9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 1. 9XTend™ OEM RF Module The XTend OEM RF Module is MaxStream’s longest range drop-in wireless solution. The module transfers a standard asynchronous serial data stream between two or more modules and sustains throughput data rates up to 115,200 bps. 1.1. Features...
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 1.2. Specifications Table 1.1. XTend OEM RF Module XTend 900 MHz OEM RF Module Specifications Performance Transmit Power Output 1 mW - 1 W (software selectable using PL command) Indoor/Urban Range Up to 3000’ (900 m) Outdoor Up to 14 miles (22 km) w/ dipole antenna...
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 1.3. Pin Signals Figure 1.1. XTend OEM RF Module Pin Numbers Table 1.3. Pin Signal Descriptions (Low‐asserted signals distinguished with a horizontal line over signal name.) High Impedance Must Mnemonic Function Number during Shutdown Connect Ground Power: 2.8 – 5.5 VDC General Purpose Output 2: <Default (CD=2)> Pin is driven low. Refer to the CD Command [p21] for other configuration options.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 1.4. Electrical Characteristics Figure 1.2. System Block Diagram Basic wireless link between hosts The data flow sequence is initiated when the first byte of data is received in the DI Buffer of the transmitting module (XTend Module A). As long as XTend Module A is not already receiving RF data, data in the DI Buffer is packetized then transmitted over-the-air to XTend Module B.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 2. Module Operation WARNING: When operating at 1 Watt power output, observe a minimum separation distance of 2’ (0.6 m) between modules. Transmitting in close proximity of other modules can damage module front ends. 2.1. Serial Communications The XTend OEM RF Module interfaces to a host device through a TTL-level asynchronous serial port.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 2.1.3. Flow Control Figure 2.3. Internal Data Flow Diagram (The five most commonly‐used pin signals shown.) DI (Data In) Buffer and Flow Control When serial data enters the XTend Module through the DI Pin (pin 5), the data is stored in the DI Buffer until it can be transmitted. When the RB and RO parameter thresholds are satisfied (refer to Transmit Mode section [p11] for more information), the module attempts to initialize an RF connection.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 2.2. Modes of Operation XTend OEM RF Modules operate in six modes. Figure 2.4. XTend Modes of Operation Module can only be in one mode at a time. 2.2.1. Idle Mode When not receiving or transmitting data, the module is in Idle Mode. The module uses the same amount of power in Idle Mode as it does in Receive Mode.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 If RB or RO conditions are met, the module initializes a communications channel. Serial data in the DI buffer is grouped into RF packets (up to 2048 bytes in each packet, refer to PK Command), converted to RF data and is transmitted over-the-air until the DI buffer is empty.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) To verify data integrity and provide built-in error checking, a 16-bit CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) is computed for the transmitted data and attached to the end of each RF packet. On the receiving end, the receiving module computes the CRC on all incoming RF data. Received data that has an invalid CRC is discarded [See Receive Mode section, next page].
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 2.2.5. Sleep Mode Software Sleep Sleep Modes enable the XTend Module to operate at minimal power consumption when not in use. Three Sleep Mode options are available: • Pin Sleep (Host Controlled) • Serial Port Sleep (Wake on Serial Port activity) •...
(or pulse the pin). [If the module is mounted to a MaxStream XTIB-R Interface Board, press the configuration switch down for 2 seconds.] Default AT Command Mode Sequence (for transition to AT Command Mode): •...
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 Binary Command Mode Sending and receiving parameter values using binary commands is the fastest way to change operating parameters of the module. Binary commands are used most often to sample signal strength (DB parameter) and/or error counts; or to change module addresses and channels for polling systems when a quick response is necessary.
For information about entering and exiting AT and Binary Command Modes, refer to the Command Mode section [p15]. 3.1.1. AT Command Example To Send AT Commands (Using the Terminal tab of MaxStream’s X-CTU Software) Example: Both of the following examples change the module’s destination address to 0x1A0D and Note: Do not send ...
