MANUAL

FCC ID: NS904P10

Users Manual

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FCCID_404634

Operating Manual MHX920 900 MHz Spread Spectrum OEM Transceiver Revision 0.10, March 3, 2004 Microhard Systems Inc. #110, 1144 - 29th Ave. N.E. Calgary, Alberta T2E 7P1 Phone: (403) 248-0028 Fax: (403) 248-2762 www.microhardcorp.com

Warranty Microhard Systems Inc. warrants that each product will be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year for its products. The warranty commences on the date the product is shipped by Microhard Systems Inc. Microhard Systems Inc.’s sole liability and responsibility under this warranty is to repair or replace any product which is returned to it by the Buyer and which Microhard Systems Inc. determines does not conform to the warranty. Product returned to Microhard Systems Inc. for warranty service will be shipped to Microhard Systems Inc. at Buyer’s expense and will be returned to Buyer at Microhard Systems Inc.’s expense. In no event shall Microhard Systems Inc. be responsible under this warranty for any defect which is caused by negligence, misuse or mistreatment of a product or for any unit which has been altered or modified in any way. The warranty of replacement shall terminate with the warranty of the product. Warranty Disclaims Microhard Systems Inc. makes no warranties of any nature of kind, expressed or implied, with respect to the hardware, software, and/or products and hereby disclaims any and all such warranties, including but not limited to warranty of non-infringement, implied warranties of merchantability for a particular purpose, any interruption or loss of the hardware, software, and/or product, any delay in providing the hardware, software, and/or product or correcting any defect in the hardware, software, and/or product, or any other warranty. The Purchaser represents and warrants that Microhard Systems Inc. has not made any such warranties to the Purchaser or its agents MICROHARD SYSTEMS INC. EXPRESS WARRANTY TO BUYER CONSTITUTES MICROHARD SYSTEMS INC. SOLE LIABILITY AND THE BUYER’S SOLE REMEDIES. EXCEPT AS THUS PROVIDED, MICROHARD SYSTEMS INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PROMISE. MICROHARD SYSTEMS INC. PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED TO BE USED IN ANY LIFE SUPPORT RELATED DEVICE OR SYSTEM RELATED FUNCTIONS NOR AS PART OF ANY OTHER CRITICAL SYSTEM AND ARE GRANTED NO FUNCTIONAL WARRANTY. Indemnification The Purchaser shall indemnify Microhard Systems Inc. and its respective directors, officers, employees, successors and assigns including any subsidiaries, related corporations, or affiliates, shall be released and discharged from any and all manner of action, causes of action, liability, losses, damages, suits, dues, sums of money, expenses (including legal fees), general damages, special damages, including without limitation, claims for personal injuries, death or property damage related to the products sold hereunder, costs and demands of every and any kind and nature whatsoever at law. IN NO EVENT WILL MICROHARD SYSTEMS INC. BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, CATASTROPHIC, PUNITIVE OR OTHER DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE CLAIMED TO ARISE IN CONNECTION WITH THE HARDWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY BEHIND SUCH CLAIMS, WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR REGULATORY LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS, EXECUTIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS OR DECLARATIONS OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF MICROHARD SYSTEMS INC. HAS BEEN ADVISED OR OTHERWISE HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND TAKES NO ACTION TO PREVENT OR MINIMIZE SUCH DAMAGES. IN THE EVENT THAT REGARDLESS OF THE WARRANTY DISCLAIMERS AND HOLD HARMLESS PROVISIONS INCLUDED ABOVE MICROHARD SYSTEMS INC. IS SOMEHOW HELD LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY, MICROHARD SYSTEMS INC.'S LIABILITY FOR ANYDAMAGES SHALL NOT EXCEED THE PROFIT REALIZED BY MICROHARD SYSTEMS INC. ON THE SALE OR PROVISION OF THE HARDWARE TO THE CUSTOMER. Proprietary Rights The Buyer hereby acknowledges that Microhard Systems Inc. has a proprietary interest and intellectual property rights in the Hardware, Software and/or Products. The Purchaser shall not (i) remove any copyright, trade secret, trademark or other evidence of Microhard Systems Inc.’s ownership or proprietary interest or confidentiality other proprietary notices contained on, or in, the Hardware, Software or Products, (ii) reproduce or modify any Hardware, Software or Products or make any copies thereof, (iii) reverse assemble, reverse engineer or decompile any Software or copy thereof in whole or in part, (iv) sell, transfer or otherwise make available to others the Hardware, Software, or Products or documentation thereof or any copy thereof, except in accordance with this Agreement. ii MHX-920 Operating Manual

