RIM 802D Assembly Instructions

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RIM 802D OEM Radio Modem Integrator’s Guide
Last Updated: August 24, 1999
Model No. R802D-2-O
©1999, RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Research In Motion and RIM are registered trademarks of Research In Motion Ltd.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark, and Windows is a trademark, of Microsoft Corp.
Warning: This document is for the use of licensed users only. Any unauthorised
copying, distribution or disclosure of information is a violation of copyright laws.
While every effort has been made to ensure technical accuracy, information in this
document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on
the part of Research In Motion Limited.
Research In Motion
295 Phillip Street
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3W8
tel. [phone]
fax [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web site: www.rim.net

DRAFT FCC Compliance Statement (USA)
FCC Class B Part 15
This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
Warning
Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to
operate this equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the manufacture’s instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
There is no guarantee, however, that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference
to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
x Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna.
x Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
x Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected.
x Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for
help.

DRAFT Industry Canada Certification
This device complies with Industry Canada RSS 119, under certification
number xxxxx.
IC Class B compliance
This device complies with the Class B limits for radio noise emissions as set
out in the interference-causing equipment standard entitled “Digital
Apparatus,” ICES-003 of Industry Canada.

Contents
DRAFT FCC Compliance Statement (USA)..........................i
DRAFT Industry Canada Certification.................................ii
About this guide....................................................................v
1. Introduction...............................................................1
Radio performance...................................................................... 1
DataTAC network technology..................................................... 4
2. Getting started...........................................................7
Test board overview.................................................................... 8
How to connect the test board...................................................... 9
The MENU diagnostics tool.......................................................10
3. Mechanical integration ........................................... 17
Environmental properties...........................................................17
Physical properties.....................................................................18
Mounting methods.....................................................................20
Cables and connectors................................................................23
4. Power requirements ................................................ 27
Load specifications ....................................................................27
Calculating overall power consumption......................................29
Batteries ....................................................................................30
Plug-in supplies.........................................................................31
Automotive supplies...................................................................32
5. Interface specification............................................. 33
NCL and RAP link-layer protocols.............................................33
Pin descriptions .........................................................................35
How to turn the radio on and off................................................40
Loading firmware (optional)......................................................41
6. Antenna selection .................................................... 43
Selecting an antenna..................................................................43
Introduction to antenna terminology..........................................45

Antenna design considerations...................................................47
Shielding...................................................................................49
FCC radio frequency exposure rules...........................................50
Specifications ...................................................................... 55
Glossary of terms ................................................................ 57

About this guide
This guide will assist you in integrating the RIM 802D OEM radio modem into
a variety of devices such as laptop computers, handhelds, vending machines,
point-of-sale terminals, vehicle-based mobile terminals, and alarm system.
Topics covered in this guide include:
x mounting requirements
x power (battery) characteristics
x interfacing to the RIM 802D
x antenna selection and placement
Throughout the guide, there are suggestions and precautions that will ease the
implementation of a wireless communication solution. You are encouraged to
contact RIM if you would like to discuss the technical implementation of this
radio modem.


1. Introduction
With the introduction of the RIM 802D, Research In Motion (RIM) has set a
new standard for radio modem performance. The RIM 802D is unrivaled in the
key areas of receiver sensitivity, output efficiency, noise immunity, and power
consumption. Its small size and weight make it suitable for virtually any
wireless data application, including handheld devices and mobile terminals.
The RIM 802D is designed for use with DataTAC wide-area wireless data
networks operating in the 800 MHz range, such as the American Mobile
ARDIS network and the Bell Mobility ARDIS network.
RIM radio modems are specifically designed to integrate easily into a
computing device. Potential applications include:
x Laptop computers x Vehicle tracking and location
x Point of sale devices x Monitoring and telemetry
x Ruggedized terminals x Vending machines
x Handheld PC’s x Utility meters
x Parking meters x Billboards
x Dispatching x Security alarm panels
Radio performance
The RIM 802D offers the highest performance of any radio modem for
DataTAC wireless data networks:

