Raveon RV-M8R User manual

Company Confidential 1Raveon Technologies Corp.
RV-M8S / RV-M8R
Data/Tracking/Paging 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 ................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.1. General...........................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.2. Transmitter Specifications (RV-M8S-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.........................................................................7
4.1. LEDs..............................................................................................................................................7
4.2. I/O Pinout.......................................................................................................................................7
4.3. Heatsinking.................................................................................................................................... 8
4.4. Mounting Holes..............................................................................................................................8
5. User Serial Port Commands..........................................................................9
5.1. Overview........................................................................................................................................9
5.2. Command Mode............................................................................................................................9
5.3. Setting a Parameter.....................................................................................................................10
5.4. Reading a Parameter................................................................................................................... 10
5.5. CONFIG Button ...........................................................................................................................10
5.6. Exiting the Command Mode......................................................................................................... 11
6. Command Mode Commands.......................................................................12
6.1. General Command Common to Data Mode and Paging Mode....................................................12
6.2. Data Modem Mode Related Commands...................................................................................... 15
6.3. Paging Receiver Related Commands..........................................................................................16
6.4. Factory Default Settings...............................................................................................................17
7. Using the M8S in Paging Mode...................................................................19
7.1. Setting Cap Codes.......................................................................................................................20
7.2. Setting Paging Data Format......................................................................................................... 20
7.3. Numeric Messages...................................................................................................................... 20
7.4. Alphanumeric Messages.............................................................................................................. 21
8. Using the M8S –Packet Data Mode............................................................23
8.1. Setup ...........................................................................................................................................24
8.2. Programming Channels and Frequencies ...................................................................................25
8.3. Data Transmission.......................................................................................................................26
Serial Port Baud Rate.......................................................................................................................... 26
Busy-Channel Lock Out.......................................................................................................................26
8.4. Addressing (Packetized Mode only) ............................................................................................26
Addressing Basics ...............................................................................................................................26
Hexadecimal Numbers......................................................................................................................... 27
Setting A System-Wide Address.......................................................................................................... 27
Broadcast Transmissions..................................................................................................................... 28
The Address Mask...............................................................................................................................28
Addressing Examples:.........................................................................................................................29
8.5. Store-and-Forward Repeating .....................................................................................................30
Automatic Repeater Configuration.......................................................................................................30
Manual Configuration of the Repeat Feature.......................................................................................30
9. Debug Related Commands .........................................................................41

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10. M8S Diagnostic Provisions.......................................................................42
10.1. Overview of Diagnostics ..............................................................................................................42
10.2. Reading the Diagnostic Information............................................................................................. 42
10.3. Status and Statistics Command................................................................................................... 42
11. Tune-up and Alignment ............................................................................43
11.1. Periodic Calibration...................................................................................................................... 43
11.2. Calibration Commands ................................................................................................................43
11.3. Center Frequency........................................................................................................................ 44
11.4. TX Deviation................................................................................................................................ 44
11.5. TX Modulation Balance...................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
11.6. RX Carrier Detect ........................................................................................................................ 44
12. Troubleshooting........................................................................................47
Symptom: Unit will not receive............................................................................................................ 47
Symptom: Unit will not transmit...........................................................................................................47
Symptom: Receive light blinks, but no data is received......................................................................47
Symptom: Long delay before transmitting...........................................................................................48
Symptom: Cannot enter Command Mode...........................................................................................48
Symptom: Modem appears dead........................................................................................................ 48
Symptom: Repeater will not repeat..................................................................................................... 48
13. Mechanical................................................................................................49

Company Confidential 4Raveon Technologies Corp.
1. General Information about the RV-M8
1.1. Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of an M8S 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 M8S RF Paging/Data radio modem is capable of high-speed narrow-band data
communications and POCSAG paging decoding. Its powerful microprocessor enables it to
perform as both a data radio modem and a paging receiver. It contains a receiver, a
transmitter, and modem, creating an easy-to-use transparent data radio link. The M8S’s
user interface is asynchronous digital data into and out of the M8S. Modem operation is
virtually transparent to the user and the configuration of the modem is via the user serial
port.
Unlike any other radio modem on the market, the M8 may be operated in either a
“Packetized Mode” or a “Streaming Real-Time Mode”. There are advantages to each
approach, and your choice depends upon how your system operates. Packet mode is the
default in in most all cases, it is the best way to use a radio modem.
The M8S can be configured in either a paging decoder 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 M8S also has a digital input pin that may be used to electrically
change modem types between data modem and paging modes.
The M8S 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.
It is also available in a receive-only version called the M8R. The M8R is the same electrical
design and has the same features as the M8S except the transmit circuits are not
populated.
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)
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.

