Radio Bridge RBM101i-319 User manual

Wireless Receiver
For 319MHz Sensors
RBM101i-319 User Guide
VERSION 0.1
APRIL 2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. RADIO BRIDGE RBM101I USER GUIDE ...................................................................................... 3
1.1. About this Guide ........................................................................................................................3
1.2. Revision History .........................................................................................................................3
1.3. Document Conventions ..............................................................................................................3
1.4. Part Numbers.............................................................................................................................4
2. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................................................... 4
2.1. General Specifications ................................................................................................................4
2.2. Power Requirements..................................................................................................................4
2.3. Pin Signals..................................................................................................................................5
3. SERIAL COMMANDS ................................................................................................................. 6
3.1. Commands to the Module ..........................................................................................................6
3.2. Messages from the Module ........................................................................................................6
3.2.1. “CMD”: Command Response .................................................................................................... 7
3.2.2. “ERR”: Error Message................................................................................................................ 7
3.2.3. “STA”: Status Message.............................................................................................................. 7
3.2.4. “SEN”: Sensor Message............................................................................................................. 8
3.3. AT Command Reference .............................................................................................................9
3.3.1. AT Commands ...........................................................................................................................9
3.3.1.1 AT –Attention.......................................................................................................................9
3.3.1.2 WR –Write Configuration.....................................................................................................9
3.3.1.3 RE –Restore Parameters.......................................................................................................9
3.3.1.4 FR –Factory Reset................................................................................................................. 9
3.3.1.5 DI –Device ID ......................................................................................................................10
3.3.1.6 Enter Bootloader.................................................................................................................10
3.3.1.7 BT –Bootloader Timeout ....................................................................................................10
3.3.1.8 VR –Firmware version ........................................................................................................10
3.3.1.9 HR –Hardware version .......................................................................................................10
3.3.1.10 DB –RSSI of last packet ..................................................................................................11
3.3.1.11 BR –Baud Rate ...............................................................................................................11
3.3.1.12 DF –Duplicate Filter .......................................................................................................12
4. MESSAGES.............................................................................................................................. 13
4.1. Sensor Event Messages.............................................................................................................13
4.2. Status Messages.......................................................................................................................14

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4.3. Error Messages.........................................................................................................................14
5. CONFIGURATION.................................................................................................................... 16
5.1. Bootloader...............................................................................................................................16
5.1.1. Using Terminal Emulators.......................................................................................................16
6. MECHANICAL DRAWINGS....................................................................................................... 18
7. TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHT.............................................................................................. 19
8. DISCLAIMERS, WARRANTY, AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT .......................................................... 19
8.1.1. Disclaimers ..............................................................................................................................19
8.1.2. Warranty .................................................................................................................................19
8.1.3. Customer Support...................................................................................................................19

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1. RADIO BRIDGE RBM101I USER GUIDE
1.1. About this Guide
The RBM101i BridgeBee™module described in this document is a 319MHz receiver for
wireless sensors and devices found in home security installations, home automation systems,
life safety products, and more. The RBM101i-319 compatibility list includes but is not limited
to 319MHz sensors from the following manufacturers:
- UTC® / Interlogix® / ITI®
- Qolsys
- Cinch Systems
This document provides guidelines for configuring and using the RBM101i module.
1.2. Revision History
Revision
Date
Description
1.0
June 2017
Initial release of the document
1.3. Document Conventions
Font / Icon
Meaning
Courier New
Command line input/output
Notes
Important information

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1.4. Part Numbers
Table 1 RBM101i-319 Part Numbers
Part Number
Description
RBM101i-319T
319MHz BridgeBee through hole
RBM101i-319S
319MHz BridgeBee surface mount
2. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
2.1. General Specifications
The following table provides the general specifications for the RBM101i.
Table 2 RBM101i General Specifications
Specification
Value
Operating Frequency
319.508MHz
Channels
1 (channel 0)
Form factor
Standard BridgeBee™
Operating temp
-40 to 85° C
Antenna options
SMA, U.FL, wire whip
2.2. Power Requirements
The following table provides the power requirements for the RBM101.
Table 3 Power Requirements
Specification
Value
Supply voltage
2.7-3.6V
Receive / idle current

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2.3. Pin Signals
The following table shows the pin assignments for the RBM101i.
Table 4 Pin Assignments
Pin
Name
Direction
Function
1
Vcc
-
Power supply
2
UART_TX
Out
UART data out
3
UART_RX
In
UART data in
4
N/C
-
Not connected
5
nReset
In
Device is reset when held low
6
N/C
-
Not connected
7
N/C
-
Not connected
8
N/C
-
Not connected
9
N/C
-
Not connected
10
GND
-
Ground
11
N/C
-
Not connected
12
N/C
-
Not connected
13
N/C
-
Not connected
14
N/C
-
Not connected
15
N/C
-
Not connected
16
N/C
-
Not connected
17
N/C
-
Not connected
18
N/C
-
Not connected
19
N/C
-
Not connected
20
N/C
-
Not connected

