MDS MDS 4710 Series Operating instructions

Installation and Operation Guide
MDS 05-3305A01, Rev. B
SEPTEMBER 2000
400 MHz/900 MHz
Remote DataTransceiver
MDS 4710/9710 Series
(Including MDS 4710A/C and MDS 9710 A/C)

QUICK START GUIDE
Below are the basic steps for installing the transceiver. Detailed instructions are given in “INSTALLA-
TION” on page 9 of this guide.
1. Install and connect the antenna system to the radio
• Use good quality, low loss coaxial cable.Keep the feedline as short as possible.
• Preset directional antennas in the direction of desired transmission.
2. Connect the data equipment to the radio’s INTERFACE connector
• Connection to the radio must be made with a DB-25 Male connector. Connections for typical sys-
tems are shown below.
• Connect only the required pins.Do not use a straight-through RS-232 cable with all pins wired.
• Verify the data equipment is configured as DTE. (By default, the radio is configured as DCE.)
3. Apply DC power to the radio (10.5–16Vdc @ 2.5 A minimum)
• Observe proper polarity.The red wire is the positive lead; the black is negative.
4. Set the radio’s basic configuration with a Hand-HeldTerminal (HHT)
• Set the transmit frequency ( TX xxx.xxxx ).
• Set the receive frequency ( RX xxx.xxxx ).
• Set the baud rate/data interface parameters as follows.Use the BAUD xxxxx abc command, where
xxxxx equals the data speed (110–38400 bps) and abc equals the communication parameters as
follows:
a = Data bits (7 or 8)
b = Parity (N for None, O for Odd, E for Even
c = Stop bits (1 or 2)
(Example: BAUD 9600 8N1 )
NOTE: 7N1, 8E2 and 8O2 are invalid parameters and are not supported by the transceiver.
5. Verify proper operation by observing the LED display
• Refer to Table 5 on page 16 for a description of the status LEDs.
• Refine directional antenna headings for maximum receive signal strength using the RSSI command.
DB-25 DB-25
TRANSCEIVER
(DCE)
2
3
2
3
RTU
(DTE)
4
5
20
6DSR DSR
6
TXD
RXD
GND
RTS
CTS
TXD
RXD
GND
4
CTS
5
RTS
DB-9 DB-25
DB-9 to DB-25 ExampleDB-25 to DB-25 Example
11
4
5
TRANSCEIVER
(DCE)
2
3
3
2
RTU
(DTE)
5
20
7
RXD
TXD
DCD
GN
D
DSR
RTS
RXD
TXD
DCD
GN
D
As required for a lication
5
18
7
6
CTS
DSR
RTS
CTS8
6
4
5
77
GND GND
8 8
DCD DCD
As required for a lication

MDS 05-3305A01, Rev. B MDS 4710/9710 I/O Guide i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 GENERAL....................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................1
1.2 Applications ......................................................................................2
Point-to-Multipoint, Multiple Address Systems (MAS) ........................2
Point-to-Point System.........................................................................3
Continuously Keyed versus Switched Carrier Operation....................3
Single Frequency (Simplex) Operation...............................................3
1.3 Model Number Codes ......................................................................3
1.4 Accessories ......................................................................................4
2.0 GLOSSARY OF TERMS..............................................................6
3.0 INSTALLATION............................................................................9
3.1 Installation Steps ..............................................................................9
3.2 Transceiver Mounting .....................................................................11
3.3 Antennas and Feedlines ................................................................11
Feedlines..........................................................................................12
3.4 Power Connection ..........................................................................13
3.5 Data Interface Connections ............................................................13
3.6 Using the Radio’s Sleep Mode .......................................................13
System Example...............................................................................13
4.0 OPERATION..............................................................................15
4.1 LED Indicators ................................................................................16
4.2 RSSI Measurement ........................................................................16
5.0 TRANSCEIVER PROGRAMMING ............................................17
5.1 Hand-Held Terminal Connection & Startup ....................................17
5.2 Hand-Held Terminal Setup .............................................................18
5.3 Keyboard Commands .....................................................................19
Entering Commands.........................................................................19
Error Messages................................................................................19
5.4 Detailed Command Descriptions ...................................................22
AMASK [0000 0000–FFFF FFFF] ....................................................22
ASENSE [HI/LO]...............................................................................23
BAUD [xxxxx abc].............................................................................23
BUFF [ON, OFF]...............................................................................24
CKEY [ON–OFF]..............................................................................24
CTS [0–255] .....................................................................................24
DATAKEY [ON, OFF] ........................................................................24
DEVICE [DCE, CTS KEY]................................................................25
DKEY................................................................................................25
DLINK [ON/OFF/xxxx]......................................................................25

