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GE MDS Master Station Technical Manual

Modular communications platform
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See also: Setup Manual , Instruction and Installation Manual
MDS™ Master Station
Modular Communications Platform
MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E
AUGUST 2015
Firmware Version 3.1.0 and higher.
Table of Contents
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Summary of Contents for GE MDS Master Station

  • Page 1 MDS™ Master Station Modular Communications Platform MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E AUGUST 2015 Firmware Version 3.1.0 and higher.
  • Page 3 Quick-Start instructions for this product are contained in publication 05-6398A01. Visit our website for downloadable copies of all documentation at www.gemds.com. IMPORTANT This manual describes the details, installation, configuration and operation of the MDS™ Master Station. It does not cover the description or configuration of features and settings common to the MDS Orbit family of products.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ....................9 1.1 Organization of Manual .................... 9 Related Publications ................... 10 KEY PRODUCT FEATURES ................11 2.1 Accessories and Spare Items ................12 2.2 Technical Specifications ..................14 2.3 FCC Emission Designators: How to Find Them ............. 15 2.4 Front Panel ......................
  • Page 6 5.1 Pre-Configured Settings..................30 5.2 One-Time “Recovery” Passwords ................30 One-Time Passwords: How They Work .............. 30 Creating a One-Time Password ................. 31 Logging in With a One-Time Password .............. 31 Deleting a One-Time Password ................31 5.3 Configuration via Command Line (CLI) ..............32 Tab Completion Feature ..................
  • Page 7 Force Alarm ......................64 Link Test ......................65 Perform Failover ....................66 Remote Management Command ................ 66 Remote SD Firmware ..................67 RF Key Test......................67 Spectrum Analyzer ..................... 67 Remote SD Reprogramming ................68 Monitoring ......................71 Statistics ......................71 Performance .......................
  • Page 8 7.1 Interpreting Module LEDs ..................91 Normal Operation ....................91 Exception and Alarm States ................92 7.2 Redundant Units ....................93 7.3 Technical Assistance ..................... 93 7.4 Replacing Modules ....................93 Power Supply Modules ..................93 Peripheral Modules – including Platform Manager, Radio, Alarm, and Alarm Relay Modules.

  • Page 9: Copyright Notice

    Copyright Notice This Technical Manual and all software described herein are protected by copyright: 2015 GE MDS. All rights reserved. GE MDS reserves its right to correct any errors and omissions in this publication. Safety words and definitions The following symbols used in this document indicate the following conditions: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
  • Page 10 The RF safety distance is calculated based on each product type’s highest output power configuration with no duplexer, redundant switching, or cable losses. Table 1-1 Antenna Gain vs. Minimum RF Safety Distance Antenna Gain 0–5 dBi 5–10 dBi 10–16.5 dBi Safety Distance 1.09 meters 1.95 meters...

  • Page 11: Environmental Information

    These systems will reuse or recycle most of the materials found in this equipment in a sound way. Please contact GE MDS or your supplier for more information on the proper disposal of this equipment.
  • Page 12 Open Source code contained in this product. This code is provided to you on an “as is” basis, and GE makes no representations or warranties for the use of this code by you independent of any GE provided software or services. For more information, contact [email protected].

  • Page 13: Introduction

    1.0 INTRODUCTION The MDS™ Master Station is an advanced, flexible platform designed for the demanding re- quirements of today’s industrial wireless networks. It represents the latest development in a line of MDS products that set the standards for wireless performance today. The Master Station builds on this legacy with several innovative features, including a single compact chassis (2 RU), 100% duty cycle operation (no cooling fans required), front panel access to all modules, and drop-in compatibility with earlier MDS x790/x710 radio systems.

  • Page 14: Related Publications

    The MDS™ Master Station Setup Guide, Part No. 05-6398A01 contains basic installation and startup instructions for the product. All GE MDS user manuals and updates are available online at www.gemds.com. The MDS™ Master Station is built on the Orbit platform. For ref- erence information on advanced networking features available on the local LAN Interface, refer to the MDS Orbit MCR Technical Manual (05-6632A01).

  • Page 15: Key Product Features

    2.0 KEY PRODUCT FEATURES As a licensed, long range IP/Ethernet and serial communications device, the Master Station ex- ceeds industry standards for reliability and performance in wireless networks. Listed below are several key features and benefits of the product, and these are available with the appropriate modules installed and configured in the chassis.

