Raveon RV-M9 User manual

Company Confidential 1Raveon Technologies Corp.
RV-M9 Mils-Spec GPS Transponder
UHF GPS Transponder/Modem
Technical Manual
Version B
February 2019
RF-M9
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-M9 .......................................................... 4
1.1. Congratulations! ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.2. NOTICE......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3. Safety / Warning Information......................................................................................................... 4
1.4. Safety Training information:............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.5. FCC Compliance Information ........................................................................................................ 5
2. Overview....................................................................................................... 6
2.1. Features ........................................................................................................................................ 6
3. Operation ...................................................................................................... 6
3.1. 10/100Base-T –TCP/IP Socket Connections................................................................................ 6
3.2. Roles ............................................................................................................................................. 8
3.3. Login Authentication...................................................................................................................... 8
3.4. Session Modes.............................................................................................................................. 8
3.5. GPS Modes....................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Specifications..................................................................................................... 10
3.6. RF And Performance Specifications............................................................................................ 10
3.7. General........................................................................................................................................ 10
3.8. User Input and Output Signals..................................................................................................... 10
3.9. GPS and Transponder Specifications.......................................................................................... 10
4. Electrical Inputs and Outputs ...................................................................... 11
4.1. LEDs............................................................................................................................................ 11
4.2. DC Power.................................................................................................................................... 11
5. Configuring the RV-M9................................................................................ 11
5.1. Command Mode Overview.......................................................................................................... 11
5.2. Setting a Parameter..................................................................................................................... 12
5.3. Reading a Parameter................................................................................................................... 12
5.4. CONFIG Button ........................................................................................................................... 12
5.5. Restoring Factory Defaults.......................................................................................................... 13
5.6. MODEM Commands.................................................................................................................... 14
5.7. GPS Related Commands ............................................................................................................ 18
5.8. Ethernet Related Commands ..................................................................................................... 20
5.9. Factory –Default Settings ........................................................................................................... 21
6. Setup and Initial Configuration.................................................................... 22
6.1. Programming Channels and Frequencies ................................................................................... 23
6.2. Position Transmission.................................................................................................................. 24
6.3. Set the Transmission Report rate................................................................................................ 24
6.4. Data Transmission..........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
[[[Serial Port Baud Rate..........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.5. Data Reception...............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Port Data ................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
GPS Position and Status..................................................................................................................... 24
6.6. Device Addressing....................................................................................................................... 25
Security Key Phrase............................................................................................................................ 25
ID Addressing Basics........................................................................................................................... 25
Time Slots............................................................................................................................................ 26
6.7. Local NMEA data from the internal GPS ........................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
7. Operation .................................................................................................... 26
8. FCC Licensing Information.............................Error! Bookmark not defined.
9. Technical Information.................................................................................. 27
9.1. Device Addressing....................................................................................................................... 27
Addressing Basics............................................................................................................................... 27

Company Confidential 3Raveon Technologies Corp.
Broadcast Transmissions .................................................................................................................... 28
The Address Mask............................................................................................................................... 28
Addressing Examples:......................................................................................................................... 28
9.2. TDMA Overview .......................................................................................................................... 29
9.3. Configuring TDMA Operation ...................................................................................................... 30
9.4. Debug Related Commands ......................................................................................................... 31
9.5. Tune-up and Alignment ............................................................................................................... 32
Periodic Calibration.............................................................................................................................. 32
Center Frequency................................................................................................................................ 32
TX Deviation........................................................................................................................................ 32
TX Modulation Balance........................................................................................................................ 33
10. RV-M9 Diagnostic Provisions................................................................... 34
10.1. Overview of Diagnostics.............................................................................................................. 34
10.2. Reading the Diagnostic Information............................................................................................. 34
10.3. Status and Statistics Command................................................................................................... 34
11. Antenna Information....................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
12. RV-M9 Messages.................................................................................... 35
12.1. RGI Polled Remote Position........................................................................................................ 35
12.2. NMEA Type Messages................................................................................................................ 36
12.3. $GPTLL Target Lat-Lon............................................................................................................... 36
12.4. $GPGSV Satellites In View......................................................................................................... 37
12.5. $GPWPL Waypoint Location...................................................................................................... 37
12.6. $PRAVE Raveon Proprietary Message, Location-Status ........................................................... 38

Company Confidential 4Raveon Technologies Corp.
1. General Information about the RV-M9
1.1. Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of a RV-M9 GPS tracking radio.
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.
1.3. Safety / Warning Information
WARNING - DO NOT operate theRV-M9-U radio modem when bystanders are within 2
feet (.6 meters) of the antenna.
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.

