Raveon RV-M8T User manual

Company Confidential 1 Raveon Technologies Corp.
RV-M8T / RV-M8R
Data/Paging
Radio Modem
Technical Manual
Version A7
September 2013
Raveon Technologies Corporation
2461 Impala Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92010
www.raveon.com

Company Confidential 2 Raveon Technologies Corp.
Table of Contents
1. General Information abo t the RV-M8 ........................................................... 4
1.1. Congrat lations! ............................................................................................................................. 4
1.2. NOTICE ......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3. Safety / Warning Information ......................................................................................................... 4
1.4. OEM Use ....................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Overview ....................................................................................................... 5
2.1. Feat res......................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Specifications ................................................................................................ 7
3.1. General .......................................................................................................................................... 7
3.2. Transmitter Specifications (RV-M8T-xx) ........................................................................................ 7
3.3. Receiver Specifications ................................................................................................................. 7
3.4. Interface Specifications .................................................................................................................. 8
4. Electrical Inp ts and O tp ts ......................................................................... 9
4.1. LEDs .............................................................................................................................................. 9
4.2. I/O Pino t ....................................................................................................................................... 9
4.3. Heatsinking .................................................................................................................................. 10
4.4. Mo nting 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 B tton ........................................................................................................................... 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 ...................................................................................... 16
6.3. Paging Receiver Related Commands .......................................................................................... 18
6.4. Factory Defa lt Settings............................................................................................................... 18
7. Using the M8T in Paging Mode ................................................................... 20
7.1. Setting Cap Codes ....................................................................................................................... 20
7.2. Setting Paging Data Format......................................................................................................... 20
7.3. N meric Messages ...................................................................................................................... 21
7.4. Alphan meric Messages.............................................................................................................. 21
8. Using the M8T – Packet Data Mode ............................................................ 23
8.1. Set p ........................................................................................................................................... 24
8.2. Programming Channels and Freq encies ................................................................................... 25
8.3. Data Transmission ....................................................................................................................... 26
Serial Port Ba d Rate .......................................................................................................................... 26
B sy-Channel Lock O t ....................................................................................................................... 26
8.4. Addressing (Packetized Mode only) ............................................................................................ 26
Addressing Basics ............................................................................................................................... 26
Gro p N mbers ................................................................................................................................... 27
Hexadecimal N mbers......................................................................................................................... 27
Setting A System-Wide Address .......................................................................................................... 28
Broadcast Transmissions ..................................................................................................................... 28
The Address Mask ............................................................................................................................... 28
Addressing Examples: ......................................................................................................................... 29
8.5. Store-and-Forward Repeating ..................................................................................................... 30
A tomatic Repeater Config ration ....................................................................................................... 30
Man al Config ration of the Repeat Feat re ....................................................................................... 30
9. Deb g Related Commands ......................................................................... 34

Company Confidential 3 Raveon Technologies Corp.
10. M8T Diagnostic Provisions ....................................................................... 35
10.1. Overview of Diagnostics .............................................................................................................. 35
10.2. Reading the Diagnostic Information ............................................................................................. 35
10.3. Stat s and Statistics Command ................................................................................................... 35
11. T ne- p and Alignment ............................................................................ 36
11.1. Periodic Calibration ...................................................................................................................... 36
11.2. Calibration Commands ................................................................................................................ 36
11.3. Center Freq ency ........................................................................................................................ 37
11.4. TX Deviation ................................................................................................................................ 37
11.5. TX Mod lation Balance ................................................................................................................ 37
11.6. RX Carrier Detect ........................................................................................................................ 38
12. Tro bleshooting ........................................................................................ 40
Symptom: Unit will not receive ............................................................................................................ 40
Symptom: Unit will not transmit ........................................................................................................... 40
Symptom: Receive light blinks, b t no data is received ...................................................................... 40
Symptom: Long delay before transmitting ........................................................................................... 41
Symptom: Cannot enter Command Mode ........................................................................................... 41
Symptom: Modem appears dead. ....................................................................................................... 41
Symptom: Repeater will not repeat. .................................................................................................... 41
13. Mechanical ................................................................................................ 42