MHX920 Regulatory Requirements WARNING: To satisfy FCC RF exposure requirements for mobile transmitting devices, a separation distance of 23 cm or more should be maintained between the antenna of this device and persons during device operation. To ensure compliance, operations at closer than this distance is not recommended. The antenna used for this transmitter must not be co-located in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. WARNING: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Microhard Systems Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. This device has been tested with MCX and Reverse Polarity SMA connectors with the antennas listed in Appendix A When integrated in OEM products, fixed antennas require installation preventing end-users from replacing them with non-approved antennas. Antennas not listed in the tables must be tested to comply with FCC Section 15.203 (unique antenna connectors) and Section 15.247 (emissions). WARNING: MAXIMUM ERP FCC Regulations allow up to 36 dBm effective radiated power (ERP). Therefore, the sum of the transmitted power (in dBm), the cabling loss and the antenna gain cannot exceed 36 dBm. WARNING: EQUIPMENT LABELING This device has been modularly approved. The manufacturer, product name, and FCC and Industry Canada identifiers of this product must appear on the outside label of the end-user equipment. SAMPLE LABEL REQUIREMENT: Contains: FCCID: NS904P10 IC : 3143A-04P10 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. MHX-920 Operating Manual: Contents iii

Contents Warranty ....................................................................................................................................................................... ii Warranty Diclaims........................................................................................................................................................ ii Indemnification............................................................................................................................................................. ii Proprietary Rights......................................................................................................................................................... ii MHX920 Regulatory Requirements ............................................................................................................................ iii CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................................................. IV 2. GENERAL ...........................................................................................................................................................1 2.0 PRODUCT OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 2.1 OUTPUT POWER LEVEL ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 3. INSTALLATION.................................................................................................................................................4 3.0 OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 ESTIMATING THE GAIN MARGIN ....................................................................................................................................... 4 3.2 ANTENNAS AND CABLING ................................................................................................................................................. 6 3.2.1 ........................................................................................................................Internal Cabling ...............................................................................................................................................................................6 3.2.2 ........................................................... Installing External Cables, Antennas and Lightning Arrestors ...............................................................................................................................................................................7 iv MHX-920 Operating Manual

2. General 2.0 Product Overview The MHX920 is a high-performance embedded wireless data transceiver. Operating in the 902 - 928 MHz ISM band, this frequency-hopping spread- spectrum module is capable of providing reliable wireless data transfer between almost any type of equipment which uses an asynchronous serial interface. The small-size and superior RF performance of this module make it ideal for many applications. While a pair of MHX920 modules can link two terminal devices (“point-to- point” operation); multiple modules can be used together to create a network of various topologies, including “point-to-multipoint” and “repeater” operation. Multiple independent networks can operate concurrently, so it is possible for unrelated communications to take place in the same or a nearby area without sacrificing privacy or reliability. 1.1 Features Key features of the MHX920 include: transmission within a public, license-exempt band of the radio spectrum1 – this means that it can be used without access fees (such as those incurred by cellular airtime). a serial I/O data port with handshaking and hardware flow control, allowing the MHX920 to interface directly to any equipment with an asynchronous serial interface. ease of installation and use – the MHX920 module uses a subset of standard AT style commands, very similar to those used by traditional telephone line modems. all units in a system are physically identical, and can be configured as a master, repeater or slave using the AT command set. No hardware modifications are required 128 sets of user-selectable pseudo-random hopping patterns, intelligently designed to offer the possibility of separately operating multiple networks while providing security, reliability and high tolerance to interference. encryption key with 65536 user-selectable values to maximize security and privacy of communications. 32-bit of CRC error detection and auto re-transmit to provide accuracy and reliability of data. 1 902-928 MHz, which is license-free within North America; may need to be factory- configured differently for some countries. MHX-920 Operating Manual: Chapter2 General 1

