GRIDCOMM GC9838LR PLC-RF DIN RAIL MODEN User Manual 15 GC9838 LR UserMan
gridComm Pte Ltd PLC-RF DIN RAIL MODEN 15 GC9838 LR UserMan
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15_GC9838-LR UserMan
PB64021-01)GC9838))
DIN)Rail)Hybrid)PLC-RF)Modem))))
Product)Brief)
© gridComm Pte. Ltd. Product Brief Page 1 of 4
GC9838-LR - INTELLIGENT HYBRID PLC-RF DIN RAIL MODEM
Overview
Power-line communications (PLC) and low-cost Radio
Frequency (RF) networking can suffer from high noise and
attenuation due to environmental factors which often cause
communication links between two nodes to vary
significantly in quality. A communication link which may be
optimal on certain medium and channel at a given time
may become sub-optimal as time passes resulting in
breakdown of the network. In certain cases,
communication can be totally disrupted due to
interferences or breakdown in the medium. For example,
in the case of PLC, a transformer or a physical discontinuity
in the power line would impede communications while
metallic and concrete objects to the extent of weather
(humidity, rain, lightning etc.) can block or affect the quality
of wireless communication.
The gridComm GC9838- L R is a next generation hybrid DIN
Rail Power Line Communication - Radio Frequency
modem providing complete hardware and software
networking solution. It automatically configures the PLC
and RF real-time and self-adapts to the varying conditions
in the communication links with the most optimal data
routing paths, resulting in extremely reliable and robust
communications in a Low-Voltage power network. This
new generation GC9838-LR DIN Rail hybrid PLC-RF modem
utilizes the industry-leading gridComm GC2200 Integrated
circuit, an OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiple Access) Power Line Communication Transceiver
and a built-in sub-GHz wireless module to allow adaptive
networking over different media. The wireless connectivity
can be available in LoRa for tree-structure network or
gridComm proprietary VE mesh-structure network.
Benefits
By taking advantage of its inherent 18 independent PLC
channels and the additional 19th RF channel, the GC9838-LR
is able to communicate over PLC and RF concurrently via
gridComm GCNet network. This brings upon the benefits
of operating in a single unified communication network
using common communication protocol, command sets
and ID addressing scheme. This not only enables the
GC9838 to serve as an automatic bridge or range extender
but, at the same time, also allows it to connect with discrete
PLC or RF devices which can be extremely useful in IoT
sensor applications.
The 18 PLC channels are capable of operating with up to
54 carrier frequencies over a wide frequency range from
5KHz to 500KHz on the power lines whilst the 19th RF
channel operates on industrial-strength ISM frequency
bands. The new GC9838-LR is capable of communicating via
low voltage power network of up to 2 Km in range in either
PLC or RF modes. The GC9838-LR is ideal for applications
such as Industrial Automation, Automatic Meter Reader
(AMR), M2M and other applications that require extremely
reliable and robust communication links.
The GC9838-LR is also equipped with a set of Digital Input and
Dry Contact Relay controlling up to 2KW AC power output.
By making use of gridComm GCNet Network Management
Command APIs or gridComm PLCM Utility tool1, the user
can attach a sensor tied to the Digital Input for trigger-
based event scenarios. Likewise, the user can also
perform remote On/Off switching for a motor or any
electrical device.
Note 1: For availability of the Digital Input and Dry Contact
Relay GCNet APIs and PLCM Utility tool, please contact
gridComm.
Auto Network Applications
The GC9838-LR is optimized for network topologies such as
star or tree configurations (PLC/wireless modes). With
gridComm VE wireless module, the RF link layer can be
implemented in a “Tree and Mesh” network structure.
Figure 1 shows a simple hybrid PLC-RF network system
connected with five modems installed in a “Star”
configuration. Figure 2 shows a hybrid “Tree” network with
PLC and wireless nodes. Figure 3 shows a hybrid PLC
and wireless nodes in “Tree and Mesh” network.
