RF Innovations CRESCENDO VHF HALF-DUPLEX User manual

CRESCENDO VHF HALF-DUPLEX
USER MANUAL

Crescendo VHF Half-Duplex
User Manual
DISCLAIMER
© 2012 RF Innovations Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.
RF Innovations reserves the right to make improvements on the product in this manual at any time without
notice.
No part of this manual may be produced, copied, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means
without the written permission of RF Innovations.
Information provided in this manual is intended to be accurate and reliable. However, RF Innovations
assumes no responsibility for its use or infringements upon the rights of third parties that may result from its
use.
Reference No. MAN00110
Revision 4.2
July 2012
Firmware Revision 1.8

Contents
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Contents
1. Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2. Installation ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 General considerations............................................................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 External antennas..................................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Safety and Compliance............................................................................................................................................................. 8
2.3.1 Human Exposure to Emissions......................................................................................................................................... 8
2.3.2 Modifications.................................................................................................................................................................... 8
3. Configuration................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
3.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.2 Cruise Control........................................................................................................................................................................ 10
3.2.1 Installation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2.2 Connecting to a Local Device......................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2.3 Saving and Loading Configurations ............................................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Terminal Menu Interface........................................................................................................................................................ 11
3.4 Hayes AT Command Interface................................................................................................................................................ 12
3.5 Front Panel Interface ............................................................................................................................................................. 13
3.5.1 RSSI, Tx Power, Temperature Status (Mode 2, 3, 4) ..................................................................................................... 13
3.5.2 Main Serial Port Status (Mode 5) ................................................................................................................................... 14
3.5.3 Radio Status LEDs (Mode 1).......................................................................................................................................... 14
4. Serial Port Operation.................................................................................................................................................................. 16
4.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
4.2 Configuration ......................................................................................................................................................................... 17
4.3 Advanced Features................................................................................................................................................................. 17
4.3.1 Control Lines .................................................................................................................................................................. 17
4.3.2 Packetiser Timers............................................................................................................................................................ 18
4.4 Statistics.................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
5. Radio Operation.......................................................................................................................................................................... 21
5.1 Data-Driven Mode.................................................................................................................................................................. 21
5.2 Packet-Driven Mode............................................................................................................................................................... 21
5.2.1 Data Path......................................................................................................................................................................... 22
5.3 Radio Parameters................................................................................................................................................................... 23
5.3.1 Addressing...................................................................................................................................................................... 23
5.3.2 Transmit Power............................................................................................................................................................... 24
5.3.3 RSSI Trip........................................................................................................................................................................ 24
5.3.4 Channel Selection ........................................................................................................................................................... 24
5.3.5 Retries............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
5.4 Network Architecture.............................................................................................................................................................. 25
5.4.1 Network Topology.......................................................................................................................................................... 25
5.4.2 Network Address ............................................................................................................................................................ 27
5.4.3 Store-and-forward Repeater............................................................................................................................................ 28
5.5 Routing ................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
5.5.1 Network Structure........................................................................................................................................................... 28
5.5.2 Routing Table ................................................................................................................................................................. 29
5.6 Diagnostics............................................................................................................................................................................. 30
5.6.1 Data Quality.................................................................................................................................................................... 30

