Raveon RV-M8G User manual

Company Confidential 1Raveon Technologies Corp.
RV-M8G
GPS Transponder / Radio Modem
Technical Manual
Version D1
June 2019
Raveon Technologies Corporation
2320 Cousteau Court
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.......................................................................................................................................4
2. Overview .......................................................................................................5
2.1. Features.........................................................................................................................................5
3. Specifications ................................................................................................9
3.1. General...........................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.2. Transmitter Specifications (RV-M8G-xx).........................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3. Receiver Specifications ..................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.4. Interface Specifications...................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4. Electrical Inputs and Outputs.........................................................................9
4.1. LEDs..............................................................................................................................................9
4.2. I/O Pinout.......................................................................................................................................9
4.3. Heatsinking.................................................................................................................................. 10
4.4. Mounting Holes............................................................................................................................ 10
5. User Serial Port Commands........................................................................11
5.1. Overview......................................................................................................................................11
5.2. Command Mode.......................................................................................................................... 11
5.3. Setting a Parameter.....................................................................................................................12
5.4. Reading a Parameter................................................................................................................... 12
5.5. CONFIG Button ...........................................................................................................................12
5.6. Exiting the Command Mode......................................................................................................... 13
6. Command Mode Commands.......................................................................14
6.1. General Command Common to Data Mode and Paging Mode.................................................... 14
6.2. Data Modem Mode Related Commands...................................................................................... 17
6.3. Paging Receiver Related Commands..........................................................................................18
6.4. Factory Default Settings...............................................................................................................21
7. Using the M8G 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 M8G –Packet Data Mode...........................................................37
8.1. Setup ...........................................................................................................................................37
8.2. Programming Channels and Frequencies ......................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
8.3. Data Transmission..........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Serial Port Baud Rate.............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
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......................................................................................................................... 33
Setting A System-Wide Address.......................................................................................................... 33
Broadcast Transmissions..................................................................................................................... 34
The Address Mask...............................................................................................................................34
Addressing Examples:......................................................................................................................... 35
8.5. Store-and-Forward Repeating .....................................................................................................38
Automatic Repeater Configuration.......................................................................................................38
Manual Configuration of the Repeat Feature.......................................................................................38
9. Debug Related Commands .........................................................................41

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10. M8G Diagnostic Provisions.......................................................................43
10.1. Overview of Diagnostics ..............................................................................................................43
10.2. Reading the Diagnostic Information.............................................................................................43
10.3. Status and Statistics Command................................................................................................... 43
11. Tune-up and Alignment ............................................................................44
11.1. Periodic Calibration...................................................................................................................... 44
11.2. Calibration Commands ................................................................................................................44
11.3. Center Frequency........................................................................................................................45
11.4. TX Deviation................................................................................................................................ 45
11.5. TX Modulation Balance................................................................................................................ 45
11.6. RX Carrier Detect ........................................................................................................................46
12. Troubleshooting........................................................................................48
Symptom: Unit will not receive............................................................................................................48
Symptom: Unit will not transmit...........................................................................................................48
Symptom: Receive light blinks, but no data is received...................................................................... 48
Symptom: Long delay before transmitting...........................................................................................49
Symptom: Cannot enter Command Mode...........................................................................................49
Symptom: Modem appears dead........................................................................................................ 49
Symptom: Repeater will not repeat..................................................................................................... 49
13. Mechanical................................................................................................50

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1.General Information about the RV-M8
1.1. Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of an M8G 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.
1.3. Safety / Warning Information
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.
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.

