Hartcran House, 231 Kenton Lane, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 8RP, England Tel: +44 (0) 20 8909 9595, Fax: +44 (0) 20 8909 2233, www.radiometrix.com Issue 2, 30 July 2012 PLT / PLR NBFM Multi channel Data Packet Link Radios Inexperienced users of ISM band radio modules often require a totally transparent interface. This can require considerable processing power, and buffer memory, to be provided in the radio device. The more experienced user, on the other hand, may not want to write a raw radio interface, but desires a module that gives more control over the datastream than a 'beginners' solution. The PL radios represent such a compromise solution. Features Figure 1: PLT2 transmitter and PLR2 receiver Conforms to EN 300 220-3 and EN 301 489-3 High performance double superhet. PLL synthesizer with TCXO SAW front-end filter User interface speed: 9600bps for standard module Usable range over 1km Fully screened. Low profile Re-programmable via RS232 interface Low power requirements Applications Wireless handheld terminals EPOS equipment, barcode scanners Data loggers Industrial telemetry and telecommand In-building environmental monitoring and control High-end security and fire alarms DGPS systems Vehicle data up/download Heavy vehicle/machinery controls Technical Summary Operating frequency: 173.200 - 173.325MHz (UK band) o 150.825 - 152.450MHz (Australian Band) o 433.875 - 434.650MHz (EU band) o 458.525 - 459.1MHz (UK band) Other custom VHF and UHF bands 32 channels @ 25kHz channel spacing Transmit power: +10dBm (10mW) / +20dBm (100mW) Supply range: 3.1 – 15V (TX @ 10mW and RX), 4.1 – 15V (TX @ 100mW) Current consumption: 34mA @ 10mW, 90mA @ 100mW (transmit) and 20mA (receive) Data bit rate: 5kbps max. (standard module) Receiver sensitivity: -118dBm (for 12 dB SINAD) Serial configuration by inverted RS232 at 3V CMOS level Evaluation platforms: NBEK + PL carrier Radiometrix Ltd PLT/PLR Data Sheet page 1 PLT / PLR data packet link radios The PL modules use the hardware of the existing LMT/LMR transmitter receiver pair, combined with completely new firmware to produce a simple to use but readily controllable data link Both radios have a similar pinout. The bidirectional DATA pin requires an inverted RS232 data interface, at 3V CMOS logic levels (Both DATA and FLOW are bidirectional. As outputs they are open drain pins with 50K pullups to the internal Vcc, and 470 series protection resistors. Do not exceed 3v on these pins). The CMD pin selects the operating mode: If pulled low, then serial data is routed to a command interpreter (see 'programming') . If high (floating) then received bytes are loaded into the buffer (the PLR receiver only inputs data in command mode of course). When the buffer is full, the transmitter either sends a databurst immediately, or waits for a command from the user The transmitter data buffer size is pre-set by a user command (from 1-32 bytes) The data format uses is modified biphase at a peak data rate of 2500 bits per second. Each burst consists of a framing sequence, a two byte address, a two byte checksum, and a variable length (1-32 bytes) data 'payload'. The payload length information is coded into the framer sequence. Minimum length (1 byte) bursts take about 70mS (including all transmitter setup and power on/off timings), while a full 32 byte burst requires over 250mS. Data transfer rate is limited by the interface's inability to receive data while transmitting a burst (if FLOW is high, then the PLT is not listening to the serial port at all), or to decode received packets while in the process of outputting one The standard products use a 9600 baud user interface speed. Slower versions are also available (1200, 2400 and 4800 baud, with suffixes -1, -2, and -4). The baud rate is not user programmable. Radiometrix Ltd PLT/PLR Data Sheet page 2 Figure 2: PLT block diagram Radiometrix Ltd PLT/PLR Data Sheet page 3 Figure 3: PLT footprint (top view) Pin description – PLT Pin 1a Name Vcc 2a 3a 4a 0V TXE TXD Function 3.1 – 15V power supply (@ 10mW) 4.1 – 15V power supply (@ 100mW) Ground Transmit Enable (active low) (link to 4b) 1b 2b 3b 4b CMD DATA FLOW Tout Command mode select input Serial data out/in Buffer full / busy output (link to 4a) Notes: 1. This pinout is very similar to the LMT radios but the serial data is on pin 2b (not 1b, which is here used as the command mode select input ) 2. Serial programming is by an inverted, CMOS logic level, 9600 baud RS232 datastream applied to the DATA pin (2b). 