  • Page 16: Accessories And Spare Items

    The following table lists common accessories and spare items for use with the Master Station. GE MDS also offers an Accessories Selection Guide listing an array of additional items available for use with the product. Contact your factory representative or visit www.gemds.com to obtain a copy of the guide.
  • Page 17 03-6837D9C3 31 MHz (928.0-929.0) / (959.0-960.0), RX OUT, RX IN, COMBINED OUT 03-6837D9D3 Duplexers for 9K-Band Spare duplexer in tray wired for MDS Master Station. Radios 39 MHz (896.0 - 898.0) /(935.0 -937.0) COMBINED OUT 03-6837D9E1 39 MHz (896.0 - 898.0) /(935.0 -937.0) RX OUT, RX IN, COMBINED OUT...

  • Page 18: Technical Specifications

    400MHz variants. Items are separated into Transmit (TX) and Receive (RX) categories. Ongoing product improvements may result in specification changes, and GE MDS reserves the right to make such changes without obligation to any party. Should you require an exact specification for the build of your unit, please contact the factory for additional assistance.

  • Page 19: Fcc Emission Designators: How To Find Them

    2. At the bottom of the form in the box labeled , enter a sufficiently large Show x Records at a Time number (i.e., ) to display all GE MDS records on file. Press Enter. MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station...

  • Page 20: Front Panel

    4. Scroll down to the section labeled to locate the appropriate emission Equipment Specifications designator. If additional assistance is required, contact GE MDS using the information given at the end of this manual. 2.4 Front Panel All access to Master Station modules is made from the front of the unit after removing the pro- tective cover.

  • Page 21: Rear Antenna Connections

    Table 2-4. Module Descriptions Module Name Function Power Supply 1 6843: (+/- 12-36 VDC) Provides operating power based on a variety of AC and DC input options. Up to two power supply modules may be Power Supply 2 6844: (+/- 36-75 VDC) installed in the chassis (AC or DC;...

  • Page 22: Installation Planning

    3.0 INSTALLATION PLANNING This section covers pre-installation factors that should be considered when installing the Master Station. Careful planning will help achieve optimal performance from the radio. After reviewing this section, refer to the step-by-step installation procedures beginning on Page 24. The specific details at an installation site may vary, but there are three main requirements for in- stalling the unit in all cases: Adequate and stable primary power...

  • Page 23: Applications

    • You can use the Master Station to poll remote radios in its radio system for diagnostic data. For more information on the implementation of network-wide diagnostics, refer to the GE MDS Network-wide Diagnostics Handbook (P/N 05-3467A01). Network Management Using PulseNET PulseNET uses the DLINK protocol to monitor the Master Station and downstream devices.

  • Page 24: Redundant Versus Non-Redundant Operation

    Antennas of this type are available from several manufacturers, including GE MDS. Contact your factory representative for details. Connection is made to the station via N coaxial connectors at the rear panel.

  • Page 25: Grounding Considerations

    Table 3-1. Signal Loss in Coaxial Cables (at 900 MHz) 10 Feet 50 Feet 100 Feet 200 Feet Cable Type (3 Meters) (15 Meters) (30.5 Me- (61 Meters) ters) 0.85 dB 4.27 dB 8.54 dB 17.08 dB RG-8A/U 0.23 dB 1.15 dB 2.29 dB 4.58 dB...

  • Page 26: Data Interface Connections

    Not all PCs have a serial port. If one is not available, a USB-to-Serial adapter and appro- priate driver software may be used to provide serial connectivity. These adapters are available from several manufacturers, including GE MDS. Serial Data Connection When used as a data port for an SD Radio Module in Transparent or x710 modes, some pins on COM1 and COM2 have special behavior determined by configuration.

  • Page 27: Mini Usb

    Table 3-3. RF-45 to DB-9F Pin Out Signal RJ-45 DB-9F Standard RS-232 Ground Ground No connection N.C. Mini USB The Mini USB port can be used to management the radio through a scriptable command line in- terface (CLI) using the proper USB drivers available at www.gemds.com. Connect to the man- agement PC using the included Mini USB Cable.

