RFM HN 291D/X User manual

HN 291D/X – HN294D/X
RS-232 Serial Modbus Radio
User’s Guide

Important Regulatory Information
Cirronet Product FCC ID: HSW-910M
IC 4492A-910M
Note: This unit has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment
in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct
the interference at their expense.
FCC s MPE Requirements
Information to user/installer regarding FCC s Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits.
Notice to users/installers using the 8.5 dBi Yagi antenna with the WIT910.
FCC rules limit the use of this antenna, when connected to the WIT910 module, to point-to-point
applications only. It is the responsibility of the installer to ensure that the system is prohibited
from being used in point-to-multipoint applications, omni-directional applications, and
applications where there are multiple co-located intentional radiators transmitting the same
information. Any other mode of operation using this antenna is forbidden.
Notice to WIT910 users/installers using the following fixed antennas:
Cushcraft 8.5 dBi Yagi
The field strength radiated by this antenna, when connected to a transmitting WIT910, may
exceed FCC mandated RF exposure limits. FCC rules require professional installation of these
antennas in such a way that the general public will not be closer than 23 cm from the radiating
aperture of this antenna. End users of these systems must also be informed that RF exposure
limits may be exceeded if personnel come closer than 23 cm to the aperture of this antenna.
Notice to WIT910 users/installers using the following fixed antennas:
Cushcraft 6 dBi Monopole Cushcraft 3 dBi Omni Ace 2dBi dipole
The field strength radiated by any one of these antennas, when connected to a transmitting
WIT910, may not exceed FCC mandated RF exposure limits. FCC rules require professional
installation of these antennas in such a way that the general public will not be closer than 20 cm
from the radiating aperture of any of these antennas. End users of these systems must also be
informed that RF exposure limits may be exceeded if personnel come closer than 20 cm to the
apertures of any of these antennas.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible may void the users ability to
operate the equipment.

Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1
HopNet Benefits........................................................................................................... 1
Operating Frequency ............................................................................................... 1
HopNet Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum Advantages....................................1
HopNet Data Integrity............................................................................................... 2
Flexible Power Management....................................................................................2
Advanced Features...................................................................................................... 2
The HopNet Family of Products ...................................................................................3
Accessories..............................................................................................................3
Getting Started................................................................................................................4
Install the HopNet Configuration Wizard on a PC. .......................................................4
Connect the HopNet radio to the PC............................................................................4
Set one HopNet radio to act as the Base..................................................................... 5
Run a communications test..........................................................................................7
The Serial Adapter Box................................................................................................8
3 Wire Operation...................................................................................................... 8
Remote Pin-Out, RS-232......................................................................................... 9
Guidelines for Installation........................................................................................... 10
Aiming the Antenna and Placing the Remote.............................................................10
Interconnect Cable..................................................................................................... 10
Configuring the Network................................................................................................ 11
HopNet Configuration Wizard (5.0 or later)................................................................ 11
About the INIT.INI File................................................................................................ 13
Parameters Tab ..................................................................................................... 14
RF Tools ................................................................................................................ 23
WinCom Window.................................................................................................... 27
Function Keys ........................................................................................................ 30
Recover.................................................................................................................. 30
Restart ...................................................................................................................31
Saving Configurations................................................................................................ 31
Modbus Operation...................................................................................................... 31
Automatic Addressing............................................................................................ 32
Serial Commands....................................................................................................... 33
Network Commands................................................................................................... 34
Status Commands...................................................................................................... 39
Memory Commands...................................................................................................40
Modbus Adapter Commands...................................................................................... 41
Modem Command Summary ..................................................................................... 42
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................43
Overview.................................................................................................................... 43
Introduction ............................................................................................................43
Transceiver Requirements.....................................................................................43
Common System Problems........................................................................................ 44
Guidelines for Reducing Interference.........................................................................45
Introduction ............................................................................................................45

Guidelines for Setting Up the Network................................................................... 45
Guidelines for Selecting Your Site.......................................................................... 45
Guidelines for Avoiding Terrain Obstructions............................................................. 46
Customer Support...................................................................................................... 47
Introduction ............................................................................................................47
Technical Assistance ............................................................................................. 47
Factory Repairs...................................................................................................... 47
Technical Specifications................................................................................................48
Electrical ................................................................................................................48
Mechanical............................................................................................................. 49
Environmental........................................................................................................ 49
Glossary of Terms......................................................................................................... 50
Warranty........................................................................................................................ 52

HN-291D
Introduction
The HopNet 910 family of products provides reliable wireless connectivity for either
point-to-point or point-to-multipoint applications. HN-91 products are built around
the WIT910 radio transceiver, which employs frequency hopping spread spectrum
technology. This technology ensures:
•Maximum resistance to noise
•Maximum resistance to multipath fading
•Robustness in the presence of interfering signals
The HN-291D and HN-291DX consist of a DIN-rail mount serial adapter and a
NEMA4X (IP66) rated radio assembly. The HN-291D has an integral 3dB patch
antenna while the HN-291DX has an external antenna connector. The radio assembly
connects to the serial adapter through an integrated 50-foot cable. The HN-294D and
HN-294DX are the same as the HN-291D and HN-291DX with a 4 foot cable on the
radio assembly. The HopNet D and DX versions can act as either Bases or Remotes.
