ICP DAS USA RFU-433 User manual

RFU-433 User Manual
433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem
Jan. 2024, Version 1.11

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：2
Warrany
All products manufactured by ICP DAS are warranted against defective
materials for a period of one year from the date of delivery to the original
purchaser.
Warning
ICP DAS assumes no liability for damages consequent to the use of this
product. ICP DAS reserves the right to change this manual at any time
without notice. The information furnished by ICP DAS is believed to be
accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by ICP DAS for
its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties
resulting from its use.
Copyright
Copyright © 2017 by ICP DAS. All rights are reserved.
Trademarks
Names are used for identification purposes only and may be registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at:
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RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：3
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.....................................................................................4
1.1 Features........................................................................................5
1.2 Specification ................................................................................6
1.3 Dimensions ..................................................................................8
1.4 Appearance..................................................................................9
2. Configuration ................................................................................11
3. RFU-433 Utility ..............................................................................14
4. Application Example.....................................................................17
A. RSSI Data and Signal Strength Description.................................19

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：4
1. Introduction
The RFU-433 is an RS-232/RS-485 to 433 MHz radio modem that converts
data from RS-232/RS-485 devices into 433 MHz wireless messages in the ISM
band and transmitted then out using transparent mode.
The RFU-433 can reach up to 500 meters in a 9600 bps wireless baud rate
and in a direct line-of-sight (LOS) environment. In order to overcome the
interference that may be encountered in the environment, the RFU-433
provides a range of wireless baud rates from 57,600 bps to a minimum of 650
bps for the user to adjust. In addition, the user can adjust the wireless channel
and group ID to avoid interference between two neighboring RFU-433
networks. The RFU-433 also supports repeater mode to solve the problem of
communication distance or dead space. All these functions can be achieved
through the dedicated software with simple settings, and because of the easy
setup, it is also relatively simple to replace the RFU-433 device for system
maintenance.

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：5
1.1 Features
⚫433 MHz Radio Frequency
⚫16 RF channels with 100 kHz channel spacing
⚫Provides RF Baud Rates from 650 to 57600 bps
⚫RF output power default 10 dBm, maximum 19 dBm
⚫Wireless line of sight (LOS) transmission range of up to 500 meters at an
RF Baud Rate of 9600 bps and output power 10 dBm.
⚫Transparent transmission mode
⚫Message package is up to 512 bytes
⚫Provides Baud Rates from 1200 to 115200 bps for both the RS-232 and
RS-485 interfaces
⚫ESD Protection: Contact +/-4 kV
⚫Isolation: 3000 VDC for DC-to-DC, 2500 Vrms using a photocoupler
⚫DIN-Rail Mountable
⚫Operating Temperatures, -25°C ~ +75°C

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：6
1.2 Specification
RF Interface
Radio Frequency
433.1 MHz ~ 434.6 MHz
Channels
0 ~ 15 (default is 4, configured by utility)
Baud Rate
650 ~ 57600 bps
Transmission Power
Default 10 dBm, Max 19 dBm
Antenna
0 dBi Omni directional, RPSMA
Transmission Distance (LoS)
500 m (9600 bps, output power 10 dBm)
Group ID
0 ~ 7
Protocols
Transparent transmit
Repeater
Support repeater mode
Temporary Buffer Size
512 Bytes
COM Port Interface
RS-232
TxD, RxD and GND
RS-485
D+, D- ; 3000 VDC for DC-to-DC
Baud Rate (bps)
1200 ~ 115200 bps
Data Format
N,8,1 / O,8,1 / E,8,1
LED Indicators
RF_Tx
Green (RF Transmit)
RF_Rx
Yellow (RF Receive)
PWR
Red (Power)

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：7
Isolation
Intra-module Isolation
2500 Vrms for photocoupler (COM Port)
EMS Protection
ESD
+/- 4 kV Contact
EFT
+/- 1 kV
Surge
+/- 1 kV
Power
Input Voltage Range
+10 VDC ~ +30 VDC
Power Consumption
1 W @ 24 VDC
Mechanical
Dimensions (W x L x H)
( not include antenna )
108 mm x 84 mm x 33 mm
Antenna Dimensions (L x Ø)
108 mm x 10 mm
Installation
DIN-Rail
Environment
Operating Temperature
-25℃~ +75℃
Storage Temperature
-30℃~ +80℃
Relative Humidity
10 to 90% RH (Non-condensing)

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：8
1.3 Dimensions

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：9
1.4 Appearance

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：10
Terminal Block
LED Indicator
LED
Behavior
Description
PWR
On
+10 ~ +30 VDC Power On
Off
Power Off
RF_Tx
On
RF is transmitting data
Off
RF is no data to transmit
RF_Rx
Always On
RF is receiving data, signal strength high
100ms Flash
RF is receiving data, signal strength middle
500ms Flash
RF is receiving data, signal strength low
Off
RF is no data to receive
Pin
Description
RxD
RS-232
TxD
GND
F.G.
Frame Ground
D-
RS-485
D+
GND
Power:
+10 ~ +30 VDC, 1A
+Vs

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：11
2. Configuration
The RFU-433 has the following descriptions about the rotary and dip
switches in the hardware setting mode:
COM Baud Rate
Switch Name
Number
Baud Rate (bps)
Number
Baud Rate (bps)
COM Rate
0
115200
5
4800
1
57600
6
2400
2
38400
7
1200
3
19200
8 ~ E
Reserved
4
9600
RF Baud Rate
Switch Name
Number
Baud Rate (bps)
Number
Baud Rate (bps)
RF Baud Rate
0*
Auto set the same
with COM Baud Rate
5
4800
6
2400
1
57600
7
1200
2
38400
8
650
3
19200
9 ~ E
Reserved
4
9600
F
Firmware version
* If COM Baud Rate is 115200 bps, the RF Baud Rate will set to 57600 bps.