ii MDS 4710/9710 I/O Guide MDS 05-3305A01, Rev. B
DMGAP [xx]......................................................................................25
DTYPE [NODE/ROOT].....................................................................26
DUMP...............................................................................................26
HREV................................................................................................26
INIT...................................................................................................26
INIT [4710/9710]...............................................................................26
INIT [4720/9720]...............................................................................27
KEY ..................................................................................................27
MODEL.............................................................................................27
MODEM [xxxx, NONE].....................................................................27
OWM [XXX...] ...................................................................................27
OWN [XXX...]....................................................................................27
PTT [0–255]......................................................................................27
PWR [20–37]....................................................................................27
RSSI.................................................................................................28
RTU [ON/OFF/0-80]..........................................................................28
RX [xxx.xxxx]....................................................................................28
RXTOT [NONE, 1-255].....................................................................28
SCD [0-255]......................................................................................29
SER..................................................................................................29
SHOW [DC, PORT, PWR].................................................................29
SNR..................................................................................................29
SREV................................................................................................29
STAT .................................................................................................29
TEMP................................................................................................30
TOT [1-255, ON, OFF]......................................................................30
TX [xxx.xxxx] ....................................................................................30
UNIT [10000...65000].......................................................................30
6.0 TROUBLESHOOTING...............................................................30
6.1 LED Indicators ................................................................................31
6.2 Event Codes ...................................................................................31
Checking for Alarms—STAT command.............................................31
Major Alarms vs. Minor Alarms.........................................................32
Event Code Definitions.....................................................................32
7.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE ....................................................... 33
7.1 MDS 4710/9710 Transceiver Specifications ...................................33
7.2 Helical Filter Adjustment ................................................................36
7.3 Performing Network-Wide Remote Diagnostics .............................37
7.4 Upgrading the Radio’s Software .....................................................38
7.5 dBm-Watts-Volts Conversion Chart ................................................40

MDS 05-3305A01, Rev. B MDS 4710/9710 I/O Guide iii
Copyright Notice
This Installation and Operation Guide and all software described herein
are protected by
copyright: 2000 Microwave Data Systems Inc . All
rights reserved.
Microwave Data Systems Inc. reserves its right to correct any errors and
omissions in this publication.
Operational Safety Notices
The radio equipment described in this guide emits radio frequency
energy. Although the power level is low, the concentrated energy from
a directional antenna may pose a health hazard. Do not allow people to
come closer than 5 meters to the front of the antenna when the trans-
mitter is operating.
This manual is intended to guide a professional installer to install,
operate and perform basic system maintenance on the described radio.
ISO 9001 Registration
Microwave Data Systems' adheres to this internationally accepted
quality system standard.
MDS Quality Policy Statement
We, the employees of Microwave Data Systems Inc., are committed to
achieving total customer satisfaction in everything 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 AchievedThrough:
• 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.
FM/UL/CSA Notice
This product is available for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B,
C & D Hazardous Locations. Such locations are defined in Article 500
of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publication NFPA
70, otherwise known as the National Electrical Code.
RF Exposure

iv MDS 4710/9710 I/O Guide MDS 05-3305A01, Rev. B
Thetransceiver hasbeen recognized for use inthese hazardous locations
by three independent agencies —Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Fac-
tory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) and the Canadian Standards
Association (CSA). The UL certification for the transceiver is as a Rec-
ognized Component for use in these hazardous locations, in accordance
with UL Standard 1604. The FMRC Approval is in accordance with
FMRC Standard 3611. The CSA Certification is in accordance with
CSA STD C22.2 No. 213-M1987.
FM/UL/CSA Conditions of Approval:
The transceiver is not acceptable as a stand-alone unit for use in the haz-
ardous locations described above. It must either be mounted within
anotherpiece of equipmentwhich is certified for hazardous locations, or
installed within guidelines, or conditions of approval, as set forth by the
approving agencies. These conditions of approval are as follows:
1. The transceiver must be mounted within a separate enclosure which
is suitable for the intended application.
2. The antenna feedline, DC power cable and interface cable must be
routed through conduit in accordance with the National Electrical
Code.
3. Installation, operation and maintenance of the transceiver should be
in accordance with the transceiver's installation manual, and the
National Electrical Code.
4. Tampering or replacement with non-factory components may
adversely affect the safe use of the transceiver in hazardous loca-
tions, and may void the approval.
5. When installed in a Class I, Div. 2, Groups A, B, C or D hazardous
location, observe the following:
WARNING —EXPLOSION HAZARD— Do not disconnect
equipment unless power has been switched off or the area is known
to be non-hazardous.
Refer to Articles 500 through 502 of the National Electrical Code
(NFPA 70) for further information on hazardous locations and approved
Division 2 wiring methods.

