only).............................................................89
Alarm/Relay RF Connections (6847 Only)..........................................................89
6.6 Duplexer Tray........................................................................................................90
7.0 TROUBLESHOOTING.......................................................................................91

4 MDS™ Master Station MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E
7.1 Interpreting Module LEDs......................................................................................91
Normal Operation...............................................................................................91
Exception and Alarm States ...............................................................................92
7.2 Redundant Units....................................................................................................93
7.3 Technical Assistance.............................................................................................93
7.4 Replacing Modules ................................................................................................93
Power Supply Modules.......................................................................................93
Peripheral Modules – including Platform Manager, Radio, Alarm, and Alarm Relay
Modules..............................................................................................................94
Hot Swap Redundant Modules...........................................................................94
Internal Duplexer Tray........................................................................................95
MDS SDM4—400 MHz Notch-Type Duplexers..................................................95
MDS SDM9—Bandpass-Type Duplexers...........................................................96
7.5 Testing and Removing an Internal Duplexer..........................................................96
Testing................................................................................................................96
Removing the Internal Duplexer.........................................................................97
8.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE DATA...................................................................100
8.1 RF Propagation Planning.....................................................................................100
Fresnel Zone Clearance...................................................................................100
Formulas for System Planning..........................................................................101
8.2 dBm-Volts-Watts Conversion Chart.....................................................................103
9.0 GLOSSARY OF TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS................................................104

MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station 5
Copyright Notice
This Technical Manual and all software described herein are protected by copyright: 2015 GE
MDS. All rights reserved.
GE MDS reserves its right to correct any errors and omissions in this publication.
Safety words and definitions
The following symbols used in this document indicate the following conditions:
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor
or moderate injury.
Indicates practices not related to personal injury.
Indicates general information and practices, including operational infor-
mation and practices that are not related to personal injury.
Installation & Servicing Precautions
The unit is provided for professional installation only, and utilizes a spe-
cialized antenna connector to restrict the types of antenna connections that
may be made. The integrator of this device is responsible for compliance with all applicable lim-
its on radiated RF power, and the RF power output may need to be adjusted to maintain compli-
ance, depending on the gain of the antenna system.
All power supply main connections and disconnections must be made by a qualified electrical
installer.
When servicing energized equipment, be sure to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE). During internal service, situations could arise where objects accidentally contact or short
circuit components and the appropriate PPE would alleviate or decrease the severity of potential
injury. When servicing radios, all workplace regulations and other applicable standards for live
electrical work should be followed to ensure personal safety.
Operational Safety Notices
The radio equipment described in this guide uses radio frequency transmitters.
Although the power level is low, the concentrated energy from a directional an-
tenna may pose a health hazard. Do not allow people to come in close proximity
to the front of the antenna 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
This manual is intended to guide a professional installer to install, operate, and perform basic
system maintenance on the described radio.

6 MDS™ Master Station MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E
The RF safety distance is calculated based on each product type’s highest output power
configuration with no duplexer, redundant switching, or cable losses.
Table 1-1 Antenna Gain vs. Minimum RF Safety Distance
Antenna Gain
0–5 dBi 5–10 dBi 10–16.5 dBi
Safety Distance
SDM4 variant - FCC
1.09 meters 1.95 meters 4.11 meters
Safety Distance
SDM4 variant – IC 1.43 meters 2.54 meters 5.37 meters
Safety Distance
SDM9 variant – FCC
0.99 meters 1.76 meters 3.73 meters
Safety Distance
SDM9 variant - IC
1.29 meters
2.30 meters 4.87 meters
Safety Distance
(other models):
Consult factory prior to operation.
Not all frequency models available. Consult factory for available models.
Antennas with gain greater than 16dBi have not been authorized for use with the EUT; and (b)
installation of the EUT into portable applications with respect to RF compliance will require
SAR testing and Regulatory approval.
CSA Notice
Units (Both AC and DC supply versions) are permanently connected to
Protective Earth, via ground stud on the unit enclosure back, where the final
installation is subject to acceptance of CSA International or the local inspection authority having
jurisdiction. Conditions of Acceptability:
1. The equipment shall be installed indoors in a restricted access location.
2. Installation of the equipment and its modules shall be conducted by
trained personnel in accordance with the electrical code.
3. This equipment is movable, Class I (earthed), pluggable Type A, using
detachable power cords, intended for use on TN or TT power system
for the AC power option.
4. The DC power option shall be connected to an approved power source
with adequate protection, isolated from the mains by reinforced insu-
lation.

MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station 7
5. This product was certified for use on a 20A branch circuit for the AC
power option.
6. The AC socket outlet shall be installed near the equipment and shall be
easily accessible.
7. The power supply cord must be disconnected from the appliance inlet
before removing any power supply from the chassis.
8. CAUTION: THIS UNIT HAS MORE THAN ONE POWER SUPPLY
CORD. DISCONNECT THE TWO POWER SUPPLY CORDS BE-
FORE SERVICING TO AVOID ELECTRIC SHOCK
9. The equipment chassis shall be permanently grounded though a size six
screw and a star toothed washer.
10. The interior of the equipment is not for operator access.
FCC Part 15 Notice
This Equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used
in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communica-
tions. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in
which case users will be required to correct the interference at their own expense.
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.
Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment
Canada, IC ERP Limits
IC SRSP-501, 6.3.2. Limits the ERP to 125W for fixed point-to-point operation. For IC use, the
antenna gain and Transmit power must be set to meet the ERP limit of 125W. This can be ac-
complished by using the appropriate at antenna gain in combination with the RF power settings
Environmental Information
The equipment that you purchased has required the extraction and use of natural resources
for its production. 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 diminish the demand on natural resources, we encourage
you to use the appropriate recycling systems 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 disposal of this equipment.

8 MDS™ Master Station MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E
ISO 9001 Registration
GE MDS adheres to this internationally-accepted quality system standard.
Quality Policy Statement
We, the employees of GE MDS, are committed to achieving total customer satisfaction in eve-
rything we do.
Total Customer Satisfaction in:
• Conception, design, manufacture, and marketing of our products.
• Services and support we provide to our internal and external customers.
Total Customer Satisfaction Achieved Through:
• Processes that are well documented and minimize variations.
• Partnering with suppliers who are committed to providing quality and service.
• Measuring our performance against customer expectations and industry leaders.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and employee involvement.
Revision Notice
While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this manual, product im-
provements may result in minor differences between the manual and the product shipped to you.
If you have additional questions or need an exact specification for a product, please contact our
Customer Service Team using the information at the back of this guide. In addition, manual up-
dates can often be found on our Web site at www.gemds.com.
ESD Notice
To prevent malfunction or damage to this radio, which may be caused by Electrostatic Discharge
(ESD), the radio should be properly grounded by connection to the ground stud on the rear panel.
In addition, the installer or operator should follow proper ESD precautions, such as touching a
grounded bare metal object to dissipate body charge, prior to connecting and disconnecting ca-
bles on the front or rear panels.
Open Source License Declaration
Orbit MCR products include Open Source Software. Usage is governed by the corresponding
licenses which are listed on the GE MDS Industrial Wireless website, under Orbit MCR Soft-
ware/Firmware Downloads, Support Items and download license-declaration.txt .
Upon request, in accordance with certain software license terms, GE will make available a copy
of Open Source code contained in this product. This code is provided to you on an “as is” basis,
and GE makes no representations or warranties for the use of this code by you independent of
any GE provided software or services. For more information, contact
[email protected].

MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station 9
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The MDS™ Master Station is an advanced, flexible platform designed for the demanding re-
quirements of today’s industrial wireless networks. It represents the latest development in a line
of MDS products that set the standards for wireless performance today. The Master Station
builds on this legacy with several innovative features, including a single compact chassis (2 RU),
100% duty cycle operation (no cooling fans required), front panel access to all modules, and
drop-in compatibility with earlier MDS x790/x710 radio systems.
As the central station in a wireless network, the Master Station provides uncompromised perfor-
mance and reliability in mission-critical applications. It offers redundant protection of key mod-
ules, automatic switchover in the event of a fault, and an external battery backup option for con-
tinued operation through temporary power losses. The Master Station mounts conveniently in a
19-inch rack cabinet, or may be used in shelf/tabletop configurations.
Figure 1-1. MDS™ Master Station
The Master Station can be configured for a variety of service applications, including
Point-to-Multipoint SCADA, Point-to-Point links, broadband, and Cellular connectivity, de-
pending on the modules installed and active in the chassis.
In FCC part 90 SCADA service, the radio can function as a Master, Repeater, or Remote and is
capable of full duplex operation. Internal duplexer options are available, configured for use with
or without an external notch filter. Provisions for connection to an external duplexer are also
provided. The Master Station is fully compatible with MDS PulseNET management software,
which provides local or remote diagnosis and health reporting.
1.1 Organization of Manual
This manual is intended for use by systems engineers, network administrators, and others re-
sponsible for the planning, installation, commissioning, use, and troubleshooting of the wireless
system. The manual begins with an overall description of product features, and is followed by
the steps required to install the unit and place it into normal operation.
Following the installation procedures, sections are devoted to particular modules that may be in-
stalled in the chassis, including configuration settings for each of these units. Additionally, trou-
bleshooting tips for resolving system difficulties are offered, as well as a technical reference sec-
tion with data on wiring, specifications, and spare parts that may be ordered for the unit.

10 MDS™ Master Station MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E
When installation and setup of the radio is complete, it is recommended that this guide be kept
available for future reference at the installation site. Updated manuals, firmware, and other sup-
port documents may be obtained at any time from our website: www.gemds.com.
Related Publications
In addition to this manual, a companion Setup Guide is available for the MDS™ Master Station,
Part No. 05-6398A01. The Setup Guide is focused on the essential steps for installation and
startup of the unit, and is designed to be used with this Technical Manual.
The MDS™ Master Station Setup Guide, Part No. 05-6398A01
contains basic installation and startup instructions for the product.
All GE MDS user manuals and updates are available online at
www.gemds.com.
The MDS™ Master Station is built on the Orbit platform. For ref-
erence information on advanced networking features available on
the local LAN Interface, refer to the MDS Orbit MCR Technical Manual (05-6632A01). Note
that not all features are supported by the Master Station or the SD Radio Module. Wireless net-
working capabilities are limited by the narrowband channel and the capabilities of the remote
radio.

MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station 11
2.0 KEY PRODUCT FEATURES
As a licensed, long range IP/Ethernet and serial communications device, the Master Station ex-
ceeds industry standards for reliability and performance in wireless networks. Listed below are
several key features and benefits of the product, and these are available with the appropriate
modules installed and configured in the chassis.
• Drop-in replacement for earlier MDS x790 Master Stations, including support for all
modem types
• Backward compatibility with all legacy MDS x710 Series remote transceivers (A and B
modems)
• May be operated as a Master Station, repeater, or remote radio
• Supports use of MDS™ PulseNET Network Management Software
• Software-configurable via a built-in web-based device manager—no manual adjustments
required
• Firmware-upgradeable for future improvements and functionality enhancements
• Available encryption of payload data (AES 128-bit), for networks using all-SD radios
• Dual serial functionality (RS-232 and RS-485)
• Licensed 10-watt radio design ensures minimum 5-watts at the duplexer output, and
maximizes communications range with low interference risk from other users
• RF power adjustable; 1-10 watts at output of radio card (before relay & duplexer)
• Unit is configurable via software, locally or remote
• Media Access Control (MAC) to prevent data collisions when two or more radios attempt
to use the radio channel at the same time
• Supports a wide variety of modem speeds and bandwidths for regulatory compliance in
virtually all regions of the world (future availability)
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.
Figure 2-1 Compatible Remotes
The Master Station works with legacy MDS x710 (left), and newer MDS SD Transceivers.

