GE MDS SD4A User manual

Installation and Operation Guide
Technical Manual
MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. 01
Anatel Homologation Manual
JULY 2011
Covering ES/SS Units with Firmware Version 4.x
MDS SD4$Series
Secure, Long Range IP/Ethernet & Serial
Featuring Web-Based
DeviceManager

Need Quick-Start instructions for this product? Please refer to publication 05-4847A01.
All GE MDS user guides are available online at www.gemds.com

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Conventions Used in This Manual .................................................................................................1
2.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Front Panel Connectors and Indicators ......................................................................................... 3
2.2 Key Product Features ....................................................................................................................4
Media Access Control (MAC)...........................................................................................................4
VLAN Capability...............................................................................................................................5
Terminal Server Capability ...............................................................................................................5
Store and Forward Capability...........................................................................................................5
2.3 SD Model Offerings ....................................................................................................................... 6
2.4 Operating Modes and Applicable Manuals ....................................................................................6
2.5 Accessories and Spares ................................................................................................................7
Protected Network Station ...............................................................................................................8
Dual Protected Configurations .........................................................................................................9
3.0 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS .................................................................................................. 10
3.1 Operating Parameters .................................................................................................................10
3.2 Example Systems ........................................................................................................................ 11
Multiple Address Systems (MAS) ..................................................................................................11
Point-to-Point System .................................................................................................................... 11
IP/Ethernet Polling and Terminal Server Operation ....................................................................... 12
Port Sharing with Multiple Hosts ....................................................................................................13
Push Communication (Report-by Exception).................................................................................14
IP Polling of Serial Remotes ..........................................................................................................14
Serial Remotes with Two Serial Ports............................................................................................15
4.0 INSTALLATION PLANNING ............................................................................................... 17
4.1 Mounting Options ........................................................................................................................17
Optional DIN Rail Mounting ...........................................................................................................18
4.2 Antennas and Feedlines ..............................................................................................................19
Antennas........................................................................................................................................19
Feedlines .......................................................................................................................................19
4.3 DC Power Connection .................................................................................................................20
4.4 Grounding Considerations ........................................................................................................... 21
4.5 Ethernet Data Interface (RJ-45) .................................................................................................. 21
4.6 Serial Data Interfaces .................................................................................................................. 22
COM1 (Serial) Connection.............................................................................................................23
COM2 (Data) Connections.............................................................................................................24

ii SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F
5.0 STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION ........................................................................................ 26
5.1 Initial Configuration ......................................................................................................................27
Web-Based Management ..............................................................................................................27
Alternative Management Methods .................................................................................................28
Web Browser Connection ..............................................................................................................28
5.2 Initial Startup & Checkout ............................................................................................................30
Ethernet Connector LEDs ..............................................................................................................31
5.3 Optimizing the Radio Network ..................................................................................................... 31
Modem Type Setting ......................................................................................................................31
Inter-Packet Gap Settings..............................................................................................................32
Baud Rate Setting..........................................................................................................................32
Ethernet Settings ...........................................................................................................................32
Antenna SWR Check .....................................................................................................................33
6.0 USING THE DEVICE MANAGER....................................................................................... 34
6.1 Navigating the Screens ...............................................................................................................34
Overview Screen............................................................................................................................35
6.2 Management Tasks .....................................................................................................................36
6.3 Configuration Screens .................................................................................................................41
Radio..............................................................................................................................................41
Store and Forward Operation.........................................................................................................45
Features.........................................................................................................................................50
Understanding the Use of Virtual Radio Channels (VRCs)............................................................55
Using the Terminal Server—Typical Example................................................................................59
Communications Ports...................................................................................................................63
Security ..........................................................................................................................................66
6.4 Maintenance & Status Screen ..................................................................................................... 68
Event Log.......................................................................................................................................69
Alarm Summary .............................................................................................................................69
Performance ..................................................................................................................................71
Radio Test ......................................................................................................................................73
Firmware Utilities ...........................................................................................................................76
Configuration Files .........................................................................................................................81
7.0 TROUBLESHOOTING....................................................................................................... 83
7.1 LED Indicators .............................................................................................................................84
7.2 Checking for Alarms/Events ........................................................................................................85
Major Alarms vs. Minor Alarms ...................................................................................................... 85
Status and Informational Events ....................................................................................................85
Event Code Definitions ..................................................................................................................86
7.3 Operating Constraints ..................................................................................................................87
8.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE ................................................................................................ 88
8.1 Performing Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics ..........................................................................88
Setting Up Diagnostics................................................................................................................... 89
8.2 Over-the-Air Firmware Upgrades ................................................................................................89
Intrusive vs. Passive (Non-Intrusive) Mode ...................................................................................90
OTA Reprogramming Overview .....................................................................................................91

