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MDR24X User’s Manual

 

10/26/2006  

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1.

 

MDR24X RF Transceiver 

The MDR24X transceiver is a Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) radio designed for 

license-free operation in the 2.4GHz ISM band. Out-of-the box, the radio sustains a standard 
asynchronous serial data stream between two or more radios.  Housed in a compact and rugged 

die-cast enclosure, the radio is equipped to replace thousands of meters of serial cable with its 

wireless link.  The radio features an RS-232 or RS-485 interface for integration into legacy data 
systems. 

 Features 

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Durable Industrial grade enclosure 

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Transparent operation, supports any legacy system 

9

 

Transmits around corners, through walls 

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Reliable communication up to 115.2Kbps 

 

1.1

 

 Overview 

The MDR24X uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum modulation, where the units “hop” 

from frequency to frequency many times per second using a specific hop pattern applied to all 

the transceivers in the same network. A distinct hopping pattern is provided for each Channel 
Number, thereby allowing multiple networks to co-exist in the same area without interference. 

MDR24X transceivers operate in a Point-to-Point or Point-to-Multipoint, Client-Server or Peer-to-
Peer architecture.  One transceiver is configured as a Server and there can be one or many 

Clients.  To establish synchronization between transceivers, the Server emits a beacon.  Upon 

detecting a beacon, a Client transceiver informs its Host and a RF link is established. 

MDR24Xs implement a proprietary communication protocol to provide secure data 

transmissions.  Using FHSS technology, the data remains reliable over long distances. The use 
of license free frequency bands ensures that the units are ready to use with no further 

certification requirements.  

Each unit is small and easily portable for use in mobile and temporary settings as well as for fixed 
installations. The MDR24X configuration software enables custom configurations based on 

unique application requirements.  

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Contents for MDR24x

Page 1: ...eless 2 4GHz Modem User s Manual Version 1 1 1000 Park Drive Lawrence PA 15055 1018 Website www blackbox com Email info blackbox com Order Toll Free in the US Call 877 877 BBOX Outside the US call 724...

Page 2: ...tion regarding the information set forth herein BLACK BOX reserves the right to change specifications at any time and without notice BLACK BOX products are intended for use in normal commercial applic...

Page 3: ...uirements for mobile transmitting devices this equipment must be professionally installed such that the end user is prevented from replacing the antenna with a non approved antenna The end user should...

Page 4: ...ARK NOT DEFINED 4 2 1 ConnexLink Settings 15 4 2 2 Optional Settings 16 4 2 3 PC Settings 16 4 2 4 Additional Features 16 4 3 PROGRAMMING THE MDR24X UNITS 18 5 TROUBLESHOOTING 19 Figures Figure 1 RS 2...

Page 5: ...pattern applied to all the transceivers in the same network A distinct hopping pattern is provided for each Channel Number thereby allowing multiple networks to co exist in the same area without inter...

Page 6: ...cy band RF Technology 2402 2478MHz FHSS Supported Network Topologies Point to Point Point to Multipoint Channels 40 US Canada Europe 20 France Security One byte System ID ANTENNA RF Connector RPSMA Ja...

Page 7: ...ceivers offer performance improvements over a standard cabled link Distance and multipoint communications are greatly enhanced A selection of RS 232 RS 485 can be made when ordering the MDR24Xs Figure...

Page 8: ...dard power is applied through the power connector Alternative power is available via the terminal block pins Pin Description Input Output 1 DCD O 2 TxD O 3 RxD I 4 DSR O 5 GND 6 DTR I 7 CTS O 8 RTS I...

Page 9: ...Reverse Polarity 0 000 0 375 0 000 0 536 0 060 9 Pin Male D Connector Power Jack w 0 100 dia pin and 0 250 opening pin is PWR 0 538 J3 J4 2 375 2 750 4 500 4 750 2 000 0 150 dia mounting holes 4 plac...

Page 10: ...cable is required The null modem simply swaps pins to convert a DCE to a DTE and vice versa A null modem cable can be provided with the MDR24X on request The MDR24X transceivers support the following...

Page 11: ...tive with respect to common RS 232 has numerous handshaking lines primarily used with modems and also specifies a communications protocol Figure 5 RS 232 Male Female Connector Pin out RS 232 DB9 Femal...

Page 12: ...network The MDR24X implements a RS 485 2 wire Half Duplex multi drop interface Typically a RS 485 bus will consist of a master and several slaves The nodes will have unique addresses and can send add...

Page 13: ...end data while the MDR24X buffer is full that data will be discarded To avoid this situation the MDR24X will de assert CTS as a warning that the buffer is filling The host device should stop sending d...

Page 14: ...single communications cable A point to point link might be used to connect a PLC to a remote monitoring station Figure 8 Point to Point Network 3 2 Point to Multipoint Point to Multipoint systems hav...

Page 15: ...d Rate setting of its host device Random Back Off In an asynchronous network where any node can talk at any time the MDR24X can be programmed to use Random Back Off to mitigate the RF Link If two node...

Page 16: ...tem Config selection that was made when the MDR24X was configured Firmware Version Displays the MDR24X s firmware version MAC Address A unique 6 Byte IEEE 802 3 Ethernet address assigned by Black Box...

Page 17: ...eviously known working configuration The first time that a radio is read with Auto Archive enabled will be stored as the Original Configuration Settings with the date and time the record was created S...

Page 18: ...to match specific serial settings If the Interface Baud Rate of the MDR24X unit is changed as described in Section 4 2 Changing MDR24X Settings then PC Setting Baud Rate must be set to the same Baud R...

Page 19: ...received 1 Verify that the baud rate of the MDR24X matches that of the MDR24X host device Client s Link LED does not come on 1 Make sure the unit is connected to power 2 Cycle power to the radio 3 Ver...

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