12 MDS™ Master Station MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E
2.1 Accessories and Spare Items
The following table lists common accessories and spare items for use with the Master Station.
GE MDS also offers an Accessories Selection Guide listing an array of additional items available
for use with the product. Contact your factory representative or visit www.gemds.com to obtain a
copy of the guide.
Table 2-1. Accessories and Spares
Item Description Part Number
Three-conductor DC
power plug Mates with power connector on the front of the unit’s DC power supply module. Screw terminals are provided for wires, and threaded locking
screws to prevent accidental disconnect.
73-1194A22
Setup Guide
(for installation & basic
startup)
Brief document describing the installation and setup of the unit. One copy
normally supplied with each unit. Additional PDF copies available (no
charge) from www.gemds.com.
05-6398A01
COM Port Adapter Converts the unit’s RJ-45 serial jack to a DB-9F type. 73-2434A25
Mini USB 2.0 Cable, 3
ft./0.91 meter length USB Type A (M) to mini-USB Type B (M) cable to provide console access through the radio’s mini USB connector. 97-6694A05
Lightning Protectors Polyphaser Surge Protector, IS-50NX-C2, DC blocked, 125 MHz to 1000
MHz, N-female connectors, surface (flange) mount
Polyphaser Surge Protector, IS-B50LN-C2, DC blocked, 125 MHz to 1000
MHz, N-female connectors, bulkhead mount
97-1680A01
97-1680A05
Cavity Filter Kit Removes or attenuates interfering 900 MHz signals from the receiver
input. Might be necessary in areas with high powered stations nearby,
such as paging transmitters. Requires tuning to a particular frequency.
Available
for use with an internal or external duplexer.
03-3621Axx
Alarm & Audio Cable Cable connects to 6847/6848 Alarm/Relay Modules to provide access to
four wire audio, push to talk, analog RSSI, and Major/Minor alarm dry
contacts
03-6940A01
External Battery Kit 2U rack mounted UPS battery backup. Connects to 03-6755A02 AC
power module.
UPS, 120V, 1.5kVA, 900W, 2U – UL/CSA for North America
UPS, 230V, 1.5kVA, 900W, 2U – CE Marked for Europe
97-4444A01
97-4444A02
100-220 AC Power
Supply Module 100-220 VAC, 50/60 Hz. 120W Max AC Power Supply Module. Spare power supply can be used in either of two power supply slots of the
MDS
™
Master Station.
03-6755A02
+/- 12-36 VDC Power
Supply Module +/- 12-36 VDC. 10 A Max. DC Power Supply Module. Spare power supply can be used in either of two power supply slots of the MDS™ Master
Station.
03-6843A01
+/- 36-75 VDC Power
Supply Module +/- 36-75 VDC. 3.5 A Max DC Power Supply Module. Spare power supply can be used in either of two power supply slots of the MDS™ Master
Station
.
03-6844A01
+/- 75-140 VDC Power
Supply Module +/- 75-140 VDC. 2 A Max DC Power Supply Module. Spare power supply can be used in either of two power supply slots of the MDS™ Master
Station.
03-6845A01
Platform Manager
Module Provides management and data interface functions. 03-6834A01A

MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station 13
Table 2-1. Accessories and Spares
Item Description Part Number
SDM9 Module 9C-band full duplex radio: 928-960MHz FCC Part 24, 101
9K-band full duplex radio: TX 928-960MHz / RX 880-915MHz FCC Part 24,
101, 90
03-6846A01-9C
03-6846A01-9K
SDM4 Module B-band full duplex radio: 400-450MHz FCC Part 22, 90, CE
C-band full duplex radio: 450-512MHz FCC Part 22, 90, CE 03-6846A01-4B 03-6846A01-4C
Redundant
Alarm/Relay Module
Active radio relay and alarm/audio interface. 03-6847A01
Non-Redundant Alarm
Module
Non-redundant—alarm and audio interface. 03-6848A01
Duplexers for 9C-Band
Radios Spare duplexer in tray wired for MDS™ Master Station. 9 MHz (932.0-932.5) / (941.0-941.5), COMBINED OUT
24 MHz (928.0-929.0) / (952.0-953.0), COMBINED OUT
31 MHz (928.0-929.0) / (959.0-960.0), COMBINED OUT
9 MHz (932.0-932.5) / (941.0-941.5), RX OUT, RX IN, COMBINED OUT
24 MHz (928.0-929.0) / (952.0-953.0), RX OUT, RX IN, COMBINED OUT
31 MHz (928.0-929.0) / (959.0-960.0), RX OUT, RX IN, COMBINED OUT
03-6837D9B1
03-6837D9C1
03-6837D9D1
03-6837D9B3
03-6837D9C3
03-6837D9D3
Duplexers for 9K-Band
Radios Spare duplexer in tray wired for MDS Master Station. 39 MHz (896.0 - 898.0) /(935.0 -937.0) COMBINED OUT
39 MHz (896.0 - 898.0) /(935.0 -937.0) RX OUT, RX IN, COMBINED OUT
03-6837D9E1
03-6837D9E3
Duplexers for SDM4
Radios Spare duplexer in tray wired for MDS Master Station. 5-10 MHz Split (350 - 512MHz) COMBINED OUT
5-10 MHz Split (350 - 512MHz) RX OUT, RX IN, COMBINED OUT
03-6837D411
03-6837D413
Front Cable
Replacements Non-Redundant Radio to Duplexer: SMA MALE TO SMB FEMALE Redundant Relay to Duplexer: SMA MALE TO SMB FEMALE
Redundant Radio to Relay: SMB FEMALE TO SMB FEMALE
03-4528A07
03-4528A07
03-4528A08

14 MDS™ Master Station MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E
2.2 Technical Specifications
The following are the key operating specifications for the SD Master Station 900MHz and
400MHz variants. Items are separated into Transmit (TX) and Receive (RX) categories. Ongoing
product improvements may result in specification changes, and GE MDS reserves the right to
make such changes without obligation to any party. Should you require an exact specification for
the build of your unit, please contact the factory for additional assistance.
Table 2-2. 900MHz Master Station Technical Specifications
Transmit (TX) Parameter Specification
Frequency Range 928-960 MHz (SDM9C, SDM9K)
1
Frequency Stability <0.5 ppm, -30°C to +60°C
TX Power Out +40.25 dBm +/-0.85dB at radio card for -30°C to +60° C
1
+37 dBm
+
1.85/
-
0.85 dB
at back of chassis
-
30
°
C
to +60
°
C
1
TX Frequency Response +/- 1.0 dB from 100 Hz to 2.5 kHz
Agency Approvals FCC Part 24D FCC Part 101C
IC RSS 119
Load VSWR 10:1 Max, All angles, No damage
Power Consumption <80W for all DC and AC versions, 100% TX Duty Cycle
Receive (RX) Parameter Specification
Frequency Range 928-960 MHz (SDM9C), 880-915 MHz (SDM9K)
RX Intermodulation >60 dB
RX Adjacent Channel >60 dB
RX Spurious and Image >60 dB when operating with integrated bandpass duplexer
RX Baseband Amplitude 225 < Audio Level <275 mV RMS, -50 dBm @ 1 kHz
RSSI Accuracy +/-3 dB for RSSI -110 to -70 dBm
RX High RF Input Level 10 dBm, no damage
RX Baseband Frequency Response +/- 1.0 dB from 100 Hz to 2.5 kHz
Power Consumption <30W for all DC and AC versions, transmitter disabled
Noise Figure <6 dB
Blocking >60 dB
Operating Range -30°C to +60°C
1
Additional frequency bands under development
2
-30°C to +50°C when operating continuously keyed (CKEY)

MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station 15
Table 2-3. 400MHz Master Station Technical Specifications
Transmit (TX) Parameter Specification
Frequency Range 400-450 MHz (SDM4B) 450-512MHz (SDM4C)
1
Frequency Stability <0.5 ppm, -30C to +60C
TX Power Out
+41.1 dBm
maximum at radio card for
-
30 to +60C
2
TX Frequency Response +/- 1.0 dB from 100 Hz to 2.5 kHz
Agency Approvals FCC Part 22 FCC Part 90
IC RSS-119
Load VSWR 10:1 Max, All angles, No damage
Power Consumption <80W for all DC and AC versions, 100% TX Duty Cycle
Receive (RX) Parameter Specification
Frequency Range 400-450 MHz (SDM4B) 450-512MHz (SDM4C)
RX Intermodulation >60 dB
RX Adjacent Channel >60 dB
RX Spurious and Image >60 dB
RX Baseband Amplitude
225 < Audio Level <275 mV RMS,
-
50 dBm
@ 1 kHz
RSSI Accuracy +/-3 dB for RSSI -110 to -70 dBm
RX High RF Input Level 10 dBm, no damage
RX Baseband Frequency Response +/- 1.0 dB from 100 Hz to 2.5 kHz
Power Consumption <30W for all DC and AC versions, transmitter disabled
Noise Figure <6 dB
Blocking >60 dB
Operating Range -30°C to +60°C
1
Additional frequency bands under development
2
-30°C to +50°C when operating continuously keyed (CKEY)
2.3 FCC Emission Designators: How to Find Them
An FCC emission designator is a seven-character string that represents the bandwidth, modula-
tion, and other characteristics of a transmitted radio signal. This information is required when
applying for an FCC license. The designator assigned to your equipment depends on the particu-
lar sub-model of the product line you are licensing. In some cases, multiple designators are used
to cover product variants such as base stations, remotes, indoor/outdoor units, frequency band,
etc. An updated and official list of emission designators is maintained on the FCC’s website at
the following link: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm
Once the site has been reached, proceed as follows to determine your designator:
1. At the top of form in the box labeled Grantee Code: enter E5M . This is the code for GE MDS
products.
2. At the bottom of the form in the box labeled Show x Records at a Time , enter a sufficiently large
number (i.e., 300 ) to display all GE MDS records on file. Press Enter.

16 MDS™ Master Station MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E
3. Once the list appears, it can be searched to locate the particular model you are seeking
information on. To the left of each entry, there is a document icon. Click the icon to display
the equipment authorization report.
4. Scroll down to the section labeled Equipment Specifications to locate the appropriate emission
designator. If additional assistance is required, contact GE MDS using the information given
at the end of this manual.
2.4 Front Panel
All access to Master Station modules is made from the front of the unit after removing the pro-
tective cover. To remove the cover, simply grasp the sides and pull out with a slight rocking mo-
tion. Tether strips on the ends of the cover are available to keep it linked to the chassis when it
has been removed from its installed position. The tethers allow the cover to rest just below the
front panel during service work.
Figure 2-2. MDS™ Master Station, Front Panel Connections & Indicators
(Representative arrangement; Module types vary based on product configuration)
Master Station modules are factory installed and cabled. All modules are installed on slide-in
assemblies and secured to the chassis with knurled fasteners. The illustration below shows the
modules installed in a redundant configuration. For a non-redundant configuration, blank plates
are used in place of the redundant power supply and radio modules, and a non-redundant version
of the Alarm/Relay module will be installed. The table that follows lists the module types availa-
ble as of the date of publication.