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3. SERIAL COMMANDS
The Radio Bridge modules utilize the UART serial port for communicating payload data between
modules and for configuration of the modules themselves.
The serial port runs with these default settings.
Table 5 Port Default Settings
Name
Default Setting
Baud Rate
9600
Stop Bits
1
Parity
None
The baud rate can be changed using the BD AT command as defined in the AT Commands section.
All values through the serial command interface are coded as ASCII characters. In other words,
the hex value 0x12 would be coded as the ASCII string “12” which allows for convenient control
through a terminal emulator. Host processors communicating to the module through a UART
must convert values to ASCII-coded values.
3.1. Commands to the Module
Every command to the module starts with the ASCII characters “AT” which stand for
“attention” as shown in the following command structure.
Table 6 Command Structure
“AT” Prefix
ASCII Command
Parameters (if necessary)
Carriage Return 0x0D
2 bytes
2 bytes
0-n bytes
1 byte
These “AT” commands are defined in AT Command Reference section.
3.2. Messages from the Module
The messages from the device do not have an “AT” prefix but have the following structure.
Table 7 Message Structure
Message Type
Space 0x20
Message
Carriage Return 0x0D
3 bytes
1 byte
2-n bytes
1 byte
The message types are one of the following ASCII-coded values:

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•“CMD”: Command Response
•“ERR”: Error Message
•“STA”: Status Message
•“SEN”: Sensor Payload
3.2.1. “CMD”: Command Response
Response from a previous AT command. For example, for AT commands that set valid
parameters the host would expect the response:
CMD OK
If the AT command is requesting the firmware version which happens to be v1.01 the
response would be:
CMD 0101
3.2.2. “ERR”: Error Message
This is an error message from the module that sends a 4-digit error code as ASCII coded hex
characters. For instance, error code 0x0000 would be represented by:
ERR 0000
See the Error Messages section for more detail.
3.2.3. “STA”: Status Message
This is general status message from the module that sends a 4-digit status code as ASCII coded
hex characters. For instance, status message 0x0000 would be represented by:
STA 0000
Note that status messages do not include errors. For errors see the message
type Error Message. See the Status Messages section for more detail.

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3.2.4. “SEN”: Sensor Message
The SEN message is sent whenever the module receives a sensor event. The payload of the
message is defined as follows.
Table 8 Message Payload
Sensor
ID
Space
0x20
Message
Count
Space
0x20
Low
Battery
Space
0x20
Device
Type
Space
0x20
Sensor
Status
Carriage
Return
0x0D
6 bytes
1 byte
1 bytes
1 byte
1 byte
1 byte
1 byte
1 byte
3 bytes
1 byte
Sensor ID: This is the unique 24-bit sensor ID that is usually printed on a sticker on the
enclosure of the sensor
Message Count: With every new sensor event, this field increments from 0 to 6 or 7 and then
rolls back to 0. This counter allows the user to determine if any sensor events were missed or
arrived out of order.
Low Battery: 1 if the battery is low, 0 normally
Device Type: This byte represents the sensor type and will define how to interpret the sensor
status bits
Sensor Status: These bits represent the sensor event as defined by the device type. See the
section on Sensor Event Messages for more detail.

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3.3. AT Command Reference
This section defines the serial AT commands that can be sent to the module.
3.3.1. AT Commands
All AT commands begin with an ASCII “AT”, followed by a two ASCII character command, and
followed by optional parameters depending on the command. The prefix “AT” can be used
standalone to determine if a device is available, out of reset, boot-loading complete and
responding. Upon sending “AT” with no additional command or payload, the device should
respond “CMD OK” if it is alive. This command may be used during a system boot-loading
process where a bootloader delay is used to determine if the device is ready.
3.3.1.1 AT –Attention
This is the basic standalone command to determine if a device is available, out of reset, boot-
loading complete and responding. Upon sending “AT” with no additional command or
payload, the device should respond “CMD OK” if it is alive. This command may be used during
a system boot-loading process where a bootloader delay is used to determine if the device is
ready.
3.3.1.2 WR –Write Configuration
Writes current configuration to non-volatile memory and loaded automatically after next
reset.
3.3.1.3 RE –Restore Parameters
Restore parameters to factory reset defaults. However, the default values are not written to
flash.
3.3.1.4 FR –Factory Reset
Factory reset the device. Resets all parameters and clears non-volatile memory and writes the
defaults to flash.

