Description
MPN: MODEM-RFD900x-BARE
Manufacturer: RFDesign
RFD900x-BARE
Core Features (OEM / Performance)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | No Pin header (16Way), No RF Connectors, No heatsink - enabling easier OEM integration into products |
| Processor | New Processor, ARM 32 bit core |
| Air Data Rate | Air data rate: 500kbit/s |
| Encryption | AES Hardware accelerated encryption (Fully working) |
| RC Support | RC PPM Passthrough with telemetry at the same time |
| Protection | Fully ESD protected + filtered - Every IO port is protected and filtered |
| Firmware | Original SiK point to point firmware implemented |
| Multipoint | Asynchronous multipoint firmware (Beta release) |
RF & Performance Features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Range | Long range >40km depending on antennas and GCS setup |
| Demonstrated Range | 80km (Edge Research Labs balloon), 57km (India, dipoles) |
| RF Connectors | 2 x RP-SMA RF connectors, diversity switched |
| Output Power | 1 Watt (+30dBm) transmit power |
| RF Filtering | Transmit low pass filter |
| LNA | >20dB Low noise amplifier, high IP3 |
| RX Filter | RX SAW filter |
| Protection | All I/O ESD protected and filtered |
| Firmware | Re-implemented SiK and Multipoint SiK firmware, field upgradeable |
| Form Factor | Small, lightweight |
| Licensing | License free use in Australia, Canada, USA, NZ |
Interfaces:
| Interface | Details |
|---|---|
| Serial | Logic level TTL (+3.3V) |
| Power | +5V, ~800mA max peak (at maximum transmit power) |
| GPIO | 6 General purpose IO (Digital capable) |
Data & Communication Specifications:
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 902–928 MHz (USA) / 915–928 MHz (Australia) |
| Output Power | 1W (+30dBm), controllable in 1dB steps (±1dB @=20dBm typical) |
| Air Data Rates | 12, 56, 64, 100, 125, 200, 224, 500, 750 kbit/sec (User settable, 64kbit default) |
| UART Data Rates | 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, 230400, 460800, 1M baud (User settable, 57600 default) |
*note these values are correct as of version 3.16 SiK firmware
Software / GCS Support:
The software solution is an open source development called "SiK". It has been re implemented to suit the new processor architecture available on the 32bit ARM processor core. A boot loader and interface is available for further development and field upgrade of the modem firmware via the serial port.
Most parameters are configurable via AT commands, Eg. baud rate (air/uart), frequency band, power levels.
Integrated support for configuring the RFD900 radios is supported by APM Planner.
The default settings are at 57600 baud, N, 8, 1, and 64k air data rate.
The RFD900x manual is here: RFD900x Manual
The RFD900x SiK software manual is here : RFD900x Peer-to-peer Manual
Software & Compatibility
- Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)
- Transparent serial link
- Point to Point, or Multipoint networking
- Configuration by simple AT commands for local radio, RT commands for remote radio
- User configurable serial data rates and air datarates
- Mavlink protocol framing (user selectable)
- Mavlink radio status reporting (Local RSSI, Remote RSSI, Local Noise, Remote Noise)
- Automatic antenna diversity switching on a packet basis in realtime
- Automatic duty cycle throttling based on radio temperature to avoid overheating
Compliance
- FCC Part 15.247 compliant design
- AS/NZS 4268:2012 compliant
- License-free operation in US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
The modem is designed for system integrators who will integrate the modem into their own projects and product prototypes. The user is responsible for compliance with local regulations for radio transmitters.