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual iii
Cancelling OTA Reprogramming ...................................................................................................92
Error Conditions/Recovery.............................................................................................................92
Execution and Screen Examples ...................................................................................................92
8.3 COM1 Operating Modes ............................................................................................................. 93
Changing COM1 Modes ................................................................................................................93
8.4 Implementing Sleep Mode ...........................................................................................................94
8.5 User-Programmable I/O Functions ..............................................................................................95
8.6 Technical Specifications .............................................................................................................95
8.7 dBm-Watts-Volts Conversion Chart .............................................................................................97
9.0 GLOSSARY OF TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................... 98
Copyright and Trademark
This manual and all software described herein is protected by Copyright: 2011 GE MDS, LLC. All
rights reserved. GE MDS, LLC reserves its right to correct any errors and omissions in this publi-
cation. Modbus® is a registered trademark of Schneider Electric Corporation. All other trademarks
and product names are the property of their respective owners.
Quality Policy Statement
We, the employees of GE MDS, are committed to understanding and exceeding our customer’s
needs and expectations.
• We appreciate our customers’ patronage. They are our business.
• We promise to serve them and anticipate their needs.
• Wearecommittedtoprovidingsolutionsthatarecosteffective,innovativeandreliable,with
consistently high levels of quality.
We are committed to the continuous improvement of all of our systems and processes, to improve
product quality and increase customer satisfaction.

iv SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F
RF Safety Notice
Concentrated energy from a directional antenna may pose a health hazard to
humans. Do not allow people to come closer to the antenna than the distances
listed in the table below when the transmitter is operating. More information on
RF exposure can be found online at the following website:
www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins.
FCC Part 15 Notice
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation. Any unauthorized modification or changes to this device without the
express approval of the manufacturer may void the user’s authority to operate this device. Further-
more, this device is intended to be used only when installed in accordance with the instructions out-
lined in this manual. Failure to comply with these instructions may void the user’s authority to
operate this device.
Industry Canada Notice
This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Manual Revision and Accuracy
This manual was prepared to cover a specific version of firmware code. Accordingly, some screens
and features may differ from the actual unit you are working with. While every reasonable effort
has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, product improvements may also result in
minor differences between the manual and the product shipped to you. If you have additional ques-
tions or need an exact specification for a product, please contact GE MDS using the information at
the back of this guide. In addition, manual updates can often be found on our web site at
www.gemds.com.
Antenna Gain vs. Minimum RF Safety Distance
Antenna Gain
0–5 dBi 5–10 dBi 10–16.5 dBi
Safety Distance (SD4) 0.79 meter 1.41 meters 3.05 meters
RF Exposure

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual v
Environmental Information
The manufacture of this equipment has required the extraction and use of natural resources.
Improper disposal may contaminate the environment and present a health risk due to hazardous
substancescontained within. Toavoiddisseminationofthese substances intoourenvironment,and
to limit the demand on natural resources, we encourage you to use the appropriate recycling sys-
temsfor disposal. These systemswillreuseorrecycle most of thematerialsfoundinthisequipment
in a sound way. Please contact GE MDS or your supplier for more information on the proper dis-
posal of this equipment.
Product Test Data Sheets
Test Data Sheets showing the original factory test results for this unit are available upon request
from the GE MDS Quality Leader. Contact the factory using the information at the back of this
manual. Serial numbers must be provided for each product where a Test Data Sheet is required.
BSD License Information
TheSDSeriesproductscontainsource code originally released as part of “WPA Supplicant” which
is copyrighted as indicated below and is redistributed under the terms of the BSD license:
WPA Supplicant
Copyright (c) 2003-2010, Jouni Malinen <[email protected]> and contributors
All Rights Reserved.
BSD License
-------
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted pro-
vided that the following conditions are met:
1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and
the following disclaimer.
2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions
and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distri-
bution.
3. Neither the name(s) of the above-listed copyright holder(s) nor the names of its contributors may
be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written
permission.
Battery Disposal—This product may contain a battery. Batteries must be disposed of properly,
and may not
be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste in the European Union. See the product
documentation for specific battery information. Batteries are marked with a symbol, which may
include lettering to indicate cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), or mercury (Hg). For proper recycling
return the battery to your supplier or to a designated collection point. For more information see:
www.weeerohsinfo.com