  • Page 28: Installation Procedures

    4.0 INSTALLATION PROCEDURES This section presents the steps necessary for installing the radio and connecting it to associated equipment. After completing these steps, the radio is ready for in-service operation. 4.1 Unpacking and Inspection Check the contents against the packing list secured to the outside of the shipping box. Accesso- ries and spare parts kits, if any, are wrapped separately.
  • Page 29 Figure 4-1. Internal Duplexer, Triple N connectors Figure 4-2. Internal Duplexer (or internal T/R switch), Single N connectors Figure 4-3 External duplexer or dual antennas (TX and RX ports pass directly through) MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station...
  • Page 30 Platform Manager module. Typical connections for most sites include: - Serial Data—Attach data equipment to the front panel COM1 and/or COM2 ports. The unit is hardwired as a DCE device (DB9-F to RJ-45 connector, GE MDS part no. 73-2434A12). - Ethernet LAN—Attach data equipment to the ETH1 and/or ETH2 port. The au- to-sensing MDIX feature allows either a straight-through or crossover cable to be used.

  • Page 31: Initial Startup & Operation

    Figure 4-4 DC Power Connector 6. Connect a PC for Configuration (LAN or USB port). This prepares the Master Station for programming of desired operating parameters. Configuration is further described in Sec- tion 5.0 Device Management If serial-based cabling is used for configuration, an adapter may be required at the PC, as many PCs do not offer a serial port.

  • Page 32: Module Led Indicators

    Module LED Indicators All LED indicators are on the front of the unit. Platform Manager, Radio, and Alarm Modules include LEDs. A redundant unit will be populated as shown above. A non-redundant unit will have only one Radio Module and a different Alarm Module without RF connections. PW R ALAR M PW R/AL ARM PW R/AL ARM...

  • Page 33: Maximizing Rssi

    Maximizing RSSI Since the Master Station almost always uses an omni-directional antenna, maximizing signal strength is done at the remote sites where directional antennas are typically used. An RSSI stronger than -90 dBm is desirable. Refer to Section 5.0 Device Management for information on monitoring the RSSI for the Radio Module.

  • Page 34: Device Management

    ™ PC connected to the MDS Master Station to use the USB port as a virtual serial device; these drivers are available from the GE MDS website). The Ethernet ports are bridged together, with spanning-tree protocol enabled, with a •...

  • Page 35: Creating A One-Time Password

    out to quickly gain entry when your primary key is lost. If you don’t make a spare, you are al- ways at risk of locking yourself out. A one-time recovery password is different from the one used to log into the unit on a routine ba- sis.

  • Page 36: Configuration Via Command Line (Cli)

    1. Install the USB virtual serial port driver, which is available on the GE MDS web site. 2. Connect a PC to the unit's USB port and establish a console terminal session using a seri- al communications program.
  • Page 37 Table 5-1. CLI Quick Reference Table If you wish to... Enter this CLI command: > request system recovery one-time-password create function > show interfaces-state interface View all network interface status and statistics % set interfaces interface bridge type bridge Create a bridge % set interfaces interface bridge bridge-settings members port eth-0/0/0 Add the ETH1 interface to a...

  • Page 38: Interface Naming

    5.4 Interface Naming Interface naming of physical devices on the MDS™ Master Station uses the following format: -/0/ Where type is one of the following values: Interface Type Abbreviations Type Description Ethernet Interface SD Radio Module wifi WiFi Interface Slot-0 is the slot identifier for the platform manager, while slots 1-3 map to the available inter- face slots in the chassis.
  • Page 39 For IP addressing the Master Station uses a routing prefix expressed in CIDR notation instead of specifying a subnet mask. The CIDR notation is the first address of a network, followed by a slash character (/), and ending with the bit-length (max 32) of the prefix. A subnet mask is expressed in dot-decimal notation.

  • Page 40: Interface Configuration

    A mini-USB-to-USB cable may also be used to connect to a Computer in case no serial port exists. If a mini-USB connection is used, the computer must contain the appropriate device driver. A driver for serial operation can be found on GE MDS website. Configuring...
  • Page 41 Clicking on the row of the port you wish to edit will present you with the following options: Line Mode - Selection of the operation line mode of the serial port. Choices are: • - RS232 (DEFAULT) - RS485 - 2 Wire - RS485 - 4 Wire Baud Rate - The serial port baud rate in bps.
  • Page 42 - 7O1 - 7 char bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit - 7N2 - 7 char bits, no parity, 2 stop bits - 7E2 - 7 char bits, even parity, 2 stop bits - 7O2 - 7 char bits, odd parity, 2 stop bits - 8N1 - 8 char bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (DEFAULT) - 8E1 - 8 char bits, even parity, 1 stop bit - 8O1 - 8 char bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit...