The HN-291D has an internally mounted 3 dBi patch antenna. The built-in antenna
greatly eases outdoor installation since no antenna feedline cable or adapters are
needed. The 3 dBi antenna gain increases the radiated EIRP to +30 dBm and the
effective receiver sensitivity to –106 dBm. The HopNet DX has a TNC connector for
attaching an antenna.
HopNet Benefits
All HopNet 910 products work with each other and can be mixed and matched in a
single network. All HopNet 910 products are WIT910 compatible and can be used
with WIT910 OEM based products as well as with the SNAP910 10/100BaseT serial-
to-Ethernet access point.
Operating Frequency
The HopNet 910 family operates in the 900 MHz ISM band that allows for license-
free use in the Americas and Australia.
HopNet Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum Advantages
In the frequency domain, a multipath fade can be described as a frequency selective
notch that shifts in location and depth over time. Multipath fades typically occupy
five percent of the band. A conventional radio system typically has a five percent
chance of signal impairment at any given time due to multipath fading.
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum reduces the vulnerability of a radio system to
interference from jammers and multipath fading by distributing or spreading the
signal over a larger region of the frequency band.
The fade resistant, HopNet frequency-hopping technology employs up to 54 channels
and switches channels over 30 times a second to achieve high reliability throughput.
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HopNet Data Integrity
An on-board 512 byte buffer and error correcting over-the-air protocol ensure data
integrity even in the presence of weak signals or jammers. The serial interface
handles both data and control of asynchronous data rates of up to 115 Kbps.
Flexible Power Management
The power can be set at 10 mW, 100 mW or 500mW using the included software.
Reduced power can reduce the size of the coverage zone, which may be desirable for
multiple network indoor applications. You can also place the transceiver module in a
power-save mode, which enables smart power management. Smart power
management allows a remote unit to drop into a lower current standby mode during
transmission or receiving gaps. This feature also allows HopNet products to be used
in various countries where the output power requirements may vary due to regulation.
Advanced Features
HopNet modems have many advanced features:
•Employ frequency hopping technology with up to 54 channels in the 900MHz
frequency range
•Support digital addressing for up to 32 networks, with 62 remotes per
network.
•Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint operation
•Use transparent ARQ protocol
•Use same hardware for all supported data rates
•Supports up to 115 Kbps asynchronous data rates
•Full Duplex operation
•Store setup configuration in nonvolatile memory (FLASH)
•Fast acquisition – less than 4 seconds is the typical time to acquire hopping
pattern
•Modbus mode with automatic addressing
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The HopNet Family of Products
The HopNet 910 family consists of the following products:
HN-291
HN-291X
HN-291D
HN-294
HN-294X
HN-291DX
HN-294D
HN-294DX
HN-591
SNAP910
SNAP910X
SNAP910D
SNAP910DX
Accessories
Antennas
2dB Omnidirectional
5dB Omnidirectional
6dB Yagi
9dB Yagi
Replacement Serial Adapter
Replacement Power Supply
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HN-291D
Getting Started
A pair of HopNet radios are set up by performing the following steps:
•Install the HopNet Wizard configuration program on a PC
•For X version radios, attach external antenna
•Connect the HopNet radio to the PC
•Set one HopNet radio as a base radio
•Run a communications test
These steps are described in detail below. Other steps you may want to perform
include:
•Change the baud rate
•Change the radio network number
•Change how fast the radios change frequencies
Refer to the Configuring the Network section of this manual for details on these steps.