2 Introduction – Radio performance
Integrator’s Guide – RIM 802D OEM Radio Modem DRAFT VERSION
Receiver sensitivity
Receiver sensitivity is a measure of how well a radio modem can “hear” a
network base station. This figure is important when a device will be used in
areas where signal strength is weak, such as inside buildings and in locations
that are not close to a base station. A radio modem with good receiver
sensitivity can be used in more places than a radio modem with poor sensitivity.
The RIM 802D has a receiver sensitivity of –118 dBm (MDC) and –111dBm
(RD-Lap) at 0.01 BER. This means that the radio can interpret received data
from a very weak 0.0025 picowatt signal with a 1% bit error rate. Although 1%
may seem like a high error rate, the sophisticated over-the-air DataTAC
protocol corrects these errors before the data is passed to the application,
ensuring error-free communication. This capability is already built into the
radio’s firmware, and does not require any additional software development.
Noise immunity
The RIM 802D is not de-sensitized by the electromagnetic interference (EMI)
or “noise” that is generated by the electronics of the terminal into which it is
integrated. As a result, no special shielding is required between the radio and
your device.
Noise immunity offers several key benefits, including:
x easier integration x improved RF performance
x longer battery life x more coverage from each base station
x increased reliability x no need for special RF shielding
Low power requirements
If you are planning to integrate the RIM 802D into a handheld or portable
device, battery life is a critical issue: your customers will insist on long lasting
devices without heavy battery packs. The RIM 802D sets a new power
consumption standard for DataTAC radio modems. This ensures efficiency and
maximizes battery life.

Introduction – Radio performance 3
RIM 802D OEM Radio Modem – Integrator’s Guide DRAFT VERSION
Transmitting data: 1.7 amps or less (at 4.4 V), depending on output power
The transmitter is ON for a pulse of up to 1.1 seconds, depending on the
amount of data transmitted. The maximum packet size for a DataTAC
device is 2048 bytes.
Receiving data: 66 mA (at 4.4 V)
The radio’s receiver is usually turned off, and turned on periodically for
the purpose of listening to the network for messages. The base station will
only attempt to communicate with the radio during these windows. To
minimize latency during rapid two-way communication, the receiver is
also turned on and kept on for 10 seconds after any communication
(transmit or receive) with the network.
Standby power: 0.2 mA (at 4.4 V)
Standby power consumption is very low and occurs when no radio activity
has taken place for at least 10 seconds and the radio is not in a receiver-
on window. The radio and base station are closely synchronized to ensure
that a communication attempt is not missed when the radio is in standby
mode.
Battery life is not a concern for certain applications, such as in-vehicle
applications that draw power from the vehicle battery. For these applications, it
is possible to put the radio in an express operating mode, in which power
consumption is higher than normal but packet transfer latency is reduced to a
minimum.
Small size
Using a single board design, the RIM 802D is very thin, and much smaller than
a business card, at only 42.0 by 67.5 mm. This tiny size allows the RIM 802D
to meet tight space requirements within most applications. Its single-board
design is more reliable than multi-board designs, particularly in high-vibration
environments (such as vehicles) or in devices that can be dropped (such as
handheld PCs).

4 Introduction – DataTAC network technology
Integrator’s Guide – RIM 802D OEM Radio Modem DRAFT VERSION
DataTAC network technology
The DataTAC wireless network technology has become an international data
communication standard. DataTAC is a secure, reliable, wireless packet
switching network specifically designed for wide-area wireless data
communications.
DataTAC networks are deployed around the world. DataTAC provides highly
reliable, two-way digital data transmission. The network provides error
detection and correction to ensure the integrity of the data being sent and
received, and includes transmission acknowledgment.
The DataTAC network has a hierarchical structure that allows messages to be
routed from sender to receiver along the most direct path possible. Each radio
cell is served by an intelligent base station. Because intelligence is distributed
throughout the network, data is only forwarded to the lowest network node
common to the sender and the receiver. For example, one base station is able to
handle all traffic in its coverage area.
The network constantly monitors the location of the mobile users. As a mobile
device moves from one area of coverage to another, base stations track its
signals, sending updated mobile location and status information to the network.
If the network goes down at any point in transmission, the message is held until
network service is restored. If the mobile receiver moves outside the coverage
area, the base station stores the data until coverage is re-established, then
forwards it to the mobile. This prevents data loss, and increases the reliability
of transmission.
DataTAC is optimized for data communication. It uses a packet switching
technique to provide the greatest flexibility in data transmission. Conventional
cellular phone systems, by contrast, use a circuit-switched network, in which a
physical connection is created between the sending and receiving nodes, and
must be maintained throughout the duration of the transmission. With circuit-
switched systems, the set-up time for establishing a connection involves
significant overhead and airtime cost, especially when only a small amount of
data needs to be transferred.
DataTAC packets include information about the origin, destination, size, type,
and sequence of data to be sent. This enables packets to be transmitted
individually, in any order, as traffic permits. Internal to the network, individual
packets may travel along different routes, in any order, without interfering with

Introduction – DataTAC network technology 5
RIM 802D OEM Radio Modem – Integrator’s Guide DRAFT VERSION
other packets sent over the same frequency by different users. At the receiving
end, all packets are accounted for, and reassembled into the original message.
Set up time is eliminated and network connection is instantaneous. As a result,
packet-switching makes far more efficient use of channel capacity, typically
allowing 10 to 50 times more users over a radio channel than a circuit switched
network.


