Seneca RM169-1 User manual

1
USER MANUAL
RM169-1
RADIOMODEM 169MHz with RS232/RS485 interface and
complies with the Directive 2014/53/EU (RED)
SENECA S.r.l.
Via Austria, 26 – 35127 – PADOVA (PD) - ITALY
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
www.seneca.it

User Manual RM169-1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. DISCLAIMER ................................................................................................................ 3
2. TECHNICAL SUPPORT ............................................................................................... 3
3. RESTRICTIONS ON USE ............................................................................................. 3
4. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ..................................................................................... 5
5. WARRANTY – LIABILITY OF THE PRODUCT............................................................ 6
6. WARNING AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................. 7
7. DISPOSAL OF WASTE BY USERS IN PRIVATE HOUSEHOLDS WITHIN THE
EUROPEAN UNION ............................................................................................................ 7
8. GENERAL DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................... 8
9. INSTALLATION .......................................................................................................... 10
9.1. Mechanical .............................................................................................................................................................................10
9.2. Electrical (wiring) ..................................................................................................................................................................10
9.3. Antenna ..................................................................................................................................................................................11
10. CONFIGURATION ...................................................................................................... 12
10.1. System requirements ............................................................................................................................................................12
10.2. Configuration via RS232 serial port ....................................................................................................................................12
10.3. Configurazione via USB with S117P1 (RS232/USB converter) .........................................................................................12
11. OPERATING MODES AND SETTINGS ..................................................................... 15
11.1. MIRROR OPERATING MODE ...............................................................................................................................................15
11.2. MODBUS LOW ENERGY OPERATING MODE ....................................................................................................................17
11.3. MODBUS OPERATING MODE ..............................................................................................................................................21
11.4. RADIOMODEM OPERATING MODE .....................................................................................................................................26
12. UTILITY ....................................................................................................................... 30
12.1. Link Test ................................................................................................................................................................................30
13. APPENDICE ............................................................................................................... 32
13.1. MODBUS REGISTER .............................................................................................................................................................32
13.2. MODBUS LOW ENERGY REGISTER ...................................................................................................................................32

User Manual RM169-1
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1. DISCLAIMER
All rights to this manual are owned solely by SENECA Srl (referred to in this user guide as SENECA).
All rights reserved. The copying of this manual (without the written permission from the owner) by printing,
copying, recording or by any other means, or the full or partial translation of the manual to any other language,
including all programming languages, using any electrical, mechanical, magnetic, optical, manual or other
methods or devices is forbidden.
SENECA reserves the right to change the technical specifications or functions of its products, or to discontinue
the manufacture of any of its products or to discontinue the support of any of its products, without any written
announcement and urges its customers to ensure, that the information at their disposal is valid.
SENECA software and programs are delivered ”as is”. The manufacturer does not grant any kind of warranty
including guarantees on suitability and applicability to a certain application. Under no circumstances is the
manufacturer or the developer of a program responsible for any possible damages caused by the use of a
program. The names of the programs as well as all copyrights relating to the programs are the sole property of
SENECA. Any transfer, licensing to a third party, leasing, renting, transportation, copying, editing, translating,
modifying into another programming language or reverse engineering for any intent is forbidden without the
written consent of SENECA.
2. TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Our website www.seneca.it contains many useful information, user guides and configuration software and
technical documents always update to the latest version.
If you have technical problems or cannot find the required information in the provided documents, contact our
Technical Support by email at [email protected] or by phone [phone].
3. RESTRICTIONS ON USE
SENECA PRODUCTS HAVE NOT BEEN DESIGNED, INTENDED NOR INSPECTED TO BE USED IN ANY
LIFE SUPPORT RELATED DEVICE OR SYSTEM RELATED FUNCTION NOR AS A PART OF ANY OTHER
CRITICAL SYSTEM INCLUDED AERONAUTICAL / AEROSPACE APPLICATION.
SENECA PRODUCTS ARE GRANTED NO FUNCTIONAL WARRANTY IF THEY ARE USED IN ANY OF THE
APPLICATIONS MENTIONED.
SENECA RM169-1 radio modems have been designed to operate on frequency ranges as SRD (Short Range
Device), the exact use of which differs from one region and/or country to another. The user of a radio modem
must take care that the device is not operated without the permission of the local authorities on frequencies
other than those specifically reserved and intended for use without a specific permit.
SENECA RM169-1 can be used in the following countries with E.R.P. and duty cycle limitation, either on licence
free channels or on channels where the operation requires a licence. More detailed information is available at
the local frequency management authority.