vi SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
“AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIM-
ITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
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LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This Technical Manual is one of two publications for users of the MDS
SD Series Transceiver shown in Figure 1. It contains an overview of
common applications, installation planning data, specifications, trouble-
shooting, and instructions on using the web-based Device Manager for
user control. This manual is intended for technical personnel who per-
form network design, configuration, and troubleshooting of the equip-
ment.
A companion Setup Guide is also available (Part no. 05-4847A01). The
scope of the Setup Guide is limited to installing the transceiver and
placing it in service for the first time. All product documentation may be
downloaded free of charge from the GE MDS website at
www.gemds.com. The website also containslinkstoApplicationBulletins
and other product information.
Invisible place holder
Figure 1. MDS SD$ Transceiver
1.1 Conventions Used in This Manual
Software & Device
Manager Notations This product is designed for software control via a connected PC. To
show the names of screen items, keyboard entries, or other information
displayed on a PC, a distinctive bolded font is used throughout the
manual that appears as follows:
Bolded font example (for screen names and keyboard entries)
To show the navigation path leading to a particular screen, this same
font is used with forward-pointing arrows between screen names. For
example, suppose you wish to access the radio’s Packet Settings Screen.
The navigation string shown for it would appear as follows:
Configuration>>Packet Settings
Model Number
Notations The term “SD” or “SD Series” is used in this manual to denote all
models in the SD product line. Specific model numbers are used only
when necessary to reference model-specific features.

2 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F
Authorization
Features Some features of the radio are dependent on purchased options and
applicable regulatory constraints. A “key” icon is shown near the
heading of any such features. In some cases a feature upgrade may be
available. Contact your sales representative for additional information.

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 3
2.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The SD Transceiver is a software-configurable, industrial radio for use
in licensed data acquisition networks. It may be interfaced with a variety
of data control equipment including remote terminal units (RTUs), pro-
grammable logic controllers (PLCs), flow computers, and similar
devices. Data interface connections may be made for both serial
(RS-232/RS-485) and Ethernet protocols. It is designed for use with
both polled networks and report-by-exception (push) systems.
The radio employs digital signal processing (DSP) technology and a
fully digital transmit and receive IF chain to provide robust communica-
tions even under adverse conditions. DSP technology also helps elimi-
nate the effects of component variations or temperature changes,
resulting in optimized performance at all times.
2.1 Front Panel Connectors and Indicators
Figure 2 shows the transceiver’s front panel connectors and indicators.
These items are referenced in the installation steps and in various other
locations in the manual. The transceiver’s LED functions are described
in Table 10 on Page 31.
Invisible place holder
Figure 2. Front Panel Connectors & Indicators
ANTENNA
CONNECTOR (TNC)
SERIAL DATA
CONNECTORS (DB-9)
DC INPUT
POWER
LED INDICATOR
PANEL
ETHERNET
CONNECTOR (RJ-45)
COM1 used for radio management

4 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F
2.2 Key Product Features
The transceiver is designed to meet the demanding needs of today’s
wireless networks in a compact, and rugged package. It offers an array
of features in a single hardware platform:
• Software-configurable via a built-in Device Manager—no man-
ual controls or adjustments.
• MediaAccessControl(MAC)to prevent data collisions when two
or more radios try to use the radio channel at the same time.
• Available encryption of payload data (AES 128-bit)
• Supports Virtual LAN (VLAN) operation
• Terminal Server capability to enable IP addressing of serial
interface ports on individual radios
• Store and Forward capability
• Supports a wide variety of modem speeds and bandwidths for reg-
ulatory compliance in virtually all regions of the world
• Ethernet & serial interfaces—ideal for migration to IP networks
• Dual serial functionality (RS-232 and RS-485)
• Over-the-air reprogramming of remote units—no unnecessary
trips to radio sites
• Licensed 5-watt design, maximizes communications range with
low interference risk from other users
• Configurable via software as a Remote or a Master unit
• Low power “sleep mode”—ideal for battery-powered solar sites
• Virtual Radio Channels (VRC) support multiple polling applica-
tions on one radio
NOTE: Some features may not be available on all units, depending on the
options purchased and regulatory constraints for the region in which
the radio will operate.
Media Access Control (MAC)
An important feature of the SD Transceiver is Media Access Control
(MAC). The SD's MAC is specifically designed for use with narrow
bandwidth, half duplex radio networks such as those commonly used in
licensed telemetry systems. When the MAC is enabled, it provides effi-
cient support of multiple data traffic models including multiple hosts,
synchronous and asynchronous polls, and report-by-exception (push
traffic).
Coordination of
Channel Access The main objective of the MAC is to coordinate channel access for all
radios in the network, preventing data “collisions” that can occur with
simultaneous transmissions from radios on the same RF frequency.
With MAC operation a single radio is configured as an Access Point
(AP) and other units are designated as Remotes. The AP serves as the
controller of the RF network. Remotes request permission from the AP

