Raveon RV-M8S User manual

Company Confidential 1Raveon Technologies Corp.
RV- M 8 S
Data/Paging Radio Modem
Technical Manual
Version B6
May 2014
Raveon Technologies Corporation
2461 Impala Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92010
www.raveon.com

Company Confidential 2Raveon Technologies Corp.
Table of Contents
1. General Information about the RV-M8...........................................................4
1.1. Congratulations!.............................................................................................................................4
1.2. NOTICE.........................................................................................................................................4
1.3. Safety / Warning Information .........................................................................................................4
1.4. OEM Use.......................................................................................................................................5
2. Overview .......................................................................................................6
2.1. Features.........................................................................................................................................6
2.2. Firmware Updating .........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3. Specifications ................................................................................................8
3.1. General..........................................................................................................................................8
3.2. Transmitter Specifications (RV-M8S-xx)........................................................................................8
3.3. Receiver Specifications ................................................................................................................. 8
3.4. Interface Specifications..................................................................................................................8
4. Electrical Inputs and Outputs.......................................................................10
4.1. LEDs............................................................................................................................................10
4.2. I/O Pinout.....................................................................................................................................10
4.3. Heatsinking.................................................................................................................................. 11
4.4. Mounting Holes............................................................................................................................ 11
4.5. STAT LED Outputs...................................................................................................................... 11
5. User Serial Port Commands........................................................................12
5.1. Overview......................................................................................................................................12
5.2. Command Mode..........................................................................................................................12
5.3. Setting a Parameter.....................................................................................................................12
5.4. Reading a Parameter................................................................................................................... 13
5.5. CONFIG Button ...........................................................................................................................13
5.6. Exiting the Command Mode......................................................................................................... 14
6. Command Mode Commands.......................................................................15
6.1. General Command Common to Data Mode and Paging Mode.................................................... 15
6.2. Data Modem Mode Related Commands...................................................................................... 17
6.3. Paging Receiver Related Commands..........................................................................................18
6.4. Factory Default Settings..................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
RV-M8S-xx (Transceiver) ......................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
7. Using the M8S –Packet Data Mode............................................................20
7.1. Setup ........................................................................................................................................... 21
7.2. Programming Channels and Frequencies ...................................................................................22
7.3. Data Transmission.......................................................................................................................22
Serial Port Baud Rate.......................................................................................................................... 22
Busy-Channel Lock Out.......................................................................................................................23
7.4. Addressing (Packetized Mode only) ............................................................................................23
Addressing Basics ...............................................................................................................................23
Group Numbers...................................................................................................................................24
Hexadecimal Numbers......................................................................................................................... 24
Setting A System-Wide Address.......................................................................................................... 24
Broadcast Transmissions..................................................................................................................... 25
The Address Mask...............................................................................................................................25
Addressing Examples:.........................................................................................................................26
7.5. Store-and-Forward Repeating .....................................................................................................27
Automatic Repeater Configuration.......................................................................................................27
Manual Configuration of the Repeat Feature.......................................................................................27
8. Debug Related Commands .........................................................................31
9. Diagnostic Provisions..................................................................................32
9.1. Overview of Diagnostics ..............................................................................................................32

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9.2. Reading the Diagnostic Information.............................................................................................32
9.3. Status and Statistics Command................................................................................................... 32
10. Tune-up and Alignment ............................................................................33
10.1. Periodic Calibration...................................................................................................................... 33
10.2. Calibration Commands ................................................................................................................33
10.3. Center Frequency........................................................................................................................ 34
10.4. TX Deviation................................................................................................................................34
10.5. TX Modulation Balance................................................................................................................ 34
10.6. Carrier Detect .............................................................................................................................. 35
Mode 0 - RF CD..................................................................................................................................35
Mode 1 - Data CD...............................................................................................................................35
Mode 2 - CD ON.................................................................................................................................35
Mode 3 - CD OFF ............................................................................................................................... 36
Mode 4 - Output Data Framing............................................................................................................ 36
11. Troubleshooting........................................................................................37
Symptom: Unit will not receive............................................................................................................37
Symptom: Unit will not transmit...........................................................................................................37
Symptom: Receive light blinks, but no data is received...................................................................... 37
Symptom: Long delay before transmitting...........................................................................................38
Symptom: Cannot enter Command Mode...........................................................................................38
Symptom: Modem appears dead........................................................................................................38
Symptom: Repeater will not repeat........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
12. Mechanical................................................................................................39

