Tapco 148221 User manual
VERSION 0.1
RADIO 148221 USER GUIDE
Table Of Contents
Radio 148221 Transceiver ................................................................................................................................................... 2
Overview.................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Features ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Ratings.................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Available Antennas......................................................................................................................................................... 3
FCC Information...................................................................................................................................................................... 3
FCC-Approved Antennas ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Warnings ............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Hookup and Layout.............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Host Layout............................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum................................................................................................................. 5
Modes of Operation....................................................................................................................................................... 5
RSSI - Received Signal Strength................................................................................................................................ 6
System Timing and Latency....................................................................................................................................... 6
System Throughput....................................................................................................................................................... 6
System Operation ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
Ordering Information........................................................................................................................................................... 7
Available Antennas......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
Note: This equipment 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.
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Radio 148221 User Guide
RADIO 148221 TRANSCEIVER
The compact Radio 148221 900MHz transceiver replaces miles of cable in harsh industrial environments. Using field-
proven FHSS technology, which needs no additional FCC licensing in the Americas, OEMs can easily make existing
systems wireless with little or no RF expertise.
OVERVIEW
The Radio 148221 is a cost effective, high performance, frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) transceiver
designed for integration into OEM systems operating under FCC part 15.247 regulations for the 900 MHz ISM band.
Radio 148221 transceivers operate in a Masterless architecture. The Radio 148221 instead uses a Timekeeper to
synchronize the network. The Timekeeper can be selected manually or the network can use built in a.i. to pick a
timekeeper. Timekeeper can act as a pseudo gateway in order to synchronize signals or devices can communicate
directly to one another when synchronization is not necessary.
All Timekeeper devices broadcast an RF sync pulse on periodic intervals along with timing information for secondary io
beacons that are pulsed on a digital output line.
Serial data will be routed according to the destination serial number.
Digital input signals will be broadcast and then synchronized on the timekeeper pulses.
To boost data integrity and security, the Radio 148221 uses FHSS technology with data whitening and 16bit CRC data
integrity checks. Configuration data is stored in an on-board EEPROM.
All frequency hopping, synchronization, and RF system data transmission/reception is programmed in the factory and
is performed by the transceiver, transparent to the OEM host.
The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the final product meets all appropriate regulatory agency requirements
listed herein before shipping any product.
Note: Unless mentioned specically by name, the Radio 148221 modules are referred to as the radio or transceiver.
Individual naming is used to dierentiate product-specic features.
The host (any device to which the Radio 148221 is connected, such as a PC) are referred to as OEM host.
FEATURES
Standard IO - One digital input, 2 digital output lines,
host serial lines for OTA serial.
Options - 10 additional IO/serial communication lines are
available for customization via custom factory rmware
modication.
Standard RF data rate options for 1Watt mode
*123kBaud
Serial data rate is 19,200Baud.
Green LED signaling RF Transmission and Timekeeper
Beacons.
RED LED signaling RF Packet Reception.
Ratings
Operating Temperature -40 to 80C
Operating Voltage 5VDC at Vin relative to ground
Operating Voltage on all io/serial lines is 0V to 3.3V DC.
Operating Humidity < 90%
When operating outdoors use an appropriately rated
enclosure to prevent moisture from contacting the module.
RF Output Maximum 1Watt
RF Frequency range >= 902.4MHz and <= 927.6MHz
Radio 148221 User Guide
3
Available Antennas
1. 5.15dBi Halfwave OMNI Fiberglass
2. 3dBi Omni Whip antenna - RPSMA
3. 4dBi Omni Low Prole ‘Puck’ shaped Antenna
4. 10.65dBi Yagi
FCC INFORMATION
FCC-Approved Antennas
NOTICE
This equipment is approved only for mobile and base station transmitting devices. Antenna(s) used for this transmitter
must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or
operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
Radio 148221 Module may be used only with Approved Antennas that have been tested with this module.
Warnings
Radio 148221 is intended to be installed in a xed location.
A minimum separation distance ≥ 20 cm is required between the antenna and radiating structures of the device
and nearby persons.
Radio 148221 will be sold with xed power levels respective of the antenna that is provided and network data rate
that is programmed into the radio by the manufacturer.
The user shall not make changes or modications to Radio 148221 unless expressly approved by TAPCO or the
consequences could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
FCC ID: 2ANWN-RM148221
This device complies with part 15 of the 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.
The host device in which the module is installed shall have on its label, the statement “Contains FCC
ID: 2ANWN-RM148221” or if an electronic display is used, it will be available without need of password
protection and will be available in less than 3 steps from the main menu.
The host product manufacturer is responsible for compliance to any other FCC rules that apply to the host
and is not covered by the modular transmitter grant of certification.