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 5
to use the RF channel before sending payload data, thus avoiding colli-
sions of data, and creating a highly reliable wireless network. The MAC
is responsible for allocating which unit gets access to the broadcast
medium (the RF channel), when, and for how long.
Data Validation Additionally,theMAC validatesall messagesandpurges corrupted data
from the system. Successful delivery of data is ensured through the use
of retries and acknowledgements. Minimal overhead is used to accom-
plish these tasks, which translates to increased bandwidth efficiency of
the radio channel with minimal latency, ensuring that messages are
delivered in a timely manner.
VLAN Capability
A Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) is essentially a limited broad-
cast domain, meaning that all members of a VLAN receive broadcast
frames sent by members of the same network, but not frames sent by
members of a different network.
The SD supports port-based VLAN at the Ethernet interface and over
the air, according to the IEEE 802.1Q standard. When VLAN Mode is
enabled, the wireless ports of both AP and Remote radios act as a “trunk
port” to carry data.
Terminal Server Capability
The unit’s Terminal Server option allows serial port data to be sent over
the air in the form of IP packets. It works by encapsulating data from the
serial (COM1/COM2) ports as IP packets, then transmitting it over the
air. At the receiving end, the data is decapsulated and delivered to the
appropriate COM port. See “Terminal Server COM1/2 Configuration”
on Page 58 for more information.
Store and Forward Capability
Store and forward (SAF) capability is available in Packet with MAC
mode. It allows a radio to store up incoming data, and retransmit it a
short time later to other stations. This can be used to link outlying
remotestationstotheAPwhendirectcommunicationis not possible due
to terrain, distance, or other obstructions.
Communication routes are automatically discovered and traffic is intel-
ligently filtered so that only store and forward traffic is sent through the
SAF unit, conserving critical bandwidth in your network.

6 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F
2.3 SD Model Offerings
The radio is offered in three model types, using one hardware platform:
•Ethernet—All SD features and functionality
•Standard—All SD features, except over-the-air Ethernet data
•x710—Direct, drop-in compatibility for networks using a mix of
SD and older MDS x710 radios
Model Number
Codes The unit’s complete model number is printed on the bottom label. Addi-
tional unit details are available through the Overview Screen, described
later in this manual.
2.4 Operating Modes and Applicable Manuals
The radio may be configured to operate in any of the following modes:
Standard Modes
Covered by This
Manual
•Packet Mode—Payload data from the radio’s serial and Ethernet
ports is assembled into packets and transmitted over the air.
Packet mode supports Ethernet Bridging, AES 128-bit encryp-
tion, and Virtual Radio Channels (VRC). This mode requires an
all SD radio network.
•Packet w/MAC—This mode is similar to the above, but adds a
Media Access Control (MAC) layer to the feature set. The MAC
provides robust collision avoidance, with an AP controlling
which unit can access the communication channel, and when, for
maximum efficiency of the radio channel. This mode supports
push traffic, data retry, and store and forward operation. This
mode requires an all SD radio network.
•Transparent Mode—This mode is over-the-air compatible with
MDS x710 transceivers, while supporting payload data encapsu-
lated in IP at the Ethernet port. This mode is ideal for mixed net-
works containing SD and older MDS x710 radios. It allows
currently deployed x710 networks to add support for Ethernet
data at either the master or remote radios. Note that Ethernet
Bridging is not supported in this mode. This manual covers
Transparent Mode radios.
x710Mode(Different
Manual Required) •x710 Mode—This mode provides direct, drop-in compatibility
with MDS x710 (4710 or 9710) transceivers, and uses the same
corecommand set as theseradios. It is designedforuseinsystems
containing a mix of newer SD radios and legacy MDS x710 units.
This manual does not cover x710 Mode operation. Refer instead
to the following manuals for x710 instructions:
•Start-Up Guide (x710 Mode)— Part No. 05-4669A01
•Technical Manual (x710 Mode)—Part No. 05-4670A01