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16 bit addressing for up to 65,525 different unique device addresses per channel
Supports broadcast transmissions. Network mask allows groups of any size.
Up to 5 watts of RF output. –VM MURS band version is 2 watt limited. Other RF power levels available upon
request.
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.
Integrated Packet data protocol and built-in Streaming real-time operation.
Paging Receiver Features
POCSAG decoder mode operates at 512, 1200, and 2400 baud.
1-3 programmable cap codes.
Promiscuous mode to receive all pages on the air.
Automatic and manual switching between numeric and alpha-numeric modes.
Small sized and very rugged extruded enclosure.
2.2. Firmware Updating
The M8S 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 M8S’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 M8S.

Company Confidential 7Raveon Technologies Corp.
3. Electrical Inputs and Outputs
3.1. 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.
3.2. 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 of outbound serial data. Enable with
In audio pass-through mod: 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.
High/open = POCSAG paging receive mode,
Low/ground=data modem mode.
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.
19
GND
-
System Ground to M8
20
Vbu
I
Backup battery input to CPU to retain memory. Not required to be
connected to anything.

Company Confidential 8Raveon Technologies Corp.
3.3. Heatsinking
The M8S operates at up to 10% transmit duty cycle at ambient temperatures up to 50°C.
For duty cycles up to 50%, the module requires additional heat sinking.
If an external heat sink presses against the “GND PAD” on the PCB, the RF power
transistor will run cooler, and allow higher duty cycles.
3.4. Mounting Holes
6 mounting holes are provided on the module. For best RF performance, the M8S module
should be mounted to the system ground, using metal stand-offs.
3.5. 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. It will also
blink orange when decoding a POCSAG message.

Company Confidential 9Raveon Technologies Corp.
4. User Serial Port Commands
4.1. Overview
The serial portion the RF modem is used to send and receive data over the
air, as well as to configure the RF modem. In normal operation, the user
sends data into the TXD pin of the IO connector, and this data is transmitted
over the air. Received data from another RF modem is output to the user via
the RXD pin of the IO connector. This is the default operating condition of the
RF modem. No special characters, hardware control lines, or timing is
required to operate the M8S modem.
There is also a “Command Mode” used to program and configure the M8. In
the Command Mode, the M8S modem accepts commands via the serial port
TxD pin. The commands can be used to change certain internal parameters
of the M8S modem as well as to read-out the current configuration and
diagnostic statistics.
4.2. Command Mode
The M8S modem may be put into a “Command Mode”, by entering a
sequence of three plus characters (+++). To keep the M8S modem from
unintentionally entering the Command Mode because of the +++ pattern
occurring in a stream of data entering the modem, there must be a pause in
the data stream before the +++ as well as a pause after the +++ is sent. If
either pause is missing, the modem will not enter the command mode.
Using serial communications software such as HypterTerminal, send the 3-
character command sequence “+++” while observing times of silence before
[BT (Silence Before Sequence) Command] and after [AT (Silence After
Sequence) Command] the command characters. The default BT and AT
times are 500mS.
The default sequence for entering into AT Command Mode:
1. No characters sent for ½ a second.
2. Input three (3) plus characters (“+++”) within ½ of a
second.
3. No characters sent for ½ a second.
When the M8S modem first enters the Command Mode, it sends the phrase
Raveon M8S (transceiver version)
or
Raveon M8R (receive only version)
out of its serial port, and then an “OK” sequence. The “OK” sequence is a
sequence of 4 characters:
An “O”, “K”, <CR>, and <LF> characters
(<CR> = ASCII 0D, <LF> = ASCII 0A)

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4.3. Setting a Parameter
To set a parameter in the M8S modem, enter the Command Mode as
described above. Then enter the proper AT command, a space, the
parameter, and then a carriage return. For Example, to set the address of the
M8S modem to 1234, enter the following command:
ATDT 1234 <CR>
Once a Parameter is changed, the modem will begin using the new
parameter and the new parameter is saved to non-volatile.
4.4. Reading a Parameter
To read the value of a particular setting, issue the command, with no
parameter. The modem will return the value followed by an “OK”. The
modem’s OK response is:
The value in ASCII decimal format.
A <CR> <LF> (<CD> = ASCII 0D, <LF> = ASCII 0A).
An “O”, “K”, <CR>, and <LF> sequence.
For example, if the user enters the command to read the M8’s modem
address and its address was 1234, the user would issue the following
command:
ATDT<cr>
and the modem will respond with:
1234 <CR> <LF>OK <CR> <LF>
To get on-line help with a command, enter the command and put a question
mark in for the parameter. For example, to see what the ATDT command is
for, type:
ATDT ?
The modem will respond by listing a brief description of the command. To
see a list of all commands, type HELP.
Many commands support the “MIN” and “MAX” parameters to read the
minimum and maximum allowable settings. For example, type ATJF MAX to
find the maximum value the CTS negation threshold may be set to.
4.5. CONFIG Button
If certain parameters within the modem are modified in a manner that causes
the modem to cease functioning or if the user cannot enter the command
mode via the “+++” method described above, there is a small push button
internal to the M8S modem to assist in this case. This CONFIG button may
be pressed at any time, and forces the modem into a known operational state.
The CONFIG button is located inside the modem. Remove the rear cover,