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3.3.1.5 DI –Device ID
Read the 32-bit device ID for module. This is set at the factory and serves as a unique serial
number for the device. The parameters are ASCII coded hex characters. For example, a Device
ID of 0x12345678 would be represented by the string “12345678”.
This value cannot be changed. Only the factory programmed Device ID is returned.
3.3.1.6 Enter Bootloader
This command will stop normal program execution and jump to the bootloader. A new menu
will appear with the same serial port settings that will allow the user to load a new signed and
encrypted firmware image through the XMODEM protocol. From the bootloader there will be
a menu option to run the new firmware image and jump back to normal program execution.
It is recommended to use the Radio Bridge configuration app for firmware updates.
3.3.1.7 BT –Bootloader Timeout
This command changes the time that the bootloader waits for the <DEL> character prior to
booting the application. The parameter is a 4 digit ASCII coded hex value and is in units of
milliseconds:
Default: 0BB8 for 3 seconds
Range: 0000 to 0BB8
If the range is set to 0, the bootloader will automatically run the application at reset and the
only way to enter the bootloader is to drive the BTL pin to ground. See the Bootloader section
for more detail.
3.3.1.8 VR –Firmware version
This command will return four ASCII coded characters representing the module firmware
version where the first two digits represent the major version and the last two digits represent
the minor version. For example, version 1.2 would be represented by the ASCII string “0102”.
This value is set at the factory and is read-only.
3.3.1.9 HR –Hardware version
This command will return two ASCII coded hex bytes representing the SubGig stack version
where the first two digits represent the major version and the last two digits represent the
minor version. For example, version 1.2 would be represented by the ASCII string “0102”. This
value is set at the factory and is read-only.

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3.3.1.10 DB –RSSI of last packet
This command returns the RSSI value of the last packet it received. The return value is a two
digit ASCII-coded hex value.
3.3.1.11 BR –Baud Rate
This command will change the baud rate of the main serial UART. The parameter is a single
ASCII coded hex character according to the following table.
Table 9 Baud Rate
Parameter
Baud Rate
0
1,200
1
2,400
2
4,800
3
9,600
4
19,200
5
38,400
6
57,600
7
115,200
8
230,400
If the baud rate setting is successful, the module will respond with a “CMD OK” at the original
baud rate and then immediately update to the new baud rate. If the setting is unsuccessful,
an error message will be returned at the original baud rate and the baud rate will remain
unchanged.
Note the RBM101 is based on a Silicon Labs Flex Gecko radio. This device
uses an automatic gain control on the radio that can make the RSSI reading
non-linear and inconsistent as gain is added to the rx circuit. Use at your
own discretion.

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3.3.1.12 DF –Duplicate Filter
Sets the window of time to filter duplicate packets. If an identical packet arrives within the
window defined by this parameter, it is discarded and not reported to the host. The parameter
is a 16-bit value in units of 10ms.
Default: 01F5 (5 seconds)
This does not block new events from the same sensor that fall within this window. Each new
event should contain an updated message count which makes the new event unique. If a
sensor is not updating the message count or if this feature should be disabled for any other
reason, a setting of 0000 will disable the feature completely.
Note that most sensors send the same message up to 8 times and thus will need to be filtered
at the host if this feature is disabled.

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4. MESSAGES
4.1. Sensor Event Messages
This section defines the sensor event messages that are sent from the module back to the
host over the serial port. The SEN message contains both Device Type and Sensor Status fields.
Each Device Type listed below has a corresponding table that defines the Sensor Status bits.
Note that these tables have been established for third-party manufacturers and thus are not
complete in terms of all combinations of sensor codes. However, the primary functions of a
sensor such as open/close, tamper on/off, etc. are provided here to give the user basic
functionality. It is highly recommended to test all boundary conditions for each sensor to be
used in an end application and verify the tables for that use case.
In the tables below, an “x” denotes a “don’t care” condition for the associated bits. See the
RBM101i-319 product page on the Radio Bridge website for updated tables.
Table 10 Status Bits Description
Status Bits
Description
xx11xxxxxxxx
Sensor opened
xx10xxxxxxxx
Sensor is still open after it has been previously reported. Usually
these bits are set when another event occurs and device is still in
open state.
xx00xxxxxxxx
Sensor closed
xxxxxx11xxxx
Tamper event true
xxxxxx10xxxx
Tamer is still true after it has been previously reported. Usually
these bits are set when another event occurs and device is still in
tamper state.
xxxxxx00xxxx
Tamper event false

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4.2. Status Messages
This section defines status messages that are sent from the module back to the host over the
serial port.
The status message begins with the ASCII characters “STA “ an as defined in the Serial
Commands section. These error codes are defined in the following table.
Table 11 Status Messages
Code
Status
Description
0000
Device reset
Device just came out of reset
4.3. Error Messages
This section defines the error messages that are sent from the module back to the host over
the serial port. The message begins with the ASCII characters “ERR” as defined in the Serial
Commands section. This error codes are defined in the following table:
Table 12 Error Messages
Code
Error
Description
0003
Not Ready for new
commands
The host is attempting to send new commands but the
device is not ready to receive new commands yet.
0004
Incorrect command
format
The format of the serial command sent to the device is
wrong.
0009
Not ASCII coded
hex
The values provided were not ASCII coded hex values.
000a
Command not
recognized
A command was sent to the device that was not
recognized
0012
Invalid parameter
The parameter used in the AT command is invalid
0017
Radio init failed
Initialization of the radio failed
0018
Radio receive
overflow
Radio receiver overflow condition, radio is reset
Note that status messages do not include errors. Error messages are defined
in the section Error Messages.

