XE900SL10

June 2005

XE900SL10 Miniature Spread Spectrum Transceiver

Description

Features

TheXE900SL10breaksnewgroundinSmartTransceiver

* SmallSize:1.0”by1.0”by0.26”

Technology. It is a 900 MHz, Spread Spectrum

* Serial Control and Configuration of the Wireless Link.

Transceiver with integral micro-controller, just 1 inch

square. This miniature size combined with low power

* Supports a 254 node point-to-multipoint network

consumption make the XE900SL10 perfect for mobile

* Output Power Programmable from 0 to 10 mW;

and battery powered applications.

* MaximumReceiverSensitivity-100dBm

Xecom did not drop features to reduce size. The

* Obstructed signal range to 300 feet;

XE900SL10 still supports Xecom’s Count-Off™ feature

enabling a scan of up to 125 remote nodes in under 10

* Wireless Data Rate 76.8K bps, half-duplex;

seconds. SensorOnAir™ allows sensors and control

* Power Consumption:

lines to utilize the embedded communications controller

55 mA @ 3.3Volts when transmitting at 10 mW

in place of a host micro-controller .

less than 1 mA in Sleep Mode or Power-Down modes

Xecom also offers a high power spread spectrum model,

* SensorOnAir ™ allows direct connection of sensors to

the XE900S-500, for applications that require greater

the Smart Transceiver

range. The XE900S-500 has an obstructed range of up

* Count-Off ™ allows the master node to download the

to 1000 feet in a larger but still small package.

status of all nodes in under 10 seconds.

The XE900SL10 transmits at up to 10 milliwatts with a

* Operating Temperature Range of -40 to +85 C

receive sensitivity of -100 dBm to provide an obstructed

* FCC Part 15 Registered

range of 300 feet. All from a 1 inch square transceiver

consuming less than .2W of power.

XE900SL10 Block Diagram

Antenna

ROM

Serial

MUX

SAW

UHF

I/F

FILTER

TRANSCEIVER

Analog

Inputs

Digital

I/O

XECOM

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XE900SL10

XE900SL10 MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Top View

G

H

E

F

J

K

A

B

C

D

Dimension Description

Inches

MM

A

ModuleWidth

1.00

25.40

B

Max.ModuleThickness

0.30

7.62

C

Row to Row

1.00

25.40

D

MinimumLeadLength

0.125

3.18

E

ModuleLength

1.00

25.40

F

Pin 10 to Pin 14

0.40

10.16

G

Pin 14 to Edge

0.50

12.70

H

Pin 1 to Pin 9

0.80

20.32

J

PintoPinSpacing

0.10

2.54

K

Pin 1, 9, or 10 to Edge

0.10

2.54

XECOM

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XE900SL10

Layout PCB for Both XE900S-500 and XE900SL10

Despite the fact that the XE900S-500 is substantially

The XE900SL10 requires a separate pin row for Pins 10

larger module than the XE900SL10, a common PCB

through 14. These pins will be hidden under the XE900S-

layout can be used to support both products. This

500 module when the larger module is installed. The

makes it easy to accommodate applications which

XE900SL10 also includes one unique signal, Reset.

include nodes with both long range and short range

Reset is an active high signal that can be left

requirements.

unconnected if no external reset is desired.

The XE900S-500 and XE900SL10 can share board layout

The figure below shows the overlapping layout that

because of common pin assignments. Pins 1 through 8

supports both modules. The XE900S-500 outline and

of the XE900SL10 are equivalent to Pins 3 through 10 on

pins are shown in green. XE900SL10 pins and outline are

the XE900S-500; they have the same functions and are

shown in red.

placed in the same sequence. Pin 9 on the XE900SL10 is

an unused pin and therefore does not conflict with the

ADC1 signal assigned to Pin 11 of the XE900S-500.