Install the HopNet Configuration Wizard on a PC.
The HopNet Configuration Wizard is located on the software and documentation CD
included in the HopNet radio package. Install the program by inserting the CD in the
PC and following the installation wizard. If autorun has been turned off, double-click
on setup.exe on the CD to start the wizard.
Connect the HopNet radio to the PC.
Plug one end of the serial cable provided to a serial port on the PC…
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…and the other end of the serial cable to the DIN rail serial adapter box.
Connect the end of the cable (RJ-45 connector) from the HopNet radio to the DIN rail
serial adapter box.
NOTE: Make sure the RUN/CONFIG switch is in the CONFIG position.
Connect power to the HopNet radio by plugging one end of the wall-mount power
supply into the serial adapter box and the other end into a wall outlet. A green LED
on the serial adapter box will turn on indicating power is present.
Set one HopNet radio to act as the Base.
When using HopNet radio, one unit, and only one, must be set as the Base. All other
HopNet radios must be set as Remotes. With a HopNet radio connected to the PC,
start the HopNet Configuration Wizard program by double-clicking on the icon on the
desktop. The HopNet Configuration Wizard will automatically detect which serial
port the HopNet radio is connected to and its baud rate. When the radio has been
detected, the Continue button will appear.
Click on the Continue button to bring up the next screen.
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The program will read and display the current settings of the HopNet radio. The
HopNet radio is shipped from the factory as a Remote. The Remote button on the
Wizard screen will appear depressed indicating the HopNet radio is a remote.
NOTE: The S/N displayed in the bottom left corner is the serial number of the
radio inside the unit and is different from the serial number of the HopNet unit.
Both the HopNet unit serial number and the radio serial number are on the radio
unit of the HopNet product.
To set the HopNet radio as a base, click on the Base button. The Base button will
depress and the Remote button will pop up. The screen heading will change from
“Remote Parameters” to “Base Parameters.”
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The Apply Settings button will appear at the bottom of the HopNet Configuration
Wizard screen. Click on the Apply Settings button to set the HopNet radio as the
base.
Run a communications test.
To run a communications test, connect one HopNet radio set as a base to one PC
running the Wizard and another HopNet radio set as a remote to another PC running
the Wizard. Verify that the Carrier Detect LED (CD) on the radio is on (red), the fifth
parameter box on the lower left of the window will have DCD (as shown above
right). Click on the Send Data button on the HopNet Configuration Wizard screen on
both PCs. The HopNet radio set up as the base will send the message “This is a test
message from the Base radio.” to the remote HopNet radio. This message will be
displayed in the message window of the Wizard running on the remote PC. The
remote HopNet radio will send the message “This is a test message from the Remote
radio.” to the base HopNet radio. This message will be displayed in the message
window of the Wizard running on the base PC. The test will run continuously until
the Stop button is clicked.
NOTE: If your computer has two serial ports, both the base and the remote HopNet
radios can be connected to the same PC and the communications test run by
opening a second window running the Wizard. Open the second window by simply
double-clicking on the Wizard icon on your desktop.
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The Serial Adapter Box
The HopNet radio remotes interface with the user’s hardware through a serial adapter
box. The interface adapter supplies power and signal to the remote unit. The
interface to the remote unit is a RS-232 male DB-9 serial interface. To have all
functions of the HopNet radio available, including configuration and hardware flow
control, the eight signal lines must be connected.
CONFIG Mode
When the RUN/CONFIG switch is in the CONFIG position, the HopNet radio data
connector is set up as a DCE device. This allows communication with a PC using the
straight-through, serial cable provided with the HopNet radio. The switch must be in
the CONFIG position to run the HN Wizard.
RUN Mode
When the RUN/CONFIG switch is in the RUN position, the HopNet radio data
connector is set up as a DTE device. The switch must be in the RUN position to
operate with a PLC configured as a DCE device.
3 Wire Operation
If configuration and hardware flow control is not necessary, the HopNet radio can be
used in 3-wire mode. In this mode, only Ground, Receive Data and Transmit data are
connected. The connector pinout is provided below.
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Remote Pin-Out, RS-232
Pin Number Signal Type Description
1 DCD Output Data Carrier Detect. For remotes, DCD indicates
that the remote has successfully acquired the
hopping pattern.
