RF400 Series Spread Spectrum Data Radio/Modems

Auto Sense

The RF400 has a default feature called “Auto Sense” that automatically configures certain RF400 settings. When you connect an RF400 to a datalogger (CS I/O port to CS I/O port) the RF400 detects the presence of the datalogger and makes its CS I/O port the active port. When you are not connected to a datalogger’s CS I/O port, Auto Sense detects that and configures its RS-232 port as the active port and configures certain other settings so it can serve as a base RF400.

For point-to-point networks Auto Sense and default settings take care of everything. An exception to this is where you have a neighboring network that is also using the default RF400 settings. In this case, refer to Software Setup Section 5 and change your RF400s to a hopping sequence different than the default settings of “0” (zero). For this point-to-point network, configure both RF400s the same.

Radio Address

Each RF400 has a “Radio Address” that can be changed by the user. In order for two RF400s to communicate, their radio addresses must be set to the same number. The RF400’s factory default radio address is “0” (zero) so a pair of RF400s will be able to communicate out of the box (their network addresses and hopping sequences are also “0” (zero) by default). See Section 4.1.3.1 and Section 5 (Software Setup) for more details.

Step 4 – Connect

You are now ready to Connect to your datalogger using the LoggerNet/PC208W Connect screen. After you connect, notice the flashing of the green LEDs on both RF400s. This indicates that RF packets with the same hopping sequence are being received by the RF400s. The red LEDs light solid while the connection lasts. When you Disconnect, the red LEDs remain on for five seconds, which is the default setting of the “Time of Inactivity to Sleep.”

Datalogger program transfer and data collection are now possible. Refer to Appendix H for a treatment of communication distance vs. factors in the RF path.

4. System Components

4.1 RF400 Series Data Radios

4.1.1 Indicator LEDs

The RF400 has a red LED labeled “Pwr/TX” and a green LED labeled “RX.” When 12V power is applied the red LED lights for ten seconds. About 5 seconds after power-up the green LED lights for a second. Ten seconds after power-up the selected standby mode begins to control the red LED. The red LED lights to indicate when the receiver is actively listening. When the receiver detects RF traffic (header or data with the same hopping sequence), the red LED will light steadily. When the RF400 is transmitting, the red LED will pulse OFF as the RF packets are transmitted (it will not be on solid).

7