XE900S-500/XE900SL10 Overlay

Gnd

1

XE900S-500

Vcc

2

/TXD

3/1

XE900SL10

/RXD

4/2

/CTS

5/3

/RTS

6/4

DIO3

7/5

14

Reset

DIO2

8/6

13

ADC0

DIO1

9/7

12

ADC1

DIO0

10/8

11

Vcc

ADC1/NC

11/9

10

Gnd

ADC0

12

XECOM

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XE900SL10

Using the XE900SL10 Power Saving Modes

The XE900SL10 includes three low power operating

RF Monitor Mode : The XE900SL10 RF monitor mode

modes (RF Monitor, Sleep and Power-Down Modes) to

has 4 settings. At each of these settings the transceiver

allow the host application to make maximum use of the

sits in power down mode for a prescribed period of time.

available power. The #P command determines how the

The transceiver then wakes up, turns on its receiver and

transceiver will operate when not being asked to

checks for incoming messages. If no messages are

transmit or receive an RF signal. Below are descriptions

received the transceiver returns to power down mode

of all of the XE900SL10 operating modes.

after about 200 milliseconds. If a carrier is detected, the

transceiver completes the transaction before returning

IDLE: In Idle Mode all circuits within the XE900SL10 are

to power down mode. Intervals of 2 seconds (#P3), 4

powered and available for immediate action. This

seconds (#P4), 8 seconds (#P5) and 16 seconds (#P6)

includes the RF receiver which actively monitors the air

can be chosen.

for an incoming communications request. Current draw

in Idle Mode is typically 18 milliamps.

RF Receive Mode : In RF Receive Mode the XE900SL10

is actively receiving an incoming 900 MHz data signal.

SLEEP : In Sleep Mode all circuits within the XE900SL10

Current draw in RF Receive Mode is less than 30

are powered-down to reduce consumption.

The

milliamps.

XE900SL10 will not accept commands or respond to

incoming RF communications requests. Any input on

RF Transmit Mode :

In RF Transmit Mode the

the TXD line will wake the transceiver and return it either

XE900SL10 is actively transmitting a 900 MHz data

the Idle or Power-Down Mode which ever mode it was

signal. Current draw in Transmit mode is no more than

last in before being put into Sleep Mode. Current draw in

55 milliamps with the transmit output power set to

Sleep Mode is less than 40 microamps.

maximum,10milliwatts.

Power-Down: In Power-Down Mode all RF circuitry is

AT CommandControl

shut down but the communications controller remains

The low power modes are controlled by the AT#Pn

active to accept AT commands.

In this mode the

command, see below.

XE900SL10 cannot respond to incoming RF

AT#P0 - Sets the transceiver to Idle mode.

communications requests. If a Transmit RF or Receive

AT#P1 - Sets the transceiver to Sleep Mode.

RF command is received, the XE900SL10 can activate the

RF section in under 200 microseconds. Current draw in

AT#P2 - Sets the transceiver for Power-Down Mode.

Power-Down Mode is less than 500 microamps.

AT#P3 - RF Monitor Mode (2 second interval)

AT#P4 - RF Monitor Mode (4 second interval)

AT#P5 - RF Monitor Mode (8 second interval)

AT#P6 - RF Monitor Mode (16 second interval)

XECOM

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XE900SL10

XE900SL10 PIN CONFIGURATION

/TXD

1

Antenna

/RXD

2

XE900SL10

/CTS

3

TopView

/RTS

4

DIO3

5

14

Reset

DIO2

6

13

ADC0

DIO1

7

12

ADC1

DIO0

8

11

VCC

N/C

9

10

GND

SIGNAL

PINS

DESCRIPTION

/TXD

1

Transmit Data is the data input to the XE900SL10.

/RXD

2

Received Data is the data output from the XE900SL10.

/CTS

3

Clear to Send provides hardware flow control from the XE900SL10. The XE900SL10

drives /CTS high to signal the host to temporarily stop the flow of data into /TXD.

/RTS

4

Request to Send provides hardware flow control from the host system. The host system

drives /RTS high to signal the XE900SL10 to temporarily stop the data flow onto /RXD.

DIO3

5

DIO3 may be programmed as either a digital input or digital output. It connects directly to

the communications controller in the XE900SL10.

DIO2

6

DIO2 may be programmed as either a digital input or digital output. It connects directly to

the communications controller in the XE900SL10.

DIO1

7

DIO1 may be programmed as either a digital input or digital output. It connects directly to

the communications controller in the XE900SL10.

DIO0

8

DIO0 may be programmed as either a digital input or digital output. It connects directly to

the communications controller in the XE900SL10.

N/C

9

No Connection

GND

10

Common voltage reference for the XE900SL10.

VCC

11

3.3VoltpowerfortheXE900SL10.

ADC1

12

Analog Input 1 to the XE900SL10’s communications controller. ADC1 connects to an

internal 12-bitAnalog to Digital Convertor. ADC1 may also be configured as a digital

input if no analog inputs are required.