  • Page 43: Lan

    - After the last character of a transmission is output from the serial port, the unit shall keep CTS asserted until the expiration of CTS hold time • CTSKEYPLUS - The unit shall support flow control (Throttling) on the RTS pin. The device is ex- pected to be wired via null modem to an external DCE device.
  • Page 44 Figure 5-1. ETH1 Configuration Screen Description - User defined identifier for this connection - 0-34 characters • Type - Identifier of the type of interface - Do Not Change • Enabled - Checked indicates Enabled (DEFAULT). Disable will prevent usage. •...
  • Page 45 Address - Use for creating static IPv4 IP address and removing this interface from the • built-in Network Bridge. Neighbor- Use for creating mappings from IPv4 addresses to link-layer addresses. • Filter Input - Use for selecting and applying a firewall filter (from available filters) to •...

  • Page 46: Bridging

    Output - Use for selecting and applying a QoS policy (from the available QoS policies) to • the outgoing traffic on this interface. See "Quality of Service (QoS)" in the MDS Orbit MCR Technical Manual (05-6632A01) for more information on creating QoS policies. 5.8 Bridging Understanding The unit supports transparent bridging of LAN, and in firmware versions of 3.0.0 and higher,...
  • Page 47 gated to all member sd-nic interfaces. This insures that all SD radio interfaces in the system are using identical configurations so that interface fail-over is seamless. To access the full suite of SD configuration options, select the sdms interface from the interfaces drawer on the left-hand menu.
  • Page 48 Understanding the use of Media Access Control (MAC) An important feature of the transceiver is Media Access Control (MAC). The radio’s MAC is specifically designed for use with narrow bandwidth, half duplex radio networks such as those commonly used in licensed telemetry systems. When the MAC is enabled, it provides efficient support of multiple data traffic models including multiple hosts, synchronous and asynchronous polls, and report-by-exception (push traffic).

  • Page 49: General

    General This section shows a general overview of the SDMS interface. The current status of the relay switch, as well as which SD NIC is currently active is displayed here. The NIC Status table is composed of the following columns: Chassis Slot –...

  • Page 50: General

    Basic Config Tab General The Basic Settings contains important RF and modem selections for radio operation. Members – The Master Station (sdms) interface is a logical interface that is composed of • one or more physical SD interface cards (sd-nic). The ‘members’ configuration item is the mapping between the logical sdms interface, and the physical sd-nic cards.
  • Page 51 This is factory configured to contain SDM Radio Modules in slot 1 and slot 2 of the Mas- ter Station. If the Master Station is a non-redundant system with only 1 Radio Module, this will contain only ‘sd-1/0/0’. Radio Mode – The radio can operate in one of several modes. The available selections •...
  • Page 52 isolation when operating networks on the same frequency. Note that proper system design is required. Operational Example: SD System “Alpha” has eight units and SD System “Beta” has eight units. A user wishes to occupy frequency 952.1235 MHz on both of these systems. Proper system installation has been adhered to in both networks.
  • Page 53 FCC Part 90 Repeater Mode – Repeater mode must be set to one of the following • values: - None – This is the default value, and is used when the Master Station being con- figured is not to be used as a repeater in the network. - Repeater –...

  • Page 54: Dlink

    12.5 19200M 19200 -106 38400E 38400 For MDS x710-compatible operation. 3200 bps not applicable to SD4. Only available with SDM9D Radio Modules. Dlink Dlink is a GE MDS-proprietary protocol used for diagnostics communications. MDS™ Master Station MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E...

  • Page 55: Mac Settings

    Unit – This parameter identifies the radio in the wireless network with a specific ID • during diagnostic sessions. For compatibility with legacy devices, the value must be 10000 or greater (2710 in hexadecimal). Type – This setting identifies the radio as a Node, Root, Repeater, Peer, or Gate. Each of •...
  • Page 56 Device Type – The role this device will be performing in the network. If this device is • operating as a repeater, the MAC device type MUST be 'remote'. MAC Retries – If a message is not acknowledged after transmission it will be resent. This •...

