Raveon Technologies Corporation TK8 User manual

Company Confidential 1Raveon Technologies Corp.
TK8 / RV-M8S
DART VHF/UHF Data Modem
Technical Ma nual
Version E1
January 2015
Raveon Technologies Corporation
2320 Cousteau Ct.
Vista, CA 92081
www.raveon.com

Company Confidential 2Raveon Technologies Corp.
Table of Contents
1. General Information about the RV-M8...........................................................4
1.1. Congratulations!.............................................................................................................................4
1.2. NOTICE.........................................................................................................................................4
1.3. Safety / Warning Information .........................................................................................................4
1.4. OEM Use.......................................................................................................................................5
2. Overview .......................................................................................................6
2.1. Features.........................................................................................................................................6
3. Specifications ................................................................................................8
3.1. General..........................................................................................................................................8
3.2. Transmitter Specifications (TK8-xx)...............................................................................................8
3.3. Receiver Specifications ................................................................................................................. 8
3.4. Interface Specifications.................................................................................................................. 9
4. Electrical Inputs and Outputs.......................................................................10
4.1. LEDs............................................................................................................................................10
4.2. I/O Pinout.....................................................................................................................................10
4.3. Heatsinking.................................................................................................................................. 11
4.4. Mounting Holes............................................................................................................................ 11
5. User Serial Port Commands........................................................................12
5.1. Overview......................................................................................................................................12
5.2. Command Mode.......................................................................................................................... 12
5.3. Setting a Parameter..................................................................................................................... 13
5.4. Reading a Parameter................................................................................................................... 13
5.5. CONFIG Button ...........................................................................................................................13
5.6. Exiting the Command Mode......................................................................................................... 14
6. Command Mode Commands.......................................................................15
6.1. General Command Common to Data Mode and Paging Mode.................................................... 15
6.2. Data Modem Mode Related Commands...................................................................................... 17
6.3. Paging Receiver Related Commands.............................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.4. Factory Default Settings...............................................................................................................18
7. Using the TK8 in Paging Mode...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.1. Setting Cap Codes..........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.2. Setting Paging Data Format............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.3. Numeric Messages.........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.4. Alphanumeric Messages.................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
8. Using the TK8 –Packet Data Mode .............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
8.1. Setup ..............................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
8.2. Programming Channels and Frequencies ...................................................................................19
8.3. Data Transmission.......................................................................................................................20
Serial Port Baud Rate..........................................................................................................................20
Busy-Channel Lock Out..........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
8.4. Addressing (Packetized Mode only) ...............................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Addressing Basics ..................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Group Numbers......................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Hexadecimal Numbers............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Setting A System-Wide Address.............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Broadcast Transmissions........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
The Address Mask..................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Addressing Examples:............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
8.5. Store-and-Forward Repeating ........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Automatic Repeater Configuration..........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Manual Configuration of the Repeat Feature..........................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
9. Debug Related Commands .........................................................................20

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10. TK8 Diagnostic Provisions........................................................................22
10.1. Overview of Diagnostics ..............................................................................................................22
10.2. Reading the Diagnostic Information.............................................................................................22
10.3. Status and Statistics Command................................................................................................... 22
11. Tune-up and Alignment ............................................................................23
11.1. Periodic Calibration...................................................................................................................... 23
11.2. Calibration Commands ................................................................................................................23
11.3. Center Frequency........................................................................................................................24
11.4. TX Deviation................................................................................................................................ 24
11.5. TX Modulation Balance................................................................................................................ 24
11.6. RX Carrier Detect ........................................................................................................................25
12. Troubleshooting.......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Symptom: Unit will not receive...............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Symptom: Unit will not transmit..............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Symptom: Receive light blinks, but no data is received.........................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Symptom: Long delay before transmitting..............................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Symptom: Cannot enter Command Mode..............................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Symptom: Modem appears dead...........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Symptom: Repeater will not repeat........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
13. Mechanical................................................................................................27

