www.rfdesign.com.

au

RFD900x Radio Modem Data Sheet

902-928MHz
928MHz frequency band
Product Specifications and Performance
Flash Programmer User Manual

Features Applications
• Out of the box RF communications. • Telemetry data
• Air data rate speeds of up to 500kbps • UAV control
• Diversity antenna support • Remote weather station
• Weight of 14g • House automation
• Outdoor RF line-of-site
site range of 40km or • Long range RC
more depending on antenna
configuration

Operational
• Operating voltage: 5V,, I/O Voltage (3.3V)
• Temperature range: -40°C C to +85°C
+85
• Dimensions
mensions of 30mm x 57.7mm x
12.8mm RFDesign Pty Ltd
• Current consumption: 7/1 Stockwell Place
TX mode: ~1A peak at +30dBm,
+30dBm Archerfield, QLD 4108
RX mode: 60mA (typical) rfdesign.com.au

Last update 06/12/2016

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

Table of contents
1 Key features ................................................................................................................................
................................ .................................... 1
2 Specifications ................................................................................................................................
................................ .................................. 3
3 Output power levels................................
................................................................................................
........................................................ 4
4 Performance characteristics ................................................................................................
........................................... 5
5 Pin signals and layout................................................................................................
................................ ...................................................... 6
6 Physical dimensions ................................................................................................
................................ ........................................................ 7
7 Software/GCS Support ................................................................................................
................................ .................................................... 8
8 Diversity ................................................................................................................................
................................ .......................................... 9
8.1 Spatial diversity ................................................................................................
................................ ....................................................... 9
8.2 Polarisation diversity................................................................................................
................................ ............................................... 9
9 Network options ................................................................................................
................................ ........................................................... 10
9.1 Simple pair (P2P) ................................................................................................
................................ ................................................... 10
9.2 Multipoint network ................................................................................................
................................ ............................................... 10
9.3 Asynchronous non-hopping
hopping mesh ................................................................
........................................................ 11
10 Frequently asked questions (FAQ) ................................................................
............................................................ 12
How many antennas do I need to use? ................................................................
............................................................ 12
How do I connect the FTDI cable to the modem? ................................................................
............................................ 12
What do I need to upload the firmware or to change the modem configuration?..........................
configuration? 12
What should I do if the Flash Programmer keeps displaying error messages? ................................ 12
I upgraded to multipoint firmware and the modems don't connect anymore? .............................. 13
How do I configure
gure 2 base stations and one Airborne platform with 3 modems?...........................
modems? 13
11 Useful links ................................................................................................................................
................................ ................................ 14
12 Document revision history ................................................................................................
........................................ 15

1 Key features
features
RFD900x provides compact and yet powerful data communication. The key features are:

• No configuration required for out of the box RF communications.

• Operating frequency rangee of 902 – 928MHz
• Outdoor RF line-of-site
site range of 40km or more depending on antennas
• Air data rate speeds of up to 250kbps
• Diversity antenna support
• Operating temperature of -4040 to +85 degrees Celsius
• Dimensions of 30mm x 57mm x 12.8mm

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

• Weight of 14g

Compliances
pliances and Worldwide Acceptances:

The RFD900x is designed to be compliant to AS4268:2012, and FCC 15.247. It has not been certified
as a standalone modem and should be compliance tested in the final product.

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

2 Specifications
Performance
Supported RF Data Rates 4, 64, 125*, 250 and 500 kbps
Indoor Range 500m – 1km
Line-Of-Sight Range 40km or more depending on antennas
Transmit Power 0 to 30dBm in 1dBm steps
Receiver Sensitivity >121dBm at low data rates
Low Noise Amplifier >20dB
* can be set as 128 for compatibility

Features
Serial Data Interface +3.3V nominal, 3.3V tolerant
Configuration Method AT Commands, APM Planner, Customised Configuration Tool
Frequency Band 902MHz - 928MHz
Interference Immunity FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum)
Serial Interface Data Rate 2400, 4800, 9600,00, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200,
115200 460kbps
Antenna Connection 2 x RPSMA diversity switched ports
GPIO 6 pins (Digital, PPM capable)
Compliance Standards FCC Part 15.247, AS/NZS 4268:2012

Networking and Security

Addressing Options Network ID: 0 –255
Channels Up to 50 Frequency Hopping Channels
Supported Network Topologies Point-to-point, multipoint1, and asynchronous non-hopping
non
1
mesh
1
Only available in separate firmware versions
version available in the website

Power Requirements
Supply Voltage +5V nominal (+5V min, +5.5V Max, +6V ABS Max),
Transmit Current ~1A peak at max power
Receive Current ~60mA

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

3 Output power
power levels
Many countries have different legal power levels. Be sure to operate within the legal power limits of
the country that you are operating in. The RFD900x modem can support the power levels between
0dBm and 30dBm in 1dBm steps. Formula 2-1 can be used to convert vert the power in dBm into
milliwatts.