  • Page 57: Ip Payload

    Access Point Options: • - Peer to Peer Enabled – If enabled, the AP will allow enabled peers to send traf- fic through the AP to other enabled peers by rebroadcasting their transmissions to all other remotes in the system. - Ethernet Rebroadcast Type –...
  • Page 58 be thought of as a ‘remote terminal server’, not to be confused with the SD remote radio’s Ter- minal Server functionality. TCP Server specific configuration options include: Local IP Port – The TCP port number that the server will listen for connections on. •...
  • Page 59 TCP Client specific configuration options include: Server IP Address – The IP address of the server the Master Station is to connect to. • Remote IP Port – The TCP port that the server is listening on. • TCP Server/Client: As the name implies, TCP Server/Client is a combination of the TCP Server mode, and TCP Client mode.
  • Page 60 TCP Server/Client specific configuration options include: Local IP Port – The TCP port number that the server will listen for connections on. • Server IP Address – The IP address of the server the Master Station is to connect to. •...

  • Page 61: Ipv4

    UDP specific configuration options include: Local IP Port – The UDP port number that the server will listen for connections on. • Server IP Address – The IP address of the server the Master Station is to connect to. • Remote IP Port –...

  • Page 62: Firewall Filter

    Firewall Filter The firewall filtering rules to apply to this interface when it is not a member of a bridge or VLAN interface. For full information on applying firewall filters to interfaces, see the MDS Or- bit MCR Technical Manual (05-6632A01). VLAN The VLAN configuration section is used to configure the SDMS interface to be a member of a VLAN.

  • Page 63: Nat

    The NAT configuration section is used to configure network address translation (NAT) on the SDMS interface. For full information on configuring NAT on interfaces, see the MDS Orbit MCR Technical Manual (05-6632A01). MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station...

  • Page 64: Advanced

    Advanced Configuration Tab Advanced Soft-Carrier Dekey – Specifies how long (in ms) to wait after the removal of the keying • signal before actually dropping the transmitter’s carrier. The default setting is 0, but it may be set to any value up to 255 ms. In most cases, no change is required from the default MDS™...
  • Page 65 setting. A possible exception is when the transceiver is inter-working with certain early-generation MDS radio equipment. Push to Talk Signal – Specifies the sensing polarity of the PTT line. This must be • configured to one of the following values: - Off –...
  • Page 66 Modem Receive Tolerance – Changes the receive tolerance of the modem. This value • should always be set to normal unless instructed to change it by GE MDS technical support for specific applications. Modem Transmit Tolerance – Changes the transmit tolerance of the modem. This value •...

  • Page 67: Audio

    RSSI out 0-Point – When RSSI out is enabled, this is the RSSI level (in dBm) that will • result in an output voltage of 0 mV RSSI out mV per dBm – When RSSI out is enabled, this is the voltage (in mV) that will •...

  • Page 68: Enabled Alarms

    transmitter being enabled. The VOX circuit detects a voltage in the range of 0-2 Volts. A single number in the range of 0-15 is used to describe the desired threshold level. For example a value of 7 is approximately 1 volt. Enabled Alarms This configuration section controls which of the various alarms that can be generated on the SD NIC will be propagated up to the platform manager for system logging.

  • Page 69: Link Test

    abled, the alarm will assert for 30 seconds, and then deactivate. If active, it can be manually de- activated prior to timeout by deselecting the slot number of the radio and clicking the Perform action button again. Link Test The primary use of the Link Test is to verify that a specific radio's settings are consistent with the initiator including: Assigned frequency, unit number setting, encryption (if enabled), etc.

  • Page 70: Perform Failover

    Timeout – The time (in milliseconds) that will result in a timeout if no response is • received within that period. Perform Failover If the Master Station is equipped with redundant SD radios, the active radio can be manually toggled by selecting the “Perform” action. The manual toggle-switch on the alarm/relay board must be in the ‘Automatic’...

  • Page 71: Remote Sd Firmware

    Set Payload Encryption Phrase – Change the payload encryption phrase on remote • radios. Set Dlink Encryption Phrase – Change the Dlink encryption phrase on remote radios. • (Only used in transparent mode) Set SCD – Change the Soft Carrier Dekey value on the remote radios. •...

