UHF GPS Transponder, RV M7 U, 406-512MHz

RV-M7 GPS Transponder

true real-time gps transponder radio The Raveon model M7-GX GPS transponder is a rugged high-speed UHF or VHF data radio with a built-in 12-channel GPS receiver. The M7 GX is the core of a RavTrack AVL system.  It's internal GPS transponder determines its location, time and other user-setable parameters (see Features and Specifications below for for details), and its high-speed radio modem transmits its GPS position and status over-the-air at programmable times.  A unique TDMA channel access scheme ensures that even hundreds of vehicle can transmit their location, and not interfere with each-other. 

It has up to 5 watts of RF (radio frequency) power output, and operates as both a GPS transponder for tracking, and a radio modem for sending and receiving data.  Connect DC power, and UHF antenna, and a GPS antenna, and you are ready to track position and time.  

The RV-M7 GPS transponders may be configured for a number of different GPS applications, including:

Transponder: Periodically transmit position and status. Radio receiver is disabled for low-power consumption.
GPS display: Connect an RV-M7 to a hand-held or mobile GPS, and icons will appear on the display showing the location of all other RV-M7 radios in the system.
Radar Display: Radar Display: Connect RV-M7 to a marine plotter or radar display, and icons will appear on the display showing the location of all other RV-M7 radios in the system.
RavTrack PC: Connect the RV-M7 to a personal computer running RavTrack PC (or other PC software) to view a map showing location, status, log movement, set alerts, and make reports from the data.
 Repeater: Any M7 GX transceiver  may be configure to also be a store-and-forward repeater.   Store and forwarding repeating is when a radio automatically re-sends any message it receives.  Locating a store-and-forward repeater on a tall building, tower, or mountain can greatly increase the coverage of a radio system. 


As well as transmitting its position and status over the air, the RV-M7 also has a radio modem with integrated RS232 with RS422/485 and USB interface options for sending and receiving data.

For privacy and security, over-the air encryption is standard on every RV-M7 radio. For network versatility, the RV-M7 incorporates a 16-bit identification code, allowing up to 65,000 objects to be identified in one system. For wide-area coverage, all RV-M7 transponders may be set to store-and-forward messages from other RV-M7 transponders. Although the RV-M7 is the easiest to use modem on the market, and makes the easiest to set-up Automatic Vehicle Locations (AVL) system available, its re-programmability makes it extremely versatile. Most parameters within the modem may be reconfigured to optimize it for specialized operations, extended range, or higher data throughput. Click here for an overview of the internal workings of the M7 transponder.

The GPS transponder may be configured using its built-in serial port.  Raveon provides a software program called Radio Manager to configure the M7 GX.

The tracking unit has a number of different universal slots built into it, allowing it to work with a large range of displays, computers, and PC software applications. Raveon's M7-GX transponders have an open software interface, and details of all serial-port messaging is publicly available.

 

 

Features

  • Transmissions include ID, position, speed, heading, voltage, temperature, input/output status, UTC time, and proximity.
  • Able to transmit up to 200 position reports in 10 seconds.
  • Ultra-fast TX-RX switching and 4-level GFSK modem allows truly "Real Time" tracking and status.
  • Outputs NMEA 0183 GLL, TLL, WPT, GSV, WPL, RMC, and PRAVE messages.
  • High-speed over the air data rates. 19200bps in 25kHz channel, 9600bps in 12.5kHz
  • Built-in TDMA channel access allowing truly real-time tracking (200 transmission in 10 seconds)
  • Very low current draw. As low as 25mA average
  • 16 bit addressing for up to 65,525 different unique IDs per channel.
  • Programmable proximity alert ( 1-9999 meters) and programmable position report rate (1-9999 seconds).
  • Programmable speed alert.
  • Programmable I/O trigger alerts.
  • Programmable distance-moved alert.