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0019
Radio receive start
failed
An attempt to start the radio receiver failed
001a
Radio config failed
Configuration of the radio during initialization failed
001b
Radio receive out
of memory
The radio receive buffer is out of memory, packet receive
failed
001c
Radio transmit
underflow
Radio transmit underflow condition
001d
Radio transmit
channel busy
Radio transmit channel busy condition
001e
Test mode
command failed
An action related to a test mode (test carrier or test
packets) failed.
001f
Write to flash failed
An attempted write to flash failed
0020
Radio receive
config failed
The configuration of the radio receiver failed
0021
Radio transmit data
load failed
Loading data into the transmit buffer on the radio failed
0022
Radio transmit start
failed
Starting the transmit operation on the radio failed
0023
Serial transmit
overflow
The serial port had a transmit overflow condition and
thus data has likely been lost from the module back to
the host.
0024
Bootloader failed
The initialization of the bootloader has failed and
bootloader cannot run
0025
Invalid baud rate
The baud rate setting is invalid, baud rate is unchanged
0026
Duplicate buffer
full
The buffer that tracks duplicate packets had an overflow
condition.

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5. CONFIGURATION
5.1. Bootloader
The module contains a bootloader to allow for firmware upgrades. The configuration utility
provides an easy to use interface for the bootloader and programming the module with new
firmware images and is recommended above using any terminal emulators or manual
methods of upgrading the image.
5.1.1. Using Terminal Emulators
When usage of the configuration utility is not possible, the bootloader can also be used
through a simple terminal program such as Tera Term via AT commands or through an
external microcontroller.
If the serial port is connected to a terminal program, the following will be displayed after it
receives the BL AT command:
Press <DEL> to enter Bootloader
The bootloader then waits a period of 3 seconds (by default) for the <DEL> character (ASCII
character 127) and re-enters the program if it is not received. The same prompt appears
anytime the device is reset which allows the user to program a new image even if the current
image has become corrupt.
When running a terminal program, the following is displayed when the bootloader is entered:
Radio Bridge Bootloader v1.0.0
1. Upload Image
2. Run Application
3. Menu
Sending ASCII ‘1’ starts a 60 second timer and provides a window for the new image to be
transferred via XMODEM protocol. The XMODEM protocol is a standard file transfer protocol
and is described in other references. If the firmware image transfers properly the menu will
re-appear and sending ASCII ‘2’ will re-enter the main application.
The time that the bootloader waits for the <DEL> input key is configurable through the BT
(Bootloader Timeout) AT command. The maximum wait time is 3 seconds (default) but the
delay can be reduced to reduce the amount of time it takes to enter the main application. If
the bootloader timeout is set to zero, the bootloader is skipped completely at reset and the
main application is entered directly.
As a failsafe measure, there are two pads on the top side of the module with the label
“Bootloader”. If these pads are shorted together during reset, the bootloader will enter
automatically.

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The firmware images provided by Radio Bridge are signed and encrypted meaning that they
cannot be loaded on other hardware, and no other firmware images can be loaded on the
module through the bootloader.
Note that the bootloader is a program separate from the normal operation
of the device and thus no AT commands or other features will work while in
this mode.

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6. MECHANICAL DRAWINGS

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7. TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHT
Radio Bridge™ and BridgeBee™ are trademarks of Radio Bridge Inc in the United States.
© 2017 Radio Bridge Inc. All rights reserved.
8. DISCLAIMERS,WARRANTY,AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT
8.1.1. Disclaimers
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent
a commitment on the part of Radio Bridge. Radio Bridge provides this document “as is,”
without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the
implied warranties of fitness or merchantability for a particular purpose. Radio Bridge
may make improvements and/or changes in this manual or in the product(s) and/or the
software described in this manual at any time.
8.1.2. Warranty
To view product warranty information, go to the following website: www.radiobridge.com
8.1.3. Customer Support
Radio Bridge offers free technical support at www.radiobridge.com/forum. We also offer
technical support plans and service packages to help our customers get the most out of
their Radio Bridge products.
For information on Technical Support plans and pricing, visit us at www.radiobridge.com.