  • Page 72: Remote Sd Reprogramming

    Remote SD Reprogramming OTA Reprogramming Overview This feature is for reprogramming SD remote radios only. This will not reprogram other Master Stations on the network. The “Root” is the central location from which polling originates. Other locations in the network should be designated as “Nodes”...
  • Page 73 Channel Usage – Set to either Intrusive or Passive as desired. • - Passive (Non-intrusive) operation “piggy-backs” reprogramming data onto nor- mal payload data streams, thus allowing payload data to continue uninterrupted, but will be slower than intrusive operation. This mode requires payload data to be sent so that the reprogramming data can be carried.
  • Page 74 Table 5-3. Approximate Reprogramming Times - Passive Mode Modem Speed (bps) Approximate Time Required 4800 6 hours 9600 1 hour, 30 minutes 19200 1 hour, 30 minutes Radio assumptions: Signal strength -85 dBm or stronger, Packet Size: 40, Block Size: 512, Retry: 3, Download Delay: Short.

  • Page 75: Monitoring

    File Path (TFTP/SFTP/FTP) – This field is used to enter the exact name of the file and • path to be imported. Block Size (TFTP) – The TFTP block size to use when transferring the file. Default is • 1024. Port (TFTP) –...
  • Page 76 Discontinuity Time – The time on the most recent occasion at which any one or more of • this interface’s counters suffered a discontinuity or interruption of service. In Octets – The total number of octets received on the interface, including framing •...

  • Page 77: Performance

    Performance Interfaces sdms Status Performance Measured RF Power – Read-only indication of the measured RF output power (in dBm). • Signal to Noise (SNR) – Read-only indication of the signal-to-noise ratio of the received • signal. RSSI – Read-only indication of the measured received signal strength (in dBm). •...

  • Page 78: Statistics

    This screen is read-only and displays the status of the SD NIC interface. Statistics Interfaces sd-x/0/0 Status / Statistics Sd Statistics This section will contain statistics on the MAC, COM Ports, and IP Payload (1-3). Discontinuity Time - The time on the most recent occasion at which any one or more of •...
  • Page 79 Pmux Tx Packets – The total number of data packets transmitted. • Pmux Rx Packets – The total number of data packets received. • Com 1 Tx Packets – The total number of transmitted packets on the COM1 port. • Com 2 Tx Packets –...
  • Page 80 Tx Eth Failed Bytes – Total number of transmitted bytes failed on the Ethernet. • Tx Eth Failed Packets – Total number of transmitted packets failed on the Ethernet. • TCP Keepalive Timeouts – Total number of TCP Keepalive Timeouts by the radio. •...
  • Page 81 MAC Retries – Total number of retires on the MAC. • MAC Acknowledgements – Total number of MAC frames acknowledged by the access • point. (when operating as a remote) MAC TTL Expirations – Total number of frames dropped due to expired time-to-live •...

  • Page 82: Master Station Modules

    6.0 MASTER STATION MODULES The available modules are listed below and described in the following sections. To aid identifi- cation, most modules have their 4-digit base part number printed on the faceplate. These are the 4 numeric digits following 03- prefix. Table 6-1.

  • Page 83: Dc Power Supply Module

    Table 6-2. 6755 AC Power Supply Module Specifications Supply Type SMPS AC to DC Input Voltage Range 100-264 VAC Output 24 VDC, 4.0A Line Frequency 50-60Hz Power Consumption 120W, Maximum Protection Integrated thermal protection, short circuit protection, internal non-serviceable fuse Ambient Temperature range Full capacity from -30°C to +60°C.

  • Page 84: Platform Manager Module

    Table 6-3. DC Power Supply Module (6843, 6844, 6845) Specifications: Supply Type SMPS DC to DC Input Voltage Range +/-36-75 VDC, input is isolated from ground +/-12-36 VDC, input is isolated from ground +/-75-140 VDC, input is isolated from ground Output 24 VDC, 4.0 A Line Frequency...

  • Page 85: Platform Manager Led Indicators

    features a 10-port Ethernet switch and USB hub for backplane connectivity to a number of radio modules. The Platform Manager module does not support hot swappable field re- placement; power must be removed from the system before removal or installation of this device.

  • Page 86: Com1 Interface

    COM1 Interface supports the RS-232 serial data format at serial data rates of 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, COM1 19200, 38400, 57600, and 115200 bps (asynchronous only). Figure 6-5 COM1 Connector (RJ-45) (As viewed from outside the unit) COM1 is hard-wired as a DCE device. Table 6-6.
  • Page 87 In addition to RS-485 mode, the radio is capable of operating in RS-422 mode. Config- ure the port for RS-485 but follow the RS-422 wiring arrangements shown in below un- der COM2 RS-485 and RS-422 Wiring Arrangement. Figure 6-6. COM2 Connector (RJ-45) (As viewed from outside the radio) COM2 is hard-wired as a DCE device.