2 RXD
(CONFIG) Output Output for Received Serial data.
2 TXD
(RUN) Input Input Serial Data to be transmitted
3 TXD
(CONFIG) Input Input Serial Data to be transmitted
3 RXD
(RUN) Output Output for Received Serial data.
4 DTR Input Data Terminal Ready. Sleep/ wakes radio
transceiver.
5 GND - Signal and Chassis Ground
6 DSR Output Data Set Ready. Response to DTR.
7 RTS Input Request to Send. Gates the flow of receive data
from the radio to the user on or off. In normal
operation signal should be asserted.
8 CTS Output Clear to Send. Used to control transmit flow from
the user to the user to the radio. The WIT 2410
radio module supports hardware flow control
only and does not support software flow control
(e.g. Xon-Xoff).
9 Not Used - Not Used
NOTE: When the HopNet radios are used as three wire serial devices, DTR and RTS do not
have to be used.
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Guidelines for Installation
When installing your system, always consider the following points:
Directional antennas are best for remote unit sites. They may increase the cost, but
they confine the transmission path to a narrow lobe and minimize the interference
from nearby stations.
For systems with constant interference present, you may need to change the polarity
of the antenna system and reduce data streams. Groups of short data streams are more
reliable and have a better chance of success in the presence of interference than do
long data streams.
Systems installed in rural areas are least likely to encounter urban interference.
Multiple HopNet systems can operate in close proximity to each other but require a
unique network address.
Poor quality coaxial cables will seriously degrade system performance. Use low- loss
cable that is suitable for 900 MHz operation.
Short cable runs minimize signal loss.
Refer to the section Troubleshooting for additional information on installing a radio.
Aiming the Antenna and Placing the Remote
Use the following guidelines for aiming the antenna and placing the Remote;
•Do not place anything immediately in front of the antenna that could obstruct
its radiation pattern.
NOTE: Use the sticker on the HopNet Remote unit to help you locate and aim the
antenna. The sticker indicates which direction the antenna is pointing.
•Be sure the antenna end of the HopNet radio Remote faces the Base or
Repeater that it is communicating with. Our tests have found that antenna
placement is not critical as long as the patch antenna is facing in the general
direction of the other end of the link. If an omnidirectional antenna is being
used with the HN-291DX no aiming in necessary but it is important the
antenna is mounted vertically and not at an angle.
•If possible, place the radio unit at a higher elevation than the structures
surrounding it to increase range and link reliability. Since the radio has 50 feet
of interconnect cable between it and the Host, you can mount the unit on top
of a building or other structure that will provide higher elevation.
Interconnect Cable
The HopNet radios come with 50’ (15 meters) of high quality interconnect cable.
The cable may be lengthened by adding an additional 50’ cable (part no.:
CBLEXT50). The maximum cable length that the HopNet radios will support is 100’
(30 meters).
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HN-291D
Configuring the Network
You can configure the HopNet network using a PC and the HopNet Configuration
Wizard software provided by Cirronet, Inc. The Wizard runs under Windows
98/NT/2000/XP. This chapter provides the information you need to configure your
network.
HopNet Configuration Wizard (5.0 or later)
If you haven’t already installed the Wizard program, refer to the Getting Started
section of this manual for instructions. Open the Wizard by double-clicking on the
icon on the desktop. When the Wizard boots up, it will automatically detect the serial
port to which the HopNet radio is connected and its baud rate. This process takes a
few seconds to complete. During this process, the “Please wait” screen is displayed.
Once the radio has been found and the Baudrate determined, the “Finished” screen is
displayed. Click on the Continue button to enter the Wizard.
NOTE: The HopNet configuration Wizard is used with a variety of Cirronet radios.
Not all radios support all the functions and features of every Cirronet radio. Thus,
some selections in the Wizard will be grayed out if they are not applicable to the
radio in use.
After detecting the serial port and baud rate of the HopNet radio, the Wizard reads the
settings of the HopNet radio that is connected to the PC and will display them in the
various parameter windows. In the bottom left corner of the Wizard window, the
Base/Remote status, the serial number and the communication port are always
displayed.
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NOTE: The S/N displayed in the bottom left corner is the serial number of the
radio inside the unit and is different from the serial number of the HopNet unit.
Both the HopNet unit serial number and the radio serial number are on the radio
unit of the HopNet product. The Wizard will also prompt to save the configuration
settings to a file.