 10⁄

Formula 2-1

To calculate Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) you can use the formula 2--2 below:

   – # $%% & ' ( 



Formula 2-2

The FCC limit for EIRP is 4 Watts, or 36dBm for frequency hopping radios in the ISM 900 MHz band.
The Australian EIRP limit is 30dBm as defined by ACMA.

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

4 Performance characteristics
Figure 4-1
1 shows how the output power of the RFD900x varies with supply voltage when the output
power is set to +30dBm.

29.6

29.4

29.2

29
Power Output (dBm)

28.8

28.6

28.4

28.2

28

27.8

27.6
4 4.5 5 5.5
Vcc (V)

Figure 4-1:Ouput power vs. input supply voltage

Figure 4-2
2 shows how the current through the RFD900x varies with the transmit power level. The
current during
ring transmission is shown by the ‘High Level’ plot and that during receive mode is shown
by the ‘Low Level’ plot.

1.4
High Level
Low Level
1.2

0.8
Current (A)

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
-5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Power Level (dBm)

Figure 4-2: Current consumption vs. TX power level

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

5 Pin signals and layout

Pin # Name Direction Description Max Voltage
1 GND - Ground 0V
2 GND - Ground 0V
3 CTS Either Clear to send 3.3V
4 Vcc - Power supply 3.3V
5 Vusb - Power supply from USB 3.3V
6 Vusb - Power supply from USB 3.3V
7 RX Input UART Data In 3.3V
8 P3.4 Either Digital I/O 3.3V
9 TX Output UART Data Out 3.3V
10 P3.3 Either Digital I/O 3.3V
11 RTS Either Request to send 3.3V
12 P1.3 Either Digital I/O 3.3V
13 P1.0 Either Digital I/O 3.3V
14 P1.2 Either Digital I/O 3.3V
15 P1.1 Either Digital I/O, PPM I/O 3.3V
16 GND - Ground 0V

Figure 5-1:
5 Physical pin layout of the RFD900x Radio Modem

The FTDI cable (see “Useful Links”)

Links” is compatible with the RFD900x modem.

Pin 1 of the FTDI cable (black wire) should connect to pin 1 of the RFD900x header. In order to power
the modem from the +5V USB power, a jumper is needed to connect pins 4 and 6.

To power the modem from an external +5V supply, connect the power to pins
pins 2 and 4 as shown in
figure 5-1.

In case there is a need to force the modem into boot mode, short circuit pad 9 (on the 9 way
wa test
pads) with pin 16 or GND while applying power. The on-board
board LED will become solid red when in
boot mode.

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

6 Physical dimensions

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

7 Software/GCS Support
The software solution (see “Useful Links”)
Links”) is an open source development which is called “SiK” and
was created by Mike Smith and improved on by Andrew Tridgell and RFDesign.

A boot loader and interface is available using RFD900x Flash

Flash Programmer and field upgrade of the
modem firmware via the serial port. The RFD900x modem features a boot loader which allows for
the uploading of the various modem firmware via the serial port. This firmware upload is supported
using the RFD900x Flash Programmer tool, current
cur version of Mission Planner.

The RFD900x Radio Modem is compatible with many configuration methods like the AT Commands
and APM Planner. The AT Commands can be used to change parameters such as power levels, air
data rates, serial
ial speeds, GPIO pins etc. Terminal programs such as hyperterminal or coolterm are
useful for direct configuration of the modem via AT commands.

Integrated support for configuring the RFD900x Radio Modem is supported by the APM Planner,
with other GCS solutions
utions in development. Its default serial port settings are as follows:

• 57600 baud rate

• No parity
• 8 data bits
• 1 stop bit

The RFD900x Radio Modem has many software features including:

• Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum

• Transparent Serial Link
• Configuration byy simple AT commands for local radio, RT Commands for remote radio
• User configurable serial data rates and air data rates
• Error correction routines, MAVLink protocol framing (user selectable)
• MAVLink radio status reporting
eporting (Local RSSI, Remote RSSI, Local Noise,
oise, Remote Noise)
• Automatic antenna diversity switching on a packet basis in real-time
• Automatic duty cycle throttling based on radio temperature in order to avoid overheating
• PPM (R/C signal) pass through (Control vehicle across radio).

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

8 Diversity
The RFD900x has two antenna ports and firmware which supports diversity operation of antennas.
During the receive sequence the modem will check both antennas and select the antenna with the
best receive signal. The antenna selected during receive is then also used for subsequent
transmission. In the case of only one antenna connected, it will automatically select the port with
the antenna connected. Testing by Silicon Labs has shown that link budgets can be improved up to
the order of 8dB by employing a diversity scheme.

8.1 Spatial diversity

diversity
Spatial diversity is the case where the antennas are separated by some distance from one another. It
is recommended that two antennas connected to the RDF900 modem be separated by at least
25cm, more if possible.