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Country allowed
(4)
ALB
-
AND
-
AUT
-
BEL
-
BIH
-
BLR
-
BUL
-
CYP
-
CZE
-
D
-
DNK
-
E
-
EST
-
F
-
FIN
-
G
-
GRC
-
HNG
-
HOL
-
HRV
-
I
-
IR
L
-
ISL
-
LIE
-
LTU-LUX-LVA-MDA-MKD-MLT-MNE-NOR-POL-POR-ROU-RUS-S-SRB-SUI-SVK-SVN-TUR-UKR
Allowed use according to ERC Recommendation 70-03
RM169-1 Frequency (MHz) Annex (1)
E.R.P (2) Duty Cycle (3) Country(4) with
restriction of use
169,400 – 169,475 1 ≤ 500 mW ≤ 1 % BLR-RUS-UKR
169,400 – 169,475 2 ≤ 500 mW ≤10 % BLR-RUS-UKR
NOTE:
Before to install the device check always the latest version of ERC Recommendation 70-03 in order to verify
any restriction and limitation in terms of E.R.P and Duty Cycle
(1) Annex 1.xxx refer to SRD (Short Range Device), Annex 2 refer to Tracking, Tracing and Data Acquisition.
(2) E.R.P. = Max Effective Radiated Power allowed from radiomodem and associated antenna takes into
consideration transmitter power output, transmission line attenuation, RF connector insertion losses and
antenna gain
(3) Duty Cycle is defined as the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the maximum transmitter “on” time on
one carrier frequency, relative to a one hour period
(4) The CEPT country codes can be seen under http://www.cept-org/cept/cept-country-codes

User Manual RM169-1
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4. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Operating data
Label
Description
Value
V
S
(EXT)
Power supply, voltage range
9,0
→
32 Vdc
P
S
(EXT)
Max power
max. 5 W
I
Sleep
Sleeping current (Power Off)
≤ 150
μA @ 12Vdc
P
RF
RF transmission power
Livello H
500 mW
Livello M
150 mW
Livello L
25 mW
RX
SENS
Receiver sensitivity
≤
-
105 ± 3 dBm
RF
MOD
Modulation mode
***F1D
CH
Canalization
12,5
–
25
–
50 kHz
BR Radio
Baud Rate on radio channel
4.800
–
9.600
–
19.200 bps
Buffer
Memory buffer
1024 bytes
ZI/O ANT Antenna impedance 50
󰃦
Digital Input Rating digital input
5
–
24 Vdc
3 – 20 Vac
Z
DIGITAL-INP
Digital input
impedence
2,2 k
󰃦
Digital
Output Digital output rating
Normally Open
(NO)
24 Vac @ 0,5 A
32 Vdc @ 1A
I
A,B LINES
Max current out at RS
-
485 serial port
± 60 mA
BR DTE
Baud Rate serial port
1.200
→
57.600 bps
WARNING Exceed the maximum operating value below (continuous and/or temporary) can damage the
device.
Maximum operating data
Label
Description
Value
V
S(EXT)
Max power supply voltage
32 Vdc
V
DIG-INP
Digital input, max voltage
24 Vdc / 20 Vac
V
DIG-OUT
Digital output, max voltage
32 Vdc / 28
Vac
V
P
RS
Max peak voltage at the ports A/B RS
-
485
(1)
± 32 Vdc
I
A,B LINES
Max current out at the A/B RS
-
485
± 200 mA
T
OPERATING
Operating temperature range
-
30°C +60
°
C
T
STORAGE
Storage temperature range
-
40°C +85
°
C
NOTE:
(1) Impulse time < 100 millisecond.

