Raveon RV-M8-UC series User manual

Company Confidential 1Raveon Technologies Corp.
RV-M8- U C
D A R T 4 5 0 - 4 7 0M H z
D a t a M o d e m
T e c h n i c a l M a n u a l
Version A2
Feb 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-UC ....................................................3
1.1. Congratulations!.............................................................................................................................3
1.2. NOTICE.........................................................................................................................................3
1.3. Safety / Warning Information .........................................................................................................3
1.4. Part 15 Note:...................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
2. Overview .......................................................................................................5
2.1. Features.........................................................................................................................................5
2.2. Firmware Updating ........................................................................................................................6
2.3. General..........................................................................................................................................7
2.4. Transmitter Specifications (RV-M8-UC -xx)................................................................................... 7
2.5. Receiver Specifications .................................................................................................................7
2.6. Interface Specifications..................................................................................................................7
3. Electrical Inputs and Outputs.........................................................................9
3.1. RS-232/EIA232 Serial I/O Connector ............................................................................................9
3.2. GPS (-GX option)......................................................................................................................... 10
4. User Serial Port Commands........................................................................11
4.1. Overview......................................................................................................................................11
4.2. Command Mode.......................................................................................................................... 11
4.3. Setting a Parameter.....................................................................................................................12
4.4. Reading a Parameter................................................................................................................... 12
4.5. CONFIG Button ...........................................................................................................................12
4.6. Exiting the Command Mode......................................................................................................... 13
5. Command Mode Commands.......................................................................14
5.1. General Common Commands.....................................................................................................14
5.2. Data Modem Mode Related Commands...................................................................................... 16
5.3. DART Related Commands ..........................................................................................................16
5.4. GPS Related Commands............................................................................................................. 17
5.5. Diagnostic Related Commands ...................................................................................................17
5.6. Factory Default Settings...............................................................................................................17
(DART Data Transceiver) .................................................................................................................... 17
6. Programming Channels and Frequencies...................................................18
6.1. Initializing a new RV-M8-UC to factory defaults.......................................................................... 18
7. Data Transmission.......................................................................................19
Serial Port Baud Rate.......................................................................................................................... 19
8. Debug Related Commands .........................................................................19
9. Diagnostic Provisions..................................................................................21
9.1. Overview of Diagnostics ..............................................................................................................21
9.2. Reading the Diagnostic Information.............................................................................................21
9.3. Status and Statistics Command................................................................................................... 21
10. Tune-up and Alignment ............................................................................22
10.1. Periodic Calibration...................................................................................................................... 22
10.2. Calibration Commands ................................................................................................................ 22
10.3. Center Frequency........................................................................................................................23
10.4. TX Deviation................................................................................................................................ 23
10.5. TX Modulation Balance................................................................................................................ 23
11. Mechanical................................................................................................25
11.1. DC Input....................................................................................................................................... 25

Company Confidential 3Raveon Technologies Corp.
1. General Information about the RV-M8-UC
1.1. Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of a RV-M8-UC OEM 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.
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.

Company Confidential 4Raveon Technologies Corp.
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.
Human body Exposure:
This equipment is approved only for mobile and base station transmitting devices,
separation distances of
(i) 80 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
and the EUT has not been approved for operation with antennas having a gain
that exceeds 6 dBi.
1.4. Part 15 Note:
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 5Raveon Technologies Corp.
2. Overview
The RV-M8-UC 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 RV-M8-UC ’s user interface is asynchronous digital data into and out of the RV-M8-UC
.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 RV-M8-UC 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.

Company Confidential 6Raveon Technologies Corp.
2.2. Firmware Updating
The RV-M8-UC 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 RV-M8-UC ’s microcontroller. During power up, it checks
to see if the user wants to update the application program in the microcontroller.