Specifications

All measurements made per TIA-603-B
General
    • Frequency................... Model RV-M7-UC 450 - 480MHz / Model RV-M7-UA (export only) 403 - 434MHz
    • Size ................... 4.60'' X 2.60'' X .956 (11.7cm X 6.6cm X 2.43cm)
    • Weight ................... 6 ounces (0.17kg)
    • DC input voltage ................... 10-16V DC
    • Typical current draw, receiving, over-the-air rates ................... < 4800bps <115mA
    • Typical current draw, receiving, over-the-air rates >= 4800bps ................... <125mA
    • Current draw when transmitting data ................... <3A max, 1.2A typical at 2watts / <2.7A at 5watts
    • Low Power Mode standby current................... <30mA
    • Sleep Mode standby current (hardware control) ................... <1mA
    • Frequency stability ................... ±1.5ppm
    • Over-the-air baud rates (programmable) ................... 4800, 5142, 8000, 9600, 19200

           Note: Contact the factory for enhanced-sensitivity applications (1200 & 2400 baud)

    • Internal data buffers (transmit and receive) ................... >2000 bytes
    • Operating temperature range ................... -30ºC to +60ºC (-30ºC to +80ºC storage)
    • TX-RX and RX-TX turn-around time ................... <3mS
    • Power on time to operational ................... <500mS
    • LPM Standby to operational ................... <20mS
    • Internal fuse 3A mini blade. Littlefuse part number 0297003 or Raveon part, number 1X726-3
    • FCC ID Model RV-M7-UC ................... SRS-RV-M7-UC

           All other models for export or OEM use

Transmitter
  • Maximum RF power output ................... ½ - 5 watts
  • Maximum duty cycle ................... 50% at 2W, 25% at 5W
  • Maximum transmit frequency deviation ................... ± 2.25kHz
  • RF Bandwidth ................... 20MHz, no-tune
  • Occupied bandwidth ................... 11 kHz (12.5kHz channels) / 15.3kHz (25kHz channels)
  • TX spurious outputs ................... < -70dBc
  • Emissions designator................... 11K0F1D (12.5kHz channels) / 15K3F1D (25kHz channels)
Receiver
    • Typical RX sensitivity (1% BER)

      ...................19200bps, 4-level, 25kHz channel -108dBm

      ...................9600bps, 4-level, 12.5kHz channel -108dBm

      ...................4800bps, 2-level -116dBm

  • No-tune bandwidth ................... 20MHz
  • RX selectivity ................... -50dB (12.5kHz channel spacing) / -65dB (25kHz channel spacing)
  • Spurious and image rejection ................... -75dB
  • RX inter-modulation rejection ................... -70dB
  • Conducted spurious emissions ................... <-53dBm
User Input and Output Signals
  • Serial port baud rates ................... 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200
  • Voltage levels ................... RS-232 (RS-422, and RS-485 complaint levels optional)
  • USB Interface.............  Optional <click here> for details
  • Modem handshake signals ................... RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, CD
  • Transceiver RF ................... 50 ohm BNC (TNC on -WX version)
  • GPS Connection ................... SMA 50 ohm, 3.3V for amplified antenna
  • Power ................... B+ input and Ground
  • Digital Inputs ................... 2
  • Power Connector ................... Phoenix 18 36 18 9 ( Raveon P/N 1J165-3 )
GPS and Transponder Specifications
  • Number of channels ................... 12
  • Horizontal accuracy (24 hour static) ................... <2.5m 50%, <5m 90%
  • Acquisition (-130dBm, 50%) ................... <40sec cold start, <10sec hot start
  • Sensitivity Tracking ................... -150dBm, Acquisition -142dBm
  • NMEA Output sentences ................... WPL, TLL, GLL, GSV, PRAVE
  • Position report rate, programmable ................... 1 to 9999 seconds
  • Position report resolution ................... 0.0001 degrees
  • Voltage report resolution/accuracy ................... 0.1V/10%
  • Temperature resolution and accuracy ................... 2 degrees C/2 degrees C
  • Number of digital inputs ................... 2
  • Velocity resolution and accuracy ................... 1km / 1km per hour
  • GPS connector ................... SMA

Images

 

 

m7-small.jpg

Dimensions

 




In The Box

Model: RV-M7-UC-GX

  • RV-M7 Transceiver with built-in GPS, 450-480MHz, BNC RF connector, and SMA GPS connector. DB-9 RS-232 connector on chassis.
  • DC power cable.
  • Quick-start guide.

Model: RV-M7-UC-GX-WX

  • RV-M7 Transceiver in IP65 weatherproof housing, built-in GPS, 450-480MHz, TNC RF connector, and SMA GPS connector. Waterproof 6-pin circular I/O connector, and 3-pin circular DC power connector.
  • DC power cable. 3-pin circular connector.
  • C6 to DB9 I/O cable, 1 meter.
  • Quick-start guide.

Documentation

  RV-M7 GX UHF Datasheet for UHV M7 GX

  User Manual (pdf)   The Technical Manual for the M7-GX GPS Transponder

 Firmware Revision Log  List of major changes to the M7 firmware.