Features

• Long-range >40km depending on antennas and GCS setup (80km demonstrated by Edge Research labs on a balloon, 57km in India, on Dipoles).
• 2 x RP-SMA RF connectors, diversity switched.
• 1 Watt (+30dBm) transmit power.
• Transmit low pass filter.
• > 20dB Low noise amplifier, high IP3.
• RX SAW filter.
• All I/O ESD protected and filtered.
• Open source firmware (V1.x)/tools, field upgradeable, easy to configure.
• Small and lightweight.
• Compatible with 3DR/Hope-RF radio modules.
• License-free use in Australia, Canada, USA, NZ.
• Note: Not compatible with RFD900X or RFD900 TXMOD.

Interfaces

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

Specifications

• Frequency Range:  902 - 928 MHz (USA) / 915 - 928 MHz (Australia)
• Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)
• 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, 500 kbit/sec ( User selectable, 64k default )
• UART data transfer rates: 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, 400k, 921k 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

• The software solution is an open-source development called "SiK" originally developed by Mike Smith and improved by Andrew Tridgell and RF Design.  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.
• Integrated support for configuring the RFD900 radios is supported by Mission Planner.
• Transparent serial link
• Point to Point (V1.x), or Multipoint networking (V2.x)
• 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 

Manuals and Documentation

• The default settings are at 57600 baud, N, 8, 1, and 64k air data rate.
• RFD900 Datasheet
• RFD900 Software Manual
• RFD900 V1.x Source Code
• RFD900 Config Tool and Firmware
• 3DR/RFD900 Compatible Configuration Tool

Compliance

The RFD900 is designed to be compliant with the following standards:

• FCC Part 15.247 (Frequency hopping and digitally modulated intentional radiators)
• AS/NZS 4268:2012 (Radio equipment and systems - short-range devices)

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.