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5. WARRANTY – LIABILITY OF THE PRODUCT
Supplier represents and warrants that products are manufactured in accordance with the applicable
specifications and are free from defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty, valid for a period of 12
months of use, maximum 18 months from the date of delivery, shall not cover defects caused by accident,
Buyer’s negligence, improper use or maintenance or by any other reason beyond Supplier’s control.
Buyer shall have 10 (ten) working days following receipt of products to inspect the products and to notify to
Supplier in writing any defects or non-compliance. In the event that any shipment of products is not accepted by
Buyer due to any non-conformity with the specifications, or as a result of a cause occurred prior to placement
thereof with the carrier, Buyer shall, if so indicated in writing by the Supplier, promptly return some samples or
the full shipment that was rejected by Buyer at Buyer’s costs.
Supplier, at its own discretion, shall, within a reasonable period, considering the entity of the complaint: (i) send
a replacement shipment of products conforming, or (ii) credit Buyer a sum equal to the value of the defective or
non-conforming products. This warranty overwrites all legal warranties for defects and compliance and exempts
Supplier from any other responsibility for the supplied products; in particular, Buyer shall not be entitled to any
requests for compensation or price reductions.
If one of the products sold by the Supplier to the Buyer is defective, the Buyer will send it, at its own expense,
at the headquarters of the Italian Supplier. The product will be repaired or replaced by the Supplier, at no costs
to the Buyer.
The Buyer will pay all the shipping costs for the product repaired or replaced and sent back to the Buyer.
The Buyer will bear all costs related to disassembly, assembling and transportation of the product, and any
damage caused by the "machinery inactivity".
Supplier shall indemnify Buyer against any liability of the products claims asserted by third parties relating to
damages sustained as a result of a defective products. In such case Supplier shall reimburse Buyer exclusively
within the limits, terms and conditions of the products liability insurance policy held by Supplier. Buyer shall not
make any oral or written representations which vary from the specifications, operating instructions, labels or
representations given or made by Supplier with respect to the products. If any liability is incurred because of
such varying representations, Buyer holds Supplier harmless with respect to any such representations.
In no event shall Supplier be liable for any indirect, incidental, exemplary or consequential damages, including
without limitation any claim for damages based on lost revenues or profits, however caused.
In no event shall the Supplier be liable for any costs or damages arising from any act or omission of Buyer,
including, without limitation, relating to the modification, handling, storage and marketing of Products by Buyer
or to Buyer’s failure to provide its employees, agents and customers or other third parties with adequate
instruction as to the proper handling and use of Products.
In this respect we hereby confirm that our products are not designed for nuclear applications neither for
aircraft/aerospace industries. For the above mentioned applications both warranty and insurance coverage do
not apply..

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6. WARNING AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Read these safety instructions carefully before using the product:
Warranty will be void, if the product is used in any way that is in contradiction with the instructions given in this
manual, or if the radio modem housing has been opened or tampered with.
The radio modem is only to be operated at frequencies allocated by local authorities, and without exceeding the
given maximum allowed output power ratings and duty cycle. SENECA and its distributors are not responsible,
if any products manufactured by it are used in unlawful ways.
The devices is complies with Directive 2014/53/UE (RED) and Directive 2011/65/UE (ROHS)
The devices mentioned in this manual are to be used only according to the instructions described in this manual.
Faultless and safe operation of the devices can be guaranteed only if the transport, storage, operation and
handling of the devices is appropriate. This also applies to the maintenance of the products.
Place the antenna at a height greater than or equal to 2 m above the general public walkway that gives general
public access.
Do not install the equipment close to a heat source or in damp conditions and direct sunlight is also to be avoided.
The device must not be exposed to aggressive chemical agents or solvents likely to damage the plastic or
corrode the metal parts.
The device must not be exposed directly to dusty environment.
Maintenance should only be carried out by qualified persons.
For your own safety, you must ensure that the equipment is switched off before carrying out any work on it.
Any electrical connection of the product must be equipped with a protection device against voltage spikes and
short-circuits
7. DISPOSAL OF WASTE BY USERS IN PRIVATE HOUSEHOLDS WITHIN THE
EUROPEAN UNION
According to Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Union on waste electrical and
electronic equipment (WEEE) this product must not be disposed off with your other
household waste, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste by taking it to a
collection point designated for the recycling of electrical and electronic appliances.
Separate collection and recycling of your waste at the time of disposal will contribute
to conserving natural resources and guarantee recycling that respects the environment
and human health.
For further information concerning your nearest recycling centre, please contact your nearest local authority/town
hall offices.