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2.Overview
The M8G RF Paging/Data radio modem is capable of high-speed narrow-band data
communications and GPS position tracking paging decoding. Its powerful microprocessor
enables it to perform as both a data radio modem and GPS tracker. It contains a receiver, a
transmitter, and modem, creating an easy-to-use transparent data radio link. The M8G’s
user interface is asynchronous digital data into and out of the M8G. Modem operation is
virtually transparent to the user and the configuration of the modem is via the user serial
port.
The M8G can be configured in either a GPS tracking mode or a data modem mode. The
command-line interface is similar to Raveon’s other data radio products, and configuring
the mode is very easy. The M8G also has a digital input pin that may be used to
electrically change modem types between data modem and paging modes.
The M8Gis 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.
It is also available in a receive-only version called the M8G. The M8R is the same
electrical design and has the same features as the M8G except the transmit circuits are not
populated.
2.1. Features
For the specifications of a feature, See the data sheet of the version of the product you are
using.
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)
Lowest current draw in industry.
Easy to use. Transmit data in = Receive data out.
Receive-only version available
Easily configured using “AT” commands
Extensive diagnostic capabilities
Serial communication may be 7 or 8 bit ASCII, or WMX
Audio pass-through mode
Data Radio Modem Features
High-speed over the air data rates.
Built-in radio transceiver with integrated modem
Wide input voltage with high-efficiency switching voltage regulator.
Capable of store-and-forward repeating operation.
16 bit addressing for up to 65,525 different unique device addresses per channel
Supports group and broadcast transmissions. Network mask allows groups of any size.

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Up to 2-5 watts of RF output. Other RF power levels available upon request. See the product’s data sheet.
Very fast Transmit-to-Receive turn around time.
Serial input and output. Programmable serial baud rates up to 57600.
Programmable over-the-air data rates for long-range or high-speed
Automatic key of transmitter on data.
RF carrier-detect is not required receiving. No squelch setting required.
GPS Tracking Features
Build in GPS receiver and tracking protocols.
Automatically report location, speed, heading, voltage, temperature, altitude.
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)
Very low current draw. As low as 25mA average.
Numerous I/O options and protocols to interface to many different terminals, displays, and software programs.
2.2. Firmware Updating
The M8G 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
into the older radio modem. In firmware program called the “Boot Loader” is permanently
installed inside the M8G’s microcontroller. During power up, it checks to see if the user
wants to update the application program in the microcontroller. The STAT2 pin is used to
trigger the Boot Loader. See application note AN186 for details on how to boat load new
firmware into the M8G.
3.Operation
The M8G uses a built-in time-division multiple access (TDMA) protocol to allow thousands
of transponders to share a single RF channel and still reliable communicate with no
interference. Read mora about TDMA here: http://www.raveon.com/data_radio_info/tdma-
transmission-overview-361/
Before deploying a new system, the system must be configured for proper TDMA operation
by configuring these parameters:
1. The TDMA epoch (TDMATIME command)
2. The TDMA slot time for each radio. (SLOTTIME command)
The individual M8G transponders are configured for their:\
3. Report rate (TXRATE command)
4. Their individual ID (MYID command)

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The M8G operates in a number of different “GPS Modes”, each mode specific to the
application it is being used in. The mode of operation is set with one simple command, the
GPS x command. The main GPS modes of operation are:
1)Transponder: Periodically transmits position and status over the UHF radio. Its radio
receiver is disabled reducing current draw. It cannot receive messages,
data, or locating information from other M8G transponders. 4800bps
serial port.
2)RavTrack PC: Connect the M8G to a personal computer running RavTrack PC (or other
PC software) to view a map showing location, status, log movement, set
alerts, and make reports from the data. 38400bps serial port.
3)Radar Display: Connect M8G to a marine plotter or radar display, and icons will appear
on the display showing the location of all other M8G radios in the system.
38400bps serial port.
4)GPS display: Connect M8G to a hand-held or mobile GPS, and icons will appear on the
display showing the location of all other M8G radios in the system.
4800bps serial port.
12)Mobile Data: Outputs WPL messages for position, and transmits and receives
data. Connect the M8G GX to a hand-held or mobile GPS, and icons
will appear on the display showing the location of all other M8G radios in
the system. Data sent into the RS-232 port will be transmitted over-the-
air in the proper time-slot, and may be received with other M8G’s.
The different modes change the operation of the M8G in a number of ways. The GPS X
command is a “macro” that sets a host of various parameters within the M8G to configure it
to operate in the desired way. The serial-port data rate is set, the types of NMEA
messages it wills send out or accept is set, as will as how the internal UHF radio is used.
The table below summarizes the 4 standard GPS modes, as well as listing other
specialized operation modes that the M8G GX supports.
GPS mode 2 is the factory default mode.

