RFD900X PLUS 915MHz Ultra 40km Long Range Telemetry

Description

RFD900X PLUS 915MHz Ultra 40km Long Range Telemetry

The RFD900x is a high-performance 900MHz, ISM band radio modem covering the 902 – 928 MHz frequency band. It is designed for long-range serial communications applications requiring best in class radio link performance.

New Features for the X series:
New Processor, ARM 32-bit core.
Air data rate: 500kbit/s.
AES Hardware accelerated encryption. *Fully working*
RC PPM Passthrough with telemetry at the same time.
GPIO Pin Mirroring – See the datasheet for more information.
Original SiK point-to-point firmware implemented.
Asynchronous multipoint firmware, *Beta release*

Key Features:

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, high IP3.

RX SAW filter.

Passive front-end bandpass filter.
Fully ESD protected + filtered – Every IO port is protected and filtered.
Re-implemented SiK and Multipoint SiK firmware, field upgradeable, easy to configure.
Small, lightweight.
License-free use in Australia, Canada, USA, and NZ.
Note: It is not air-compatible with older “+” series modems and the current software.

Compliance:

The RFD900 is designed to be compliant with the following standards:

FCC Part 15.247 (Frequency hopping and digitally modulated intentional radiators)
AS/NZS 4268:2012 (Radio equipment and systems – short range devices)

Specifications:

Frequency Range:  902 – 928 MHz (USA) / 915 – 928 MHz (Australia) / 868 – 870 (European Band)
Output Power: 1W (+30dBm), controllable in 1dB steps ( +/- 1dB @ <20dBm, +/- 0.5dB >=20dBm typical )
Air Data transfer rates: 4, 64, 128, 250, 500 kbit/sec ( 64k/128k default )
UART data transfer rates: 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 baud, and higher. ( 57600/115200 default )
Receive Sensitivity: >121 dBm at low data rates, high data rates (TBA)
Size: 30 mm (wide) x 57 mm (long) x 12.8 mm (thick) – Including RF Shield, Heatsink, and connector extremities
Weight: 14.5g
Mounting: 3 x M2.5 screws, 3 x header pin solder points
Power Supply: +5 V nominal, (+3.5 V min, +5.5 V max), ~800 mA peak at maximum power
Temp. Range: -40 to +85 deg C, tested operational from -73 to +123 deg C.

Interfaces:

RF: 2 x RP-SMA antenna connectors – it is OK to have only one antenna connected
Serial: Logic level RS232 (+3.3v nominal, +5v tolerant)
Power: +5v, ~800mA max peak (at maximum transmit power)
GPIO: 6 General purpose IO (Digital, ADC, PWM capable).
The following cable from FTDI is compatible with the RFD900 modem. Pin 1 of the FTDI cable connects to Pin 1 of the RFD900 header.

To power the modem from the +5V USB power, a jumper is needed between pins 4 and 6.
To power the modem from an external +5V supply, connect power to pins 2 and 4.