TDMA (time division multiple access) support, allowing multi-slave access in point-to-point mode. roaming ability, allowing repeaters and slaves to re- synchronize with a new master if the synchronization pulse from the original master is lost. While the typical application for the MHX920 is to provide a short- to mid- range wireless communications link between DTEs, it can be adapted to almost any situation where an asynchronous serial interface is used and data intercommunication is required. 2.1 Output Power Level The Output Power Level determines at what power the MHX920 transmits. The MHX920’s sensitive receiver can operate with very low power levels, so it is recommended that the lowest power necessary is used; using excessive power contributes to unnecessary “RF pollution”. The allowable settings are from 100 mW to 1000 mW. Ideally, you should test the communications performance between units starting from a low power level and working upward until the RSSI is sufficiently high and a reliable link is established. The conditions will vary widely between applications, the output power settings can be calculated based on following information. • Transmitter antenna gain • Cable loss • Effective radiated power (ERP) requirement by FCC Regulations Power Setting = 36 – Antenna Gain – Cable Loss The power setting must be no more than the above calculation value. Any higher is a violation of FCC rules. See IMPORTANT warning below. Table 1 Output Power Power Setting Approx. Output Power (dBm) (mW) 0 1 20 100 21 125 22 160 23 200 24 250 25 320 26 400 27 500 28 630 29 800 30 1000 2 MHX-920 Operating Manual: Chapter 2 General

MHX-920 Operating Manual: Chapter2 General 3

3. Installation 3.0 Overview Qualified and experienced personnel must carry out the installation, removal or maintenance of all antenna components. The MHX920 complies with FCC part 15 at the modular level for operation in the license-free 902-928 MHz ISM band. This chapter provides guidelines for installing and deploying equipment which incorporates the MHX920 module. 3.1 Estimating the Gain Margin Successful communication between MHX920 modules is dependent on three main factors: • System Gain • Path Loss • Interference System gain is a calculation in dB describing the performance to be expected between a transmitter-receiver pair. The number can be calculated based on knowledge of the equipment being deployed. The following four factors make up a system gain calculation: 1. Transmitter power (user selectable 0, 20 to 30dBm) 2. Transmitter gain (transmitting antenna gain minus cabling loss between the transmitting antenna and the MHX920 module) 3. Receiver gain (Receiving antenna gain minus cabling loss between the receiving antenna and the module) 4. Receiver sensitivity (Specified as -108dBm on the MHX920 module) In the following illustration, the transmitting antenna has a gain of 6 dB, and the receiving antenna has a gain of 3 dB. The cable loss between the module and the antenna is 2 dB on both the transmitting and receiving side. Cable Loss = 2 dB Cable Loss = 2 dB Antenna Gain = 6 dB Antenna Gain = 3 dB Transmitter Receiver 30 dBm Sensitivity = Output Power -105 dBm 4 MHX-920 Operating Manual: Chapter 3 Installation

