Product Highlights
- Enable you to interconnect teminals as far as 20 miles apart!
- Use in mobile, temporary, or fixed installations—point-to-point or multipoint.
- Operate in the license-free 900-MHz band using FHSS technology.
Features
Support either RS-232 or RS-485 2-wire, half-duplex communications for easy integration into legacy systems.
Industrial-grade transceivers feature durable, die-cast enclosures to withstand temperature extremes and the elements.
Plug-and-play design and GUI-based configuration software enable quick setup.
A USB host version is available if you prefer to your control PC's USB port instead of a standard serial port.
Set up wireless links to your factory-floor devices fast with these affordable, ready-to-use tranceivers from Black Box.
Perfect for industrial, commerical, or campus applications, our 900-MHz Serial Transceivers use Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology to provide reliable 115.2-kbps communications. They transmit around corners, through walls, and even in environments that are typically hostile to RF signals.
The transceivers support links at extended distances, too—up to 20 miles (32.1 km) outdoors with clear line-of-sight. Indoors, the 900-MHz Serial Transceivers transmit up to 1500 feet (457.2 m). Just think what you can do by being able to control serial devices at these distances. Better yet, think about how much you'll save by not having the added cost of cabling. (See "Applications" below.)
Choose from RS-232- or RS-485-pinned models, available as standalone units and complete kits for your client/server setups. If you prefer to make your server-side links via your PC or laptop USB port, order the 900-MHz, 200-mW USB Host Transceiver (MDR291A). Then select the individual remote RS-232 or RS-485 unit(s) suitable for your application. (NOTE: The USB version supports a maximum distance of 4 miles [6.4 km]).
Set your wireless system up in minutes.
The transceivers transmit standard asynchronous RS-232 or RS-485 serial data to one or more client transceivers.
The central server node supports any number of remote client nodes in point-to-point or multipoint settings. You can send communications to all devices, or you can address packets to a specific destination using the unique MAC addresses embedded in each transceiver.
No special host software is needed, and the included GUI-based, Windows® compatible software enables you to custom-configure your transceivers to suit your specific application requirements.
You can even create a number of subnetworks (simply by assigning unique radio addresses to the specific groups) and co-locate unique networks within the same site—without any concerns over possible interference. In fact, you can create up to 32 independent networks with the RS-232 and RS-485 900-MHz Serial Transceivers. The USB version, with even more channels, supports 56 independent networks.
A distinct hopping pattern is provided for each channel, and an embeded RF232® protocol ensures error detection and link verfication. To establish an RF link, the server-end unit emits a beacon to each client transceiver, which then informs the host that it has detected the beacon. DES encryption keeps data safe by encoding bit streams across the data link.
Need to link devices in areas not suitable for 900-MHz communications? Then see our 2.4-GHz Serial Transceivers (MDR242A, MDR243A-KIT, MDR244A, MDR245A-KIT).
NOTE: To configure the RS-485 2-wire, half-duplex models and translate RS-485 to RS-232, you'll need an RS-485 to RS-232 converter, such as the BLACK BOX® Async RS-232RS-485 Interface Converter, DB9 Female to Terminal Block (IC1620A-F). To order, see the "Related Products" column in the previous window. For more information, contact our FREE Tech Support.
Applications:
Set up reliable communciations between a control room and factory or lab devices. Because there's no wiring to deal with, you can move links from machine to machine in minutes.
Link weight scales and other measurement equipment, as well as data logging, monitoring, and control instrumentation, and upload data to your PC without having to leave your control station.
Establish permanent serial links to retail kiosks, point of purchase (PoP) displays, or ATMs. Unobtrusive and ultra-compact, the transceivers are easy to keep out of customers' sight.
Set up temporary links for trade show or other event demos in which serial devices are used. With these portable transceivers, you can shorten booth setup and tear-down time, and there are no pesky cables to snarl you—or your visitors.
Install less-evasive links for electronic signage. No trenches to dig, no pulling cable through a maze of conduit, no worrying about other contractors accidentally breaking your wired connection.
Specifications
Antenna Type — 1/2 wave dipole
Channels (Maximum) — MDR292A, MDR293A-KIT, MDR294A, MDR295A-KIT: 32;
MDR291A: 56
Data Rate (Maximum) — 115.2 kbps
Distance (Maximum) — MDR292A, MDR293A-KIT, MDR294A, MDR295A-KIT: 20 mi. (32.1 km) with clear line of sight;
MDR291A: 4 mi. (6.4 km) with clear line of sight
Frequency Band — 902–928 MHz FHSS FSK modulation (U.S.)
Network Topologies Supported — Point-to-point or point-to-multipoint (server/client architecture)
Operating Temperature: -40 to +176º F (-40 to +80º C)
RF Data Rate — 76.8 kbps (fixed)
Security — 1-Byte System ID; 56-bit DES encryption key
Connectors — Serial: MDR292A, MDR293A-KIT: (1) DB9 M (RS-232);
MDR294A, MDR295A-KIT: Terminal block (RS-485);
MDR291A: (1) USB Type B
Antenna: (1) RPSMA jack;
Power: (1) barrel jack
Indicators — (4) LEDs: Power, Link, Transmit, Receive
Power — MDR292A, MDR293A-KIT, MDR294A, MDR295A-KIT: 100–240-VAC, 50–60-Hz, autosensing transformer on 6-ft. (1.8-m) U.S. cord to 7.5 VDC;
Consumption (at 12 VDC): 400 mA TX, 40 mA RX;
Output: 1000 mW variable;
Input: 7–18 VDC;
MDR291A: Via the USB port;
Consumption (at 12 VDC): 107 mA TX, 51 mA RX;
Output: 200 mW variable;
Input: 5 VDC from USB bus
Size — Each transceiver: 1.4"H x 4.4"W x 2.7"D (3.6 x 11.2 x 6.9 cm)
Weight — Each transceiver: 0.3 lb. (0.2 kg)
Buying Tips
NOTE: Need to link devices in areas not suitable for 900-MHz communications? Then see our 2.4-GHz Serial Transceivers (MDR242A, MDR243A-KIT, MDR244A, MDR245A-KIT).
To configure the RS-485 models, you may also need:
Async RS-232RS-485 Interface Converter, DB9 Female to Terminal Block (IC1620A-F)
Questions? Contact our FREE Tech Support.
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