RF401A

900 MHz Spread-Spectrum Radio
RF401A

RF401A

Orderable

900 MHz Spread-Spectrum Radio

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Model:
RF401A
Item Number:
RF401A
Warranty:
1 year

Overview

The RF401A is a 900 MHz radio designed for license-free use in several countries, including the United States and Canada. It provides a hassle-free way to create long-distance wireless links between your computer, data loggers, and measurement devices. The RF401A has a 910 to 918 MHz operating-frequency range and a configurable transmit-power output of 5 to 250 mW.

Campbell Scientific recommends the RF401A radios for existing installations that require compatibility with products such as the RF401, CR206X, CR211X, AVW206, and AVW211. For new installations, Campbell Scientific recommends using the RF407 or RF451.

Note: The image depicts the RF401A with an attached antenna. The antenna is sold separately.

Technical Description

The RF401A is a frequency hopping spread spectrum radio designed for 900 MHz license-free ISM band operation. It has a 910 to 918 MHz operating-frequency range and a configurable transmit power output of 5 to 250 mW. It provides one of three selectable active connections including CS I/O, RS-232, and USB. It has a reverse polarity SMA (RPSMA) antenna jack connection. It is over the air compatible with legacy 9XStream products including the RF400, RF401, RF430, CR205, CR206(X), and AVW206.

 

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

Radio Type
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Frequency
910 to 918 MHz
Country Used In
US, Canada
Transmission Distance
-Note- Transmission distance assumes line-of-sight and appropriate antenna. Line-of-sight obstructions, RF interference, and antenna type will affect transmission distance.
Up to 1.61 km (1 mi) with omnidirectional antenna; up to 16.09 km (10 mi) with higher-gain directional antennas at ideal conditions
Power Output
5 to 250 mW

(software-selectable)

Receiver Sensitivity
-109 dBm

(Campbell Scientific protocols will issue retries wherever a bit error occurs.)

Channel Capacity
7 hop sequences share 25 frequencies.
RF Throughput Data Rate
9.6 kbps
Data Rate
10 kbps
Antenna Connector
Reverse Polarity SMA (RPSMA) jack
LEDs
Power on, Tx, Rx, diagnostics
RS-232 Baud Rate
1200 to 115200 bps
CS I/O Modes
SDC 7, 8, 10, 11, and ME master
Average Current Drain
Transmit: < 80 mA

(250 mW TX power)

Stand-by: < 0.5 mA

(depending on power-saving mode)

Receive: 15 mA
Power
9 to 16 Vdc
Power Connector
2.5 mm DC power jack
Operating Temperature Range
-25° to +50°C

(standard)

-40° to +85°C

(extended)

Communication Ports
RS-232 9 pin D female
CS I/O 9 pin D male
USB Type B jack
Service Requirements
Shares frequency with other devices.

Must not cause harmful interference to licensed radios. Requires line-of-sight.

Dimensions
11.1 x 6.9 x 2.7 cm

(4.4 x 2.7 x 1.1 in.)
Dimension are from the tip of antenna connector to other side of case, and from the bottom of case to the top of DB9 connector jack screw. The width includes the thickness of the screw heads on the screws that hold the case together.

Weight
136 g

(4.8 oz) without "Ships With" items

283.5 g

(10 oz) with "Ships With" items

Certifications

United States (FCC Part 15.247)
MCQ-XB900HP
Industry Canada (IC)
1846A-XB900HP

Common Accessories

(15)

Similar Products

(3)

Compatibility

Communications

The RF401A is over-the-air compatible with the RF401, RF430, CR206, CR206X, and AVW206. 

Other Radios

The RF401A is also compatible with the RF400 and CR205, but the communication protocol must be set to transparent. Also, if RF400 and RF401A 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 RF401A radios with Net Addresses of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The RF400 Net Address of 60 interferes with all RF401A Net Addresses.

Campbell Scientific does not recommend using the RF401A in networks containing FGR-115 or RF450 radios.

Transparent and PakBus Protocols

Do not mix RF401A radios using the Transparent protocol setting with RF401A, RF401, RF430, CR206(X), or AVW206 devices using a PakBus protocol setting. 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.

Data Logger Considerations

Data Logger RS-232 CS I/O
CR200(X)
CR800/CR850
CR1000
CR3000
CR5000
CR9000(X)
CR300 *
CR6
CR510-PB
CR10X-PB
CR23X-PB
Mixed-array data loggers **

Notes:
*Use a 18663 null modem cable.
**It is possible to connect a mixed-array data logger (e.g., CR10, CR10X, CR23X, 21X, CR7) by using an SC932A or SC105 between the data logger's CS I/O port and the RF401A's RS-232 port.

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