Company Confidential 7Raveon Technologies Corp.
Specifications
2.3. General
Model Number, transceiver:.............................................................RV-M8-UC -X
RF Power Output ...............................................................................1.0W –5.0 W (programmable)
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
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
2.4. Transmitter Specifications (RV-M8-UC -xx)
RF Power Output ...............................................................................1W –5 W (programmable)
Frequency Range (-UC)....................................................................450-470MHz
Maximum Duty Cycle (1W) .............................................................50% to 40C, 20% to 60C
Maximum Duty Cycle (5W, measured over 60 seconds)..............10% to 50C, 5% to 60C
Frequency Deviation .........................................................................± 2.2kHz
Channel spacing.................................................................................12.5kHz
TX Spurious outputs..........................................................................< -70dBc
Occupied Bandwidth.........................................................................Per FCC
FCC Emissions Designator ...............................................................8K20F1D, 11K0F1D
Frequency Stability ............................................................................Better than ±1.0ppm
2.5. Receiver Specifications
Frequency Range (-UC)........................................................................................... 450-470MHz
Data RX sensitivity (.1% BER), 19200bps Wideband............................................ < -110dBm
Data RX sensitivity (.1% BER), 9600bps Narrowband ......................................... < -110dBm
Data RX sensitivity (.1% BER), 1200bps................................................................. < -116dBm
Current Consumption .............................................................................................. <120mA 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
2.6. Interface Specifications
DC Input
Connector on front panel ......................................................................................... 3-pin M8 type
Raveon P/N ...............................................................................................................
Serial Port

Company Confidential 8Raveon Technologies Corp.
Serial connector type ................................................................................................ DB9 RS 232 serial
IO Voltage Levels...................................................................................................... RS232
RX and TX data ......................................................................................................... Transparent Async
Word length............................................................................................................... 8 bits
Format ........................................................................................................................ N, O, or Even parity, 1 stop
Other
RF connector .......................................................................................TNC Female

Company Confidential 9Raveon Technologies Corp.
3. Electrical Inputs and Outputs
3.1. RS-232/EIA232 Serial I/O Connector
The RS-232 9-pin serial I/O connector is a female 9-pin D-subminiature connector having
the following pins configuration. It is pinned out so that it may be plugged directly into a
computer or PC’s 9-pin COM port.
Front-view of DB-9 connector on modem (female)
Pin
Name
Dir
Function
Level / Specification
1
CD
out
Carrier detect
If enabled, indicates presence of carrier.
Logical 0 (+ voltage on RS-232) means
carrier is present. If disabled, it is
asserted (0) whenever the modem is
operational, and not in the configuration
mode. It will be a 1 when the modem is
in the configuration mode. Configured
with the ATR1 setting.
2
RxD
out
Receive data
Data out of the modem.
3
TxD
in
Transmit data
Data into the modem.
4
DTR
in
Data terminal
ready
Normally ignored by the M7 modem.
May control the power-state of the
modem in low-power mode if this
feature is enabled.
5
GND
Ground
connection
Signal and power ground
6
DSR
out
Data Set
Ready
Normally is set to 0 when modem is
powered on and running. Modem sets
to a 1 when in low-power mode or in
command mode.
7
RTS
in
Request to
send
Used to stop/start the flow of data
coming out of the modem TxD pin. 0 =
OK to send, 1 = don’t send. Leave
disconnected if not used.
8
CTS
out
Clear to send
Used to stop the flow of data going into
the RxD pin from the device connected
to the M7. 0 = OK to send, 1 = don’t
send. If the M7 cannot accept more
data, it will negate this signal (set to a
1).
9
Power
In/o
ut
DC power (not
Ring signal)
User may supply the DC power to the
modem on this pin.

Company Confidential 10 Raveon Technologies Corp.
3.2. GPS (-GX option)
GPS receiver for position tracking utilizes a MAX-7 GPS receiver.
MAX 7 Product description
The MAX-7 series is the newest family of standalone GPS/GNSS modules from u-blox. With the
exceptional performance of the u-blox 7 multi-GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and
SBAS) engine, the MAX-7 series delivers high sensitivity and minimal acquisition times in the
ultra compact MAX form factor.
The MAX-7 series provides maximum sensitivity while maintaining low system power. The MAX-
7C is optimized for cost sensitive applications. The MAX-7Q provides best performance
and lowest power, while the MAX-7W provides best performance and is optimized for active
antennas. The industry proven MAX form factor allows easy migration from MAX-6 modules.
Sophisticated RF-architecture and interference suppression ensure maximum performance
even in GPS-hostile environments.
The MAX-7 series combines a high level of integration capability with flexible connectivity
options in a miniature package. This makes it perfectly suited for industrial and mass-market
end products with strict size and cost requirements. The DDC (I2C compliant) interface provides
connectivity and enables synergies with u-blox SARA, LEON and LISA wireless modules. u-blox
7 modules use GPS/GNSS chips qualified according to AEC-Q100