ADC0

13

Analog Input 0 to the XE900SL10’s communications controller. ADC0 connects to an

internal 12-bitAnalog to Digital Convertor. ADC0 may also be configured as a digital

input if no analog inputs are required.

Reset

14

Provides an active high hardware reset to the XE900SL10.

XECOM

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XE900SL10

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS

VCC

3.9Volts

Storage Temperature

-55 O C to +125 O C

Operating Temperature Range

-40 O C to +85 O C

WARNING: Exceeding any of these ratings will void the warranty and may damage the device

XE900SL10 ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Parameter

Min

Typ

Max

Units

Comments

VCC

2.7

3.3

3.6

Volts

Transceiver power

ICC

55

mA

Transmit Mode (10 mW output)

30

mA

Receive Mode

23

mA

Idle Mode

1.7

mA

Avg; 2-sec RF Monitor interval

0.85

mA

Avg; 4-sec RF Monitor interval

0.43

mA

Avg; 8-sec RF Monitor interval

0.22

mA

Avg; 16-sec RF Monitor interval

18

mA

Idle Mode

0.500

mA

Power-Down Mode

0.040

mA

Sleep Mode

Output Power:

1

10

mW

50 Ohm Load

Wireless Receive Sensitivity

-100

dBm

Frequency Hopping Channels

50

Frequency Range

902

928

MHz

Communications Range

300

ft.

Antenna Output Impedance

50

Ohms

Voh

2.25

Volts

VCC=3.3Volts

Vol

0.75

Volts

VCC=3.3Volts

Vih

2.25

Volts

VCC=3.3Volts

Vil

0.75

Volts

VCC=3.3Volts

XECOM

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XE900SL10

XE900SL10 TYPICAL CONNECTION DIAGRAM

Antenna

/TXD

Host

Serial

/RXD

I/F

/CTS

/RTS

DIO3

Reset

DIO2

ADC0

DIO1

ADC1

DIO0

VCC

L1

N/C

GND

C1 C2 C3

C4 C5

Parts List for XE900SL10Typical Connection Diagram

Reference

Designation

Qty

Description

C1

1

Capacitor, Electrolytic, 100 ufd, 10Volts

C2,C4

2

Capacitor 0.1 ufd, 10Volts

C3,C5

2

Capacitor 47 pfd, 10Volts

L1

1

Coilcraft0603HC-7N5XJB

Antenna *

1

50 Ohm, 1/4Wave

* TheAntenna connector on the XE900SL10 is a Male AMC connector.

An Female AMC to Female SMA adapter is needed for the antenna

connection

XECOM

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XE900SL10

XE900SL10 COMMUNICATIONS CONTROLLER

The XE900SL10 uses an internal micro-controller to

Command Prefix - Each command, except the A/

control communications. This micro-controller manages

command, begins with the AT prefix. The "A" and "T"

the interface to the host system, determines when the

may be either both upper case or both lower case but

communications link is available, and formats data for

cannot be of different cases. The prefix identifies parity of

the RF communications.

the commands sent to the XE900SL10 by comparing the

parity bits of the "A" and the "T" characters.

HOST INTERFACE

TherearetwoprimaryinterfacesbetweentheXE900SL10

Command Line - Commands may be strung together in a

and the system host; the serial interface and the direct

single command line of up to 30 characters. Commands in

sensor interface supported by the SensorOnAir™

the command string are executed in the sequence they

feature. Management of both interfaces is the

appear.

responsibility of the communications controller.

Omitted Parameters - Most commands include a

SerialInterface

parameter which determines the function setting. When

A4-signalserialinterfacelinksthehosttotheXE900SL10.

the command parameter is omitted from the command

For most applications the XE900SL10 acts as a DCE.

string, it is assumed to be a 0.

Control and configuration of the XE900SL10 takes place

Result Codes - A result code is normally issued after each

through the serial interface using modem-like AT

action. Result codes may be provided as full words, one

commands. Serial data rates from 1200 bits per second to

or two digit numeric codes, or may be disabled all

115.2K bits per second are supported. The serial interface

together. Each result code ends with a carriage return

signals are listed below.

when numeric result codes are chosen. When full word

/TXD- Transmit Data; the input to the XE900SL10 for

result codes are chosen, a Line Feed and Carriage Return

AT commands and Data to be transmitted on the

precede and follow each result code.

wireless network.

Disconnect Sequence - A three character sequence

/RXD- Received Data; the output from the XE900SL10

initiates a disconnect of the wireless link. The sequence

for received RF data and responses to AT

“~~~” is assigned to disconnect the link.

commands.

