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com:jdrf900x [2019/05/08 02:52]
metro
com:jdrf900x [2019/05/08 07:31]
metro
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-==== 3 SOFTWARE / GCS SUPPORT ====+==== 3 PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS ==== 
 + 
 +{{:​com:​rf900xdimensions.jpg?​direct&​600|}} 
 + 
 +---- 
 + 
 +==== 4 SOFTWARE / GCS SUPPORT ====
  
 The software solution (see Useful Links) is an open source development which is also compatible with jD-RF900 Modem Tools (see Useful Links) and the 3DR Radio Config (see Useful Links) from 3D Robotics. It is called “SiK” and was created by Mike Smith and improved on by Andrew Tridgell and RFDesign. ​ The software solution (see Useful Links) is an open source development which is also compatible with jD-RF900 Modem Tools (see Useful Links) and the 3DR Radio Config (see Useful Links) from 3D Robotics. It is called “SiK” and was created by Mike Smith and improved on by Andrew Tridgell and RFDesign. ​
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 ● Mavlink radio status reporting (Local RSSI, Remote RSSI, Local Noise, Remote Noise)\\ ● Mavlink radio status reporting (Local RSSI, Remote RSSI, Local Noise, Remote Noise)\\
 ● Automatic antenna diversity switching on a packet basis in realtime\\ ● Automatic antenna diversity switching on a packet basis in realtime\\
-●       ​Automatic duty cycle throttling based  on radio temperature in order to avoid overheating+●       ​Automatic duty cycle throttling based  on radio temperature in order to avoid overheating\\ 
 +●       PPM (R/C signal) pass through (Control vehicle across radio). 
  
 ---- ----
  
-==== ANTENNA CONNECTIVITY ====+==== ANTENNA CONNECTIVITY ====
  
  
-=== 4.1 Diversity ===+=== 5.1 Diversity ===
  
  
-The jD-RF900 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. 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 in the order of 6-8dB by employing a diversity scheme. ​+The jD-RF900x ​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. 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 in the order of 8dB by employing a diversity scheme. ​
  
 ● Spatial Diversity ​ ● Spatial Diversity ​
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 ● Polarisation Diversity ● 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.  +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 scheme also helps to maintain the link between non-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.
  
-=== 4.2 Types of Antennas ===+ 
 + 
 +=== 5.2 Types of Antennas ===
  
  
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 {{:​com:​half_wave.png?​300|}} {{:​com:​half_wave.png?​300|}}
  
-The half wave Dipole antenna has approx 3dBi gain with an omnidirectional radiation pattern. It is suited for ground station, or large airborne applications. ​+The half wave Dipole antenna has approx 3dBi gain with an omnidirectional radiation pattern. It is suited for ground station, or large airborne applications.
  
 ---- ----
  
-==== AT COMMANDS ====+ 
 +==== 6 NETWORK OPTIONS ==== 
 + 
 + 
 +RFD900x support firmware for simple pair (peer to peer), asynchronous mesh network and multipoint 
 +network. Available for download from the website (see “Useful Links”). 
 + 
 +=== 6.1 Simple pair (P2P) === 
 + 
 +The out-of-the-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 LED will become solid green. 
 + 
 +{{:​com:​peertopeermodempairnetwork.jpg?​nolink&​300|}} 
 + 
 + 
 +=== 6.2 Asynchronous non-hopping mesh === 
 + 
 +The asynchronous non-forwarding mesh firmware offers a straight forward communication option that 
 +allows the user to quickly transmit and receive data across a great distance between two or more 
 +nodes. If all the nodes are within range and have compatible parameters, communication between them will succeed. 
 + 
 +It is also possible to establish forwarding between nodes in the network. (See the asynchronous 
 +firmware datasheet for details) 
 + 
 + 
 +{{:​com:​nodes2.jpg?​nolink&​400|}} 
 + 
 +=== 6.3 Multipoint synchronised mesh === 
 + 
 +The network requires that one of the devices assumes a base role to control the timeslot distribution 
 +of the surrounding radios. If one the nodes is out of the base’s range, communication is still possible 
 +if the parameter //SyncAny// is properly set. 
 + 
 +{{:​com:​nodes3.jpg?​nolink&​400|}} 
 + 
 +---- 
 + 
 +==== 7 AT COMMANDS ====
  
 The jD-RF900 modem can support the Hayes ‘AT’ modem command set for configuration. The AT command mode can be entered by using the ‘+++’ sequence. When doing this, you have to wait for 1 second before and after entering the command mode in order to prevent data being interpreted as data. When you are successfully in the AT command mode, an ‘OK’ prompt will be displayed on the screen and the jD-RF900 modem will stop displaying information from the other modem. Whilst in AT mode, you can use the AT commands to control the local jD-RF900 modem or the RT commands to control the remote modem. ​ The jD-RF900 modem can support the Hayes ‘AT’ modem command set for configuration. The AT command mode can be entered by using the ‘+++’ sequence. When doing this, you have to wait for 1 second before and after entering the command mode in order to prevent data being interpreted as data. When you are successfully in the AT command mode, an ‘OK’ prompt will be displayed on the screen and the jD-RF900 modem will stop displaying information from the other modem. Whilst in AT mode, you can use the AT commands to control the local jD-RF900 modem or the RT commands to control the remote modem. ​
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-==== AIR DATA RATE ====+==== AIR DATA RATE ====
  