2. Getting started
RIM is committed to facilitating the integration of the RIM 802D OEM radio
modem. We provide the necessary resources to evaluate the feasibility of
implementing a wireless communication solution, and work closely with our
partners to develop an application in the shortest time possible.
Years of intense R&D have spawned several tools that have been used
internally to help streamline our own development process. We have included
many of these tools with the RIM 802D OEM Developer’s Kit. The purpose of
the Kit is to accelerate radio integration and to help system designers evaluate
the RIM 802D. Using the Kit, you can quickly begin interfacing the radio
modem to your computing device.
We’re here for you!
RIM has a team of experienced engineers who can support you in the design
and implementation of your project. If you need help getting started, or if you
have any questions about the radio technology or its integration into your
platform, please contact the RIM 802D engineering development team:
e-mail: [e-mail]
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
web: www.rim.net

8 Getting started – Test board overview
Integrator’s Guide – RIM 802D OEM Radio Modem DRAFT VERSION
Test board overview
The RIM test board provides a standard RS-232 serial interface between a PC
and the radio modem. It is designed to help you quickly interface the
RIM 802D to a standard PC (through a COM port) or a terminal device with an
RS-232 serial port. The test board also provides access points to the radio’s
communication port, which allows you to monitor activity with a logic probe,
multimeter, or oscilloscope.
The test board includes the following components and functionality:
RS-232 interface
The serial (COM) port on a PC and most terminal devices operates at RS-232
signal levels, which are typically r 12V. This high voltage would damage the
RIM 802D, which is typically integrated into a device that operates an
asynchronous serial port at 3.0V. The RS-232 interface on the test board allows
you to produce an output from the radio that is easily interpreted by a PC.
Test points
The test board is more than just an RS-232 interface. It also features debugging
facilities to help you test your application. It provides direct access to each of
the 22 pins on the radio interface cable, which allows connectivity to analytical
equipment (e.g. logic probe, multimeter, or oscilloscope) and real-time
indication of data flow.
On/off switch
With the switch in the ON position, the radio will turn on whenever power is
applied to the test board. When the switch is moved to the OFF position, the
radio will shut down.
Power supply
The RIM 802D must be provided with a clean, high-current power source. In
this case, we use a standard plug-pack to provide the current necessary to

Getting started – How to connect the test board 9
RIM 802D OEM Radio Modem – Integrator’s Guide DRAFT VERSION
operate the radio. The voltage is converted into the necessary levels by the
power supply section on the test board.
LED indicators
The test board includes several LED indicators designed to indicate the flow of
data to and from the host (in real time), the radio power status, power to the test
board, and more.
How to connect the test board
Now that you are familiar with the components and functions of the test board,
you are ready to connect the RIM 802D radio modem to an antenna and to a PC
(or some other computing device with an RS-232 serial interface). To do this,
you will use the test board and cables supplied with your RIM 802D
Developer’s Kit.
1. Flat interface cable (test board to radio)
The flat interface cable carries data between the test board and the RIM 802D.
Control and status signals such as TURNON are also carried on this cable. Use
this cable to connect the RIM 802D to the test board.
This cable also carries clean, regulated power to the RIM 802D.
When inserting the cable, ensure that the side with the bare pins are in direct
contact with the pin side of the connector. To ensure proper contact, do not
force the cable into the connector. Instead, pull the tabs on either side of the
connector, slide the cable in, then push the tabs back in to tighten.
2. DB-9 serial cable (test board to PC)
Connect the male end of the straight-through DB-9 serial cable to the test
board.
Connect the female end of the cable to your PC’s COM port.