8.2 Polarisation diversity

Polarisation diversity is the case where the antennas are perpendicular to each other. i.e. one
vertical, and one horizontal. This is effective in reducing multipath effects which affect one or the
other polarisation. This
his scheme also helps to maintain the link between non-static static objects such as
aircraft performing acrobatics by increasing the likelihood that one antenna will maintain the same
polarisation as an antenna on the other side of the link. Figure 8-1 1 depicts how two right-angle
right
monopole antennas can be positioned to achieve polarisation diversity. This setup should ideally
utilise a ground plane, but, it shown as an example utilising polarisation diversity.

Figura 8-1:
1: Antenna configuration to achieve polarisation diversity
diversi

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

9 Network options
RFD900x can be implemented
d in either simple pair (P2P), multipoint network (MP Firmware Only),
Only) or
asynchronous non-hopping
hopping mesh.
mesh The latter two are available for download in the website (see
“Useful Links”).

9.1 Simple pair (P2P)

The out-of-the-box
box firmware of the RFD900x radio modem is set to work in simple pair mode. If you
purchased a bundle, you are only required to connect the antennas and supply to initiate the link. As
soon as the pair synchronises, the on-board
on LED will become solid green.

Nodes within range

Node 1 Node 2

Figure 9-1:Simple pair mode

9.2 Multipoint network

This mode requires the Multipoint firmware to be loaded into the all network radios. Check section
“Useful links” for the download link, and refer to section “RFD900x Flash Programmer tool” to flash
the multipoint firmware. Refer to the “Multipoint user manual” for setup and usage instructions.

Within Node 0 range

Node 0
Base

Node 1 Node 2 Node 3

SyncAny = 0

Node 4
SyncAny = 1

Within Node 1 range

Figure 9-2: example of multipoint network diagram

10

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

9.3 Asynchronous non-

non-hopping mesh
The asynchronous non-hopping
hopping mesh firmware offers a straight forward communication option that
allows the user to quickly transmit and receive
receive data across a great distance between two nodes or
more. Figure 4-2
2 depicts this communication topology. As long as all the nodes are within range and
have compatible parameters, communication between them will succeed.

All nodes within range

Node 0

Node 1 Node 2 Node 3

Node 4

Figure 9-3: Asynchronous non-hopping mesh topology

11

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

10 Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How many antennas do I need to use?

One is the minimum. Two is recommended.

How do I connect the FTDI cable to the modem?

The black cable of the FTDI (pin 1) should connect to pin 1 on the modem as shown in Figure 10-1.

Figure 10-1:
10 An FTDI cable connected to the RFD900x modem

What do I need to upload the firmware or to change the modem configuration?

Download the latest firmware (see “Useful Links”). ). Download the RFD900x Modem Tools (see
“Useful Links”).
). Connect the FTDI cable to the modem and to a computer. Use the RFD900x Modem
Tools to upload the latest firmware or to change the modem configuration (see “RFD900x Modem
Tools User Manual”).

What should I do if the Flash Programmer keeps displaying error messages?

Make sure to connect the FTDI cable
cable firmly into the modem. Make sure you choose the correct COM
port from the COMM dropdown box and the correct baud b rate.
ate. Try for two more trials and if it still
doesn’t work, disconnect and reconnect the modem.
modem Should it still fail open a terminal programme
programm
and perform a loop back test on the cable. Short the orange and yellow pins of the FTDI cable with
something like a paper clip. Then using the terminal programme connect to the COM of the cable
then type some text if this text is not returned then it indicates
indicates there is likely a fault with the FTDI
cable where possible retry the upload process with a new cable.

12

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

I upgraded to multipoint firmware and the modems don't connect anymore?

The default setting for a modem is to have a NODEID set to 1. A network must
must have one node set to
0 to be the base. The base node defines the synchronisation for the whole network of nodes.

How do I configure 2 base stations and one Airborne platform with 3 modems?
Set the Airborne platform as follows:

NODEID = 0
NODEDESTINATION
ON = 65535
MAVLINK = 1

Set the ground station as follows:

NODEID = 1 or 2
NODEDESTINATION = 0
MAVLINK = 1

This will allow the airborne modem to handover to multiple ground stations as it flies from the
coverage area of one ground station, to another. Both
Both ground stations can be connected and can
control the Airborne platform simultaneously. (APM Planner using MAVLink)

13

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

11 Useful links

RFD900x Firmware

http://rfdesign.com.au/firmware/

RFD SiK firmware is standard SiK (open source)

RFD Multipoint firmware is multipoint SiK (MP SiK)

RFD900x Flash Programmer

http://rfdesign.com.au/downloads/

FTDI Cable documentation

http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/DataSheets/Cables/DS_TTL 232R_CABLES.pdf
http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/DataSheets/Cables/DS_TTL-232R_CABLES.pdf

14

Last update 16/03/2017

 RFD900x Data Sheet www.rfdesign.com.au

12 Document revision history

Version Date Changes
1.0 Release document

15

Last update 16/03/2017