When a parameter value is changed from the value currently in the HopNet radio, the
parameter label and value will turn red and the Apply Settings button will appear.
When the value is changed back to the value that is currently in the attached HopNet
radio, the label and parameter value will return back to black. When new values are
applied to the HopNet radio, the red values will turn black indicating the updated
values in the radio.
NOTE:The changes are not sent to the HopNet radio until the Apply Settings
button is clicked.
Context sensitive help is available through the F1 key or Help menu.
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HN-291D
About the INIT.INI File
One of the files unpacked with the program is the INIT.INI file. It contains the entries
below and an explanation has been included on how each parameter may be used.
ErrorLevel=0
Leave this value as is. Only change it at the request of Cirronet Tech Support.
BiDirectionalHigh=55
BiDirectionalMedium=40
ReceiveHigh=55
ReceiveMedium=40
These parameters change the color levels (in percent) on the RF Tools bar
graphs/pie charts.
RFToolsInterval=1000
This parameter sets the how often bar graphs / pie charts will update (in msec)
RSSIMarginal=-60
RSSIPoor=-80
These parameters set the levels (in dBm) of color the bars on the RSSI bar chart
will display. Above the level set by RSSIMarginal, the bars will be green in
color. Between the levels set by RSSIMarginal and RSSIPoor, the bars will be
yellow in color and below the level set by RSSIPoor, the bars will be red in color.
FullShow=0, 1, 2
This changes the number of options that are viewable
0 (default) = Shows minimum amount of options.
1 = Adds all other options.
2 = Adds WinCom.
AutoDetect=1
1 = Auto-detects radio,
0 = User-defined inputs
The parameters below should not be changed as they are specific to different radios.
These parameters will come from the factory set for your radio.
-40dBm=125
-95dBm=55
When the Wizard program is opened, it reads the parameters of the HopNet radio
connected to the PC. These initial parameters are stored by the Wizard until the
program is closed. This function allows the initial parameters to be loaded into any
HopNet radio that is connected to the PC. Clicking on the Recover button displays the
settings stored when the Wizard was first opened but will not load them in the radio
until the Apply Settings is clicked. When the Apply Settings button is clicked, all the
changed values will be loaded into the radio, even if the changed values are not on the
tab currently displayed.
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Parameters Tab
The Wizard program opens the main screen with the Parameters Tab displayed. The
parameters screen of the Wizard allows the following variables to be set;
1. Base or Remote
2. Point-to-Point or Multipoint
3. Baud rate
4. Network number
5. Lockout Key
6. Roaming Mode
7. Protocol Mode
Dependi
ng on whether HopNet radio is configured as a Remote or Base when first connected,
the heading on the Parameters page will display either “Remote Parameters” or “Base
Parameters.” If the radio has a Modbus adapter, Transparent, Modbus and DNP3
selections will appear above the Point-Point-Multipoint selection as shown below.
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Modbus mode is selected to prevent Modbus errors from occurring due to inter-
character gaps that are too long. Refer to the section, Modbus Operation for details on
this mode.
Network Number
This parameter is also known as Set Hopping and is the same command as wn.(Refer
to “Configuration Commands” section for additional information on commands.) By
using different network numbers or “hopping patterns”, nearby or co-located
networks can avoid interfering with each other’s transmissions.
BaudRate
Also known as Set Data Rate Divisor (command sd) this parameter sets the serial bit
rate between the modem and the host.
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Lockout Key
This parameter is the same as wl and allows further network segregation beyond the
network number. This feature allows multiple co-located networks in which global
roaming is enabled. By using different lockout keys, the bases to which remotes link
can be limited or segregated.
Serial Port Settings
This parameter is the same as qs and is only available on radios with Modbus
adapters.It allows the setting of even, odd or no parity, 7 or 8 data bits and 1 or 2 stop
bits.
Roaming Mode
This parameter is the same as wg and allows remote radios to Roam or only link to
specific base stations.
Protocol Mode
This parameter is the same as sp and enables the base station to operate in a
multipoint network. Depending on the user application, more or less
acknowledgment may be desired by the application. Remotes can operate in
transparent mode even though the base station is operating in one of the
nontransparent modes. When using a protocol mode, make sure to count in packet
overhead when calculating network performance. Refer to the section on Protocol
Modes for details on each format.
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