Microwave Data Systems FOUR.9 Series User manual

Microwave Data Systems
Digital Radio System
MDS FOUR.9 Series
MDS SIX.4 Series
User Reference and Installation Guide
PRELIMINARY
Part No. 05-4561A01, Rev. A
Date: 9 JUNE 2006

© 2006 Microwave Data Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This book and the information contained herein is the proprietary and confidential information of
Microwave Data Systems Inc. that is provided by Microwave Data SystemsTM exclusively for
evaluating the purchase of Microwave Data Systems Inc. technology and is protected by copyright
and trade secret laws.
No part of this document may be disclosed, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Microwave Data
Systems Inc.
For permissions, contact Microwave Data Systems Inc. Marketing Group at 1-585-241-5510 or 1-585-
242-8369 (FAX).
Notice of Disclaimer
The information and specifications provided in this document are subject to change without notice.
Microwave Data Systems Inc. reserves the right to make changes in design or components as
progress in engineering and manufacturing may warrant.
The Warranty(s) that accompany Microwave Data Systems Inc., products are set forth in the sales
agreement/contract between Microwave Data Systems Inc. and its customer. Please consult the
sales agreement for the terms and conditions of the Warranty(s) proved by Microwave Data Systems
Inc. To obtain a copy of the Warranty(s), contact your Microwave Data Systems Inc. Sales
Representative at 1-585-241-5510 or 1-585-242-8369 (FAX).
The information provided in this Microwave Data Systems Inc., document is provided “as is” without
warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties
of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Some jurisdictions do not
allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you.
In no event shall Microwave Data Systems Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever – including
special, indirect, consequential or incidental damages or damages for loss of profits, revenue, use, or
data whether brought in contract or tort, arising out of or connected with any Microwave Data
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The above information shall not be constructed to imply any additional warranties for Microwave Data
Systems Inc. equipment including, but not limited to, warranties of merchantability or fitness for an
intended use.
Trademark Information
Software Defined Indoor UnitTM (SDIDUTM) is a product and trademark of CarrierComm Inc.
JavaTM is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc.
Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation
All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies or organizations.

Table of Contents
1SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ......................................................................................................................1-1
2SYSTEM DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................................2-1
2.1 About This Manual............................................................................................................................2-1
2.2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................2-1
2.3 System Features ...............................................................................................................................2-5
2.4 Physical Description ........................................................................................................................2-6
2.4.1 Model Types ................................................................................................................................2-6
2.4.2 Options ........................................................................................................................................2-8
2.4.3 Front Panel Indicators .................................................................................................................2-8
2.4.4 Front Panel Connections .............................................................................................................2-9
2.5 System Description ........................................................................................................................2-13
2.6 Consecutive Point Architecture ....................................................................................................2-16
2.7 2 + 0 (East-West) Configuration ....................................................................................................2-18
2.8 1+1 Protection .................................................................................................................................2-19
2.9 1 + 1 Multi-hop Repeater Configuration .......................................................................................2-20
2.10 Data Interfaces ................................................................................................................................2-22
2.11 Power Management ........................................................................................................................2-22
2.12 MDS Digital Radio Series Software and Network Management.................................................2-23
3INSTALLATION .....................................................................................................................................3-1
3.1 Unpacking..........................................................................................................................................3-1
3.2 Notices ...............................................................................................................................................3-2
3.3 Required Tools..................................................................................................................................3-2
3.3.1 SDIDUTM Tools ............................................................................................................................3-2
3.3.2 ODU Tools...................................................................................................................................3-2
3.4 PRE-INSTALLATION NOTES ...........................................................................................................3-3
3.5 Overview of Installation and Testing Process ...............................................................................3-3
3.6 Site Evaluation ..................................................................................................................................3-5
3.6.1 Preparing for a Site Evaluation....................................................................................................3-6
3.6.2 Site Evaluation Process...............................................................................................................3-7
3.6.3 Critical System Calculations......................................................................................................3-12
3.6.4 Frequency Plan Determination..................................................................................................3-13
3.6.5 Antenna Planning ......................................................................................................................3-14
3.6.6 ODU Transmit Power Setup ......................................................................................................3-15
3.6.7 Documenting a Site Evaluation .................................................................................................3-17
3.7 Installation of the Digital Radio Series .........................................................................................3-20
3.7.1 Installing the Software Defined IDUTM .......................................................................................3-20
3.7.2 Installing the ODU .....................................................................................................................3-21
3.7.3 Routing the ODU/ SDIDUTM Interconnect Cable .......................................................................3-23
3.8 Quick Start Guide ...........................................................................................................................3-25
3.8.1 Materials Required ....................................................................................................................3-25
3.8.2 Grounding the ODU...................................................................................................................3-25