Company Confidential 4 Raveon Technologies Corp.
1. General Information about the RV-M
1.1. Congratulations!
Congrat lations on yo r p rchase of an M8T OEM radio modem – the most advanced
radio modem of its kind available today.
Please take a few min tes to read this man al caref lly. The information presented here
will allow yo to derive maxim m performance from yo r radio modem. After reading it,
keep the man al handy for q ick reference, in case q estions arise later on.
1.2. NOTICE
There are no ser-serviceable points inside this transceiver. All service work m st be
referred to yo r A thorized Service Center or Raveon Technologies Service Department.
1.3. Safety / Warning Information
Blasting Caps and Blasting Areas
To avoid possible interference with blasting operations, t rn off this radio or remove the DC
power when yo are near electrical blasting caps, in a blasting area, or in areas posted:
“Turn off t o- ay radio.” Obey all signs and instr ctions.
Potentially Explosive Atmospheres
T rn off yo r radio prior to entering any area with a potentially explosive atmosphere. Do
not install this prod ct for se in areas with potentially explosive atmospheres. Do not
remove, install, or charge batteries in s ch areas. Sparks in a potentially explosive
atmosphere can ca se an explosion or fire res lting in bodily inj ry or even death.
Note: The areas with potentially explosive atmospheres referred to above incl de f eling areas s ch as
below decks on boats, f el or chemical transfer or storage facilities, areas where the air contains chemicals or
particles, s ch as grain, d st or metal powders, and any other area where yo wo ld normally be advised to
t rn off yo r vehicle engine. Areas with potentially explosive atmospheres are often b t not always posted.
1.4. OEM Use
This radio mod le is for OEM se, and it is the responsibility of the OEM ser to notify the
end- sers of RF and electrical safety iss es.

Company Confidential 5 Raveon Technologies Corp.
2. Overview
The M8T RF Paging/Data radio modem is capable of high-speed narrow-band data
comm nications and POCSAG paging decoding. Its powerf l 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- se transparent data radio link. The M8T’s
ser interface is asynchrono s digital data into and o t of the M8T. Modem operation is
virt ally transparent to the ser and the config ration of the modem is via the ser serial
port.
The M8T can be config red in either a paging decoder mode or a data modem mode. The
command-line interface is similar to Raveon’s other data radio prod cts, and config ring
the mode is very easy. The M8T also has a digital inp t pin that may be sed to electrically
change modem types between data modem and paging modes.
The M8T is an easy to se and its re-programmability makes it extremely versatile. Most
parameters within the modem may be re-config red to optimize it for specialized
operations, extended range, or higher data thro ghp t.
It is also available in a receive-only version called the M8R. The M8R is the same electrical
design and has the same feat res as the M8T except the transmit circ its are not
pop lated.
2.1. Features
General Features
• Serial input and output. Programmable serial baud rates up to 57 00.
• Small sized and very rugged extruded enclosure.
• Lowest current draw in industry.
• Easy to use. Plug-in, Turn-on, and GO. Transmit data in = Receive data out.
• Receive-only version available
• Easily configured using “AT” commands
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.
• 1 bit addressing for up to 5,525 different unique device addresses per channel
• Supports group and broadcast transmissions. Network mask allows groups of any size.
• Up to 2 watts of RF output. 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 57 00.
• 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.

Company Confidential 6 Raveon Technologies Corp.
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.

