RF Design RFD 868+ Radio Modem – Air End

Additional Modem and accessories for the Air End (your Drone), if you have multiple drones and want to use the same ground station this saves you on buying full Radio Modem bundles

The kit consists of:
1x RFD868+ Radio Modems
1 x Antenna, 868-900MHz Quarter wave monopole 2.1dBi
1 x Antenna, 868-900MHz Right Angle Quarter wave monopole 2.1dBi
1 x Choose connector for Pixhawk 1 or 2

RFD868+ Updates:
Same form factor and main pins as compared to the original RFD900.
New LNA with higher gain and high IP3 for high interference environments.  Approx 1-2dB higher sensitivity compared to original RFD900.
Updated CPU with double the RAM and Flash.
AES Hardware accelerated encryption support
Fully ESD protected + filtered – Every IO port is protected and filtered. Has passed preliminary CISPR 22 radiated emissions testing at an accredited test lab.
Thicker PCB for extra mechanical strength.
On board voltage regulation for all circuits compliant with FCC modular approval.

Features:
Long range >40km depending on antennas and GCS setup2 x RP-SMA RF connectors, diversity switched.
1 Watt (+30dBm) transmit power.
Transmit low pass filter.
> 20dB Low noise amplifier, high IP3 (Updated on RFD868+)
RX SAW filter.
All I/O ESD protected and filtered (New on RFD868+)
Open source firmware SiK (V1.x) / tools, field upgradeable, easy to configure.
Multipoint software capability with MP SiK (V2.x)
Small, light weight.
Compatible with 3DR / Hope-RF radio modules.
License free use in Australia, Canada, USA, NZ

Interfaces:
RF : 2 x RP-SMA connectors
Serial: Logic level TTL (+3.3v nominal, +5v tolerant)
Power: +5v, ~800mA max peak (at maximum transmit power)
GPIO: 6 General purpose IO (Digital, ADC, PWM capable).

Specifications:
Frequency Range:  868 – 869 MHz
Output Power: 1W (+30dBm), controllable in 1dB steps ( +/- 1dB @=20dBm typical )
Air Data transfer rates: 4, 8, 16, 19, 24, 32, 48, 64, 96, 128, 192 and 250 kbit/sec ( User selectable, 64k default )
UART data transfer rates: 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 baud  ( User selectable, 57600 default )
Output Power: 1W (+30dBm)
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 extremeties
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.

Software / GCS Support:
Note: Firmware for the RFD868 is the same as RFD900, the board identity is defined in the bootloader.  The correct file to upgrade a RFD868 is RFDSik Vx.xx rfd900p.ihx
The software solution is an open source development called “SiK” originally by Mike Smith and improved upon by Andrew Tridgell and RFDesign. A boot loader and interface is available for further development and field upgrade of the modem firmware via the serial port.
Most parameters are configurable via AT commands, Eg. baud rate (air/uart), frequency band, power levels, etc., please see the 3DR wiki for commands below for now.
V2.x firmware has been updated to support multipoint networking on the RFD868/900.
V1.x (non multipoint) is suitable for point to point links – the sourcecode is located at:   https://github.com/RFDesign/SiK
The user manual / datasheet can be found here : RFD900 Datasheet
A software manual for SiK firmware is here : RFD868/900 Software manual
RFD868/900 configuration tool and firmware repository: RFDesign Files
3DR/RFD868,900 compatible configuration tool : http://vps.oborne.me/3drradioconfig.zip
Wiki for the 3DR radios (RFD868/900 has same commands): http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/3DRadio
Integrated support for configuring the RFD868/900 radios is supported by APM Planner, with other GCS solutions in development.
The default settings are at 57600 baud, N, 8, 1, and 64k air data rate.
Software features include:
Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)
Transparent serial link
Point to Point, or Multipoint networking
Configuration by simple AT commands for local radio, RT commands for remote radio
User configurable serial data rates and air datarates
Error correction routines, Mavlink protocol framing (user selectable)
Mavlink radio status reporting (Local RSSI, Remote RSSI, Local Noise, Remote Noise)
Automatic antenna diversity switching on a packet basis in realtime
Automatic duty cycle throttling based on radio temperature to avoid overheating

Compliance :
The modem is designed for system integrators who will integrate the modem into their own projects and product prototypes.  The user is responsible for compliance with local regulations for radio transmitters.