Contents
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5.6.2 RSSI................................................................................................................................................................................ 30
5.6.3 Monitor RSSI.................................................................................................................................................................. 30
5.6.4 PRBS Generator.............................................................................................................................................................. 30
5.6.5 Statistics.......................................................................................................................................................................... 30
6. Protocol Operation...................................................................................................................................................................... 33
6.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................................. 33
6.2 Data Driven Protocol............................................................................................................................................................. 33
6.3 Point-to-point Protocol........................................................................................................................................................... 34
6.4 Point-to-multipoint Protocol .................................................................................................................................................. 34
6.4.1 Strict and Relaxed Addressing........................................................................................................................................ 34
6.4.2 Local Mode..................................................................................................................................................................... 35
6.5 Hayes Dial-up Protocol.......................................................................................................................................................... 35
6.5.1 Dialling........................................................................................................................................................................... 35
6.5.2 Answering....................................................................................................................................................................... 36
6.5.3 Escape Sequence............................................................................................................................................................. 36
6.5.4 Hanging Up..................................................................................................................................................................... 36
6.5.5 DTR Modes .................................................................................................................................................................... 37
6.5.6 Traceroute....................................................................................................................................................................... 37
6.6 Modbus RTU Protocol............................................................................................................................................................ 38
6.7 Distributed Network Protocol (DNP)..................................................................................................................................... 38
6.8 Datagram Protocol................................................................................................................................................................. 39
6.9 RF Link Status ........................................................................................................................................................................ 40
6.10 Protocol to Radio Address Mapping .................................................................................................................................... 40
6.11 Multiple Protocol Modes...................................................................................................................................................... 42
7. Applications ................................................................................................................................................................................. 43
7.1 Point-to-point Networks ......................................................................................................................................................... 43
7.1.1 Basic Point-to-point Network ......................................................................................................................................... 43
7.1.2 Multiple Port Point-to-point Network............................................................................................................................. 43
7.1.3 Multiple Destination Point-to-point Network................................................................................................................. 44
7.1.4 Point-to-point Network with Repeater............................................................................................................................ 45
7.2 Point-to-multipoint Networks ................................................................................................................................................. 46
7.2.1 Basic Point-to-multipoint Network................................................................................................................................. 46
7.2.2 Point-to-multipoint Network with Roaming Remote...................................................................................................... 48
7.3 Hayes Dial-up Networks......................................................................................................................................................... 49
7.3.1 Basic Hayes Dial-up Network ........................................................................................................................................ 49
7.3.2 Hayes Dial-up Network with Repeaters.......................................................................................................................... 49
7.4 Modbus RTU Network with Repeater..................................................................................................................................... 51
7.5 DNP Network with Repeater .................................................................................................................................................. 52
7.6 Datagram Networks................................................................................................................................................................ 52
7.6.1 Basic Datagram Network................................................................................................................................................ 52
Appendix A Technical Specifications ............................................................................................................................................ 54
A.1 Type Approvals ...................................................................................................................................................................... 54
A.2 Radio Modem Specifications.................................................................................................................................................. 54
A.2.1 Input Current.................................................................................................................................................................. 55
A.3 Connectors Pin Assignments.................................................................................................................................................. 56
A.3.1 Main Serial Port............................................................................................................................................................. 56
A.3.2 Auxiliary Serial Port ...................................................................................................................................................... 56

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A.4 Dimensions............................................................................................................................................................................. 57
A.4.1 Mounting Plate Dimensions........................................................................................................................................... 58
Appendix B Management Reference ............................................................................................................................................. 59
B.1 Radio Configuration............................................................................................................................................................... 59
B.2 Link Control Configuration and Diagnostics......................................................................................................................... 59
B.3 Serial Port Configuration and Diagnostics............................................................................................................................ 60
B.4 Protocol Mode Configuration and Diagnostics ..................................................................................................................... 61
B.5 Diagnostics............................................................................................................................................................................. 62
Appendix C Hayes References ....................................................................................................................................................... 63
C.1 General Commands ............................................................................................................................................................... 63
C.2 Connection Management Commands .................................................................................................................................... 64
C.3 I-Registers.............................................................................................................................................................................. 64
C.4 S-Registers ............................................................................................................................................................................. 65
C.5 R-Registers............................................................................................................................................................................. 68
Appendix D Factory Defaults......................................................................................................................................................... 69
Appendix E Product Identification Table ..................................................................................................................................... 71
Appendix F Glossary....................................................................................................................................................................... 72

Introduction
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1. Introduction
Crescendo is a series of data-driven and packet-driven radio modems for high-speed data applications.
This manual is specific to Crescendo VHF Half-Duplex. Some of the relevant features of this model include:
Full VHF band switching (148-174MHz)
5W (+ 37dBm) maximum transmit power
Wideband (25kHz) or narrowband (12.5kHz) channels,
with software selectable frequency raster (6.25kHz,
12.5kHz or 25kHz)
Raw air rate 19.2Kbit/s (25kHz channels) or 9.6Kbit/s
(12.5kHz channels)
Half-duplex data-driven or packet-driven operation with
Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ)
Windows GUI for configuration and diagnostics
(Cruise Control)
Internal configuration menu with diagnostic and statistical
information
LED front panel user interface
Two RS-232 serial ports (main and auxiliary)
Operating voltage 9 to 16VDC
Type Approvals:
AS-4295
ETSI (planned)
FCC (planned)
Industry Canada (planned)