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1.4. FCC Compliance Information
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE: The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by
unauthorized modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
This product also complies with FCC Part 22, 90 and Part 95 Subpart J of the FCC rules
and regulations.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with its action in ET Docket 93-62, has
adopted a safety standard for human exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) electromagnetic
energy emitted by FCC-certified equipment. This product meets the uncontrolled
environmental limits as stated in OET-65C (01-01) when operated in accordance with the
operation guidelines described in this manual. Proper operation of this radio device
according to the instructions in this publication will result in user exposure substantially
below the FCC recommended limits.

Company Confidential 6Raveon Technologies Corp.
2. Overview
The RV-M9 GPS transponder is a rugged high-speed UHF/VHF data modem with a built-
in 6-channel GPS receiver. It has ½ to 5 watts of RF power output, and operates as a
GPS transponder for tracking, and a radio modem for sending and receiving data.
As well as sending position and status, the RV-M9 also has a radio modem with
integrated Ethernet 10/100 Base-T interface.
For privacy and security, over-the air encryption is standard on every RV-M9 radio. For
radio network versatility, the RV-M9 incorporates a 16-bit identification code, allowing up
to 65,000 units to be identified in one system. For wide-area coverage, all RV-M9
transponders may be set to store-and-forward messages from other RV-M9
transponders.
2.1. Features
Transmissions include ID, position, speed, heading, voltage, temperature, input/output status, UTC time, and
proximity.
Ultra-fast 3mS TX-RX switching and 4-level GFSK modem allows truly “Real Time” tracking and status.
Outputs and accepts NMEA 0183 GLL, TLL, WPT, GSV, and PRAVE messages.
Built-in TDMA channel access allowing truly real-time tracking (200 transmission in 10 seconds)
Low power consumption.
16 bit addressing for up to 65,535 different unique IDs per channel.
10/100 Ethernet interface.
3. Operation
3.1. System Mode
The RV-M9 is generally configured in two different system modes; a Transmitter or a
Receiver. Transmitters may be either a PRIMARY and a SECONDARY.
The MODE command is used to read and set the System Mode. The table below shows
the default parameters that are configured when a unit’s MODE is programmed with the
MODE command.
System Mode:
TX
RX
TXRX P
TXRX S
Slot Number
1
N/A
1
2
Position TX
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Able to receive
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
ID
1
2
1
2

Company Confidential 7Raveon Technologies Corp.
Any RV-M9 that is a TXRX may be either a PRIMARY or a SECONDARY. Primary
transmitters use TDMA slot 1 to transmit their GPS location in, and Secondary
transmitters use TDMA slot 2 to transmit their GPS locations in.
The second parameter of the MODE command is either a P or S for Primary or
Secondary. For example, to program a secondary transceiver, use the following
command:
MODE TXRX S
3.2. 10/100Base-T –TCP/IP Socket Connections
The RV-M9 user interface is provided via a 10/100Base-T Ethernet interface. All user
communications in and out of the unit use TCP/IP socket connections that are compatible
with Telnet client applications. By default, the RV-M9 is a TCP/IP Telnet server.
The RV-M9 can interact with up to five (3) Telnet connections (“sessions”) at any given
time –additional connection requests beyond this limit shall be rejected (terminated and
closed) by the RV-M9. By default, all connection attempts require successful completion
of a login authentication challenge sequence before an interactive session will be
established. The “Primary IP” address that the RV-M9is configured to use is set with the
IPADD xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx command.
There are three levels of radio modem access or session “roles” with corresponding
privileges and features; they are: “ADMIN”, “USER”, and “DATA”. Three programmable
User Name and Password (“credentials”) combinations are maintained within the RV-M9,
including one for each of the three roles defined above.The default credential settings
and their associated roles are as shown in the following table:
Default
Login Name
Default
Password
Default (fixed)
Role
admin
admin
ADMIN
user
user
USER
data
data
DATA
The following table shows an example session combination used to communicate with
user client applications:
Session #
Port
Port Designator
Role
Session Mode
1
23
PORT1
ADMIN
Command
2
23
PORT4
USER
Command
3
23
PORT5
DATA
Communication