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 3.3. Command Descriptions Commands in this section are listed alphabetically. Command categories are designated between the “< >” symbols that follow each command title. By default, XTend Modules expect numerical values in hexadecimal since the default value of the CF (Number Base) Parameter is ‘1’.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 BD (Baud Rate) Command AT Command: ATBD <Serial Interfacing> BD Command is used to Binary Command: 0x15 (21 decimal) set/read the UART I/O serial data rate (the rate at Parameter Range: 0 – 8 which serial data is sent to the module). Newly...
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 CD (GPO2 Configuration) Command AT Command: ATCD <Serial Interfacing> CD Command is used to Binary Command: 0x28 (40 decimal) select/read the behavior of the GPO2 line (pin 3). Parameter Range: 0 – 2 Parameter Configuration Value RX LED Default high...
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 CT (Command Mode Timeout) Command <Command Mode Options> CT Command is used AT Command: ATCT to set the amount of time before AT Command Binary Command: 0x06 (6 decimal) Mode terminates automatically. After a CT time of Parameter Range: 2 – 0xFFFF [x 100 ms] inactivity, the modem exits AT Command Mode and returns to Idle Mode.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 ER (Receive Error Count) Command AT Command: ATER <Diagnostics> Set/Read the number of receive- errors. The error count records the number of Binary Command: 0x0F (15 decimal) packets partially received then aborted on a Parameter Range: 0 – 0xFFFF reception error.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 FT (Flow Control Threshold) Command AT Command: ATFT <Serial Interfacing> Set/Read the flow control threshold. When FT bytes have accumulated in Binary Command: 0x24 (36 decimal) the DI buffer, is de-asserted or the XOFF Parameter Range: 0 – (Receive buffer size software flow control character is transmitted.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 HV (Hardware Version) Command AT Command: ATHV <Diagnostics> HV Command is used to read the hardware version of the module. Parameter Range (read-only): 0 – 0xFFFF Number of bytes returned: 2 ID (Modem VID) Command AT Command: ATID <Networking & Security> ID Command is used to...
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 MK (Address Mask) Command AT Command: ATMK <Networking & Security> MK Command is used to set/read the “Address Mask”. All data packets Binary Command: 0x12 (18 decimal) contain the Destination Address of the Parameter Range: 0 – 0xFFFF transmitting module.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 NB (Parity) Command AT Command: ATNB <Serial Interfacing> Select/Read parity settings Binary Command: 0x23 (35 decimal) for UART communications. Parameter Range: 0 – 4 Parameter Configuration Value 8-bit (no parity or 7-bit (any parity) 8-bit even 8-bit odd 8-bit mark...
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 PW (Pin Wake-up) Command AT Command: ATPW <Sleep (Low Power)> Under normal operation, a Binary Command: 0x1D (29 decimal) module in Cyclic Sleep Mode cycles from an Parameter Range: 0 – 1 active state to a low-power state at regular intervals until data is ready to be received.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 RM (Ambient Power – All Channels) Command AT Command: ATRM <Diagnostics> RM Command is used to examine and report the power levels on all channels. If no Parameter Range: no parameter – 0x7D0 (2000d) parameter is given, then the channels will be scanned once.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 RO Command (continued) When RO is the transmission-beginning criteria: The actual time between the reception of the last character from the UART and the beginning of RF transmission will be at least 800 µsec longer than the actual RO time to allow for transmission setup. Additionally, it is subject to 100- 200 µsec of additional uncertainty, which could be significant for small values of RO at high UART...