3.8.3 Grounding the SDIDUTM ............................................................................................................3-27
3.8.4 Connecting the SDIDUTM to the PC and Power Source............................................................3-27
3.8.5 SDIDUTM Configuration..............................................................................................................3-28
3.8.6 ODU Antenna Alignment ...........................................................................................................3-30
3.8.7 Quick Start Settings...................................................................................................................3-31
3.9 Documenting MDS FOUR.9 Series Configuration .......................................................................3-32
4SUMMARY SPECIFICATIONS..............................................................................................................4-1
5FRONT PANEL CONNECTORS ...........................................................................................................5-1
5.1 DC Input (Power) Connector............................................................................................................5-1
5.2 Ethernet 100BaseTX Payload Connector 1-2.................................................................................5-1
5.3 SONET Payload Connector..............................................................................................................5-2
5.4 STM-1 Payload Connector ...............................................................................................................5-2
5.5 DS-3/E-3/STS-1 Payload Connector................................................................................................5-2
5.6 NMS 10/100BaseTX Connector 1-2 .................................................................................................5-3
5.7 Alarm/Serial Port Connector............................................................................................................5-3
5.8 ODU Connector .................................................................................................................................5-4
5.9 T1- Channels 1-2 Connector............................................................................................................5-4
5.10 T1- Channels 3-16 Connector ..........................................................................................................5-5
5.11 USB ....................................................................................................................................................5-7
5.12 Voice Order Wire...............................................................................................................................5-8
5.13 Data Order Wire ................................................................................................................................5-8
6APPENDIX .............................................................................................................................................6-1
6.1 Alarm Descriptions...........................................................................................................................6-1
6.2 Abbreviations & Acronyms............................................................................................................6-14

© 2006 Microwave Data Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved. MDS FOUR.9 Series
05-4561A01, Rev. A
1 Safety Precautions
PLEASE READ THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS!
RF Energy Health Hazard—FOUR.9 Series
The radio equipment described in this guide employs radio frequency transmitters. 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 119 cm (47.2 inches) to the front of the antenna while
the transmitter is operating. The antenna must be professionally installed on a fixed-mounted
outdoor permanent structure to provide separation from any other antenna and all persons as
detailed in this manual.
RF Energy Health Hazard—SIX.4 Series
The radio equipment described in this guide employs radio frequency transmitters. 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 3.17 meters (124.80 inches) to the front of the antenna
while the transmitter is operating. The antenna must be professionally installed on a fixed-
mounted outdoor permanent structure to provide separation from any other antenna and all
persons as detailed in this manual.
Protection from Lightning
Article 810 of the US National Electric Department of Energy Handbook 1996 specifies that radio
and television lead-in cables must have adequate surge protection at or near the point of entry to
the building. The code specifies that any shielded cable from an external antenna must have the
shield directly connected to a 10 AWG wire that connects to the building ground electrode.
Warning – This is a Class A product
Warning – This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio
interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
Warning – Turn off all power before servicing

User Reference and Installation Guide 1-2
© 2006 Microwave Data Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved. MDS Digital Radio Series
05-4561A01, Rev. A
Warning – Turn off all power before servicing this equipment.
Safety Requirements
Safety requirements require a switch be employed between the SDIDU™ external power supply
and the SDIDU™ power supplies.
Proper Disposal
The manufacture of the equipment described herein has required the extraction and use of
natural resources. Improper disposal may contaminate the environment and present a health risk
due to the release of hazardous substances contained within. To avoid dissemination of these
substances into our environment, and to lessen 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 Microwave Data
Systems or your supplier for more information on the proper disposal of this equipment.

© 2006 Microwave Data Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved. MDS FOUR.9 Series
05-4561A01, Rev. A
2 System Description
2.1 About This Manual
This manual is written for those who are involved in the installation and use of the
MDS FOUR.9 Series or MDS SIX.4 Series Digital Radio System, including installation
technicians, site evaluators, project managers, and network engineers. The transceivers are
comprised of a Software Defined Indoor UnitTM (SDIDUTM) and outdoor unit (ODU). The SDIDUTM
is a product and trademark of CarrierComm.
This manual assumes the reader has a basic understanding of how to install hardware, use
Windowsbased software, and operate test equipment. For the purposes of this manual, the
radios are referred to as the “Digital Radio Series” except where it is necessary to make a
distinction between the models covered or their operating frequency ranges.
2.2 Introduction
The Microwave Data Systems family of digital radios provides high capacity transmission,
flexibility, features, and convenience for wireless communications networks. These radios
represent a new microwave architecture that is designed to address universal applications for
both PDH and SDH platforms. This advanced technology platform provides the flexibility
customers need for their current and future network requirements.
The radio family is based on a common platform used to support a wide range of network
interfaces and configurations. It supports links for 16 x E1/T1, 100BaseTX Ethernet, and DS-
3/E-3/STS-1 (optional, consult factory for availability). The radio family is spectrum and data rate
scalable, enabling service providers or organizations to trade-off system gain with spectral
efficiency and channel availability for optimal network connectivity. The radio family enables
network operators (mobile and private), government and access service provides to offer a
portfolio of secure, scalable wireless applications for data, video, and Voice over IP (VoIP).
The MDS FOUR.9 Series digital radio family operates in the FCC Public Safety Band of 4.940 to
4.990 GHz, which is generically referred to as the “4.9 GHz band.” It supports three types of user
data payload connectivity as follows:
• 100Base-TX intelligent bridging between two locations without the delay and expense of
installing cable or traditional microwave.
• Scalable Ethernet capability of 25 and 50 Mbps is included. These scalable radios provide
LAN connectivity and offer performance trade-offs between operational bandwidths, data
rates, and distance.