3. TXE has a 100kΩ pullup to Vcc 4. All pins are on an 0.1" grid 5. In the 'off' state a PIN switch open circuits the RF output pin. There are no 'off' state spuri. 6. 10mW unit will operate (with marginally reduced specifications and lower (6-8mW) output power) from a 3.0V rail. This must be well regulated and without noise or ripple, as in this state the unit's internal regulator no longer operates, and provides no supply rejection. 7. 100mW versions should not be run continuously from supply voltages > 9v 8. Do not exceed 3v logic levels on any input (4v for 100mW PLT units) Application circuit Antenna 3.1- 15V VCC (1a) GND (2a) Transmit enable (active low) TXE (3a) TXD 1 PC serial port TXD (4a) 6 2 3 7 4 PLT2 Vc c (0-3V) 8 9 SGD 5 Figure 4 : Typical RS232 interface for programming and data input Radiometrix Ltd PLT/PLR Data Sheet page 4 Figure 5: PLR block diagram Radiometrix Ltd PLT/PLR Data Sheet page 5 Figure 6: PLR footprint (top view) Pin description – PLR Pin 1a 2a 3a 4a 5a Name Vcc 0V RXE RXD N/C (AF out) Function 3.1 – 15V power supply (@ 10mW) Ground Receiver Enable (active high) (link to 4b) 700mV p-p audio. DC coupled, approx 0.8v bias 1b 2b 3b 4b 5b CMD DATA FLOW Rin RSSI Command mode select input Serial data out/in Valid data/serial output in progress (link to 4a) DC level between 0.5v and 2.2v. 60dB dynamic range NOTES: 1. This pinout is very similar to the LMR radios but the serial data is on pin 2b (not 1b, which is here used as the command mode select input ) 2. Serial programming is by an inverted, CMOS logic level, 9600 baud RS232 datastream applied to the DATA (2b) pin. 3. All pins are on an 0.1" grid 4. Unit will operate (with marginally reduced specifications) from a 3.0v rail. This must be well regulated and without noise or ripple, as in this state the unit's internal regulator no longer operates, and provides no supply rejection 5. Do not exceed 3v logic levels on any input Application circuit Antenna 3.1- 15V (3V) Receiver enable (active high) NC PLR2 RXD TXD 2 1 PC serial port Vc c 3 4 NC 6 Data 7 8 PGM SW1 (0-3V) 9 SGD 5 Figure 7: Typical RS232 interface for programming input and data output Radiometrix Ltd PLT/PLR Data Sheet page 6 Serial interface commands A 9600 baud cmos level ‘inverted RS232 format’ (1 start bit, 8 data, 1or 2 stop bits, no parity) is used. Serial data is sent to the DATA (2b) pin. These units employs a sub-set of the programming commands used by standard LMT/LMR modules. As the DATA pin is dedicated to serial communication only, the ‘ENABLESERIALMODE’ command used for LMT/LMR string is NOT required. To successfully program the unit it must be in active state (RXE high, or TXE low), and CMD must be pulled low. Provision should be made to force the unit into this state while programming (either a jumper, or a third pin on the programming connector, could be used). The basic units do not provide local echo, but this is a provision on the evaluation interface boards Commands GOCHAN aa LOAD aa nnnnn SINGLE nnnnn RVALUE rrrr AVALUE aaaaa BVALUE bb SVALUE sss MVALUE mmm ADDR xxxxx CHAN aa TEST Function Serially select channel aa, (ch0 to ch31) Set value of N register for channel aa, (Channels 0 to 31) Direct override of N register value Set value for R register Set value for unit address Set buffer size (01 – 32, PLT only) Set ascii value of 'send' character Set mode byte (0-255, PLT only) Volatile short address Volatile channel select Transmitter test (carrier on, 250Hz square wave. PLT only) (any character sent to the unit will exit 'test' mode) Process entry Clear all buffers Clear data buffer send burst (if data buffer isn't empty) <cr> / < > Note Responds with OK Responds with OK Responds with OK Responds with OK Responds with OK Responds with OK Responds with OK Responds with OK No response No response Ascii 13 Ascii 47 Ascii 60 Ascii 62 aa = a two digit channel number from 00 to 31 (lead zero is important) bb = buffer size from 1 to 32 (lead zero is irrelevant) mmm = mode byte value (0-255) (lead zero is irrelevant) sss = ascii value of 'send' character (0-255) (lead zero is irrelevant) nnnnn = a synthesizer N register value, (up to 65535) rrrrr = the synthesizer R register value, (up to 16383) xxxxx = address (up to 65535) PLT = N TX = f RF f Channelspacing = 433.900 MHz = 17356 25kHz R= f TCXO f channelspacing = 13MHz , So R=520 25kHz VHF PLT units have 10MHz, not 13MHz reference oscillators: R= f TCXO f channelspacing = 10 MHz , So R=400 (for VHF PLT) 25 kHz f RF − 21.4 MHz 433.900 MHz − 21.4 = = 16500 f Channelspacing 25kHz PLR = N RX = Note: A pause of at least 50ms must be allowed between command strings (EEPROM programming time). Radiometrix Ltd PLT/PLR Data Sheet page 7 Operating principle On recieve, the FLOW output goes high at least 400uS (typically 480uS) before beginning of the start bit of the first byte out it goes low again 12uS after the end of the last byte stop-bit This output can be polled, or used as an interrupt, to detect the arrival of a data byte (or bytes) (tx measurements made on 32byte bursts, default mode 'send on buffer full) On transmit, the FLOW output goes high 80uS after the end of the 32nd byte (about 25-30mS after this point, the tx keys up and starts sending the burst) it returns to low when the transmitter has ramped fully down A 32 byte burst takes around 250mS to send, from first byte into tx, to last out of rx (it's about 218mS from the start of the first byte in to the FLOW output returning low) For a 32 byte burst, FLOW is high for about 185mS Although such asynchronous operation is not really recommended (especially for timing-uncertain devices like PCs, and especially when running high level languages and/or multiple applications), it is also possible to send a 32 byte burst roughly every 225mS, for an aggregate throughput of about 140 bytes per second (1400 baud) (this is not the intended operating mode for the devices, but it does give an idea of the capabilities) It would be much better (if maximum data rate was wanted) to send a (32byte) burst when the FLOW output is low The MODE byte This is a value stored in EEPROM, that selects the various operating functions of the radio. Be careful. By setting this incorrectly you can disable your radio link Factory default (send when buffer full, clear buffer on exit from setup mode) is selected by MVALUE 0 Functions of the mode byte bits. Bit0 Bit1 when zero the PLT will send when it's buffer is full when zero the PLT clears the data buffer on exit from command mode Bit2 Bit3 Bit4 Bit5 Bit6 Bit7 set: send burst on entering command mode (if buffer has any data in it) set: send burst on stop-bit over-run (ie: serial pin is low for more than 1.04mS) set: clear data buffer on stop-bit over-run set: send burst on receiving the character specified by SVALUE in the datastream set: send burst if the gap following a character exceeds approx 4.2mS reserved Additionally, there are a few command mode characters that can be used : > < send burst (if data is present in the buffer) clear data buffer Obviously: bit 3 and bit 4 should not be set at the same time bit 1 should be set if a command mode controlled send is used with a 'bouncy' CMD drive (switch) if bit 2 is set then it doesn't matter what bit 1 is doing ! Bit 6 (timeout mode) is best used with BVALUE 32 and other