PB64021-01)GC9838))
DIN)Rail)Hybrid)PLC-RF)Modem))))
Product)Brief)
© gridComm Pte. Ltd. Product Brief Page 2 of 4
Figure'1'-'“Star”-Shaped'Network'
Figure'2'-'“Tree”'Structure'
Figure'3'-'“Tree'&'Mesh”'Structure
Features and Specifications
• Connects directly to Low-Voltage AC power line
• Input power supply: Options for 90VAC~ 277VAC,
50/60 Hz, 100mA
• Operating Temperature -40°C to +85°C
• Standards: CE , FCC
ü EMC: test as per EN 50065-1, EN 55022, EN
55024, EN 61000-3-2, EN 610000-3-3, EN
61000-6-2 & EN 61000-6-4 FCC Part 15B
ü Safety: EN 60950
ü Euro RoHS
ü IP 40
• Size in mm: 71 L x 54.5 W x 75 H, Weight: 350 g
• Flame Retardant ABS casing with DIN Rail mounting
• Supports RS485 via transparent protocol
• 32-bit addressing scheme
• Four operation modes: Point-to-Point, Simple
Broadcast, Auto-Routing, and Broadcast-Routing
• One master node supports up to 240 slave nodes in
Auto-Routing and Broadcast-Routing modes
• Support user packet size of up to maximum of 512
bytes
• Distance: Up to 2km- actual distance depends on
environments
• Interface:
o PWM outputs- 150ps
o Dry Contact Relay control for up to 2KW AC
power output
o RS485, no external interface converter needed
• Preset Serial COM Port settings: 115200 Baud rate,
No Parity Bit, 8 Data Bit and 1 Stop Bit
• OFDMA Power Line Communications:
ü 18 independent channels operating with up to 54
out of 100 pre-installed carrier frequencies
between 5 kHz to 500 kHz.3QPSK, 3BPSK, or
1BPSK modulation schemes with up to 18 levels
of redundancy
ü Maximum raw data rates at Phy level between
1.22 Kbps to 7.32 Kbps depending modulation
scheme
ü Scan Frequency tool to scan for best 18 carrier
frequencies based on RSSI and Received
Success Rate for up to 8 nodes
ü Noise Indicator tool to detect noise level for
selected frequency channels
ü Debug tool to test success rate of communication
links
ü Options for operation on CENELEC A, CENELEC
B, CENELEC C, CENELEC D, FCC or ARIB
bands.
ü Rx Sensitivity: -75 dBm
• LoRa Radio Frequency:
ü LoRaTM Modem
PB64021-01)GC9838))
DIN)Rail)Hybrid)PLC-RF)Modem))))
Product)Brief)
© gridComm Pte. Ltd. Product Brief Page 3 of 4
ü 168 dB maximum link budget
ü +18 dBm - 60 mW constant RF output vs. V
supply
ü +14 dBm high efficiency PA
ü Data rate up to 2.4 kbps
ü High sensitivity: down to -148 dBm
ü Bullet-proof front end: IIP3 = -12.5 dBm
ü Excellent blocking immunity
ü Low RX current of 10.3 mA, 200 nA register
retention
ü Fully integrated synthesizer with a resolution of
61 Hz
ü FSK, GFSK, MSK, GMSK, LoRaTM and OOK
modulation
ü Operating communication frequency- Sub 1GHz
ü Built-in bit synchronizer for clock recovery
ü Preamble detection
ü 127 dB Dynamic Range RSSI
ü Automatic RF Sense and CAD with ultra-fast
AFC.
ü Packet engine up to 256 bytes with CRC.
Contact Information
For more information regarding the GC9838 DIN Rail
hybrid PLC-RF modem including pricing and ordering,
please contact: gridComm Pte Ltd
sales@gridCommplc.com
www.gridComm -plc.com
Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not
expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference and
(2) this device must accept any interference received
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
PB64021-01)GC9838))
DIN)Rail)Hybrid)PLC-RF)Modem))))
Product)Brief)
© gridComm Pte. Ltd. Product Brief Page 4 of 4
Dimensions of Hybrid PLC-RF DIN RAIL Modem
.
FCC Warning
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note 1: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
—Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
—Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Note 2: 1.Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
2. The minimum separation generally be used is at least 20 cm.