10 Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool
Integrator’s Guide – RIM 802D OEM Radio Modem DRAFT VERSION
3. Power adapter (test board to AC outlet)
Plug the 5VDC, 2.4A, center-pin-positive power adapter into the wall outlet.
Connect the other end to the power jack of the test board.
4. Antenna cable (radio to magmount antenna)
Your developer’s kit includes a high-performance, 6dB-gain magmount
antenna. This antenna is terminated with a screw-on SMA plug. The
RIM 802D radio modem includes a snap-on MMCX jack. The antenna cable
supplied with your developer’s kit connects the antenna’s SMA plug to the
radio’s MMCX jack.
The magmount antenna provides optimum RF performance when placed on a
broad metal surface, such as the roof of a car. When used inside a building,
performance is improved if the antenna is located near a window, with few
obstacles (wall, furniture, equipment, etc.) between the antenna and the
window. The antenna must be oriented vertically for best performance, and
performs equally well whether positioned rightside up or upside down.
5. Turn the system on
The power switch on the test board is connected to the TURNON line of the
RIM 802D radio modem. To determine whether the radio is on, look at the
LED marked ONI. It is lit when the radio is on.
The MENU diagnostics tool
Now that you have successfully connected your RIM 802D radio modem to your
PC, you are ready to send a test packet through the DataTAC network.
Your radio modem must be activated by the network operator in order to be
used on the DataTAC network and to establish an airtime agreement. If you
have not already arranged for activation of your radio, contact your network
operator.

Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool 11
RIM 802D OEM Radio Modem – Integrator’s Guide DRAFT VERSION
The RIM 802D contains a diagnostic utility called MENU. With this utility,
you can set the current network, “ping” your radio modem, or view radio and
network status values.
Setup
The following instructions assume that your RIM 802D is connected to a PC
running a terminal program, such as Windows HyperTerminal. The MENU
utility is based in the RIM 802D’s firmware, so HyperTerminal is the only
software required to use it.
The MENU utility’s user interface is a full-screen text mode interface, and uses
the ANSI cursor command set. Programs like HyperTerminal support the ANSI
codes by default. If you are using a different terminal program that does not
provide ANSI cursor control, the MENU utility will drop into a line-by-line
interface. The appearance of the line-by-line interface is not documented here,
but the commands it uses are the same as those described below.
Select the COM port which communicates with the RIM 802D and configure
for 9600 bps, and either 7E1 (7 bits, Even parity, 1 stop bit) or 8N1 (8 bits, No
parity, 1 stop bit). If you have set this up correctly, you may see occasional
bursts of characters from the radio modem. These character bursts are normal;
they represent an NCL frame, which you can ignore for now.
Type the word menu (all in lower case letters only) then press the ENTER key.
You can expect to see a full screen of information. If nothing happens, simply
re-enter menu until the radio modem responds. The word “menu” itself will
probably not appear on the screen as you type it in.
If you re-enter menu and nothing occurs, ensure that the radio is turned on and
connected to the PC, and that all cables are securely connected. Please contact
RIM for assistance if you are stuck at this point.
Once the utility has been started, the terminal program’s screen will look
similar to the following:

12 Getting started – The MENU diagnostics tool
Integrator’s Guide – RIM 802D OEM Radio Modem DRAFT VERSION
RIM 802D Firmware Version 1.0.0
(c) 1999 Research In Motion Limited
Radio Setup Radio Serial Number = 031/11/066300
Command Key Description Networks Available:
----------- ----------- -------------------
Q Quit and reset the radio. 1. AMSC
2. BELLMOB
N Set the current network.
P Ping: Send a Status SDU to yourself.
Your Choice ?
LLI=88231144 RSSI= 40% 24 dBuV Battery= 97% Network=AMSC
Contact=Yes Mode=PowerSave Tx=Enabled
Status=0080
The screen displays the software version and build date, the radio modem’s
serial number, the list of available DataTAC radio networks, current radio
modem status indicators, the “ping” function, and other relevant information.
RSSI stands for Received Signal Strength Indicator. This is a measure of
network coverage. The higher the number, the better the coverage. The RSSI is
given both as a percentage and in dB P V (decibel microvolts). To obtain the
RSSI in dBm (decibel milliwatts), subtract 113 from the dB P V value. Note that
RSSI= 0% 0 dB P V does not necessarily represent the complete absence of a
signal; in many cases, the radio is capable of communicating with the network
at signal strengths of 0 dB P V or even less. Actual contact with the DataTAC
network would be indicated by the Contact field. The RSSI is updated every
ten seconds, or whenever you press D.
The Battery indicator shows the level of supplied voltage. The battery level is
updated once every thirty seconds, or whenever you press D.
Network tells you which network you are currently using. The example shows
AMSC (American Mobile Satellite Corporation, which operates the ARDIS
network in the United States) and BELLMOB (Bell Mobility ARDIS operates a
DataTAC network in Canada).
LLI stands for Logical Link Identifier, which is a unique number that identifies
each DataTAC radio modem. The LLI is used for addressing packets. The
screen will also display a Radio Serial Number, which is unique to each radio