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 7
Invisible place holder
Figure 3. SD Transceivers offer compatibility with older MDS x710
Transceivers (left), and may be used for replacement and/or
interoperability in these networks. A retrofit kit is available for
connector conversion (see Table 1).
2.5 Accessories and Spares
Table 1 lists common accessories and spare items for the transceiver.
GE MDS also offers an Accessories Selection Guide listing additional
items that may be used with the product. Visit www.gemds.com or contact
your factory representative to obtain a copy of the guide.
Table 1. Accessories & Spare Items
Accessory Description Part Number
DC Power Plug,
2-pin, polarized
Mates with power connector on radio
case. Screw terminals provided for
wires, threaded locking screws to
prevent accidental disconnect.
73-1194A53
Retrofit Kit, Digital Contains adapters and connectors
needed to facilitate the replacement
of an existing MDS x710A/C/M
digital transceiver.
03-4696A01
Retrofit Kit, Analog Contains adapters and connectors
needed to facilitate the replacement
of an existing MDS x710A/C/M
analog transceiver.
03-4697A01
Setup Guide
(for Packet and
Transparent Modes)
Describes the installation and setup
of the transceiver. A companion to
this Technical Manual.
05-4847A01
Flat Mounting
Brackets
(Standard)
Brackets that attach to the bottom of
the unit. Used for mounting to a flat
mounting surface.
03-4123A14
Flat Mounting
Brackets
(x710-compatible)
Brackets that attach to the bottom of
the unit. Used for mounting to a flat
mounting surface. Bracket matches
MDS x710 Transceiver mounting
holes.
Consult
Factory

8 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F
Protected Network Station
Thetransceiverisavailableinaprotectednetworkconfiguration, known
as the SDxP (Figure 4), where xdenotes the particular model of SD
transceiver installed inside the chassis (i.e., SD.
The SDxP is a tabletop or rack-mount unit designed to hold two trans-
ceivers, two power supplies, and a switchover logic board that automat-
ically selects between transceiver A or B as the active unit. Manual
selection may also be made using a front panel switch.
Invisible place holder
Figure 4. Protected Network Station
With two transceivers and two power supplies installed, the unit con-
tinues to communicate even if a failure occurs in one of the transceivers,
or its associated power supply. This capability is important in critical
applications where uninterrupted service is required. Refer to publica-
tion 05-4161A01 for detailed information on this product.
DIN Rail Mounting
Bracket Kit
Contains bracket for mounting the
transceiver to standard 35 mm DIN
rails commonly used in equipment
cabinets and panels.
03-4125A04
Reprogramming
Application for
Firmware Upgrade
Automated software program for
upgrading the radio’s internal
firmware code. This application is
under development at press time.
Check with your factory
representative for availability.
06-6241A01
Table 1. Accessories & Spare Items (Continued)
Accessory Description Part Number

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 9
Dual Protected Configurations
Two dual transceiver configurations are offered for the SD Series. They
are known as the SDxDT and the SDxDP. These configurations are used
for the following purposes:
• When full duplex operation is desired using dedicated Transmit
and Receive transceivers.
• When a Master or Repeater site requires bandpass duplexers due
to the presence of co-located antennas.
• When streaming Repeater operation is desired using dedicated
Transmit and Receive transceivers
SDxDT
Configuration The SDxDT uses the same chassis as the SDxP described above. How-
ever, one radio is configured with the transmit frequency and the other
for the receive frequency with appropriate connections between them. It
also includes a bandpass duplexer tuned to a specific frequency for
simultaneous transmission and reception (full duplex) operation. Note
that the SDxDT provides one serial port and one Ethernet port for user
equipment.
SDxDP
Configuration The SDxDP is a protected, full duplex Master or Repeater site configu-
ration. This consists of two SDxP chassis described earlier, with appro-
priate interconnect cabling between the units. The radios in one SDxP
are configured with the transmit frequency and the radios in the other
are configured with the receive frequency. The SDxDP also includes a
bandpass duplexer tuned to a specific frequency for simultaneous trans-
mission and reception (full duplex) operation.