MDS 05-3305A01, Rev. B MDS 4710/9710 I/O Guide v
Revision Notice
While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of
this manual, product improvements may result in minor differences
between the manual and the product shipped to you. If you have addi-
tional questions or need an exact specification for a product, please con-
tactour Customer ServiceTeam using theinformation at the back of this
guide. In addition, manual updates can often be found on the MDS Web
site at www.microwavedata.com.
Distress Beacon Warning
In the U.S.A., the 406 to 406.1 MHz band is reserved for use by distress
beacons. Since the radio described in this manual is capable of transmit-
ting in this band, take precautions to prevent the radio from transmitting
between 406 to 406.1 MHz in U.S. applications.

vi MDS 4710/9710 I/O Guide MDS 05-3305A01, Rev. B

MDS 05-3305A01, Rev. B MDS 4710/9710 I/O Guide 1
1.0 GENERAL
1.1 Introduction
This guide presents installation and operating instructions for the MDS
4710/9710 Series (400/900 MHz) digital radio transceivers.
These transceivers (Figure 1) are data telemetry radios designed to
operate in a point-to-multipoint environment, such as electric utility
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and distribution
automation, gas field automation, water and wastewater SCADA, and
on-line transaction processing applications. They use microprocessor
control and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology to provide
highly reliable communications even under adverse conditions.
Modulation and demodulation is accomplished using Digital Signal Pro-
cessing (DSP). DSP adapts to differences between components from
unit to unit, and ensures consistent and repeatable performance in
ambient temperatures from –30 to +60 degrees Centigrade. The use of
Digital Signal Processing eliminates the fluctuations and variations in
modem operation that degrade operation of analog circuits.
The transceiver is designed for trouble-free operation with data equip-
ment provided by other manufacturers, including Remote Terminal
Units (RTUs), flow computers, lottery terminals, automatic teller
machines, programmable logic controllers, and others.
NOTE: Some features may not be available on all radios, based on the
options purchased and based on the applicable regulatory
constraints for the region in which the radio will operate.
Invisible place holder
Figure 1. Transceiver Connectors and Indicators
EXTERNAL
INTERFACE
CONNECTOR
(DB-25)
DIAGNOSTICS
CONNECTOR (RJ-11)
13.8 VDC POWER
CONNECTOR ANTENNA CONNECTOR
(TYPE “N”)
SERIAL NUMBER
LABEL
LED INDICATORS (4)

2 MDS 4710/9710 I/O Guide MDS 05-3305A01, Rev. B
1.2 Applications
Point-to-Multipoint, Multiple Address Systems (MAS)
This is the most common application of the transceiver. It consists of a
central master station and several associated remote units as shown in
Figure 2. An MAS network provides communications between a central
host computer and remote terminal units (RTUs) or other data collection
devices.The operation of the radio system is transparentto the computer
equipment.
Often, however, a radio system consists of many widely separated
remote radios. A point-to-multipoint or SCADA (Supervisory Control
and Data Acquisition) system may be a new installation for automatic,
remote monitoring of gas wells, water tank levels, electric power distri-
bution system control and measurement, etc.
The radio system may replace a network of remote monitors currently
linked to a central location via leased telephone line. At the central
office of such a system, there is usually a large mainframe computer and
some means of switching between individual lines coming from each
remotemonitor.In thistypeof system,thereis a modulator/demodulator
(modem) at the main computer, and at each remote site, usually built
into the remote monitor itself. Since the cost of leasing a dedicated-pair
phone line is quite high, a desirable alternative may be replacing the
phone line with a radio path.
Invisible place holder
Figure 2. Typical MAS Point-to-Multipoint Network

IDIAG
13.8 VDC
PWR
+

HOST SYSTEM
REMOTE RADIO
SWC OFF
RTU
RTU
RTU
RTU

IDIAG
13.8 VDC
PWR
+


IDIAG
13.8 VDC
PWR
+


IDIAG
13.8 VDC
PWR
+


IDIAG
13.8 VDC
PWR
+

RTU
MDS MASTER
STATION
CONTINUOUSLY
KEYED
REMOTE RADIO
SWC OFF
REMOTE RADIO
SWC OFF
REMOTE RADIO
SWC OFF
REMOTE RADIO
SWC OFF