Company Confidential 4Raveon Technologies Corp.
1. General Information about the RV-M8
1.1. Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of a TK8 OEM radio modem –the most advanced radio
modem of its kind available today.
Please take a few minutes to read this manual carefully. The information presented here
will allow you to derive maximum performance from your radio modem. After reading it,
keep the manual handy for quick reference, in case questions arise later on.
1.2. NOTICE
There are no user-serviceable points inside this transceiver. All service work must be
referred to your Authorized Service Center or Raveon Technologies Service Department.
IMPORTANT NOTICE !
Because of the nature of wireless communication, transmission and reception of data can never be
guaranteed. Data may be delayed, corrupted (i.e., have errors), or be totally lost. Significant delays
or losses of data are rare when wireless devices, such as the Viper SC, are used in a normal
manner with a well-constructed network.
This radio should not be used in situations where failure to transmit or receive data could result in
damage of any kind to the user or any other party, including but not limited to personal injury, death,
or loss of property.
Raveon accepts no responsibility for damages of any kind resulting from delays or errors in data
transmitted or received using Viper SC, or for the failure of Viper SC to transmit or receive such
data.
1.3. Safety / Warning Information
Service
This equipment should be serviced by qualified technicians only.
Blasting Caps and Blasting Areas
To avoid possible interference with blasting operations, turn off this radio or remove the DC
power when you are near electrical blasting caps, in a blasting area, or in areas posted:
“Turn off two-way radio.” Obey all signs and instructions.
Potentially Explosive Atmospheres
Turn off your radio prior to entering any area with a potentially explosive atmosphere. Do
not install this product for use in areas with potentially explosive atmospheres. Do not
remove, install, or charge batteries in such areas. Sparks in a potentially explosive
atmosphere can cause an explosion or fire resulting in bodily injury or even death.
Note: The areas with potentially explosive atmospheres referred to above include fueling areas such as
below decks on boats, fuel or chemical transfer or storage facilities, areas where the air contains chemicals or
particles, such as grain, dust or metal powders, and any other area where you would normally be advised to
turn off your vehicle engine. Areas with potentially explosive atmospheres are often but not always posted.
FCC MPE Regulations
WARNING: It is the responsibility of the user to guarantee compliance with the FCC MPE
regulations when operating this device in a way other than described in this manual.

Company Confidential 5Raveon Technologies Corp.
Human body Exposure:
This equipment is approved only for mobile and base station transmitting devices,
separation distances of
(i) 36 centimeters or more for antennas with gains of 0 dBi or less or
(ii) 1 meters or more for antennas with gains 0 to 6 dBi should be maintained between the
antenna of this device and nearby persons during operation. To ensure compliance,
operation at distances closer than this is not recommended.
1.4. OEM Use
This radio module is for OEM use, and it is the responsibility of the OEM user to notify the
end-users of RF and electrical safety issues.
It is the user's responsibility to check his/her FCC license to determine the correct
parameters and settings for the channel frequencies, power level, and bandwidth.
It is the responsibility of the OEM implementing this product to ensure the user is aware of
this.
1.5. Part 15 Note:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Company Confidential 6Raveon Technologies Corp.
2. Overview
The TK8 RF DART compliant Data radio modem is capable of high-speed narrow-band
data communications. It contains a receiver, a transmitter, and modem, creating an easy-
to-use transparent data radio link. The built-in DART protocol is compatible with Raveon’s
DART data radio protocol. (www.raveon.com/DART ) This radio modem is not compatible
with Raveon’s M7 series of data radio modems.
The TK8’s user interface is asynchronous digital data into and out of the TK8. Modem
operation is virtually transparent to the user and the configuration of the modem is via the
user serial port.
The command-line interface is similar to Raveon’s other data radio products, and
configuring the mode is very easy. The TK8 is an easy to use and its re-programmability
makes it extremely versatile. Most parameters within the modem may be re-configured to
optimize it for specialized operations, extended range, or higher data throughput.
2.1. Features
General Features
Serial input and output. Programmable serial baud rates up to 57600.
Small sized and single-board construction.
Very efficient circuitry. ( < 700mW receiving, < 8W transmitting)
Easy to use. Transmit data in = Receive data out.
Easily configured using “AT” commands
Extensive diagnostic capabilities
WMX serial protocol may be enabled on the serial port..
Wide input voltage with high-efficiency switching voltage regulator.

DART Radio Modem Features
Quickly deploy new radios into complex systems
Configures radio modems dynamically, based upon current system needs and settings.
Over-the-air channel/frequency assignments
Data transmission bandwidth allocation
Assigns channel bandwidth dynamically to devices needing to communicate
Retry interval and duration is managed by local base station based on loading and QOS
Wireless Devices (WDs) automatically find the a local base station to link-up to when they power on.
Balance the data communication loads based upon device priorities, system configuration and minimum QOS
WDs may be assigned to groups. Single messages may be sent to groups of WDs. Messages may be routed
to/from groups.
2.2. Firmware Updating
The TK8 is a software based radio and modem. There are times an existing unit needs to
get updated with a new feature, and this can often be done by loading the new firmware

Company Confidential 7Raveon Technologies Corp.
into the older radio modem. In firmware program called the “Boot Loader” is permanently
installed inside the TK8’s microcontroller. During power up, it checks to see if the user
wants to update the application program in the microcontroller.
The STAT1 pin is used to trigger the Boot Loader. See application note AN186 for details
on how to boat load new firmware into the TK8.