bits inactive To generate a stop-bit over-run, either pull down the serial input pin for over 1.04mS (1 byte at ` 9600 baud), Or send a 00 (null, CTRL @ character ) at a slower baud rate Radiometrix Ltd PLT/PLR Data Sheet page 8 Condensed specifications Frequency Frequency stability Channel spacing Number of channels Operating temperature Spurious radiations Transmitter Output power Peak deviation Modulation type TX modulation bandwidth Adjacent channel TX power TX spurious Supply Voltage Current Inputs Size Interface User RF Recommended PCB hole size Receiver Sensitivity AF bandwidth (-3dB) image spurii / adjacent channel blocking LO re-radiation Auxiliary outputs Supply Voltage Current Size Interface User RF Recommended PCB hole size Radiometrix Ltd 433MHz EU, 458MHz / 173MHz UK and 151MHz Australian bands As supplied: EU version: 433.875 - 434.65MHz UK version: 458.525 - 459.1MHz 173.200 - 173.325MHz Australian version: 150.825 - 152.450MHz And other custom VHF and UHF bands ±1.5kHz 25kHz 32 (controlled via RS232 interface) -20 ºC to +55 ºC (Storage -30 ºC to +70 ºC) Compliant with ETSI EN 300 220-3 and EN 301 489-3 +10dBm (10mW) ±1dB (factory adjustable 1 - 25mW) +20dBm (100mW) ±1dB (factory adjustable 25 - 100mW) ±3kHz 2.5kbps FSK (biphase) data stream DC – 5kHz (3V CMOS compatible) <-37dBm <-45dBm (no output in Standby) 3.1V – 15V (1-25mW) 4.1 – 15V (25 – 100mW) 35mA @ 10mW (nominal) 65mA @ 50mW (nominal) 100mA @ 100mW (nominal) <9µA standby (TXE high or floating) data (CMOS/TTL compatible) 33 x 23 x 9mm (BiM sized footprint, new pinout) 10 (8) pin 0.1" pitch dual row (5+5 or 4+4) header 2pin 0.1” pitch 1.2mm -115dBm for <0.1% data errors) 4kHz <-60db <-65db - 84dB -60dBm RSSI, audio 3.1V – 15V 20mA receive <1µA standby (RXE low) 46 x 23 x 9mm 10 pin 0.1" pitch dual row (5+5) header 2pin 0.1” pitch 1.2mm PLT/PLR Data Sheet page 9 RX Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) The PLR receiver has wide range RSSI that measures the strength of an incoming signal over a range of 60dB or more. This allows assessment of link quality and available margin and is useful when performing range tests. RSSI output (V) The output on pin 5b of the module has a standing DC bias of up to 0.5V with no signal, rising to 2.5V at maximum indication (RF input levels of -40dBm and above). ∆Vmin-max is typically 2V and is largely independent of standing bias variations. Output impedance is 40kΩ. Pin 5b can drive a 100µA meter directly, for simple monitoring. 2.6 2.4 2.2 2 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 -140 -130 -120 -110 -100 -90 -80 -70 -60 -50 -40 RF level (dBm) Figure 8: typical RSSI level with respect to received RF level at PLR antenna pin Antenna requirements Three types of integral antenna are recommended and approved for use with the module: A) Whip This is a wire, rod ,PCB track or combination connected directly to RF pin of the module. Optimum total length is 16.4cm (1/4 wave @ 433MHz). Keep the open circuit (hot) end well away from metal components to prevent serious de-tuning. Whips are ground plane sensitive and will benefit from internal 1/4 wave earthed radial(s) if the product is small and plastic cased B) Helical Wire coil, connected directly to RF pin, open circuit at other end. This antenna is very efficient given it’s small size (20mm x 4mm dia.). The helical is a high Q antenna, trim the wire length or expand the coil for optimum results. The helical de-tunes badly with proximity to other conductive objects. C) Loop A loop of PCB track tuned by a fixed or variable capacitor to ground at the 'hot' end and fed from RF pin at a point 20% from the ground end. Loops have high immunity to proximity detuning. Feature Ultimate performance Easy of design set-up Size Immunity proximity effects Range open ground to similar antenna Radiometrix Ltd A whip *** *** * * 500m B helical ** ** *** ** 200 PLT/PLR Data Sheet C loop * * ** *** 100 page 10 The antenna choice and position directly controls the system range. Keep it clear of other metal in the system, particularly the 'hot' end. The best position by far, is sticking out the top of the product. This is often not desirable for practical/ergonomic reasons thus a compromise may need to be reached. If an internal antenna must be used, try to keep it away from other metal components, particularly large ones like transformers, batteries and PCB tracks/earth plane. The space around the antenna is as important as the antenna itself. 