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：12
Group ID
Switch Name
Switch
Group ID Number
Group ID
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
* RFU-433 with different Group ID cannot communicate with each other.

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：13
COM Data Format
Switch Name
Switch
Data Format
COM Data Format
N, 8, 1
O, 8, 1
E, 8, 1
Repeater Mode (1 hub)
* The repeater mode can bypass RF message from one side to another. For
example, if the repeater received a message "0x01 0x02 0x03 0x04", then the
repeater will transmitted the same message to RF.
Note that, repeater mode only support 1 hub.
Setting Switch
Switch Name
Switch
Description
Set *
Utility Setting Mode
Run
Normal Run Mode
* In set mode, user can set the “Channel”, “Output Power”, “Message
Duty”and other parameters through the RFU-433 Utility.

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：14
3. RFU-433 Utility
When RFU-433 utility connects with RFU-433 in set mode through COM
port. The utility will get the RFU-433 firmware version and configuration. User
also can change the RF channel and communication frequency to RFU-433
through the utility.
Open COM Button: Open COM port and connect to RFU-433.
Close Button: Close COM port.
Clear Button: Clears the value in the “Read Configuration”field.
Read Setting Button: Read the setting of RFU-433 and display it in the “Read
Configuration” field.

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：15
Write Setting Button: Write the parameters in the “Write Configuration”
field to the RFU-433 and read them back to the “Read Configuration”
field for confirmation.
Import Button: Load the RFU-433's configuration file and display it in the
“Write Configuration”field.
Export Button: Export the settings of the “Write Configuration”field.
Product: Here will show the module name and firmware version.
Setting Function: It includes “Hardware Setting”and “Software Setting”.
For “Hardware Setting”, the “Channel”is 433.5000 MHz, the “Output
Power”is 10 dBm and the “Message Duty”is enabled. About “Group
ID”, “RF Rate”, “Com Rate”, “Com Format” and “Repeater mode”
are based on the rotary and dip switches on the RFU-433 module.
Channel: Wireless channel selection range from 433.1000 MHz ~ 434.6000
MHz, total 16 channels.
Output Power: The RF output power is from 0x00 ~ 0x7F. Default is 10 dBm
and 0x7F is the max (19 dBm).
RSSI Data: After enabling this function, RFU-433 will add the RSSI value of the
sending side and the RSSI value of the receiving side to the back of the
received wireless packet, and then transmit it to RS-232 / RS-485. For
example, when RFU-433 receives a wireless packet of “0x01 0x02 0x03
0x04”, it will combine two bytes of the RSSI value of the sending side (e.g.
0x63) and local side (e.g. 0x75) into that wireless packet, which will become
“0x01 0x02 0x03 0x04 0x63 0x75” , and then send out the packet from the
COM port. The range of the RSSI value is from 0x00 to 0xFF, of which 0xFF is

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：16
the value of the best communication signal.
Message Duty: Message duty is the minimum time interval for RF message.
The “next package” time interval is calculated as 10 times of the “current
package” transmission time. For example, if a 20 Bytes data is transmitted
at 9600 bps, the transmission time is about 20 ms, so the next time RFU-433
can transmit a wireless packet is after 200 ms, that is, the signal duty ratio is
10%, which is the CE specification for wireless transmission in 433 MHz
band.
Group ID: Group ID support ranges from 0x0000 to 0xFFFF, where 0x0000 to
0x0007 is equivalent to Group ID 0 to 7 provided on the switch.
RF Rate: When “Software Setting” is selected, the RF Rate rotary switch on
the module will be disabled and the drop-down menu will be set instead.
Com Rate: When “Software Setting” is selected, the Com Rate rotary switch
on the module will be disabled and the drop-down menu will be set
instead.
Com Format: When “Software Setting” is selected, the Com Format dip
switch on the module will be disabled and the drop-down menu will be set
instead.
Repeater mode: When “Software Setting” is selected, the Repeater mode
dip switch on the module will be disabled and the drop-down menu will be
set instead.
⚫Group ID, RF Rate, Com Rate, Com Format, Repeater mode are new
settings in RFU-433 Firmware v3.06.

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：17
4. Application Example
1 - 1 Transfer
PC controls RS-485 modules 1 ~ 3 through RFU-433.
1 - Multi Transfer
PC controls RS-485 modules 1 ~ 3 through a RFU-433 and modules 4 ~ 6
through another RFU-433

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：18
Repeater Mode
PC cannot monitor the thermometer and hygrometer directly because the
distance is too far. But the repeater can bypass the RF message one side to
another and let PC can monitor the thermometer and hygrometer.
RSSI Test
User can enable “RSSI Data” to check the RSSI value.

RFU-433 (433 MHz RS-232/RS-485 Wireless Modem) User Manual, Version 1.11
Copyright © 2018 ICP DAS Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Page：19
A. RSSI Data and Signal Strength Description
RSSI Data
dBm
Icon
%
Strength Description
0 ~ 89
< -85
<34%
Unconnectable or
invisible
90 ~ 119
-85 ~ -71
35 ~ 46%
The vast majority of
terminals are not
connectable
120 ~ 159
-71 ~ -53
47 ~ 62%
Connectable, unstable
160 ~ 199
-53 ~ -35
63 ~ 78%
Normal use
200 ~ 255
> -35
> 79%
Strong signal, best
experience
⚫RSSI Data corresponds to the dBm conversion formula:
dBm = -126 + (RSSI Data * 0.457)