Figure 1 Gain Calculation The power level has been set to 30dBm (1W) on the transmitter, and the receiver sensitivity for the MHX920 is -108dBm. System gain would be calculated to be: 30 - 2 + 6 + 3 - 2 + 108 = 143 dB. Base Height (m) Mobile Height (m) Distance (km) Figure 2 System Deploying When deploying your system, care must be taken to ensure the path loss (reduction of signal strength from transmitter to receiver in dB) between equipment does not exceed the system gain (140 dB in the above example). It is recommended to design for a gain margin of at least 20 dB to ensure reliable communication. Gain margin is the difference between system gain and path loss. Referring to the same example, suppose the path loss is 100 dB, the gain margin would be 40 dB, which is more than adequate for reliable communication. Path loss is a very complicated calculation which mainly depends on the terrain profile, and the height of the antennas off the ground. The following table provides path loss numbers for varying antenna heights and antenna separation: These numbers are real averages taken from rural environments. They do not apply to urban, non-line-of-sight environments. Table 2 Path Loss Distance Base Height Mobile Height Path Loss (km) (m) (m) (dB) 5 15 2.5 116.5 5 30 2.5 110.9 8 15 2.5 124.1 8 15 5 117.7 8 15 10 105 16 15 2.5 135.3 16 15 5 128.9 16 15 10 116.2 16 30 10 109.6 16 30 5 122.4 16 30 2.5 128.8 MHX-920 Operating Manual:Glossary 5

Once the equipment is deployed, you can verify the signal strength by entering into Command Mode and reading Register S123. This register provides the average signal strength in dBm. The minimum strength for communication is roughly -108dBm. For consistent reliable communication, you should try to deploy the equipment such that signal strength exceeds -95dBm. 3.2 Antennas and Cabling WARNING: This section describes the recommended procedure for installing cabling Qualified and experienced and antennas for use with the MHX920 module. personnel must carry out the installation, removal or 3.2.1 Internal Cabling maintenance of all antenna The most common method for installing the module is to run a cable from components. the module’s MCX connector to a reverse TNC bulkhead connector on the chassis of the equipment as shown in Figure 3. This cable can be purchased from Microhard Systems. Reverse TNC Connector RG316 Cable with MCX male connector and Reverse TNC bulkhead connector MCX female connector MHX920 Figure 3 Suggested Internal Cabling Cable losses are negligible for the short piece used within the chassis. Additional losses up to 0.5 dB may be present in the MCX and Reverse TNC connections. 6 MHX-920 Operating Manual: Glossary

3.2.2 Installing External Cables, Antennas and Lightning Arrestors WARNING: Qualified and experienced personnel must carry out the installation, To satisfy FCC RF exposure removal or maintenance of all antenna components. requirements for mobile transmitting devices, a separation Never work on an antenna system when there is lightning in the area. distance of 23 cm or more should Direct human contact with the antenna is potentially unhealthy when the be maintained between the MHX920 is generating RF energy. Always ensure that the MHX920 antenna of this device and equipment is powered down during installation. At all times a distance of persons during device operation. 23 cm must be maintained between the antenna and any person when the To ensure compliance, operations device is in operation. at closer than this distance is not recommended. The antenna used Surge Arrestors for this transmitter must not be The most effective protection against lightning is to install two lightning co-located in conjunction with (surge) arrestors, one at the antenna, the other one at the interface with the any other antenna or transmitter. equipment. The surge arrestor grounding system should be fully interconnected with the transmission tower and power grounding systems to form a single, fully integrated ground circuit. Typically, both ports on surge arrestors are N-female. WARNING: External Filter Direct human contact with the Although the MHX920 is capable of filtering out RF noise in most antenna is potentially unhealthy environments, there are circumstances that require external filtering. when the MHX920 is generating Paging towers and cellular base stations in close proximity to the MHX920 RF energy. Always ensure that antenna can desensitize the receiver. Microhard Systems’ external cavity the MHX920 equipment is filter eliminates this problem. The filter has two N-female ports and should powered down during be connected in line at the interface to the RF equipment. installation. Weatherproofing Type N and RTNC connectors are not weatherproof. All connectors should be taped with rubber splicing tape (weatherproofing tape), and then coated WARNING: with a sealant. Never work on an antenna system when there is lightning in Cabling the area. The following coax cables are recommended: Table 3 Cable Loss Cable Loss (dB/100ft) LMR 195 10.7 LMR 400 3.9 LMR 600 2.5 Factors to take into consideration when choosing a cable are: • price; • bend radius limitations (the lower performance cables generally can bend more sharply) • performance requirements; and, • distance between the equipment and the antenna. MHX-920 Operating Manual:Glossary 7

