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RFD900, RFD900+ - New long range radio modem

Posted by Seppo on May 25, 2012 at 8:15am

Hi All,

I would like to introduce you to a new radio modem that we developed for very long range datalinks!

http://rfdesign.com.au/RFD900.php

Some of the key features of the RFD900 are as follows:

  • Multi point and point to point link capability.
  • Long range >40km depending on antennas and GCS setup.
  • 2 x RP-SMA RF connectors, diversity switched.
  • 1 Watt (+30dBm) transmit power.
  • Transmit low pass filter.
  • > 20dB Low noise amplifier.
  • RX SAW filter.
  • Passive front end band pass filter.
  • Open source firmware / tools, field upgradeable, easy to configure.
  • Small (30 x 57 x 13 mm), light weight (14.5g).
  • Compatible with 3DR / Hope-RF radio modules.
  • License free use in Australia, Canada, USA, NZ.

 

These modems are designed to support long range applications, while being easy to use and affordable.  

These modems have been flying in various platforms and have demonstrated excellent performance in real applications. 

RFD900 modems are now available at: http://store.rfdesign.com.au

Support within APM planner and the radio configurator from Michael Oborne is already available.

It works seamlessly with APM planner, all radio Mavlink parameters are available.

Update, December 2014:  The RFD900+ with improved specifications is available now at:

http://store.rfdesign.com.au/rfd-900p-modem/

Seppo Saario

rfdesign.com.au

 

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Replies

  • Developer
    davidbuzz January 30, 2017 at 3:10pm

    there's a super helpful post from Kent at RFDesign who gave details on what setting/s to change....  here: http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/rfd900-new-long-range-radio-modem...

  • Michael Nunan January 30, 2017 at 10:28am

    We have purchased some 900x radios and I am looking for information on using the PPM passthrough mode.

    Do I need to setup the Radio with AT commands or can it all be done inside of mission planner CIN and COUT check boxes...

    i.e. setup Pins as Input / Output?

    RTPP
    put Val: 0
    Pin:1 Output Val: 0
    Pin:2 Output Val: 0
    Pin:3 Output Val: 0
    Pin:4 Output Val: 0
    Pin:5 Output Val: 0
    ATPP
    Pin:0 Output Val: 0
    Pin:1 Output Val: 0
    Pin:2 Output Val: 0
    Pin:3 Output Val: 0
    Pin:4 Output Val: 0
    Pin:5 Input Val: 1
    ATPI=4
    OK
    ATPP
    Pin:0 Output Val: 0
    Pin:1 Output Val: 0
    Pin:2 Output Val: 0
    Pin:3 Output Val: 0
    Pin:4 Input Val: 1
    Pin:5 Input Val: 1
    RTZ

    From discussion it looks like GPI1_1R/CIN and GPI1_1R/COUT refer to pin 15 - is that correct?

    15  P2.6 Either Digital I/O 5V

    ATI5
    S0:FORMAT=32
    S1:SERIAL_SPEED=57
    S2:AIR_SPEED=64
    S3:NETID=14
    S4:TXPOWER=11
    S5:ECC=0
    S6:MAVLINK=1
    S7:OPPRESEND=1
    S8:MIN_FREQ=915000
    S9:MAX_FREQ=928000
    S10:NUM_CHANNELS=20
    S11:DUTY_CYCLE=100
    S12:LBT_RSSI=0
    S13:RTSCTS=0
    S14:MAX_WINDOW=131
    S15:ENCRYPTION_LEVEL=0
    S16:GPI1_1R/CIN=1
    S17:GPO1_1R/COUT=0
    R0:TARGET_RSSI=255
    R1:HYSTERESIS_RSSI=50
    RTI5
    S0:FORMAT=32
    S1:SERIAL_SPEED=57
    S2:AIR_SPEED=64
    S3:NETID=14
    S4:TXPOWER=11
    S5:ECC=0
    S6:MAVLINK=1
    S7:OPPRESEND=0
    S8:MIN_FREQ=915000
    S9:MAX_FREQ=928000
    S10:NUM_CHANNELS=20
    S11:DUTY_CYCLE=100
    S12:LBT_RSSI=0
    S13:RTSCTS=0
    S14NDOW=131
    S15:ENCRYPTION_LEVEL=0
    S16:GPI1_1R/CIN=0
    S17:GPO1_1R/COUT=1
    R0:TARGET_RSSI=255
    R1:HYSTERESIS_RSSI=50
    ATPP
    Pin:0 Output Val: 0
    Pin:1 Output Val: 0
    Pin:2 Output Val: 0
    Pin:3 Output Val: 0
    Pin:4 Input Val: 1
    Pin:5 Input Val: 1
    RTPP
    Pin:0 Output Val: 0
    Pin:1 Output Val: 0
    Pin:2 Output Val: 0
    Pin:3 Output Val: 0
    Pin:4 Output Val: 0
    Pin:5 Output Val: 0

