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Copyright 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 RFM
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File: 400-1436.doc
Rev: B, 1999.03.05
Virtual Wire
Development Kit Manual for DR1200-DK and DR1201-
DK
Virtual Wire
Development Kit Hardware Warranty
Special Notices
1 Virtual Wire
Development Kit Introduction
1.1
Purpose of the Virtual Wire
Development Kit
1.2
Intended User
1.3
General Description
1.4
Key Features
1.5
Development Kit Contents
2 Low-Power Wireless Data Communications
2.1
Operational Considerations
2.2
Regulations
2.3
Example Applications
2.4
FAQs
3 Developing a Virtual Wire
Application
3.1
Simulating the Application
3.2
I/O and Power Considerations
3.3
Communications Protocol
3.4
Antenna Considerations
3.5
Internal Noise Management
3.6
Final Product Testing
3.7
Regulatory Certification
Regulatory Authority
Product Certification
Certification Testing
4 Installation and Operation
4.1
Development Kit Assembly Instructions
4.2
Data Radio Board
Antenna Options
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Copyright 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 RFM
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4.3
Protocol Board
Node Programming
RS232 Interface
LED Functions
4.4
Terminal Program
Installation
Configuration
Operation
5 Theory of Operation
5.1
Data Radio Boards
I/O Interface
TR1000/TR1001 ASH Transceiver
Specifications
5.2
Protocol Board
I/O Interface
RS232 Interface
Protocol Microcontroller
CMOS/RS232 Level Converter
Specifications
5.3
Protocol Firmware
Description
Message Format
5.4
Terminal Program
Description
Source Code Listing
A Drawings
ASH Receiver Block Diagram & Timing Cycle
ASH Transceiver Block Diagram
Antenna Mounting
Node Programming
DR1200 and DR1201 Data Radio Schematic
DR1200 and DR1201 Data Radio Bill of Materials
DR1200 and DR1201 Data Radio Component Placement
916.5 MHz Test Antenna Drawing
868.35 MHz Test Antenna Drawing
PB1001 Protocol Board Schematic
PB1001 Protocol Board Component Placement
PB1001 Protocol Board Bill of Materials
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Copyright 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 RFM
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Virtual Wire
Development Kit Hardware Warranty
Limited Hardware Warranty.
RF Monolithics, Inc. ("RFM") warrants solely to the purchaser that the
hardware components of the Virtual Wire Development Kit (the "Kit") will be free from defects in materials
and workmanship under normal use for a period of 90 days from the date of shipment by RFM. This limited
warranty does not extend to any components which have been subjected to misuse, neglect, accident, or
improper installation or application. RFM's entire liability and the purchaser's sole and exclusive remedy for
the breach of this Limited Hardware Warranty shall be, at RFM's option, when accompanied by a valid
receipt, either (i) repair or replacement of the defective components or (ii) upon return of the defective Kit,
refund of the purchase price paid for the Kit.
EXCEPT FOR THE LIMITED HARDWARE WARRANTY SET
FORTH ABOVE, RFM AND ITS LICENSORS PROVIDE THE HARDWARE ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, AND
WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND EITHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties,
so the above exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also
have other rights which vary from state to state.
Limitation of Liability.
IN NO EVENT SHALL RFM OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DAMAGES (WHETHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHERWISE) IN EXCESS OF
THE PRICE ACTUALLY PAID BY YOU TO RFM FOR THE KIT, REGARDLESS OF UNDER WHAT
LEGAL THEORY, TORT, OR CONTRACT SUCH DAMAGES MAY BE ALLEGED (INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY CLAIMS, DAMAGES, OR LIABILITIES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS
PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR FOR INJURY TO
PERSON OR PROPERTY) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE KIT, EVEN IF RFM
HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT
ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Special notice on restricted use of Virtual Wire
Development Kits
Virtual Wire Development Kits are intended for use solely by professional engineers for the purpose of
evaluating the feasibility of low-power wireless data communications applications. The user's evaluation
must be limited to use of an assembled Kit within a laboratory setting which provides for adequate
shielding of RF emission which might be caused by operation of the Kit following assembly. In field testing,
the assembled device must not be operated in a residential area or any area where radio devices might be
subject to harmful electrical interference. This Kit has not been certified for use by the FCC in accord with
Part 15, or to ETSI I-ETS 300 220 or I-ETS 300 220-1 regulations, or other known standards of operation
governing radio emissions. Distribution and sale of the Kit is intended solely for use in future development
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Copyright 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 RFM
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of devices which may be subject to FCC regulation, or other authorities governing radio emission. This Kit
may not be resold by users for any purpose. Accordingly, operation of the Kit in the development of future
devices is deemed within the discretion of the user and the user shall have all responsibility for any
compliance with any FCC regulation or other authority governing radio emission of such development or
use, including without limitation reducing electrical interference to legally acceptable levels. All products
developed by user must be approved by the FCC or other authority governing radio emission prior to
marketing or sale of such products and user bears all responsibility for obtaining the FCC's prior approval,
or approval as needed from any other authority governing radio emission.
If user has obtained the Kit for any purpose not identified above, including all conditions of assembly and
use, user should return Kit to RF Monolithics, Inc. immediately.
The Kit is an experimental device, and RFM makes no representation with respect to the adequacy of the
Kit in developing low-power wireless data communications applications or systems, nor for the adequacy
of such design or result. RFM does not and cannot warrant that the functioning of the Kit will be
uninterrupted or error-free.
The Kit and products based on the technology in the Kit operate on shared radio channels. Radio
interference can occur in any place at any time, and thus the communications link may not be absolutely
reliable. Products using Virtual Wire technology must be designed so that a loss of communications due
to radio interference or otherwise will not endanger either people or property, and will not cause the loss of
valuable data. RFM assumes no liability for the performance of products which are designed or created
using the Kit.
RFM products are not suitable for use in life-support applications, biological hazard
applications, nuclear control applications, or radioactive areas.
RFM and Virtual Wire are registered trademarks of RF Monolithics, Inc. MS-DOS, QuickBASIC, and
Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
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Copyright 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 RFM
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1 Virtual Wire Development Kit Introduction
1.1 Purpose of the Virtual Wire
Development Kit
The Virtual Wire
Development Kit is a tool for evaluating the feasibility of a low-power
wireless data communications application. The kit also facilitates the development of
the actual system. In addition, the modules in the kit are available from RF Monolithics,
Inc. (RFM) for use in system manufacturing.
1.2 Intended Kit User
The Virtual Wire
Development Kit is intended for use by a professional engineer with
a working knowledge of data communications. The kit itself is not intended as an end
product, or for use by individuals that do not have a professional background in data
communications. Please refer to the Special Notices section in the front of this manual.
1.3 General Description
The Virtual Wire
Development Kit allows the user to implement low-power wireless
communications based on half-duplex packet transmissions. The kit contains the
hardware and software needed to establish a wireless link between two DOS-based
computers with RS232C serial ports. The kit includes two communications nodes, with
each node consisting of a data radio board and host protocol board, plus accessories.
The DR1200-DK kit operates at 916.5 MHz, and the DR1201-DK operates at
868.35 MHz.
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