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8. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
RM169-1 includes 1 optically isolated digital inputs and 1 digital relay outputs, an RS-232/485 serial interface,
this radiomodem is fully configurable via software. The embedded inputs and outputs allow the RM169-1
radiomodem to be used in data acquisition and remote control applications.
RM169-1 has 4 operating modes that are software programmable: radiomodem, mirror point to point, Modbus
slave, or Modbus master, allowing greater flexibility in the field.
RM169-1 uses routing tables to obtain fewer collisions in complex networks and can also be used as a Modbus
hub, allowing 8 Modbus modules (inputs and/or outputs) to be connected through the RS-485 port. (RM169-1
will power these modules).
Data Encryption 128bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) ensures transmitted data security.
A power-saving function is built in, to activate inputs only when required, allowing for extended battery life.
Function available for each operating mode.
CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTIONALITY AVAILABLE
Yes= you can choose and/or modify the function
No = the function doesn’t exist or is not enabled
Operating mode
Radio
ModBus
Standard
ModBus Low
Energy Mirror
modem
Master
Slave
Master
Slave
Master
Slave
Radio
Channel spacing
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
RF channel Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Frequency Agility
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Listen Before Talk Yes Yes Yes No No No No
RF power
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Serial Port RS485
Bit Rate
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Parity bit Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
DTX Time
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Auxiliary
Safety option
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Contact of relè
selectable NC/NO Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes
Input & Output
Digital inputs Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
(n° 1) (n° 1) (n° 1) (n° 1) (n° 1)
Digital outputs Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
(n° 1) (n° 1) (n° 1) (n° 1) (n° 1)
Data
AES encrytption Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No

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Operating
mode
Radio
ModBus
Standard
ModBus Low
Energy Mirror
modem Master Slave Master Slave Master Slave
Routing Table Yes, 1 route
Yes, 255
route No No No
Yes, 1
route
Yes, 1
route
Broadcasting Yes No No No No No No
Address from DTE
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Address to DTE Yes No No No No No No
Rx address for Tx
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Request of ACK Yes No No No No No No
Set number of retries
Yes
No No No No No No
(max. 255)
NAK to DTE
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Other
Diagnostic Yes No No
No
No
No Yes
(always
active)
(always
active)
Power Save Yes Yes Yes No No No No
Link Test Yes No No No No No No

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9. INSTALLATION
9.1. Mechanical
The device must be installed in a location that is sufficiently ventilated so that there is no risk of internal heating.
Place the device against a flat, firm and stable surface. It is not recommendable to install the radio modem on a
strongly vibrating surface. Suitable dampening and/or isolation materials should be used in cases where the
installation surface will be subjected to vibration.
9.2. Electrical (wiring)
To prevent damage both the radio modem and any terminal devices must always be switched OFF before
connecting or disconnecting the serial connection cable. It should be ascertained that different devices used
have the same ground potential. Before connecting any power cables the output voltage of the power supply
should be checked.
The product has no disconnecting device. An external disconnecting device must be installed. This must be
close to the equipment. Provide an adequate termination resistance on the RS485 serial line.
To by supplied by class II (LPS) certified AC/DC adaptor.
JP4 Connector
PIN
Label
Description
1
A RS485
RS
-
485 (line A)
2
RXD (OUT)
Data output
3
TXD (IN)
Data input
4
DTR
Data Terminal Ready
5
GROUND
Ground (GND)
6
N.C.
Not connected
7
RTS
Request To Send
8
CTS
Clear To Send
9
A RS485
RS
-
485 (line B)
JP1 Connector
PIN
Label
Description
1
Optoisolated digital input
2
3
Digital output normally open (NO)
4
5
Ground (GND)
6
9
-
32V 0,6A
Power supply (9
-
32 VDC, 0.6A)

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9.3. Antenna
L’antenna deve essere installata in spazio libero e posto ad una distanza di almeno 10 cm da materiali conduttori.
Quando l’antenna è installata all’esterno è essenziale connettere lo schermo del cavo a terra. Raccomandiamo
di utilizzare parafulmini. Il kit di protezione scelto deve permettere il collegamento a terra del cavo coassiale.