0.5 mm enameled copper wire close wound on 3.2 mm diameter former RF 433 MHz = 24 turns A. Helical antenna Feed point 15% to 25% of total loop length RF-GND track width = 1mm 2 C2 C3 C4 C1 4 to 10 cm inside area RF B. Loop antenna 16.4cm C. Whip antenna wire, rod, PCB-track or a combination of these three RF 433 MHz = 16.4 cm total from RF pin. Figure 9: Antenna types (for 433MHz) band) Ordering Information: Part No. VHF PLT1-173-9 PLR1-173-9 PLT1-151-9 PLR1-151-9 Description Frequency band (MHz) Supply (V) RF power (mW) Transmitter Receiver Transmitter Receiver 173.200 - 173.325 173.200 - 173.325 150.825 - 152.450 150.825 - 152.450 3.1 -15 3.1 -15 4.1 -15 3.1 -15 10 UHF PLT2-433-9 PLR2-433-9 PLT2-458-9 PLR2-458-9 Transmitter Receiver Transmitter Receiver 433.875-434.650 433.875-434.650 458.525 - 459.1 458.525 - 459.1 3.1 -15 3.1 -15 4.1 -15 3.1 -15 10 100 100 Data rate 9600bps 9600bps 9600bps 9600bps 9600bps 9600bps 9600bps 9600bps 9600bps Notes: 1. The standard products use a 9600 baud user interface speed. Slower versions are also available (1200, 2400 and 4800 baud, with suffixes -1, -2, and -4). e.g.: PLT1-173-4 (for 4800 baud) 2. PLT/PLR are available on number of other VHF and UHF frequencies. Other UHF band frequencies are subject to SAW filter availability. e.g. 315, 419, 429, 448, 465MHz etc . Radiometrix Ltd PLT/PLR Data Sheet page 11 Radiometrix Ltd Hartcran House 231 Kenton Lane Harrow, Middlesex HA3 8RP ENGLAND Tel: +44 (0) 20 8909 9595 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8909 2233 [email protected] www.radiometrix.com Copyright notice This product data sheet is the original work and copyrighted property of Radiometrix Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part must give clear acknowledgement to the copyright owner. Limitation of liability The information furnished by Radiometrix Ltd is believed to be accurate and reliable. Radiometrix Ltd reserves the right to make changes or improvements in the design, specification or manufacture of its subassembly products without notice. Radiometrix Ltd does not assume any liability arising from the application or use of any product or circuit described herein, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from the use of its products. This data sheet neither states nor implies warranty of any kind, including fitness for any particular application. These radio devices may be subject to radio interference and may not function as intended if interference is present. We do NOT recommend their use for life critical applications. The Intrastat commodity code for all our modules is: 8542 6000 R&TTE Directive After 7 April 2001 the manufacturer can only place finished product on the market under the provisions of the R&TTE Directive. Equipment within the scope of the R&TTE Directive may demonstrate compliance to the essential requirements specified in Article 3 of the Directive, as appropriate to the particular equipment. Further details are available on The Office of Communications (Ofcom) web site: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/ Information Requests Ofcom Riverside House 2a Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 9HA Tel: +44 (0)300 123 3333 or 020 7981 3040 Fax: +44 (0)20 7981 3333 [email protected] European Communications Office (ECO) Peblingehus Nansensgade 19 DK 1366 Copenhagen Tel. +45 33896300 Fax +45 33896330 [email protected] www.ero.dk