When installing the cable, always begin fastening at the top near the antenna connector/surge arrestor. The cable must be supported at the top with a hose clamp or wrap lock, and at 5 ft intervals down the length of the tower. Over-tightening the fasteners will dent the cable and reduce performance. If properly grounded surge arrestors are not installed at both the top and the bottom of the cable, then the cable should be grounded to the tower at these locations using a cable grounding kit. If the tower is non- conductive, then a separate conductor, physically separate from the cable, should be run down the tower. WARNING: Antenna MAXIMUM ERP Before choosing an antenna, you should have some knowledge of the path FCC and IC Regulations allow loss and the topology of the equipment. If the equipment is in a fixed up to 36dBm effective radiated location and is to communicate with only one other unit also in a fixed power (ERP). Therefore, the location, then a Yagi antenna is suitable. Choose a Yagi with enough gain sum of the transmitted power (in to ensure adequate gain margin. When deploying the Yagi, point the dBm), the cabling loss and the antenna towards the intended target, ensuring the antenna elements are antenna gain cannot exceed perpendicular to the ground for vertical polarization. 36 dBm with respect to the isotropic radiator. In applications where there are multiple units that you must communicate with or units, which are in motion, you may select an Omni-directional antenna with appropriate gain. WARNING: The MHX920 can only be used See appendix A for a list of approved antennas that can be used with with any antennas listed in the MHX920 radio modem. If you require another type of antenna Appendix A. please contact Microhard Systems Inc. The MHX920 CANNOT be used with any antenna that does not appear in Appendix A. Microhard Systems Inc. can provide you with approved antennas to ensure WARNING: FCC and Industry Canada compliance. Be careful with dBi vs dBd gains on antenna specifications. FCC Regulations allow up to 36dBm effective radiated power (ERP). Antenna manufactures may not Therefore, the sum of the transmitted power (in dBm), the cabling loss clearly indicate the gain on the and the antenna gain cannot exceed 36dBm with respect to the isotropic antenna if it is dBd or dBi. Note radiator. 1dBd = 2.15dBi. ERP is calculated as follows: ERP = Tx Power(dBm) - Cable/Connector Loss(dB) + Ant Gain(dBi) Antenna Gains must be in dBi when calculating the 36dBm ERP limit. 1dBd = 2.15dBi Use the guidelines in the previous section for calculating cable and connector losses. If cabling and connector losses are 2 dB, then the maximum allowable gain of the antenna will be 8 dB. 8 MHX-920 Operating Manual: Glossary

Examples: FCC and Industry Canada Regulations allow up to 36dBm effective radiated power (ERP). Therefore, the sum of the transmitted power (in dBm), the cabling loss and the antenna gain cannot exceed 36dBm with respect to the isotropic radiator. Example 1) What is the maximum power the MHX920 can be set to comply with FCC and IC given the following equipment given a Rubber Ducky Ant Gain 2dBi and no cable or connectors in the system? Max ERP 36dBm Max TX power = ERP – Ant Gain(dBi) + Cable/Connector loss (dB) Ant Gain dBi = 2dBi Max TX power = 36dBm – 2dBi + 0dB = 34dBm We can set the modem to the maximum power setting of 30dBm. Example 2) What is the maximum power the MHX920 can be set to comply with FCC and IC given the following equipment given a Yagi Ant Gain 12dBd and cable and connector loss of 4.5 dB? Max ERP 36dBm Max TX power = ERP – Ant Gain(dBi) + Cable/Connector loss (dB) Ant Gain dBi = Ant Gain dBd + 2.15 dB Yagi Gain (dBi) = 12 + 2.15 = 14.15dBi Max TX power = 36dBm – 14.15dB + 4.5dB = 26.35dBm We must round down Hence Max TX power = 26dBm Example 3) What is the maximum power the MHX920 can be set to comply with FCC and IC given the following equipment given a Omni Ant Gain 6dBd and cable and connector loss of 2.5 dB? Max ERP 36dBm Max TX power = ERP – Ant Gain(dBi) + Cable/Connector loss (dB) Ant Gain dBi = Ant Gain dBd + 2.15 dB Omni Gain (dBi) = 6 + 2.15 = 8.15dBi Max TX power = 36dBm – 8.15dB + 2.5dB = 30.35dBm Hence Max TX power = 30dBm MHX-920 Operating Manual:Glossary 9