    Thanks

    Michael Nunan

    ING Robotic Aviation

  • Henri January 24, 2017 at 7:32am

    @benny arisusanto: Yes indeed! :-) RFD 900X solved

    That is very encouraging . I'll measure the lag time on CPPM signal with a scope and will report the values.

    3702346069?profile=original

  • benny arisusanto January 24, 2017 at 6:45am

    Solve, mission planner can read 900x parameter.

    Mission planner have to be update to Beta Update

  • Henri January 22, 2017 at 11:19pm


    @davidbuzz: Did you manage to get mission planner (with 900x on usb)  talking to another 900x on an airframe?


    davidbuzz said:

    AFAIK:   the 900x radios are superior to the 900+ in just about every way,  ( which itself is great) but the loss that had to occur in doing the moride advanced features of the 900x was that they are not (currently) air-compatible with the 900+ radios in software/firmware.      Of course, that said, it's not a hardware limitation, not that I know of anyway, so totally possible, in theory, for someone who was keen to make their 900x and 900+ air-compatible.    I just don't think it's top priority for the manufacturer right at this moment.  

  • Henri January 21, 2017 at 6:05am

    3702344900?profile=originalPerhaps I would be better asking rfdesign.com.au to exchange my rfd900x set of modems for 900+ ones? (At least the 900 and 900+ sets I have work great with mission planner.)

    Don't need encryption at this stage,

    I have air-frames grounded because of these incompatibilities between mission planner and 900x modems.

    not good, :-(

    Henri

     

    Home
    Designers and manufacturers of RF Electronics, Telemetry modems and RFID equipment. Specialists in UAV telemetry with the RFD900 radio modem.
  • Pascal P. January 21, 2017 at 5:01am

    Any user feedback on PPM through RFD900x ? A post is talking about expected latency, what kind are we expectinh here ?

    Also do you plan a 868 Mhz modem for Europe ?

  • kent Martin January 21, 2017 at 4:01am

    The RFD900x document is still in progress but most AT commands are common with rfd900+ (with exception to encryption and PPM configs)

    The AT command set for rfd900+ can be found here:

    http://rfdesign.com.au/documentation/sik-at-commands/

    Kent

    benny arisusanto said:

    Here is reply from rfd:

    "Hello,

    I have confirmed the issue and it is due to a slight change in the communications of the settings of the new modems. We have communicated the issue to the mission planner developer and expect that it will not be too difficult for him to fix. In the mean time the only supported method for updating or checking modem settings is to use the AT command set.


    Regards,
    Moreton King
    "

    Type +++ at command and get reply OK

    And then no answer from moreton what have to do.
    SiK AT Commands
  • benny arisusanto January 21, 2017 at 1:32am
    Here is reply from rfd:

    "Hello,

    I have confirmed the issue and it is due to a slight change in the communications of the settings of the new modems. We have communicated the issue to the mission planner developer and expect that it will not be too difficult for him to fix. In the mean time the only supported method for updating or checking modem settings is to use the AT command set.


    Regards,
    Moreton King
    "

    Type +++ at command and get reply OK

    And then no answer from moreton what have to do.
  • Henri January 21, 2017 at 1:14am

    rfd900x modems: 

    Did flash RFDSiK V2.53 rfd900x.bin using the RFD900x Flash Programmer: OK

    Using Hyperterminal, I can use the AT commands and the modems are ok.

    Unfortunately, mission planner isn't able to talk to these modems???

    Don't know what to do next..

    Any help welcome.

    Thank you in advance.

    Henri

This reply was deleted.

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