Company Confidential 7 Raveon Technologies Corp.
3. Specifications
3.1. General
Model Number, transceiver: ............................................................. RV-M8T-xx
Model Number, receive only: ........................................................... RV-M8R-xx
Frequency Bands: ............................................................................... - C 450-470MHz
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
Operating Mode ................................................................................. Simplex or Half-duplex
Full Spec Operating Temperature range ......................................... -30°C to +60°C
Extended Temp Range { extended temp specs} ............................. -40°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 ............................................................................................ 8-13V volts DC
3.2. Transmitter Specifications (RV-M T-xx)
RF Power Output ............................................................................... 100mW – 2.0 W ( programmable)
Maximum Duty Cycle (500mW) ...................................................... 80% to 40C, 20% to 60C
Maximum Duty Cycle (2W, measured over 60 seconds) .............. 10% to 50C, 5% to 60C
Frequency Deviation ......................................................................... ± 2.2kHz
Channel spacing ................................................................................. 12.5kHz
RF Bandwidth ..................................................................................... 20MHz o-tu e
Occupied bandwidth ......................................................................... 11 kHz
TX Spurious outputs .......................................................................... < -70dBc
Occupied Bandwidth ......................................................................... Per FCC
FCC Emissions Designator ............................................................... 11K0F1D
Frequency Stability ............................................................................ Better tha ±1.5ppm
3.3. Receiver Specifications
Data RX sensitivity (.1% BER), 4800bps .......................................... < -114dBm
1200 & 2400baud ................................................................................ < -118dBm
POCSAG 512 sensitivity (<99% PER) .............................................. < -120dBm
RF No-tune bandwidth ..................................................................... 20MHz
Channel spacing ................................................................................. 12.5kHz
Adjacent Channel Selectivity 12.5kHz ............................................ -50dB
Alternate Channel Selectivity ........................................................... -65dB
Blocking and spurious rejection ....................................................... -75dB
RX intermodulation rejection ........................................................... -70dB

Company Confidential 8 Raveon Technologies Corp.
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 ................ < 7W
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 9 Raveon Technologies Corp.
4. Electrical Inputs and Outputs
4.1. LEDs
Status LED (TX) This LED blinks red when the transmitter keys and is p tting o t RF
power. It blinks green pon the reception of data or RF carrier. It t rns orange when
decoding a paging message.
Power LED (PWR) This LED does a short blink, once every two seconds, indicating to the
ser 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 - Gro nd
2 Vcc I DC Inp t
3 Carr Det O CD O t. Low for carrier. Logic high for no carrier.
4 TX On O Pin is High when mod le is transmitting. Low when off, receiving, or
sleeping.
5 Data In (TXD) I Transmit data inp t.
6 Data O t (RXD) O Receive data o tp t.
7 Enable I Low (<.7V) to sh t down the mod le. High (>2.5V) to enable it.
8 Sleep i CPU Sleep inp t
9 CTS O Clear to send o tp t. Indicates state of internal b ffers.
10 RTS I RTS inp t for serial flow control.
11 RSSI 0 Receiver signal strength indicator
12 3.3V o t O 3.3V o t of the M8 mod le. 50mA max c rrent draw.
13 IOA I/O General p rpose I/O. 3V digital logic from CPU on M8
14 IOB I/O General p rpose I/O. 3V digital logic from CPU on M8. By defa lt
f nctions as DSR. 0= ready&r nning. 1=sleeping. If enable=0, this
line will =0.
15 Decode Mode I 3V digital logic with 10k p ll- p.
High/open = POCSAG paging receive mode,
Low/gro nd=data modem mode.
This feat re enabled by setting the alternate protocol with the ATMA
command.
16 STAT1 O O tp t to drive external d al-color LED. Anode
17 RX A dio O Receive and transmit a dio o tp t for factory test. Do not connect to
anything.
18 STAT2 O O tp t to drive external d al-color LED
19 GND I System Gro nd to M8
20 Vb Back p battery inp t to CPU to retain memory. Not req ired to be
connected to anything.

Company Confidential 10 Raveon Technologies Corp.
4.3. Heatsinking
The M8T operates at p to 10% transmit d ty cycle at ambient temperat res p to 50°C.
For d ty cycles p to 50%, the mod le req ires additional heat sinking.
If an external heat sink presses against the “GND PAD” are of the PCB, the RF power
transistor will r n cooler, and allow higher d ty cycles.
4.4. Mounting Holes
6 mo nting holes are provided on the mod le. For best RF performance, the M8T mod le
sho ld be mo nted to the system gro nd, sing metal stand-offs.