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10. CONFIGURATION
Download from SENECA web site (www.seneca.it) the latest version of configuration software at this link
https://www.seneca.it/products/rm169-1 in the related DOWNLOAD section.
The configuration must be done through serial port RS232 or RS485 interface with a RS485/USB converter such
as SENECA S117P1 or equivalent.
10.1. System requirements
Operative system supported: Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista,
Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.
Minimum screen resolution: 800 x 600 dpi.
10.2. Configuration via RS232 serial port
1) Connect the serial port of the radio modem to the computer communication port with a NO Null Modem cable
and open the configuration utility.
2) In Options Menu select the appropriate computer Communication Port.
3) Connect, with the proper polarity, a power supply source to the radio modem.
4) Press the "Turn ON" button on the configuration program. On the radiomodem the entering into configuration
state is confirmed by a led color change from off to orange. On the configurator this change it is confirmed by a
variation in the text of the button from "Turn ON" to "Turn OFF" and by the activation of the Read and Write
buttons. If, when "Turn ON" is pressed, the button blink green, wait the end of the blink before proceding with
normal operation.
10.3. Configurazione via USB with S117P1 (RS232/USB converter)
1) Install the appropriate driver as explained in the user manual of the S117P1 interface.
2) Connect the interface S117P1 to a personal computer by a USB cable with type A connector (PC side) and
microUSB connector (interface side).
3) Go into the options menu of the Configuration (Options) and select the serial port (Serial port selector).
4) Using a cable with a DB9 connector on one side, connect the radio modem to the interface board according
to the diagram (see the figure below).
RM169-1
CS-DB9M-DB9F
S117P1
5) Power up the radio modem.
6) To enter in configuration mode you must follow this step: turn off the radio modem, click on the "Turn On"
button of the configurator and turn on the radio modem within 4 seconds from the push of the "Turn On" button
(while the button is flashing green).
Note: When the program starts, the buttons "Next Page", "Load Default" and "Write", remain inhibited until you
choose the operating mode between: "Mirror", "Low energy", "Modbus standard" or "Radiomodem". This choice
is done by pressing the left mouse button on the relevant button in the configurator. Even the reading of the
parameters of a unit involves the activation of the buttons inhibited at program startup.

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The selection among the various fields of the configuration program is carried out with the TAB key or by
positioning the mouse pointer over the field and clicking once with the left button. A function is activated when,
in the relative box, the check mark is present.
Function of the Buttons common to all modes
Read:
Reads the data from the radiomodem.
Write:
Writes the configuration data into the radiomodem.
Load Default:
Resets all fields to their default values.
Next Page:
Allows you to move to the second page. You can go to the second page only if you have selected an operative
mode between the four possible ones.
Exit:
Close the configurator program.
Note:
The buttons Write, Load Default and Next Page are activated only if you have selected an operation mode
between the four possible ones, or if you load a configuration file (using the menu File, Open), or if the
configuration is read by a radio modem unit.
Toolbar:
The Toolbar on the upper side of the screen contains File, Options and Help Menus. Each menu can be opened
as a normal Windows menu using both mouse and keys.
The different menus have the following functions:
FILE menu:
- Open (path/filename): Loads an existing file in the configurator program.
- Save (path/filename): Updates an existing file after a change in the parameters.
- Save As (path/filename): Creates a new file containing all configuration data. The user can select an adequate
filename and choose the destination folder. The default destination folder has the same path as the executable
program.
- Exit: close the configurator program.
Options menu:
- Serial port selector: Open the serial port selection box. A port number between 1 and 16 can be chosen.
- Model: RM169-1
- Canalization
12,5 KHz: the width of the radio channel is 12.5 KHz and the speed of radio data is 4800 bps.
25 KHz: the width of the radio channel is 25 KHz and the speed of radio data is 9600 bps.
50 KHz: the width of the radio channel is 50 KHz and the speed of radio data is 19200 bps.

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Help menu:
- Index F1: Open the Help file.
- About: Display the version information about the configuration software..

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11. OPERATING MODES AND SETTINGS
11.1. MIRROR OPERATING MODE
In Mirror mode, the status of digital inputs of an unit is replicated on digital outputs of a remote unit and vice
versa. In this operating mode, data communication on the serial line is not allowed. The mirror mode can only
work between two radiomodem units (point-to-point) and can use digipeater (up to 8) to extend the route of the
radio link. The initiative of the transmission is always taken from the master device and it is triggered by two
different events:
1) The change of the state of the Master’s digital inputs (every input of the four available modes may trigger this
event).
2) The expiration of the timer dedicated to the periodic sending of the data (cycle update).
On the Slave unit, every time a packet is received, the diagnostic parameters are sent over the serial line. The
sent parameters are:
1) Status of four digital inputs and two digital outputs of the Master unit.
2) Value (in milliampere) of two analog inputs and two analog outputs of the master unit.
3) Value of the battery voltage of the Master unit.
4) RSSI value related to the last packet received by the Master unit.
In the Slave unit it is also possible to read the diagnostic parameters at any time by sending the command "at?"
or "AT? to the serial port. The radio modem will respond with the parameters described above adding to these
the value of the elapsed time since the reception of the last packet transmitted by the Master.