  • Page 88: Mini Usb Interface

    The USB Interface follows standard Mini-USB wiring and protocol. This interface can be used to access a command line user interface when connected to a computer USB port and the GE provided driver is installed. Refer to “Mini USB” on Page 23 for more information.

  • Page 89: Wifi Antenna Interface (Optional)

    WiFi Antenna Interface (Optional) Integrated WiFi is a future option. GPS Antenna Interface (Optional) Integrated GPS is a future option. 6.4 SD Master Radio Modules Figure 6-7. SD Radio Module (Part No. 03-6846A01-xx) The SD Master Radio Modules are field replaceable, hot swappable, full duplex radios offering narrowband communications.

  • Page 90: Sd Master Radio Module Rf Interface

    Table 6-11. SD Radio Module LEDs LED Name Behavior Meaning GREEN Power applied FLASHING RED Alarmed radio PWR/ALARM FLASHING GREEN Radio power-up Alternating with ACTIVE Firmware is updating GREEN Active ACTIVE Standby Alternating with PWR Firmware is updating BLUE Transmitting BLUE Receiving SD Master Radio Module RF Interface...

  • Page 91: Alarm And Alarm/Relay Modules

    Table 6-13. 6846 SDM4 Radio Module Specifications 400-450MHz (SDM4B) Frequency Band 450-512MHz (SDM4C) Full Half Duplex, Switched Carrier Half Duplex, Single Carrier (Simplex) Duplex Modes Half Duplex modes may operate using software enabled integrated T/R switch for installations that do not require a duplexer.

  • Page 92: Alarm Module Leds

    Table 6-14. Alarm Modules Part Number Description System Interfaces and Indicators Alarm/Audio Connector Both versions of this module provide user connections for external alarm dry contacts and four wire audio. The Alarm or Alarm/Relay module does not support hot swappable field replacement;...

  • Page 93: Alarm/Relay Toggle Switch (6847 Only)

    Terminals 8 and 9 provide solid state relay contacts that close when a minor alarm is • detected. Terminals 10 and 11 provide relay contacts that close when a major alarm is detected. You • can redefine these relay contacts using the radio’s software (switched from minor to major alarm outputs, or vice versa).

  • Page 94: Duplexer Tray

    6.6 Duplexer Tray Current Master Station offerings always include a Duplexer tray whether or not an internal du- plexer is included. This allows consistent cabling from either the Radio Module (non-redundant systems) or the Alarm/Relay Module (redundant systems) to the faceplate of the Duplexer tray. Wiring internal to the Duplexer Tray routes RF Signals to the antenna connections on the back of the Master Station as appropriate to the order configuration.

  • Page 95: Troubleshooting

    GE MDS does not recommend component-level repairs in the field. However, you can replace the radio’s major assemblies without using tools or test equipment. Section 7.4 Replacing Mod- ules covers this in detail.

  • Page 96: Exception And Alarm States

    Table 7-1. Status LEDs – Normal Operation BLUE Platform Manager ALARM ETH1/ETH2 Flashing with Ethernet traffic PWR/ALARM GREEN ACTIVE GREEN Active Radio Module Flashing BLUE when transmitting Flashing BLUE when receiving PWR/ALARM GREEN Standby Radio Module ACTIVE (if present) ALARM MAJ. Alarm Module ALARM MIN.

  • Page 97: Redundant Units

    SD Manager UI. 7.3 Technical Assistance Factory technical assistance is available by contacting GE MDS during business hours (8:30 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time). For telephone assistance, call (585) 241-5510, or visit our website at www.gemds.com for additional contact options.

  • Page 98: Peripheral Modules - Including Platform Manager, Radio, Alarm, And Alarm Relay

    6755 100-220 AC Power Supply Module 100-220 VAC, 50/60 Hz. 120W Max AC Power Supply Module. 6843 +/- 12-36 VDC Power Supply Module +/- 12-36 VDC. 10 A Max. DC Power Supply Module. 6844 +/- 36-75 VDC Power Supply Module +/- 36-75 VDC.