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.
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
1> This equipment should be serviced by qualified technicians only.
2> 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.
3> 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 5Raveon Technologies Corp.
4> 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.
5> Human body Exposure:
This equipment is approved only for mobile and base station transmitting devices,
separation distances of
(i) 36 centimeters or more for antennas with gains of 0 dBi or less or
(ii) 1 meters or more for antennas with gains 0 to 6 dBi should be maintained between
the antenna of this device and nearby persons during operation. To ensure compliance,
operation at distances closer than this is not recommended.
The preceding statement must be included as a CAUTION
statement in manuals for OEM products to alert users on FCC RF
Exposure compliance.
1.4. OEM Use
This radio module is for OEM use, and it is the responsibility of the OEM user to notify the
end-users of RF and electrical safety issues.
It is the user's responsibility to check his/her FCC license to determine the correct
parameters and settings for the channel frequencies, power level, and bandwidth.
It is the responsibility of the OEM implementing this product to ensure the suer is aware of
this.
1.5. Part 15 Note:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Company Confidential 6Raveon Technologies Corp.
2. Overview
The 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.
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.
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.
Lowest current draw in industry.
Easy to use. Transmit data in = Receive data out.
Receive-only version available
Extensive diagnostic capabilities
Serial communication may be 7 or 8 bit ASCII, or WMX
Data Radio Modem Features
High-speed over the air data rates. Meets FCC spectral efficiency standards.
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.
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.
Paging Receiver Features

Company Confidential 7Raveon Technologies Corp.
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.

Company Confidential 8Raveon Technologies Corp.
3. Specifications
3.1. General
Model Number, transceiver:.............................................................RV-M8S-xx
Frequency Bands:...............................................................................-VC 216-220MHz
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 (default)
Operating Mode.................................................................................Simplex or Half-duplex
Full Spec Operating Temperature range.........................................-30°C to +60°C
TX-RX and RX-TX turn-around time...............................................<3mS
Wake-up time .....................................................................................<700mS from OFF
On-board LEDs .................................................................................Power , Status
RF I/O Connector ...............................................................................MMCX female
Digital signal levels............................................................................3.3V logic
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
DC Input ............................................................................................10-15 volts DC
3.2. Transmitter Specifications (RV-M8S-xx)
RF Power Output ...............................................................................2.0-3.0 W
Maximum Duty Cycle (2W, measured over 60 seconds)..............10% to 50C, 5% to 60C
Frequency Deviation .........................................................................± 2.2kHz
Channel spacing.................................................................................12.5kHz, 25kHz
Occupied bandwidth.........................................................................11 kHz narrow, 16kHz wide
TX Spurious outputs..........................................................................< -70dBc
Occupied Bandwidth.........................................................................Per FCC part 90
FCC Emissions Designator ...............................................................11K0F1D, 16K0F2D
Frequency Stability ............................................................................Better than ±1.5ppm
3.3. Receiver Specifications
Data RX sensitivity (.1% BER), 19200, 9600, ...................................< -106dBm
1200 & 2400baud ................................................................................< -112dBm
RF No-tune bandwidth .....................................................................20MHz
Adjacent Channel Selectivity............................................................-50dB
Alternate Channel Selectivity...........................................................-65dB
Blocking and spurious rejection.......................................................-75dB
RX intermodulation rejection ...........................................................-70dB
3.4. Interface Specifications
Connector Type.......................................... 20-pin 2mm header
DC Input ..................................................... 8-13V
DC power draw, RX mode ....................... < 600mW
DC power draw, TX mode, 2W................ < 8W
DC power draw, TX mode, 3W................ < 12W

Company Confidential 9Raveon Technologies Corp.
DC current draw, standby mode ............ < 150uA
IO Voltage Levels....................................... 3.3V digital logic
RX and TX data .......................................... Transparent Async
Word length................................................ 8 bits
Format ......................................................... N, O, or E
Modem handshake signals ....................... RTS, CTS, CD

Company Confidential 10 Raveon Technologies Corp.
4. Electrical Inputs and Outputs
4.1. LEDs
Status LED (TX) This LED blinks 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.
4.2. I/O Pinout
The I/O connector is a 20-pin header, 2mm pin spacing.
Pin #
Function
I/O
Function
1
GND
-
Ground
2
Vcc
I
DC Input
3
CD
O
Carrier Detect Out. Low for carrier. Logic high for no carrier. RF or
DATA carrier detect set with ATR1 command. Default: RF.
4
TX On
O
Pin is High when module is transmitting. Low when off, receiving, or
sleeping.
5
Data In (TXD)
I
Transmit data input.
6
Data Out (RXD)
O
Receive data output.
7
Enable
I
Low (<.7V) to shut down the module. High (>2.5V) to enable it.
8
Sleep
i
CPU Sleep input
9
CTS
O
Clear to send output. Indicates state of internal input buffer.
ATJF command sets the threshold where CTS is negated.
10
RTS
I
RTS input for serial flow control.
11
RSSI
0
Receiver signal strength indicator
12
3.3V out
O
3.3V out of the M8 module. 50mA max current draw.
13
IOA
AUDIO IN
I/O
General purpose digital I/O. 3V digital logic from CPU on M8. If the
Audio option is used, this pin is used to input transmit audio.
14
IOB
I/O
General purpose I/O. 3V digital logic from CPU on M8. By default
functions as DSR. 0= ready&running. 1=sleeping. If enable=0, this
line will =0.
15
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.