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 RT (GPI1 Configuration) Command AT Command: ATRT RT Command is used to set/read the behavior of Binary Command: 0x16 (22 decimal) the GPI1 pin (pin 10). The pin can be configured Parameter Range: 0 – 2 to enable binary programming or flow control.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 SM (Sleep Mode) Command AT Command: ATSM <Sleep Mode (Low Power)> SM Command is Binary Command: 0x01 used to set/read the module’s Sleep Mode Parameter Range: 0 – 8 settings that configure the module to run in states that require minimal power consumption.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 SM Command (continued) The module remains in Sleep Mode for a user-defined period of time ranging from 0.5 seconds to 16 seconds (SM Parameters 3 through 8). After this interval of time, the module returns to Idle Mode and listens for a valid data packet for 100 ms. If the module does not detect valid data (on any frequency), the module returns to Sleep Mode.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 ST (Time before Sleep) Command AT Command: ATST <Sleep Mode (Low Power)> ST Command is used to set/read the period of time (milliseconds) in Binary Command: 0x02 (2 decimal) which the module remains inactive before Parameter Range: (ATAT+3) – 0x7FFF entering Sleep Mode.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 VL (Firmware Version - verbose) Command AT Command: ATVL <Diagnostics> VL Command is used to read the verbose firmware version of the XTend Module. Parameter Range: Returns string Sample output: Firmware version 1.0, Jan 16 Number of bytes returned: 2...
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 WR (Write) Command AT Command: ATWR <(Special)> WR Command writes configurable parameters to the module’s non-volatile memory Binary Command: 0x08 (Parameter values remain in the modem’s memory until overwritten by future use of WR Command). If changes are made without writing them to non-volatile memory, the module reverts back to previously saved parameters the next time the module is powered-on.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 4. RF Communication Modes The XTend OEM RF Module can be configured to operate in any of three RF communication modes: Streaming, Acknowledged and Multi-Transmit. The mode is defined by parameters stored in the transmitting module [see table below]. Receiving modules automatically adapt to the correct mode on a per-packet basis, based on the contents of each received packet.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 4.2. Streaming Mode Attributes: Highest data throughput Lowest latency and jitter Reduced immunity to interference Streaming mode transmissions never acknowledged by receiving module(s) Required Parameter Values (TX Module): RR (Retries) = 0 Related Commands: Networking (DT, MK, MY), Serial Interfacing (PK, RB, RO, TT) Recommended Use: Mode is most appropriate for data that is more sensitive to latency and/or jitter than it is to occasional packet loss.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 4.3. Acknowledged Mode Attributes: Reliable delivery through positive acknowledgements for each packet Throughput, latency and jitter vary depending on the quality of the channel and the strength of the signal. Required Parameter Values (TX Module): RR (Retries) >= 1 Related Commands: Networking (DT, MK, RR), Serial Interfacing (PK, RN, RO, RB, TT) Recommended Use: Use for applications that require Reliable Delivery.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 RB and RO parameters are not applied to subsequent packets, meaning that once transmission has begun, it will continue uninterrupted until the DI buffer is empty or the streaming limit (TT) has been reached. As with the first packet, the payload of each subsequent packet includes up to the maximum packet size (PK), and the transmitting module checks for more pending data near the end of each packet.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 4.4. Multi-Transmit Mode Attributes: Reliable Delivery through forced transmission of every RF packet Every RF packet is sent exactly (MT + 1) times with no delays between packets Diminished throughput and increased latency Required Parameter Values (TX Module): MT (Multi-Transmit) >= 1...
FCC notices and antenna regulations is required. Labeling Requirements In order to inherit MaxStream’s FCC Certification, OEMs and integrators are required to publish the text shown in Figure A-01 on the final product and within the final product operation manual.
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EIRP of the configuration used for calculating MPE. Grantee (MaxStream) must coordinate with OEM integrators to ensure the end-users and installers of products operating with the module are provided with operating instructions to satisfy RF exposure requirements.
FCC-Approved Antennas (900 MHz) Fixed Base Station and Mobile Applications MaxStream Modules are pre-FCC approved for use in fixed base station and mobile applications. When the antenna is mounted at least 20 cm (8”) from nearby persons, the application is considered a mobile application.
