RFDesign RFD TX Pole User manual

PRJ-TXP-MAN-002
RFD TX Pole
User Manual
RFDesign Pty Ltd
7/1 Stockwell Place
Archerfield, QLD 4108
rfdesign.com.au

TX Pole User Manual
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Table of contents
Document revision history......................................................................................................................2
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Features ..................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Applications.............................................................................................................................3
1.3 Description..............................................................................................................................3
1.4 Package Contents..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.5 Typical application diagram ....................................................................................................3
1.6 Getting to know the product ..................................................................................................4
2 Getting Started................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Product Setup .........................................................................................................................6
2.2 Wi-Fi Configuration.................................................................................................................8
2.2.1 Change Network Settings................................................................................................8
2.2.2 TX Pole as a station .......................................................................................................10
2.2.3 Wi-Fi Troubleshooting:..................................................................................................11
2.3 TX Pole Internal RFD900x Modem settings ..........................................................................11
2.3.1 Modifying parameters with the TX Pole web interface................................................14
2.4 Firmware Update ..................................................................................................................14
2.5 Vehicle Modem.....................................................................................................................16
3 Applications...................................................................................................................................18
3.1 Ground Control Station.........................................................................................................18
4 Antenna Recommendation...........................................................................................................19
5 Technical Specifications................................................................................................................20
5.1 Power Consumption .............................................................................................................20
5.2 Modem Specification............................................................................................................20
5.3 Wi-Fi Specifications...............................................................................................................21
5.4 Module Compliance..............................................................................................................21
5.5 Ordering Guide......................................................................................................................22
5.6 Physical Dimensions..............................................................................................................22
6 Useful Links ...................................................................................................................................23
Appendix A –TXP-HRN-01 –External Mast Harness 5m ..................................................................24

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Document revision history
Version
Date
Changes
1.0
01/09/2020
Initial release

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1Introduction
1.1 Features
•Long range using RFD900x telemetry
modem
•Wi-Fi host or client
•Easy configuration by web-based wizard
•TCP and UDP packet format support
•Wide range 9 to 16 V input supply
•Built-in battery
•Expandable I/O port
•IP66 rated enclosure
1.2 Applications
•Ground Control Station (GCS) telemetry
gateway over Wi-Fi
•Long range remote control (RC) via PPM
•Permanent field installations
1.3 Description
The RFD TX Pole is a rugged data and control
system for long term outdoor deployment.
Providing long range connection through RFD
900x long range modem the system can be
used for functions ranging from messaging to
sensor monitoring to equipment controls.
The wide range of supported input voltages
and internal battery system accommodates a
wide range of power solutions. The heavy-
duty sealed enclosure protects the system in
punishing outdoor conditions. The module’s
built-in Wi-Fi allows for simple webpage-
based configuration of the system even in the
most inaccessible installations.
1.4 Typical application diagram
Figure 2 - Typical application
Ground
Control Station
Drone fitted
with RFD900x
900MHz
Wi-Fi

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1.5 Getting to know the product
Figure 2 - TX Pole product parts description
Table 1 - TX Module Description
Item
Description/Operation
1. Long-Range
Modem
Antenna Ports (x2)
Female RPSMA antenna connector. Connect an antenna matched to the
902-928MHz ISM band. For antenna recommendations refer to section 4.
Use of both antennas enables diversity operation.
2. Wi-Fi Antenna
Port
Female RPSMA antenna connector. Connect an antenna matched to the
2.4 GHz ISM band. For antenna recommendations refer to section 4.
3. Status LED
Red
Solid
Low battery warning, no Wi-Fi connection
Alternating with blue
Battery low, connected to Wi-Fi
Green
Solid
Healthy battery, no Wi-Fi connection
Alternating with blue
Healthy battery, connected to Wi-Fi
4. Main
Connector
External supply connector to power and/or charge device. Two different
harnesses can be used depending on application. Refer to section 7 for more
information about the harnesses. For connector pinout refer to table 2.
5. Expansion
Connector
Not implemented –Reserved for future models
6. Power
Button
Press for 5 secs while OFF
Turn on the device.
Hold for 5 seconds while ON
Turn off the device.
Press 5 times within 5 seconds
Perform a factory reset.
7. Mounting
Mechanism
A kit with a variety of mounting mechanisms is supplied with the TX Pole.
Use the enclosure mounting holes to attach the one that best suits your
application.

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Table 2 –Main connector pinout
PINOUT
PIN
Name
I/O
Description
Main connector
Front View
1
ESP_TX0
O
ESP transmit serial 0
2
+V_PLUG
-
Device external supply with priority over
internal battery.
3
ESP_RX0
I
ESP receive serial 0
4
GND
-
Ground
5
EXT_ON_N
I
A switch can be connected across
EXT_ON_P and EXT_ON_N to turn on the
device while mounted far up to a pole.
6
EXT_ON_P
I
7
ESP_EN_BOOT
I
Connect to GND during power up to enter
ESP bootloader.
8
DIO3
I/O
GPIO pin
Table 3 - Expansion connector pinout –Reserved for future models
PINOUT
PIN
Name
I/O
Description
Expansion connector
Front view
1
RSVD1
-
Reserved
2
RSVD2
-
Reserved
3
RSVD3
-
Reserved
4
RSVD4
-
Reserved
5
RSVD5
-
Reserved
6
RSVD6
-
Reserved
7
RSVD7
-
Reserved
8
RSVD8
-
Reserved
9
RSVD9
-
Reserved
10
RSVD10
-
Reserved
Table 4 - Power Supply Ratings
Parameter
Minimum
Maximum
Units
Supply Voltage (+V_PLUG relative to GND)
+9
+16
V
DC Plug Current Consumption (I _PLUG)
0.12
3*
A
*Maximum current consumption occurs when internal modem constantly transmits, and internal battery is being charged.
For further detail about power consumption depending on mode of operation, see section 5.1.