  • Page 99: Internal Duplexer Tray

    You can generally change the radio’s transmit frequency up to 100 kHz without re-tuning the duplexer. The duplexers shown in Figure 7-1. 400 MHz Notch Duplexer can be aligned in the field by experienced technicians using high-quality test equipment. For assistance, contact GE MDS Technical Support for additional details about tuning.

  • Page 100: Mds Sdm9-Bandpass-Type Duplexers

    500 kHz without undesired results. Since this type of duplexer cannot be re-aligned in the field, we recommend contacting the GE MDS Technical Support Department if you suspect a duplexer problem or need one for a different frequency.

  • Page 101: Removing The Internal Duplexer

    Removing the Internal Duplexer To remove the internal duplexer, follow these steps: Disconnect the antenna cables from the back of the chassis. Internal Duplexer Cabling - A number of different duplexers can be installed in the ra- dio. While the physical appearance of the duplexer may vary slightly, its operation and removal remain the same.
  • Page 102 Remove four screws to remove the duplexer assembly from the tray MDS™ Master Station MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E...
  • Page 103 Figure 7-3. Internal Duplexer Removal Use care when removing the duplexer. Physical damage may cause detuning. MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E MDS™ Master Station...

  • Page 104: Technical Reference Data

    8.0 TECHNICAL REFERENCE DATA 8.1 RF Propagation Planning Establishing a reliable point-to-point radio link requires system planning and design. You should have an understanding of the physical parameters affecting propagation. The following material discusses these factors and will assist you in designing a dependable transmission path for your radio link.

  • Page 105: Formulas For System Planning

    Earth Curvature As the distance of a communication link increases, the clearance problem is compounded by the earth’s curvature. Radio waves traveling through typical atmospheric conditions bend slightly, which is represented by treating the earth as though it were slightly flatter than it actually is. Ex- perience has shown that if we consider the earth’s radius 4/3rds of its actual size, we get good agreement between theory and measured propagation results.
  • Page 106 ƒ = frequency in GHz Fresnel Zone Boundary ⋅ 17.3 ------------------- - where: = Fresnel zone boundary in meters = distance from one end of the path to the Fresnel zone boundary (in kilometers) = distance from the other end of the path to the Fresnel zone boundary (in kilometers) D = total path distance (d ) in kilometers ƒ...

  • Page 107: Dbm-Volts-Watts Conversion Chart

    8.2 dBm-Volts-Watts Conversion Chart The dBm-Volts-Watts Conversion Chart below is provided as a convenience for determining the equivalent voltage or wattage of an RF power expressed in dBm. Table 8-1. dBm–Volts–Watts Conversion Chart dBm V dBm V dBm mV dBm µV 100.0 200W .225 1.0mW...

  • Page 108: Glossary Of Terms & Abbreviations

    “modem” side of a computer-to-modem connection. The transceiver described in this manual is hardwired as a DCE device. Digital Signal Processing—See DSP. DLINK—Data Link Mode. This is a GE MDS-proprietary protocol used when the transceiver is in diagnostics mode. MDS™ Master Station...
  • Page 109 NIC: Network Interface Card. This is another name for the modules that are selectively included in the product based on order entry. NX915: A GE MDS NIC module supporting unlicensed operation at 900 MHz MAS—Multiple Address System. A radio system where a central master unit communicates with several remote stations for the purpose of gathering telemetry data.
  • Page 110 Network-Wide Diagnostics—An advanced method of controlling and interrogating GE MDS radios in a radio network. Node—An operating mode of the transceiver with respect to diagnostic/management activities. See also GATE, PEER, and ROOT. Non-intrusive diagnostics—See Passive messaging. OTA—Over-the-Air. PA—Power Amplifier. Packet Radio—A transmission scheme in which data elements are assembled into units, that are consecutively numbered and error-checked at the time of transmittal.
  • Page 111 TX—Abbreviation for “Transmit.” See also RX. VLAN—Virtual Local Area Network WAN—Wide Area Network x710—The generic name for GE MDS legacy transceiver-family products, including the MDS 9710 (900 MHz), MDS 4710 (400 MHz), 2710 (200 MHz) and MDS 1710 (100 MHz). MDS 05-6399A01, Rev. E...
  • Page 112 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Technical assistance for GE MDS products is available from our Technical Support Department dur- ing normal business hours (8:30 A.M.–6:00 P.M. Eastern Time). When calling, please give the com- plete model number of the product, along with a description of the trouble/symptom(s) that you are experiencing.

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