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 Table A.3. Omni‐directional base station antennas (approved when operating at 1 Watt power output or lower.) Part Number Type Connector Gain Required Antenna Cable Loss Application A09-F0 Fiberglass Base Station 0 dBi Fixed A09-F1 Fiberglass Base Station 1.0 dBi Fixed A09-F2 Fiberglass Base Station 2.1 dBi Fixed A09-F3 Fiberglass Base Station 3.1 dBi...
Labeling requirements for Industry Canada are similar to those of the FCC. A clearly visible label on the outside of the final product enclosure must display the following text: Contains Model 9XTend Radio, IC: 4214A-9XTEND Integrator is responsible for its product to comply with IC ICES-003 & FCC Part 15, Sub. B - Unintentional Radiators.
Interfacing Hardware MaxStream has developed proprietary interface boards that facilitate the connection between XTend OEM RF Modules and serial devices. MaxStream has developed an interface board that supports the RS-232/485/422 protocols (MaxStream part number: XTIB-R). The following section illustrates properties of the MaxStream XTIB-R Interface Board. The MaxStream Interface board provides means for connecting the XTend Module to any node that has an available RS-232 or RS-485/422 connector.
Weak Signal (< 10 dB fade margin) B.1e. Power Connector 7-28 VDC Power Connector (Center positive, 5.5/2.1mm) Note: The XTIB-R interface board can accept voltages as low as 5V. Contact MaxStream support to enable this option. B.2a. DIP Switch Figure B.2. Back View ...
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 Automatic DIP Switch Configurations Each time an RF Modem is powered on, AT commands are sent to the on-board RF module as dictated by the positions of the DIP switches. DIP switch configurations are sent automatically during the power-on sequence and affect modem parameter values as shown in the table below.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 4.4.2. Adapters The XTend Development Kit comes with several adapters that support the following functions: • Performing Range Tests • Testing Cables • Connecting to other RS-232 DCE and DTE devices • Connecting to terminal blocks or RJ-45 (for RS-485/422 devices)
As a general rule, it is best to keep the RF cable as short as possible. All cables promote signal loss which is usually measured in dB loss per 100 ft. MaxStream provides LMR- 195 rated cables. Common cables and dB losses are included in this table: Table B.4.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 RS-485 (4-wire) & RS-422 Operation DIP Switch Settings and Serial Port Connections Figure B.18. Figure B.19. RS‐485 (4‐wire) and RS‐422 Pins used on the female RS‐232 (DB‐9) DIP Switch Settings Serial Connector Figure B.20. ...
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9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 Wiring Diagram: RS-422 Figure B.22. XTend Module Assembly in an RS‐485 (4‐wire) environment RS-485/422 Connection Guidelines The RS-485/422 protocol provides a solution for wired communications that can tolerate high noise and push signals over long cable lengths. RS-485/422 signals can communicate as far as 4000 feet (1200 m). RS-232 signals are suitable for cable distances up to 100 feet (30.5 m).
Figure B.25. X‐CTU User Interface (PC Settings, Range Test, Terminal and Modem Configuration tabs) Install X-CTU software Double-click the "setup_X-CTU.exe" file and follow prompts of the installation screens. This file is located in the ‘software’ folder of the MaxStream CD and also under the ‘Downloads’ section of the following web page: http://www.maxstream.net/helpdesk/download.php Setup To use the X-CTU software, a module assembly (XTend Module mounted to a MaxStream XTIB-R- R Interface Board) must be connected to the serial port of a PC.
9XTend™ OEM RF Module – Product Manual v1.2.4 Contact MaxStream Free and unlimited technical support is included with every MaxStream Radio Modem sold. Please use the following resources for additional support: Documentation: http://www.maxstream.net/helpdesk/download.php Technical Support: Phone. (866) 765-9885 toll-free U.S. & Canada (801) 765-9885 Worldwide Live Chat.
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