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Slave / Master:
Allows you to select the functionality of the radiomodem between Master and Slave. The unit configured as
Master uses the energy saving and transmits as a result of events. The unit configured as a Slave is always
active and never takes the initiative of the transmission.
When a device is used as digipeater the device must be settled as Slave.
Cycle Update:
In this field the time of the periodical transmission is set. The time base is selectable between seconds, minutes
or hours. The time range can vary from one second (minimum) to 255 hours (maximum). In this field you cannot
insert a value less than the value of the time interval assigned to the field "Sensor stabilization time".
Safety options (frame):
Time: sets the value of the safety timer whose time base is selectable between minutes and hours. If the radio
doesn’t receive a valid packet within the selected time interval, the digital output (relay) is forced to a condition
chosen in the field "Relays to Open/Closed". To disable the functionality of the safety timer set the value of
"Time" to zero.
Minute: the value of "Time" is expressed in minutes.
Hours: the value of "Time" is expressed in hours.
Relays to Open: when the safety timer expires, the relay contact of digital output will be forced to open.
Relays to Closed: when the safety timer expires, the relay contact of digital outputs will be forced to closed.
Its address:
It is the value of the address of this radiomodem. It is advisable to configure each radiomodem with a unique
address.

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Target address:
Contains the value of the destination address and must be equal to the address of the other unit. Example:
Master unit: Its address = 1; Target address = 2. Slave Unit: Its address = 2; Target address = 1.It is evident
that the addresses of the two fields (its own address and the and target address) are reversed between Master
and Slave. In the case of using digipeaters, they must have a different address and the target value is
uninfluenced.
System Code & Digipeater address (double click of the mouse on "Target" or [Enter] key):
When the focus is on the Target field, pressing the "Enter" key on the keyboard or by double clicking the mouse,
a window opens in which you can enter the system code and the addresses of the digipeater path to include in
the radio link. On the involved units the system code must be the same.
RF Power:
Allows the choice between three different levels of power: High, Medium, Low. If the RSSI value displayed in
diagnostic parameters of the Slave unit is good (-70 dBm or better), and if the low power of the Master unit is
an important factor, it is advisable to choose a medium or low power level.
Channel selection + Agility + LBT:
In this box you choose the radio channel to be used. If you want to use the agility feature (transmission on the
less noisy channel among the active channels), you can select more than one radio channel. The maximum
number of active channels is dependent on the canalization setting. It is mandatory that in the same network
all the radiomodems use the same radio channels. In Mirror mode the LBT function cannot be activated.
11.2. MODBUS LOW ENERGY OPERATING MODE
In this modality the network is composed of one Slave unit and one or more (up to 16) Master unit. The Slave
unit is connected to a PC (or PLC) on which there is a running SCADA software. The slave device is always in
reception, never takes the initiative of the transmission and transmits only in response to a packet received from
a Master unit. The Master units send a packet to the Slave unit using the modbus RTU Protocol. The function
"Write multiple registers (function code 0x10) is used. The transmission of the Master units is triggered by two
events:
1) The expiration of the timer dedicated to the periodical sending;
2) A change of digital inputs on the Master radiomodem.
On each Master device, it is possible to connect, by the RS485 interface, an external Modbus node (Modbus
device that can read digital or analog inputs) in order to extend the number of monitored signals.
Note: You cannot use the digital inputs of an external modbus node to trigger the transmission on the
radiomodem.
In the Master unit, when a transmission is triggered, the value of the digital input is first acquired, the external
node (if present) is read, then the radio modem sends the packet consisting of the collected data.
The slave device receives the packet, controls it, and if there are no errors, it sends the data (payload) to the
SCADA application via the RS485 interface. At this point the SCADA software, connected to the Slave
radiomodem, sends the response packet, which is transmitted back to the Master unit. At the end of the
Communication, the Master unit returns in sleep mode, waiting for a new transmission event.