10 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F
3.0 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
This section describes common scenarios the transceiver may be used
in.A number of variationsarepossible;Ifyou have unique requirements
not found here, it is recommended that you consult a support specialist
at GE MDS. Contact information is provided at the back of this manual.
3.1 Operating Parameters
The transceiver can operate in both poll-response and “push” communi-
cation/report-by-exception networks. In poll-response networks a cen-
tral Master unit communicates with a number of Remote radios one at a
time. The Master exchanges data with the currently-connected Remote,
and when finished, it establishes a new connection with the next Remote
in the polling order. In push communication/Report by Exception net-
works, a Remote can also transmit if it has data to send, typically
prompted by a change in status conditions from connected data equip-
ment.
The radio includes a number of parameters which may be set to suit the
requirements of a particular application. Table 2 provides a summary of
common applications, protocols, and radio modes used. Refer to the
table to determine what applications can be supported and the required
radio settings.
Table 2. Application Types vs. Key Radio Settings
Application Protocol
(Example)
Recommended
Radio Mode Notes
Polled Bridged Ethernet MODBUS TCP Packet w/MAC May also use Packet mode and enable LBT
w/Listen on RX.
Bridged Ethernet IP(ICMP/TCP/UDP/
MODBUS TCP)
Packet w/MAC May also use Packet mode and enable LBT
w/Listen on RX.
Mixed Serial and Bridged
Ethernet
MODBUS RTU & IP Packet w/MAC
Report by Exception Serial and/or IP Packet w/MAC
Single Poll Multiple
Response
Serial and/or IP Packet w/MAC
Two or more concurrent
serial polling applications
(COM2, COM1, and /or
IP Payload at master
DNP3 and Modbus
RTU
Packet w/MAC
Single Port Serial Polling
with encryption (COM2 or
COM1)
Modbus RTU Packet AES On
Single Port Serial Polling
without encryption
(COM2, COM1, or IP
Payload at master)
Modbus RTU Transparent AES Off

MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F SD Series Technical Manual 11
3.2 Example Systems
The following sections describe common system arrangements for the
SD transceiver. Other variations are possible, and if you have questions
about a specific application not covered here, you may contact your fac-
tory representative using the information at the back of this guide. For
typical radio settings in these systems, refer to Table 2 on Page 10.
Multiple Address Systems (MAS)
This is a common application for the transceiver. It consists of a central
masterunit and several associated remoteunitsasshown in Figure 5. An
MAS network provides communication between a central host com-
puter and remote terminal units (RTUs) or other data collection devices
in the field. Often, such a system is used to carry telemetry data to and
from widely separated remote radios.
Typical MAS applications may be for automatic, remote monitoring of
gas wells, water tank levels, electric power distribution systems, and
similar control and measurement functions.
Invisible place holder
Figure 5. Typical MAS Point-to-Multipoint Network
Point-to-Point System
Where permitted, the transceiver may also be used in a point-to-point
arrangement. A point-to-point system consists of just two radios—one
master and one remote (see Figure 6). It provides a simplex (or
half-duplex) communications link for the transfer of data between two
locations.
RTU
MASTER STATION
REMOTE RADIO
REMOTE RADIO
RTU
HOST SYSTEM
OR: SDA-Augmented
Master Station
RTU
REMOTE RADIO
RTU
REMOTE RADIO

12 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. F
Invisible place holder
Figure 6. Typical Point-to-Point Link
IP/Ethernet Polling and Terminal Server Operation
Modern data/control networks often employ IP/Ethernet connectivity
throughout the system. The SD transceiver is well suited to provide con-
nectivity between such sites using its RJ-45 modular connector on the
front panel and enabling Ethernet Bridging capabilities. Figure 7 shows
an overview of such a system.
Note that the Remote radio on the right side of the illustration uses a
serial connection. The SD radio’s Terminal Server feature allows direct
IP/addressing of serial ports on selected radios. See “Terminal Server
COM1/2 Configuration” on Page 58 for more details.
Invisible place holder
Figure 7. IP/Ethernet Polling Example
HOST
COMPUTER
REMOTE RADIO
MASTER RADIO
RTU
MASTER UNIT
To Ethernet Port
REMOTE RADIO
(One of several possible sites)
Ethernet
Serial RTU
(Terminal Server Connection)
REMOTE RADIO
(One of several possible sites)
Ethernet RTU
Ethernet Serial