RF401

Name: RF401
Brand: Campbell Scientific
SKU: RF401
Availability: Discontinued

900 MHz Spread-Spectrum Radio

RF401

End of life

900 MHz Spread-Spectrum Radio

No longer available to order

This product is retained for service, documentation, and compatibility information.

Replaced by

RF401A
900 MHz Spread-Spectrum Radio
RF407
900 MHz Spread-Spectrum Radio

Model:: RF401
Item Number:: RF401
Warranty:: 1 year

Overview

The RF401 has a 910 to 918 MHz operating frequency range, which is used in the US and Canada. This 100 mW spread-spectrum radio can transmit data to another RF401 radio, an RF430 radio, a CR206(X) datalogger, or an AVW206 vibrating-wire interface.

The RF401 supports point-to-point and point-to-multipoint communications. It can serve as a field modem/radio while connected to the data logger or as a base station modem/radio while connected to a computer. The radio can also serve as a stand-alone RF router/repeater.

Technical Description

The RF401 reduces susceptibility to RF interference from other spread spectrum devices by providing user-selectable frequency hopping patterns. Spread spectrum radios spread the normally narrowband information signal over a relatively wide band of frequencies. This process allows communications to be more immune to noise and interference from RF sources such as pagers and cellular phones.

Benefits

Rugged, low-cost transceivers
Can be used in the field as a transceiver or in the office as the base station
Individual FCC license not required
Transmits up to one mile with omnidirectional antenna; up to 10 miles with higher gain directional antennas at ideal conditions
Settings stored in non-volatile memory
Frequency-hops over 25 channels avoids interference from other spread spectrum radios
Optional extended temperature testing
Faster communication due to elimination of some small "link state packets"
Ability to have stand-alone RF router/repeaters (up to 8 repeaters)
Greater immunity to interference and RF collisions by using RF retries
Reduced power consumption by the data logger, as the radios perform "packet address filtering"
Designed for use in PakBus networks
Built-in setup menus allow access to advanced functionality

Specifications

Operating Frequency: 910 to 918 MHz
Type: Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Transceiver
RS-232 Baud Rate: 38.4K, 19.2K, 9600, 4800, or 1200 bps
Channel Capacity: 65,000 Network Identifiers share 25 hop channels.
Frequency Hopping Patterns: Six different selectable patterns
Frequency Control: Direct FM
Receiver Sensitivity: -110 dBm at 10^-4 bit error rate
(Campbell Scientific protocols will issue retries wherever a bit error occurs.)
Interference Rejection: 70 dB at pager and cellular phone frequencies
Transmitter Power Output: 100 mW
(nominal)
Antenna Connector: Reverse polarity SMA
FCC ID: OUR9XTREAM
Power: 9 to 16 Vdc
LEDs: Power on, TX, RX, diagnostics
RS-232 Connector: 9-pin “D” female
(4 wire: Tx, Rx, CTS, GND)
CS I/O Connector: 9-pin “D” male

Newer data loggers supply power to the RF401 radio on this connector. Data loggers purchased before December 1997 require the pn 14291 Field Power Cable.
Power Connector: Barrel plug, center positive 12 V
(used to connect the 14291 Field Power Cable)
Standard Operating Temperature Range: -25° to +50°C
Extended Operating Temperature Range: -55° to +85°C

The push button that allows you to check/edit programmable settings while the radio is connected to a computer may not operate at temperatures colder than -25°C.
Dimensions: 11.4 x 7.0 x 2.9 cm
(4.9 x 2.8 x 1.2 in.)
Weight: 227 g
(8 oz)

Average Current Drain

Standby: < 1 mA
(power-saving options used)
Receiving: 24 mA
Transmitting: < 75 mA

Accessories

(14)

Common Accessories

(1)

16987
Peripheral Mounting Kit
This kit is used to mount an SC105, SC932A, SC532A, or SC32B to an enclosure backplate. Components of the 16987 include a mounting bracket, a Velcro strap, and screws.
Orderable

Other Accessories

(13)

Replacement Parts

(1)

10873
Serial Data Cable, 9-Pin Socket (Female) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
The 10873 is a serial cable that is useful for connecting the RS-232 port of the datalogger to the 9-pin RS-232 port of a computer. The cable is six feet long.
Orderable

Services

(2)

Ships With

(2)

Compatibility

Communications

Internal Radio of CR206(X) Dataloggers

The RF401 spread spectrum radio can communicate with the internal spread spectrum radio of our CR206(X) dataloggers. Certain RF401 settings must match the CR206(X) settings for communications between the radio and data logger to be successful. The factory default settings of these devices may not match; therefore, they may need to be reconfigured before communications can take place. For more information, refer to the Quick Reference Guide for Setting Up RF401-to-CR206 Communication application note.

Other Spread-Spectrum Radios

The RF401 can be used in networks containing RF430 and RF400 radios. When RF401 radios are used in networks containing RF400 radios, the Protocol must be set to Transparent. Also, if RF400 and RF401 radios will be in the same RF proximity, do not use 28, 44, 52, 56, or 60 for the RF400 Net Address. RF400 radios with Net Addresses of 28, 44, 52, and 56 interfere with RF401 radios with Net Addresses of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The RF400 Net Address of 60 interferes with all RF401 Net Addresses.

Campbell Scientific does not recommend using the RF401 in networks containing FGR-115 or RF450 radios.

Transparent and PakBus Protocols

Do not mix RF401 radios set to the Transparent protocol with RF401 or RF430 radios set to either of the PakBus protocols, since this will produce RF traffic without any RF communications. However radios with the PakBus Aware and PakBus Node settings can coexist in the same network (i.e., some radios set to PakBus Aware and some radios set to PakBus Node).

Enclosure Considerations

A desiccated, non-condensing environment is required. The 14162 Mounting Kit includes hardware for securing the RF401 to an enclosure backplate (see Ordering Info).