DIRECTCONNECTIONOFSENSORS:

/RTS - Request to Send, provides the hardware flow

SensorOnAir ™

control input to the XE900SL10. The DTE

Sensors can be connected directly to the XE900SL10

deactivates /RTS to stop the XE900SL10 from

without requiring an applications controller. In this

sending more data on the RXD line.

SensorOnAir ™ configuration the XE900SL10

/CTS - Clear to Send, is the hardware flow control output

communications controller controls the operation of the

fromtheXE900SL10.TheXE900SL10deactivates

sensors.

/CTS to advise the host to stop inputting data

Sensor I/O Lines

on the TXD lead.

SensorOnAir controls the operation of 6 I/O lines to the

XE900SL10AT CommandFormat

XE900SL10. This includes 2 analog inputs, ADC0 and

AT commands issued to the XE900SL10 follow a strict

ADC1,and4digitalI/Olines,DIO0,DIO1,DIO2,andDIO3.

format. Each command begins with the prefix AT and

ADC0andADC1areconnectedtoa12-bitanalogtodigital

ends with a carriage return.

The XE900SL10

converter and using a 2.5 volt reference derived from VCC

communications controller accepts commands at data

as their reference voltage. The digital I/O lines can be

rates from 1200 to 115,200 bps. The default serial data

programmed to act as either inputs or outputs.

rate is 9600 bps and can be changed using register S23.

The communications controller uses the AT command

prefix to automatically determine the parity of the

incoming characters.

XECOM

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XE900SL10

XE900SL10 COMMUNICATIONS CONTROLLER

Configuring the XE900SL10 for Sensor Operation

WIRELESSCOMMUNICATIONS

All SensorOnAir control functions for the analog inputs

The communications controller manges the RF Link. This

and digital I/O’s are performed by the communications

includes the frequency hopping algorithm for spread

controller within the XE900SL10. Modem-like AT

spectrum operation; collision avoidance, node

commands loaded through the serial interface, program

addressing, and packetizing data. The communications

the functions of the analog and digital I/O lines. The AT

controller allows support for point-to-point, point-to-

commands used to program the SensorOnAir functions

multipoint or multipoint networks.

are then stored in the XE900SL10’s Flash memory. This

allows the XE900SL10 to be first programmed and then

Carrier Sense MultipleAccess (CSMA)

installed in the application. The communications

To prevent collisions between network nodes the

controller uses the information stored in Flash memory to

XE900SL10 uses a Carrier Sense Multiple Access

control the analog and digital I/O lines.

protocol for each network transceiver.

In normal

communications all nodes, including the Master node in

SensorOnAirCommands ™

a point-to-multipoint network, listen for communications

Below is a list of the AT commands used to program the

activitybeforeinitiatingasession.Ifawirelesslinkalready

direct control of sensors using the communications

exists, the transceiver waits until that session is complete

controllerintheXE900SL10.

before initiating a wireless link.

S107 - Defines the function of the programmable I/O lines.

Data Packets

The two analog input lines, ADC0 and ADC1, can

All data presented by the system host is placed into

also be defined as digital I/O lines if needed. The four

packets by the XE900SL10 communications controller

programmable digital I/O lines, DIO0, DIO1, DIO2,

for transmission across the wireless link. These packets

and DIO3; can be set as either inputs or outputs. The

provide addressing and error correction for the wireless

valueofthiscommandisstoredinflashmemorywithin

communications. The communications controller places

the XE900SL10.

the data in packets only for the wireless link. The data is

AT&IAn? - This command allows a local host to read the value

extracted from the packets before being sent out the serial

of Analog Input “n.”

interface.

AT&IDn? - This command allows a local host to read the

FileTransfer Mode

status of Digital I/O “n.”

Xecom’s XE900SL10 incorporates a File Transfer mode

that uses a simplified networking protocol so that the

AT&IDn=z - This command allows a local host equipment to

maximum data transfer rate is achieved. In this mode the

set the condition of the local digital output “n.” When

z=0 the output is set to a logic low; when z=1 the

XE900SL10 does not automatically retransmit blocks

output is set to a logic high.

containing errors. A CRC 16 checksum is calculated,

transferred at the end of the file, and checked by the

AT#IxxxAn? -This command allows the value ofAnalog Input

receiving unit. An “ERROR” message is displayed if the

“n” on node address “xxx” to be read remotely.

checksum calculated at the receive end does not match

AT#IxxxDn?