Industry Canada IC ID: 25608-RM148221
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that
may cause undesired operation of the device.
Le present appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence.
L’exploitation est autorisee aux deux conditions suivantes:
l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et
l’utilisateur de l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioelectrique subi, meme si le brouillage est
susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement
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Radio 148221 User Guide
The host device in which the module is installed shall have on its label, the statement “Contains IC: 25608-
RM148221” or if an electronic display is used, it will be available without need of password protection and will be
available in less than 3 steps from the main menu.
Installation Instructions
To satisfy ISED Canada RF exposure requirements, Radio 148221 must be used at a distance of greater than 20cm
from the user, with the following exceptions:
Radio 148221 requires a minimum separation distance of 24cm when used with the Yagi antenna
Radio 148221 requires a minimum separation distance of 22cm when used with the Whip dipole antenna
HOOKUP AND LAYOUT
Ratings Min. Nom. Max.
Vin 4.5V 4.8V 5.2V
Din1 0V - 3.3V
Dout1/2 0V - 3.3V
TermTx/Rx 0V - 3.3V
RSSI 0V - 3.3V
Din1 is a Schmitt Trigger Input with min active Low voltage 0.7V and Active High voltage 2.5V.
Dout1/2 are push pull outputs.
RSSI uses 8bit 1 start 1 stop bit active low 460,800baud to transmit RSSI information in ascii format.
TermTxRx uses 8bit 1 start 1 stop bit active low 19,200baud to transmit and receive serial data over the air.
TermTx is in reference to the Host TX and TermRx is in reference to Host Rx.
Radio 148221 User Guide
5
HOST LAYOUT
TAPCO suggested Host layout using Samtec SMM-116-02-S-S
*Host layout may use any 2mm pitch connector suitable for mating with Samtec TMM-116-01-S-S-SM.
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum
A FHSS radio does just what its name implies – that is, it ‘hops’ from frequency to frequency over a wide band. The
specific order in which frequencies are occupied is fixed but in a pseudo random order.
Modes of Operation
The Radio 148221 has 4 operating functions:
Transmit serial data
Receive serial data
Hardware IO control
Hardware Beacon outputs
Hardware IO mode acts like a one to many remote controls so when Digital input one on any device is activated,
the radio broadcasts this information to all other radios on a synchronized beacon. When a remote device receives
information that one of the other radios Digital Input 1 has been activated, it activates its Digital Output 1.
Hardware Beacon outputs are configurable at the factory to output a beacon pulse on Digital Output 2 in any 1
second period increment. The Fundamental System Timekeeper generates the timing for this pulse and keeps
Listener radios updated as to the status of this Hardware Beacon Pulse.
Serial Data Received on any radio will be directed to the remote radio device that is getting addressed by the host
application.
Local Serial Data received for device configuration will not be transmitted on the RF network.
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Radio 148221 User Guide
Transmit Mode
All packets sent over the air are either Addressed or Broadcast packets. Broadcast and Addressed delivery can be
controlled dynamically with the API Control byte. Contact the factory for details.
When a radio has data to transmit, it sends it out on its reserved timeslot. The number of devices on a network is
configurable at the factory.
To increase the odds of successful delivery the host application is required to Transmit Retries.
RF Serial Communication is not transparent to the OEM host and the Manufacturer will need to advise the Host on
how to apply data packaging for transmission OTA (over the air). Contact the factory for details.
Receive Mode
Serial data can be asynchronously received by Radio 148221 OTA then directed to the Host serial port.
RSSI - Received Signal Strength
RSSI is in units of dBm and is available through serial communication. Contact the factory for details on reading this
information from the transceiver.
System Timing and Latency
Latency is the amount of time that it takes for an action to take place. There are different actions available in TapNet
including remote digital control and serial data transmission/reception.
IO latency is dependent on the size of the RF network.
7 Device networks require a maximum of 62.5ms for one transceiver to transmit information to the system and in as
little as 9ms to transmit information directly.
16 Device networks require a maximum of 143ms for one transceiver to transmit information to the system and in as
little as 9ms to transmit information directly.
System Throughput
Maximum System Throughput
Timekeeper to Listener = 1280 baud continuous max
host throughput rate
Listener to Listener in direct mode = 1280 baud
continuous max rate
Listener to Listener in sync mode = 640 bytes baud
continuous
Maximum host serial payload size is 64 bytes.
RF Data Rate default is 123kBaud.
Other data rates and payload sizes are available. Contact TAPCO for details on custom serial data configurations.
System Operation
The Radio 148221 network is preconfigured at the factory so all the user needs to do is power up the devices and
they will automatically sync and begin working. IO and OTA serial functionality is only available once a device is
sync’d.
A flashing green LED indicates the TimeKeeper device. The Green LED specifically indicates that data has been
transmitted OTA.