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GPS
Mode
#
Common Usage
Serial Port
Baud Rate
Output
Messages
Description
GPS
0
M8G Radio Modem
Radio Modem. No GPS,
tracking, or TDMA
features.
Un-
changed
-
The M8G will operate like an M8G (no GPS
features).
GPS
1
Transponder
Simple tracking, AVL,
security.
4800
(local GSV,
GLL, RMC)
The M8G will only transmit in this mode. The
receiver is off and GPS is turned off between
transmissions. This is the lowest-power
consuming mode, but it is send-only.
GPS
2
PC / Base Station
Proprietary interface for PC
applications that monitor
M8G Transponders.
38400
$PRAVE
(local GSV,
GLL, RMC)
Connect the M8G to a PC computer running
RavTrack PC (or a custom application), The
PRAVE message is in NMEA format, and provides
location and status information for every
transponder it receives.
GPS
3
Marine Radar
Displaying the location of
M8G transponders on a
ship RADAR screen.
38400
$GPTLL
(local GSV,
GLL, RMC)
Connect the M8G to a marine RADAR display or
plotter with a serial port, and waypoints will appear
on the GPS screen at the location of all M8G
transponders within radio range. The display must
support the NMEA 0183 TLL message.
GPS
4
GPS Display
Lowrance and Garmin
GPS displays. Mobile
displays.
4800
$GPWPL
(local GSV,
GLL, RMC)
Connect the M8G to a mobile or hand-held GPS
with a serial port, and waypoints will appear on the
GPS screen at the location of all M8G
transponders within radio range.
GPS
9
TDMA Diagnostics
Displaying TDMA slot
diagnostic information
38400
$PRAVE
(local GSV,
GLL, RMC)
Factory use only. Used for timing analysis.
When the GPS x command is executed, it configures the following parameters, so if your
application requires any of these to be non-standard, you must issue the command to
modify them AFTER the GPS x command is issued.
Serial port output message format
Echo characters (ATEx command)
NMEAOUT
NMEARATE
Hardware flow control
Serial port baud rate
Data mute setting
WMX protocol

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4.Specifications
Please refer to the RV-M8 Data Sheet for RF and electrical specifications related to the
particular model and frequency band you are using.
5. Electrical Inputs and Outputs
5.1. LEDs
Status LED (TX) This LED blinks red when the transmitter keys and is putting out RF
power. It blinks green upon the reception of data or RF carrier. It turns orange when
decoding a paging message.
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.
5.2. I/O Pinout
The I/O connector is a 20-pin header, with 2mm pin spacing. See the AN224 UWORC
Application Manual for more information out this type of IO.
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.
In audio pass-through mode, functions as PTT. 0=TX, 1=RX.
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
Decode Mode
I
3V digital logic with 10k pull-up. Leave open circuit unless utilizing
two protocols.
High/open = Primary decoder mode.
Low/ground=Alternate receive protocol.
This feature enabled by setting the alternate protocol with the ATMA
command.
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.

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19
GND
-
System Ground to M8
20
Vbu
I
Backup battery input to CPU to retain memory. Not required to be
connected to anything.
5.3. Heatsinking
The M8G operates at up to 30% transmit duty cycle at ambient temperatures up to 50°C.
For duty cycles over 50%, the module requires additional heat sinking.
If an external heat sink presses against the “GND PAD” is on the PCB, the RF power
transistor will run cooler, and allow higher duty cycles.
5.4. Mounting Holes
6 mounting holes are provided on the module. For best RF performance, the M8G module
should be mounted to the system ground, using metal stand-offs.
5.5. STAT LED Outputs
An external dual-color LED may be connected to STAT1 and STAT2 pins to show the
status of the modem. Do not connect the LED to power or ground! Connect the LED as
show below.
Because the STAT2 signal is also used to put the modem into the “bootloader’ mode, the
led must be wired as shown above to ensure a reliable start-up. The Red LED will blink
when the modem transmits, and the green LED will blink on receive of data.