Installation
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2. Installation
2.1 General considerations
There are a number of guidelines to observe when installing a Crescendo.
Antenna selection is vital to a good RF link. Different antennas are required depending on the application.
Please contact your antenna manufacturer or RF Innovations for correct antenna selection.
Antenna placement has a significant impact on RF link performance. In general, higher antenna placement
results in a better communication link. A vantage point should be chosen to clear the propagation ellipsoid.
An unobstructed, line-of-sight link will always perform better than a cluttered or obstructed link. See
sections 2.3 below for safety considerations.
Obstructions, such as walls and poles, will distort the antenna radiation pattern and VSWR, resulting in less
efficient transmission and reception.
Antennas in close proximity are potential sources of mutual interference. A transmitter can cause overload of
a nearby receiver, if due precautions are not taken in antenna location. Moreover, transmitters in close
proximity may cause intermodulation. Slight adjustments in antenna placement may help solving
interference problems.
All items of radio equipment, such as antennas, are sources of RF radiation. They should thus be placed
away from electrical equipment, such as computers, telephones or answering machines.
Serial cable runs between radio modem and attached terminal equipment (eg RTU or PC) should be kept as
small as possible. A maximum cable capacitance of 2,400pF is recommended for transfer rates up to
19.2Kbit/s. If a non-shielded, 30pF / foot cable is used, the maximum length should be limited to 80 feet
(approximately 24m). For higher interface speeds, the length of the serial cable should be shortened.
Long serial cables should also be avoided in areas with frequent lightning activity or static electricity build-
up. Nearby lightning strikes or high levels of static electricity may lead to interface failure.
RF Innovations supply a range of external interface converters for applications requiring long cable runs.
2.2 External antennas
Long antenna feed lines cause RF loss, both in transmission and reception levels, and degrade link
performance. When long cable runs are required use a suitable low-loss cable.
As an example, RG58 (tinned-copper braid) will exhibit a loss of 7.1dB/30m at 148-174MHz, whereas
RG58 CellFoil will exhibit 3dB less (4.2dB/30m).
Antennas should not be located within close reach of people, due to radiation hazard. Exposure guidelines
should be followed at all times.
Use extreme caution when installing antennas and follow all instructions provided. Because external
antennas are subject lightning strikes, RF Innovations recommends protecting all antennas against lighting
strike by using lightning surge arrestors.

Installation
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2.3 Safety and Compliance
2.3.1 Human Exposure to Emissions
To limit human exposure, the following guidelines should be observed:
1. Take reasonable precautions in any installation to maintain a clearance of no less than 1 m (one
metre) from the antenna to any person.
2. Do not apply power to the device unless the clearance described in 1 above has been allowed.
The guidelines above apply when transmitting at maximum power, with an antenna gain of up to 13 dB.
For further information on human RF exposure, contact your local health department. For example, Health
Canada‟s Safety Code 6 provides a comprehensive set of guidelines.
2.3.2 Modifications
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by RF Innovations may void the user‟s authority to operate
the equipment legally, as well as any warranty provided.

Configuration
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3. Configuration
3.1 Overview
The Crescendo provides four user interfaces that allow the radio to be configured and its performance to be
monitored:
1. Cruise Control management interface: All radio configuration and diagnostics parameters can be
accessed using the Windows-based Cruise Control Graphical User Interface (GUI).
2. Terminal menu interface: A menu system is available over either of the Crescendo‟s serial ports.
This menu interface can be accessed through any terminal emulation program, such as RFI InTerm,
which can be downloaded from http://www.rfinnovations.com.au.
3. AT command interface: The AT command interface can be used to configure the Crescendo
through ASCII Hayes attention commands. This can be used to read / adjust the Crescendo
configuration and read performance parameters.
4. Front panel interface: The front panel interface consists of six dual colour (red / green) LEDs and a
push button. This panel can display the radio status, RSSI, configured transmit power, temperature,
and serial port status.

Configuration
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3.2 Cruise Control
The following sections briefly outline how to use Cruise Control with the Crescendo. For more information,
see the Cruise Control Manual. Figure 1 below is a typical screenshot of the Cruise Control Configuration
Tool.
Figure 1: Cruise Control Configuration Tool
3.2.1 Installation
The requirements for using the Cruise Control application are:
Pentium III+ Windows based machine.
At least 1 available serial port.
The Cruise Control application is provided on a CD, and runs with a self-installer.
3.2.2 Connecting to a Local Device
In order to connect to a local device, attach the Crescendo to the PC running Cruise Control via a serial port.
Configure Cruise Control with the appropriate serial port settings (19200 8N1 by default), and ensure that
the Crescendo is configured with Hayes AT command interface
1
on the connected port.
1
For a port to accept AT commands it must first be in local command mode. See section 6.5.3 on page 73
for information on enabling and disabling local command mode.