Company Confidential 8Raveon Technologies Corp.
3.3. Roles
ADMIN The ADMIN role allows viewing and changing parameters within the unit,
but does not allow arbitrary over-the-air data transmission. Only one
ADMIN session is allowed at any given time.
USER The USER role allows viewing parameters within the unit, and querying
GPS position information; however, unit parameter values cannot be
changed. This role does not allow arbitrary over-the-air data
transmission.
DATA The DATA role allows exchange of arbitrary data over-the-air. This role
does not allow either viewing or changing parameters within the unit.
3.4. Login Authentication
The unit will respond to each of up to five coincident telnet connection requests with the
following authentication challenge prompt:
Enter Login Name:
The client must enter the Login Name followed by a <return>. The unit will then respond
with:
Enter Password:
The client must enter the password followed by a <return>.
where X.X is the firmware version and xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is the quad-dotted-decimal IP
address of the unit.
After three failed attempts to enter a correct username/password combination, the session
will be terminated.
3.5. Session Modes
The RV-M9 ‘s Ethernet interface supports different Session Modes per connection:
Command Mode and Data Mode. The mode of any given connected telnet session is
determined by the role associated with the credentials (User Name and Password) that
were entered at the session start. Sessions authenticated with either the ADMIN or USER
credentials shall operate in Command Mode, whereas session authenticated with DATA
credentials shall operate in Data Mode.
When a given RV-M9 telnet session is in Data Mode, it will not accept user-commands. It
will output over-the-air data or GPS information whenever the unit receives it. Arbitrary
data may also be scheduled for transmission over-the-air by simply entering it via a telnet
session operating in this mode.
3.6. System Recovery
IF user forgets login credentials or IP information, there is a system in place to reset the
radio login information. Here’s how it works:

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If the radio is quickly reset (within 10seconds of turning it on) the “System
Recovery IP address” is initiated upon next startup.
If System Recovery is initiated upon a restart, the recovery IP address
192.168.26.4 is active for 30 seconds.
If user logs in with this recovery IP then he or she will be prompted to reset to
defaults, to which they could type ‘Y’ to erase as prompted.
If a telnet session is initiated on the System Recovery IP address, the unit will immediately
revert back to factory defaults. The passwords and login text will be changed back to the
defaults, the primary IP address will revert back to factory default, and the frequency will
be changed back to factory default.
Caution: Do not attempt to login to the System Recovery IP address unless you want to
erase all settings within the unit.
After the unit has been running more than 30 seconds, the System Recovery IP address
is disabled.

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Specifications
3.7. RF And Performance Specifications
Please consult the individual specification sheet for the RF and performance
specifications of your specific model of transponder.
3.8. General
All measurements made per TIA-603-B. Certain bands are for export only. Consult the specification sheet for you specific
Raveon product for regulatory approval information.
Frequency Range: ........................................................................................................ 450 –480MHz
No-tune bandwidth: ....................................................................................................................20MHz
Default Range ...........................................................................................................450-470MHz
3.9. User Input and Output Signals
Interface .........................................................................10/100Base-T Ethernet per IEE 802.3-2008
Network protocol ............................................................................................................. TCP/IP telnet server
Maximum number of connected telnet sessions ..............................................................................................5
Transceiver RF .................................................................................................................. 50 ohm N female
GPS Connection .......................................................................................................................... TNC female
Power .........................................DC power input 10-15V, 25 watts maximum power consumption
POE .................................................................................................................. 802.3at, Class 4
Minimum DC input for start-up ....................................................................................................................42V
Operating Voltage Range.....................................................................................................................36V-57V
3.10. GPS and Transponder Specifications
Number of channels.......................................................................................................................................12
Horizontal accuracy (24 hour static)...............................................................................<2.5m 50%, <5m 90%
Acquisition (-130dBm, 50%)..........................................................................<40sec cold start, <8sec hot start
Sensitivity .........................................................................................Tracking -150dBm, Acquisition -142dBm
NMEA output sentences ................................................................................... WPL, TLL, GLL, GSV, PRAVE
Position report rate, programmable...................................................................................... 1 to 9999 seconds
Position report resolution ..........................................................................................................0.0001 degrees
Voltage report resolution/accuracy.....................................................................................................0.1V/10%
Temperature resolution and accuracy (enclosure temperature).................................2 degrees C/4 degrees C
Number of digital inputs ...................................................................................................................................0
Velocity resolution and accuracy.........................................................................................1km / 1km per hour
GPS connector...........................................................................................................................................TNC
Active GPS antenna voltage (RV-M9 output voltage on SMA)....................................... 3.3V, 20mA maximum