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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

  • Dan Ho January 15, 2018 at 7:46pm

    Well, USB needs one twisted pair for each direction.  If you can't find an off-the-shelf outdoor type, maybe you could buy the indoor type and just use the electronics by replacing the cable with two silicone twisted pairs.  I do see an indoor one (SKU #1501-SF-52  at  sfcable.com).  The active electronics module is only on one end and it looks like that would be the end that plugs into your pc so it would be indoors (I assume) and wouldn't need to be outside where it might need to be heated.  Well lots of stuff to think about and experiment with. Sounds like fun.

  • Vinh PHAM GIA January 15, 2018 at 7:31pm
    Thomas, I think you may want to look at a TTL-RS485 converter. RS-485 is good industrial standard for long range wired communications, longer range and better immunity to noise than USB at long range. Silicone is not very good neither at very cold conditions. You may try PTFE coated wires, I use it for my high altitude projects where temperature is as low as -70 deg C.
  • Thomas Stanley-Jones January 15, 2018 at 7:19pm

    Thanks for the suggestions.  I think I'll try to find someone who can make an active USB extension out of silicone wire or something so it's not going to break in sub zero temperatures.  I suppose this should also have some kind of shielding to?

  • Dan Ho January 15, 2018 at 6:58pm

    Hi Thomas,

    I'd think you would want to mount the modem on top of the pole and run data & power over the 60 feet (using a $30 active USB extension) rather than the coax because losses can be quite high.  Try this calculator - http://www.qsl.net/co8tw/Coax_Calculator.htm   It shows 9.2dB loss even with a 1:1 SWR with RG-58.  Of course, you could look into low-loss coax but I'm guessing that may get pretty pricey for 60 feet. Not sure.  Interesting project. Good luck.

  • Thomas Stanley-Jones January 15, 2018 at 5:16pm

    I'm looking to put the antennas for my 900+ (for uav basestation) and 900x (for remote instrument control) up on a pole (up to 60' if possible).  Can I use SMA extensions to connect the RFD radios on the ground to their dipole antennas on top of the pole?  How far can antennas be extended without interfering with performance?  Is there a better way to do this?

  • Boas61 January 9, 2018 at 3:57am

    Hi

    I am also curious about powering the RFD900 externally or from the flight controller. It would be simpler to power the radio from the flight controller, so this is my preferred solution. Is it not recommended to do so because you risk to damage your flight controller by drawing too much current, or because the telemetry range could suffer because the radio cannot get enough power? Other outcomes? If it is a question of the range being restricted, I guess it is a matter of testing to see if the actual range you achieve is sufficient for your use?

    Thanks for sharing any insight on this

  • Nicholas Witham January 2, 2018 at 2:53am

    Can the rfd900+ take an sbus signal and send it to an rfd900u, which will then output that same sbus signal? 

  • Thomas Stanley-Jones December 15, 2017 at 4:18am
    When you say checked the baud rate to be 57600, did you check the settings on the individual radios? Use RFD’s tool for that, downloadable from their website. I remember I needed to use version 1.5 for some reason later ones didn’t wok for the 900+. Also, plug into the Pixhawk with a USB and confirm the baud rate on the auto pilot is set to 57600. It likely your radio is set to one thing and the Pixhawk is something else. I think the setting is SERIAL_1_BAUD or something
  • Adam Kelly December 14, 2017 at 11:01pm

    Just to add to above, I also tried on a windows 8.1 machine I had. Still nothing.

  • Adam Kelly December 14, 2017 at 9:37pm

    Hi All - having a bit of an issue with my RFD900+ I hope someone can help me out? I'm getting solid green LED with the radio plugged in via usb and the aircraft powered up, so that side is working, but I cannot connect in mission planner. I can't even read the settings. I just get "failed to enter command mode".

    I've tried the following:

    - reallocating the com port number (tried a few different ones)

    - confirming the baud rates are 57600

    - updating drivers

    - manually removing the drivers using the CDMUninstaller then reinstalling

    - cycling the power, restarting the computer all that stuff

    - doing a clean install of windows (10) and reinstalling everything again

    Still nothing. This radio has worked before with this plane using mission planner, but just seems to have stopped working at random while packed away.

    Any ideas would be great?

    Cheers,

    Adam

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