Company Confidential 8Raveon Technologies Corp.
3. Specifications
3.1. General
Model Number, transceiver:.............................................................RV-M8S-xx-b (220MHz bands)
Model Number, transceiver:.............................................................RV-TK8-xx-b (VHF and UHF)
Frequency Bands:...............................................................................-UC 450-470MHz
..............................................................................................................-UA 405-430MHz
..............................................................................................................-VC 216-220MHz
..............................................................................................................-VB 150-174MHz
IF Bandwidth......................................................................................12.5kHz standard, 25kHz optional (-W)
Serial Port Baud Rates ......................................................................1.2k, 2.4k, 4.8k, 9.6k, 19.2k, 38.4k, 57.6k, 115.2k
Over-the-air baud rates .................................................................... 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600 (N) up to 19200 -W
Operating Mode.................................................................................DART over-the-air protocol
Full Spec Operating Temperature range.........................................-30°C to +60°C
Wake-up time .....................................................................................<700mS from OFF
RF I/O Connector ...............................................................................MMCX female
Enable Input Low...............................................................................400mV
Digital Output High (1K load) .........................................................3.0 - 3.3V
Digital Output Low (1K load) ..........................................................0 - 0.2V
Digital Input High .............................................................................> 3.0V
Digital Input Low ..............................................................................< 0.3V
Enable input High..............................................................................1.40V
3.2. Transmitter Specifications (TK8-xx)
RF Power Output (VHF/220Mhz)...................................................100mW –3.0 W (programmable)
RF Power Output (UHF)..................................................................100mW –2.0 W (programmable)
Maximum Duty Cycle (500mW) ......................................................80% to 40C, 20% to 60C
Maximum Duty Cycle (2W, measured over 60 seconds)..............10% to 50C, 5% to 60C
Frequency Deviation .........................................................................± 2.2kHz
Channel spacing.................................................................................12.5kHz
RF Bandwidth, 220MHz....................................................................3MHz no-tune
RF Bandwidth, VHF ..........................................................................8MHz no-tune
RF Bandwidth, UHF ..........................................................................20MHz no-tune
Occupied bandwidth.........................................................................11 kHz
TX Spurious outputs..........................................................................< -70dBc
Occupied Bandwidth.........................................................................Per FCC
FCC Emissions Designator ...............................................................11K0F1D
Frequency Stability ............................................................................Better than ±1.0ppm
3.3. Receiver Specifications
Data RX sensitivity (.1% BER), 4800bps (VHF/220MHz/UHF)....< -114/114/113dBm
RF No-tune bandwidth .....................................................................Full Band
Current Consumption .......................................................................<80mA at 12.5V DC input
Channel spacing.................................................................................12.5kHz or 25kHz (-N or –N )
Adjacent Channel Selectivity 12.5kHz ............................................-50dB
Alternate Channel Selectivity...........................................................-60dB
Blocking and spurious rejection.......................................................-70dB
RX intermodulation rejection ...........................................................-70dB

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3.4. Interface Specifications
Connector Type..................................................................................20-pin 2mm header
DC Input ............................................................................................10-28V volts DC
DC power draw, RX mode ...............................................................< 600mW
DC power draw, TX mode, 2W........................................................< 11 W
IO Voltage Levels...............................................................................3.3V digital logic
RX and TX data ..................................................................................Transparent Async
Word length........................................................................................8 bits
Format .................................................................................................N, O, or E
Modem handshake signals ...............................................................RTS, CTS, CD

Company Confidential 10 Raveon Technologies Corp.
4. Electrical Inputs and Outputs
4.1. LEDs
Status LED (TX) This LED blinks indicates the status of the device as follows:
Color
Power LED (PWR) This LED does a short blink, once every two seconds, indicating to the
user that the power to the modem is ON and the modem is working. When the modem is in
the command mode, this LED will blink on and off, once per second.
4.2. I/O Pinout
The I/O connector is a 20-pin header, 2mm pin spacing.
Pin #
Function
I/O
Function
1
GND
-
Ground
2
Vcc
I
DC Input
3
CD
O
Carrier Detect Out. Low for carrier. Logic high for no carrier. RF or
DATA carrier detect set with ATR1 command. Default: RF.
4
TX On
O
Pin is High when module is transmitting. Low when off, receiving, or
sleeping.
5
Data In (TXD)
I
Transmit data input.
6
Data Out (RXD)
O
Receive data output.
7
Enable
I
Low (<.7V) to shut down the module. High (>2.5V) to enable it.
8
Sleep
i
CPU Sleep input
9
CTS
O
Clear to send output. Indicates state of internal input buffer.
ATJF command sets the threshold where CTS is negated.
10
RTS
I
RTS input for serial flow control.
11
RSSI
0
Receiver signal strength indicator
12
3.3V out
O
3.3V out of the M8 module. 50mA max current draw.
13
IOA
AUDIO IN
I/O
General purpose digital I/O. 3V digital logic from CPU on M8. If the
Audio option is used, this pin is used to input transmit audio.
14
IOB
I/O
General purpose I/O. 3V digital logic from CPU on M8. By default
functions as DSR. 0= ready&running. 1=sleeping. If enable=0, this
line will =0.
15
IOC
I
Reserved.
16
STAT1
O
Output to drive external dual-color LED. Connect led between
STAT1 and STAT2.
17
RX Audio
O
Receive and transmit audio output for factory test. Do not connect to
anything. If the AUDIO option is used, this pin is the receive audio
output.
18
STAT2
O
Output to drive external dual-color LED. Do not connect the LED to
ground or DC voltage.
19
GND
-
System Ground to M8
20
Vbu
I
Backup battery input to CPU to retain memory. Not required to be
connected to anything.