User Reference and Installation Guide 2-2
© 2006 Microwave Data Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved. MDS Digital Radio Series
05-4561A01, Rev. A
• 16E1 or T1 for cellular backhaul, enterprise voice applications and voice network redundancy
The MDS SIX.4 Series digital radio family operates in the FCC Fixed Microwave Services band
of 5.925 to 6.425 GHz, which is generically referred to as the “6.4 GHz band.” It supports four
types of user data payload connectivity as follows:
• Gigabit Ethernet intelligent bridging between two locations without the delay and expense of
installing cable or traditional microwave.
• Scalable Ethernet capability of 16 to 131 Mbps is included. These scalable radios provide
LAN connectivity and offer performance trade-offs between operational bandwidths, data
rates, and distance.
• 32 T1 for cellular backhaul, enterprise voice applications and voice network redundancy with
85 Mbps of Ethernet
• SONET (Synchronous Optical Network)
For customers such as cellular carriers requiring backhaul and backbone extension as well
as service providers requiring network redundancy, new Points of Presence (POPs), and last mile
access, the Digital Radio Series is a cost effective alternative to leased lines with carrier-class
quality of performance. The Digital Series radio is a cost effective solution to meet the growing
demand for enterprise Local Area Network (LAN) connectivity between buildings and campuses
as well as service providers requiring reliable products for infrastructure expansion, extending
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) fiber access, and network redundancy.
The Digital Series includes integrated Network Management functionality and design features that
enable simple commissioning in the field at the customer’s premises. Furthermore, a highlight of
MDS radio products is scalability and the capability to support a ring-type architecture. This ring
or consecutive point radio architecture is “self-healing” in the event of an outage in the link and
automatically re-routes data traffic to ensure that service to the end user is not interrupted.
The Digital Series radio system is composed of a Software Defined Indoor UnitTM (SDIDUTM) and
Outdoor Unit (ODU). It supports 1+0 and 1+1 protection and ring architectures in a single 1 Rack
Unit (1RU) chassis. The modem and power supply functions are supported using easily
replaceable plug-in modules. An additional feature of the SDIDUTM is provision for a second
plug-in modem/IF module to provide repeater or east/west network configurations.
The overall architecture consists of a single 1RU rack mount Software Defined Indoor Unit
(SDIDUTM) with a cable connecting to an Outdoor Unit (ODU) with an external antenna.

User Reference and Installation Guide 2-3
© 2006 Microwave Data Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved. MDS Digital Radio Series
05-4561A01, Rev. A
Core Access
Network
Indoor Unit
Indoor Unit
Indoor Unit
Outdoor
Unit
Outdoor
Unit
Outdoor
Unit
Outdoor
Unit
Outdoor
Unit
Outdoor
Unit
Figure 2-1. MDS Digital Radio Series SDIDUTM and ODU Architecture
Table 2-1 lists key features that Digital Radio Series technology offers to those involved in the
design, deployment and support of broadband fixed wireless networks.
Table 2-1 Key Benefits and Advantages of MDS Digital Radio Series
Benefits Advantages to Providers/Customers Reference
Wireless license-free system (FOUR.9
only): ISM bands do not require expensive
license band fees or incur licensing delays.
Wireless licensed system (SIX.4 only):
No interference from other services as this
band is licensed to the user.
Wireless connectivity supplements existing
cable (Ethernet).
Fast return on investment.
Lower total cost of total ownership.
Media diversity avoids single points of
failure.
146H143H2.2 –147H144H2.4
Easy to install units
Straightforward modular system enables
fast deployment and activation.
Carrier-class reliability.
Fast return on investment.
No monthly leased line fees.
148H145H3.5
Complete support of payload capacity with additional wayside channels
Aggregate capacity beyond basic payload:
FOUR.9 Series—34 Mbps, 50 Mbps or
100 Mbps.
SIX.4 Series—16 to 131 Mbps
Increases available bandwidth of network.
Allows customer full use of revenue-
generating payload channel.
149H146H2.2– 150H 147H2.5