 An air speed of 64kps will give a range of about 40km depending on antenna. If the air speed is set to be lower, the range of the wireless link increases but the amount of data that you can send will be limited. Therefore one has to compromise between range and data rate. The data rates that you can choose are only limited to 2, 4, 8, 16, 19, 24, 32, 48, 64, 96, 128, 192 and 250.  An air speed of 64kps will give a range of about 40km depending on antenna. If the air speed is set to be lower, the range of the wireless link increases but the amount of data that you can send will be limited. Therefore one has to compromise between range and data rate. The data rates that you can choose are only limited to 2, 4, 8, 16, 19, 24, 32, 48, 64, 96, 128, 192 and 250. 
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-==== 7 NETWORK OPTIONS ​====+==== 9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ====
  
-jD-RF900 can be implemented in either simple pair (V1.x, V2.x) or multipoint (V2.x Only).+=== 9.1 How many antennas do I need to use? ===
  
-{{:​com:​fnode.png?300|}}+One is the minimum. Two is recommended.
  
-Two node Network Setup+=== 9.2 How do I connect the FTDI cable to the modem? ===
  
-{{:com:snode.png?300|}}+The black cable of the FTDI (pin 1) should connect to pin 1 on the modem.\\ 
 +{{:com:ftdicableconnection.jpg?nolink&300|}}
  
-Five-Node Network Setup+=== 9.3 What do I need to upload the firmware or to change the modem configuration?​ ===
  
-● In order for Node 1 to communicate with Node 2, it has to be able to see Node 0 (the baseand Node 2\\ +Download ​the latest firmware (see “Useful Links”). Download the RFD900x Modem Tools (see “Useful 
-● If Node 4 cannot ​see Node 0, to communicate with Node 1, it has to be able to see Node 1 and set the  ​SyncAny parameter ​to 1\\ +Links”). Connect the FTDI cable to the modem and to a computerUse the RFD900x Modem Tools to 
-● Please note that there is maximum number of one node which can have SyncAny = 1 parameter in a network to                         avoid data corruption.\\ +upload ​the latest firmware or to change the modem configuration (see “RFD900x Modem Tools User 
-●       More nodes will reduce ​the bandwidth+Manual”).
  
-----+=== 9.4 I upgraded to asynchronous firmware and the modems don't connect anymore? ===
  
-==== 8 USEFUL LINKS ====+The default setting for a modem is to have a NODEID set to 1 and DESTID set to 2. As communication 
 +is addressed NODEID must be different for all units and DESTID will set the modems to connect to.
  
-RFD900 Modem module Firmware:​\\ +=== 9.5 How do I configure 2 base stations and one Airborne platform with 3 modems? (Asynchronous) ===
-http://​rfdesign.com.au/​firmware/ ​+
  
-V1.x firmware is standard SiK (open source)\\  +Set the Airborne platform as follows: 
-V2.x firmware is multipoint SiK (MP SiK+ 
 +NODEID = 1\\ 
 +DESTID = 65535, ​(32768 from version 2.45F)\\ 
 +MAVLINK = 1\\ 
 + 
 +Set the ground station as follows: 
 + 
 +NODEID = 2 or 3\\ 
 +DESTID = 1\\ 
 +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 ground stations can be connected and can 
 +control the Airborne platform simultaneously. (APM Planner using MAVLink) 
 + 
 +----
  
-RFD900 Modem Tools:\\ +==== 10 USEFUL LINKS ====
-http://​rfdesign.com.au/​downloads/​+
  
-And also Mission Planner GCS\\ +**RFD900x Firmware**\\ 
-http://firmware.ardupilot.org/Tools/​MissionPlanner/+[[http://rfdesign.com.au/firmware/]]\\ 
 +RFD SiK firmware is standard SiK (open source)\\ 
 +RFD Asynchronous firmware\\ 
 +RFD Multipoint firmware
  
 +**RFD900x Flash Programmer**\\
 +[[http://​rfdesign.com.au/​downloads/​]]
  
-Radio Configuration Tool \\ +**FTDI Cable documentation**\\ 
-http://vps.oborne.me/3drradioconfig.zip+[[http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/​Documents/​DataSheets/​Cables/​DS_TTL-232R_CABLES.pdf]]
  
  
com/jdrf900x.txt · Last modified: 2019/05/08 07:31 by metro