RFD900, RFD900+ - New long range radio modem - Discussions

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

Hi Jeremy,

The 3dr modems have ECC enabled by default. I found that the 900+ will not connect with either the RFD900 or 3dr modems if ECC in enabled, no matter what version the firmware. Here is Seppo's reply on that:

Hi Don,

There has been a bit of work back/forth over time with ECC. The problem has been limited code space available on units with features that have been added. http://files.rfdesign.com.au/firmware/

Has the current and a few good historical versions. RFD900p V1.9

would be worth checking with compatibility with 3DR modems and older firmware.

My experience with ECC has been that some times it has trouble loading parameters in mission planner, and the extra correction capability has not really been needed for most applications. As a result, it hasn't had much of a focus over time. In addition, ECC doubles the bandwidth requirements for the link, reducing the telemetry rates available.

Modem firmware development has slowed a little, the next features needing to be tested are AES encryption..

Seppo

-Don

Replies

Michael Lin November 27, 2015 at 8:20am

Hi, Seppo,

I can connect my RFD900+ to RFD900+ with FW 1.9 with no problem as long as the green light on the unit stay solid. If I use config tool, then green light will start blinking, even after I finish with config tool, which make connection impossible. The only way to fix that is restart my computer. I tried to unplug unit from computer, no work. I'm trying to find a way to fix that without restart my computer. I'm thinking about that probably because when I use config tool, it puts unit in to "config mode", therefore, it doesn't let me connect, just like solid red light is bootload mode.

Also, config tool 1.6 can not make unit go boot load mode. But I managed to use Mission planner to get in bootload mode. Hope you can fix that.

-Michael
This reply was deleted.
- Don LeRoi November 27, 2015 at 8:01am
  
  Hi Jeremy,
  
  The 3dr modems have ECC enabled by default. I found that the 900+ will not connect with either the RFD900 or 3dr modems if ECC in enabled, no matter what version the firmware. Here is Seppo's reply on that:
  
  Hi Don,
  
  There has been a bit of work back/forth over time with ECC. The problem has been limited code space available on units with features that have been added. http://files.rfdesign.com.au/firmware/
  
  Has the current and a few good historical versions. RFD900p V1.9
  
  would be worth checking with compatibility with 3DR modems and older firmware.
  
  My experience with ECC has been that some times it has trouble loading parameters in mission planner, and the extra correction capability has not really been needed for most applications. As a result, it hasn't had much of a focus over time. In addition, ECC doubles the bandwidth requirements for the link, reducing the telemetry rates available.
  
  Modem firmware development has slowed a little, the next features needing to be tested are AES encryption..
  
  Seppo
  
  -Don
  
  Firmware | RFDesign Files
  
  Here you will find Supporting files, Binaries and Tools to use our products
  - This reply was deleted.
    - Don LeRoi November 27, 2015 at 10:05am
      
      Jeremy,
      
      You have to disable ECC on both modems.
      
      The NetIDs have to be the same, but NodeID is for when one radio (say the aircraft's) is communicating with more than one other radio (say multiple ground stations). In which case, one has to be the master (node 0) and the others slaves (not node 0). But, you also have to running the Multipoint SIK firmware. I think you can change NodeID only if you are running the Multipoint SIK (I never have).
      
      Setup instructions are pretty sketchy and "facts" you find in the forums are largely anecdotal.
      
      -Don
jlcortex November 25, 2015 at 2:00pm

Hello,

Seppo wrote in RCGroups this:

"the new 900MHz modem (RFD901?), may be able to do PPM in and PPM out directly from the modem. So, not sure on the best solution here. Any thoughts on a good way to go about long range RC would be well received."

Someone knows about or has tested this feature?
- Nicholas Witham > jlcortex November 25, 2015 at 5:48pm
  
  I think that feature is for a new piece of hardware, not yet released.
  
  Im keen on it also, and have been waiting quietly for some time now.
  
  While I have your attention, I sent you an email a few weeks ago regarding the SpidexV3 bottom plate PDB and more specifically, a part number for the choke that's meant to be soldered to it. Any chance you'd be able to help me out with a quick explanation/reply to the email.
  
  I did get a response from the quaternium staff, but all they sent me was 2 videos showing how to build the V2 frame, nothing on the choke.
cristian escudero November 19, 2015 at 1:40pm

Hello,

I am looking to increase my actual range of telemetry in my IRIS+ , today I can get from 100 to 300 mts, depending on the day and the obstacles, If I add a RFD 900+ connected to my Notebook in the field and mantaining the 3DR stock telemetry in my IRIS+ would I be able to connect them, will this increase the reception at my Notebook from telemetry from the RIS+?

What changes or tunning will be needed to make this working...I do not need 1 kms range , just being able to get perfect telemetry form 600-700 mts will be great for my Mapping uses of the IRIS+

thanks

Cristian
- Chris Khosravi > cristian escudero November 25, 2015 at 5:33pm
  
  I use a 100mw on my aircraft and the RFD900 on the ground and still maintain 98% telemetry link at 1.5-2 miles. The link is so good I really have no reason to put an RFD900 in the aircraft.
This reply was deleted.
- iskess October 28, 2015 at 2:37pm
  
  The RFDFLEX1is a better antenna but difficult to mount vertically. The best orientation is one antenna vertically and one horizontally. I would use the RFDFLEX2 on a vertical stabilizer and a RFDFLEX1 mounted horizontally on the fuselage or wing.
Jason Franciosa October 27, 2015 at 5:20pm

Hello,

Is there any updates on the AES128 bit encryption for the RFD900+?

It's been promised for quite a while but I can't seem to see any updates or progress on this.

Thank you,

Jason
- Raph > Jason Franciosa October 28, 2015 at 7:10am
  
  +1 here! This would be an amazing addition

of 61

This reply was deleted.