A. Approved Antennas Group Part Number Description Quarter Wave MHS031010 <1.5dBi, 900MHz 1/4 Wave Antenna Reverse SMA Right Angle MHS031020 <1.5dBi, 900MHz 1/4 Wave Antenna Reverse SMA Straight MHS031030 <1.5dBi, 900MHz 1/4 Wave Antenna Reverse SMA Right Angle MHS MHS031040 <1.5dBi, 900MHz 1/4 Wave Antenna Reverse SMA Straight MHS MHS031050 <1.5dBi, 900MHz 1/4 Wave Antenna MCX Right Angle MHS MHS031060 <1.5dBi, 900MHz 1/4 Wave Antenna Reverse SMA Straight Rubber Ducky MHS031000 2dBi, 900MHz Rubber Ducky Antenna RPTNC Swivel MHS031070 2dBi, 900MHz Rubber Ducky Antenna Reverse SMA Swivel MHS031080 2dBi, 900MHz Rubber Ducky Antenna Reverse SMA Straight Transit Antennas MHS031210 3dBd, 900 MHz Transit Antenna with Ground Plane MHS031220 3dBd, 900MHz Transit Antenna No Ground Plane MHS031230 3dBd, 900MHz Transit Antenna Permanent Mount GP MHS031240 3dBd, 900MHz Transit Antenna Permanent Mount NGP Mounts for Transit Antennas have a RPTNC Pigtail Yagi Antennas MHS031311 6dBd, 900MHz Yagi Directional Antenna Antenex, RPTNC Pigtail MHS031431 6.5dBd, 900MHz Yagi Directional Antenna Bluewave, RPTNC Pigtail MHS031501 9dBd, 900MHz Yagi Directional Antenna Antenex, RPTNC Pigtail MHS031441 10dBd, 900 MHz Yagi Directional Antenna Bluewave, RPTNC Pigtail MHS031451 11dBd, 900 MHz Yagi Directional Antenna Bluewave, RPTNC Pigtail MHS031401 12dBd, 900MHz Yagi Directional Antenna Antenex, RPTNC Pigtail MHS031411 12dBd, 900MHz Yagi Directional Antenna Bluewave, RPTNC Pigtail Omni Directional MHS031251 3dBd, 900MHz Omni Directional Antenna Antenex, RPTNC Pigtail MHS031461 3dBd, 900 MHz Omni Directional Antenna Bluewave, RPTNC Pigtail MHS031321 6dBd, 900MHz Omni Directional Antenna Antenex, RPTNC Pigtail MHS031471 6dBd, 900 MHz Omni Directional Antenna Bluewave, RPTNC Pigtail WARNING: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Microhard Systems Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. This device has been tested with MCX and Reverse Polarity SMA connectors with the antennas listed in Appendix A When integrated in OEM products, fixed antennas require installation preventing end-users from replacing them with non-approved antennas. Antennas not listed in the tables must be tested to comply with FCC Section 15.203 (unique antenna connectors) and Section 15.247 (emissions). Please Contact Microhard Systems Inc. if you need more information. 10 MHX-920 Operating Manual: Glossary

MHX-920 Operating Manual:Glossary 11


Document Created: 2004-03-08 09:44:58
Document Modified: 2004-03-08 09:44:58
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