A red flashing LED indicates that a Listener Device is in sync with the TimeKeeper. The Red LED specifically indicates
that RF data has been received OTA.
Radio 148221 User Guide
7
ORDERING INFORMATION
This radio transmitter 25608-RM148221 has been approved by Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Canada to operate with the antenna types listed below, with the maximum permissible gain indicated. Antenna
types not included in this list that have a gain greater than the maximum gain indicated for any type listed are strictly
prohibited for use with this device.
Product Part Number: Radio 148221 – Radio Transceiver Module, High Power
Available Antennas:
Antennas:
TAPCO Part No: 146299, Max 4dBi 50 Ohms, Dome
Style Antenna Kit with 24” COAX
TAPCO Part No: 149096, Max 5.15dBi 50 Ohms,
Halfwave Omni Base Station Antenna
TAPCO Part No: 101962, Max 3dBi 50 Ohms, Whip
Antenna
Antenna Accessories:
Lightning Arrestor, L-com Model AL-NFNFB L-Com Cable Model CA-RSPNMA002
Product Part Number: Radio 148221_149095 - Radio Transceiver Module, Medium Power
Available Antennas:
Antennas:
TAPCO Part No: 146299, Max 4dBi 50 Ohms, Dome
Style Antenna Kit with 24” COAX
TAPCO Part No: 149096, Max 5.15dBi 50 Ohms,
Halfwave Omni Base Station Antenna
TAPCO Part No: 101962, Max 3dBi 50 Ohms, Whip
Antenna
TAPCO Part No: 1343-00006, Max 10.65dBi 50 Ohms,
Yagi Antenna
Antenna Accessories:
Lightning Arrestor, L-com Model AL-NFNFB L-Com Cable Model CA-RSPNMA002
Product Part Number: Radio 148221_MAX - Radio Transceiver Module, 1W Power
Available Antennas:
Antennas:
TAPCO Part No: 146299, Max 4dBi 50 Ohms, Dome
Style Antenna Kit with 24” COAX
TAPCO Part No: 149096, Max 5.15dBi 50 Ohms,
Halfwave Omni Base Station Antenna
Antenna Accessories:
Lightning Arrestor, L-com Model AL-NFNFB L-Com Cable Model CA-RSPNMA002
Radio 148221, Radio 148221_149095 and Radio 148221_MAX must be purchased with the antenna that is intended to
be used in the host application.
Antennas with connectors that do not meet the requirement of a non-standard antenna connector will have an
adapter permanently connected with industrial epoxy, “Loctite” or solder to make the connection permanent prior to
shipping.
© 2022 Trac and Parking Control Co., Inc. |5100 West Brown Deer Rd., Brown Deer WI 53223 |Phone (800) 236-0112 |FAX (800) 444-0331 |TAPCOnet.com
For technical support, call TAPCO® at 800-236-0112 or email customerservice@tapconet.com.
8 am–5 pm (CST) Monday through Friday
For faster service, have the serial number on the TAPCO® cabinet label ready.
(800) 236-0112 TAPCOnet.com
TAPCO is a leader in the design and manufacture of customized, performance-critical products for wireless and other
advanced electronics applications. TAPCO partners with its customers to provide solutions for various applications
such as:
Intelligent Warning Systems
Trac Signals and Intelligent Transportation Systems
Cloud-based Trac Device Management
Parking and Security Systems
Custom Trac Signs and Accessories
Streetscape Decoratives
Signmaking and Inventory
Sign Post Anchoring
Federal Applications
TAPCO offers its customers unique product solutions, dedication to research and development, as well as a seamless
network of manufacturing and customer support facilities across the globe.
Copyright ©2021 Traffic and Parking Control Company, Inc. (TAPCO®) All rights reserved. The information contained in
this manual and the accompanying software programs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved by TAPCO.
TAPCO reserves the right to make periodic modifications of this product without obligation to notify any person
or entity of such revision. Copying, duplicating, selling, or otherwise distributing any part of this product or
accompanying documentation/software without the prior consent of an authorized representative of TAPCO is
strictly prohibited. All brands and product names in this publication are registered trademarks or trademarks of their
respective holders.
Information furnished by TAPCO in this specification is believed to be accurate. Devices sold by TAPCO are covered
by the warranty and patent indemnification provisions appearing in its Terms of Sale only. TAPCO makes no warranty,
express, statutory, and implied or by description, regarding the information set forth herein. TAPCO reserves the
right to change specifications at any time and without notice. TAPCO’s products are intended for use solely in normal
commercial and industrial applications. Applications requiring unusual environmental requirements such as military,
medical life-support or life-sustaining equipment are specifically not recommended without additional testing for such
application.
1020-148221 06/08/22
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