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Slave / Master:
Allows you to select the functionality of the radiomodem between Master and Slave. The unit configured as a
Master uses the energy saving and transmits due to events. The unit configured as a slave is always active and
never takes the initiative of the transmission.
Master unit quantity:
Defines the number of the Master radiomodems present in the network. The allowed values range from 1 to 16.
Ext node address:
In this field the address of the external modbus node is set, which it must be identical to the address assigned
to the modbus node device.
Starting address:
In this field the address of the first register to be read from the external node is set.
Quantity:
In this field the quantity of registers to be read from the external node (max 96 registers) is set.
Node/sens S. Time:
This is the interval of time required to the external modbus node to become ready after the switch on. The
radiomodem provides power to the external Modbus node (18 Volt) only after a transmission trigger event. See
the related datasheet for sizing this variable.

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BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION.
Modbus timeout:
Represents the time interval (in hundreds of milliseconds) within which the modbus answer on the packet sent
by the Master unit must be received.
Cycle Update:
In this field the time of the periodical transmission is set. The time base is selectable between seconds, minutes
or hours. The time range can vary from one second (minimum) to 255 hours (maximum). In this field you cannot
insert a value less than the time interval assigned to the field "External node boot time".
Its address:
Contains the value of the address of this radiomodem. Each unit must have a unique address. In the Master
device the maximum value of this field is dependent on the number of units in the network (parameter selected
in the field "Unit quantity").
Target address:
This field sets the value of the destination address. In the Master units, this field must contain the same address
used in the field "Its address" of the Slave unit. In the Slave units this field is not taken into account because the
mode "RX Address for TX" is used in the response packet.
When a device working as digipeater this value is uninfluenced.
System Code (double click of the mouse on "Target" or [Enter] key):
When the focus is on the Target field, pressing the "Enter" key on the keyboard or by double clicking the mouse,
a window opens in which you can enter the system code. The system code must be the same for all the
radiomodem in the network.

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Serial port:
In this frame (collection of options) the parameters choice of the serial line is performed. In the Master units,
these parameters configuration is referred to the data exchange between the radiomodem and the external
Modbus node. In the Slave unit, these parameters configuration is referred to the data exchange between the
radiomodem and the SCADA application. The format of the frame on the RS485 serial port uses one stop bit.
Baud rate:
This field is used to set the communication speed of the serial line. The legal values are: 1200, 2400, 4800,
9600, 19200, 38400, 57600 bps.
Parity:
By this selector it is possible to enable and choose the parity type on the serial line. It is possible to choose
between: None (parity disabled), parity Even, parity Odd.
Time DTX:
Defines the time between the stop of the data received from the serial port and the sending of the packet via
radio. In the "modus low energy" mode this parameter only affects the unit configured as a Slave. If you realize
that the data transmitted from the slave unit are incomplete, try to increase this time.
Repetition number:
It is active only in the devices configured as Master. In this field you can set the number of repetitions of a packet
when there is no answer.
RF Power:
Allows the choice between three different power levels: High, Medium, Low. If the value of the RSSI, present in
the diagnostic parameters sent to the SCADA software, is good (-70 dBm or better), and if the low power of the
Master unit is an important factor, it is advisable to choose a medium or low power level.
Channel selection + Agility + LBT:
In this box you choose the radio channel to be used. If you want to use the agility feature (transmission on the
less noisy channel among the active channels), you can select more than one radio channel. The maximum
number of active channels is dependent on the canalization setting. It is mandatory that in the same network
all the radiomodems use the same radio channels. In "Modbus Low Energy" mode the LBT function cannot
be activated.
AES Enable:
Enable or disable the AES-128 data encryption. In the transmitted packet, the encoding and decoding is done
on the payload only.
Set AES Key:
By pressing this button a window opens where the value of the 128-bit AES key is set. The user must insert 16
ascii character. The configurator displays an error message if, upon pressing the "OK" button, the string of the
AES key is incomplete (i.e. less than 16 characters are inserted).
Note: If the AES is used, all the radiomodems in the same network must use the same AES key. If the key
setting is not the same, the data transiting on the serial line are not interpretable by the connected SCADA
software.