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2Getting Started
2.1 Product Setup
The TX Pole has two communication links that require configuration before operation: Wi-Fi and
900 MHz telemetry. The easiest way to set up your TX Pole for its initial use is through the ‘First Run
Wizard' as explained in this section. Further configuration will be explained in detail in sections 2.2
and 2.3.
Ensure the TX Pole is charged, or it is being supplied externally via the main connector. Power up the
device by pressing the mode button for at least 5 seconds or connect the EXT_ON_N and EXT_ON_P
wires together on the power.
The system defaults to be a Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) and self-assigns the IP 192.168.4.1. Use your
computer or smart device to search for and connect to the access point Wi-Fi network generated by
the TX Pole (SSID: TXPOLE-XX-XX-XX, Password: txpole123 , by default). It may be necessary to disable
mobile data on tablets and phones to force the browser to use the TX Pole network. If the TX Pole is
properly powered up, but the access point is not visible from your personal device, a factory reset may
help bringing the Wi-Fi settings back to a known state.
Figure 1 - Network settings. A) Windows 10. B) Android.
Once connected to the TX Pole, point your preferred browser to the device IP address, which by
default is http://192.168.4.1/, to access the configuration homepage of figure 2.

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Click on ‘Go to First Run Wizard!’ button to access the wizard on figure 8 which will guide you through
the steps to get your module ready to use.
Figure 3 - First run wizard
To complete the wizard, the remote modem on the aircraft should be powered up, have the same
firmware version, and be bound to the TX Pole. If the remote RFD900x modem is the one supplied
along the TX Pole, both devices are ready to proceed. If it is not, refer to section 2.5 to flash on the
Figure 2 - Configuration homepage.

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remote modem the same firmware version being used on the TX Pole, which is displayed on the
‘Device Info’ section of the homepage interface of figure 2 under ‘Internal modem version:’. If both
firmware versions are already the same, reset remote modem to default settings and the green LED
on the modem should go green indicating it has been bound to the TX Pole. If that were not case,
press the button on the TX Pole 5 times rapidly to reset default values. After that, the wizard can be
reengaged.
Follow on-screen instructions and once the wizard is successfully completed, your device is ready to
be used and further configuration is optional.
2.2 Wi-Fi Configuration
It is strongly recommended to change the default Wi-Fi settings to ensure the security of the radio link
and overall system. This section explains how to do this.
2.2.1 Change Network Settings
While on the configuration homepage of figure 2, click on the ‘Wi-Fi/Network Setup’ button, to access
the Wi-Fi settings configuration page of figure 4.
Figure 4 -Wi-Fi settings configuration page.

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The Wi-Fi settings of figure 4 are described in table 5:
Table 5 - Wi-Fi Settings Description
Parameter
Description
Wi-Fi mode
This sets the module to act as an access point (default) or as a station on
an existing access point, such as a home network.
AP SSID
Is the SSID used for creating the Access Point (AP).
AP Password
This is the password that will be used for the access point. It must be a
minimum of 8 character long
Wi-Fi Channel
Allows the user to set the channel as per the Wi-Fi 802.11 standard
definitions. This can be used as needed to prevent interference or to meet
the requirements of the network that the module is joining. The default is
channel 11 a part of the most commonly used channel set of 1, 6 and 11.
StationSSID
The SSID of the network that the TX Pole should attempt to join.
Station Password
The password of the network that the TX Pole should attempt to join.
Station IP
The static IP address to assign the TX Pole when joining the network. (Note
this may require appropriate settings to be made on the network router.
Once assigned as a station the landing page for the TX Pole settings
becomes the Station IP address that was assigned.)
Station Gateway
The Gateway IP address of the network that the TX Pole should attempt to
join.
Station Subnet
The Subnet Mask of the network that the TX Pole should attempt to join as
a station.
Host Port
This is the UDP host port number. This is the port that you will direct a
connection to in UDP mode
Client Port
This is the UDP client port number.
Baudrate
Baudrate of the serial link with the modem. It must match the modem
serial speed setting to allow the two to communicate.
After changing the desired settings, press ‘Save Settings’ and power cycle the TX Pole either by holding
the mode button for 5 seconds to power off and then 1 second to power up again, maintaining
EXT_ON_N and EXT_ON_P or by pressing the button ‘Reboot’ of the ‘Advanced options’ on the
configuration interface of figure 2 .
Note that after the changes take place, it might be required to change the network settings saved on
your computer or personal device in order to reconnect to the TX Pole. It may be required to force the
system to forget the old password/settings and then try to connect again with the new Wi-Fi settings.