Freewave Radios
Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) is wireless technology that transmits radio signals by rapidly changing the carrier frequency among many distinct frequencies in a large spectral band. The frequency band is divided into sub-bands and signals “hop” their carrier frequencies among the sub-bands in a predetermined order. The “hopping” frequencies are difficult to intercept and interference at a specific frequency will only last a short time.
Freewave radios are designed for seamless integration into networks that require reliable link performance and support low power, long range machine-to-machine communications. Freewave radios transfer data in noisy, challenging environments covering over 60+ mile distances. By utilizing Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology, Freewave provides an alternative to expensive Wi-Fi bandwidth, cellular or fiber.
Freewave FGR2 radios are only available for customers outside the US and Canada. The FGR2 series has been replaced by the FGR3 series.
Freewave FGR3 radios are backwards compatible with the FGR2 series and function as a repeater, gateway, endpoint or simultaneous repeater and endpoint in a single radio. The FGR3 radios are long range (up to 60 miles), secure (use FHSS), low power consuming and industrial grade (-40C to 75C).
Freewave IO radios can operate in either Modbus mode or Wire Replacement mode and are available as an enclosed device, board-level or expandable format. Modbus mode allows all radios to be directly connected as an IO peripheral to a SCADA network. For Wire Replacement mode, FGR2-IOE and FGR2-IOS can operate as slave connected to an FGRIO-M master.
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Common Reasons That Cause Radio Communication Failure
Radio communication is one of the most common ways to transmit data from one location to another, especially in situations where the distance between the two locations becomes too far to use some type of transmission wire. Because using industrial radios is so common, it is not unusual to encounter different problems when trying to communicate with different locations. Here are some of the most common reasons that communication issues may occur:
Configuration of the Radio
There are different configuration settings depending on the type of radio being used. For instance, is it an Ethernet radio or a serial radio. Other configuration settings that can potentially cause issues might be related to security settings on the radio, whether it is a master or slave radio, frequency range and many other factors.
Radio Frequency Impairments
One of the of the most common impairment issues is Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). EMI is generated from non-radio equipment operating near radio communication hardware. The electromagnetic field generated from this equipment can have a negative impact on the reception and transmission of radio signals. Another source of frequency impairment is improper cable selection, which can degrade the signal or possibly limit the power of the radio signal.
Improper Installation Methods
Improper installation of radios and antennas can lead to communication failure. Common installation mistakes include: loose cable connections, installation of damaged cables, running data cables in line with power cables and many other issues. When installing antennas, it is important to make sure that there is good line of sight and to limit or eliminate any potential obstructions that could cause communication failure.