RipEX Radio Modems

RipEX Radio Modems



RipEX2 

  • 1.1 Mbps / 200 kHz / 256QAM
  • 4× ETH, 1× SFP, 1× COM, 1× USB,
  • RipEX compatible
  • All RipEX features plus:
    • 6.25 - 200 kHz channel size
    • ACM, Adaptive FEC
    • RADIUS
    • HW tamper proof
    • Expansion ready - mPCIe
    • Full-duplex ready

RipEX is a radio modem platform renowned for overall data throughput in any real-time environment. RipEX radio modems are native IP devices, Software Defined with Linux OS that have been designed with attention to detail, performance and quality. All relevant state-of-the-art concepts have been carefully implemented.

RipEX, 1st generation, is a best-in-class compact radio modem proven within the market since 2011 and used in thousands of installations.

RipEX2, 2nd generation, was introduced in 2018. This more powerful standard radio modem provides significant improvements, especially in terms of data speed, security and number of interfaces.

RipEX-HS, a fully redundant 19’ hot-standby master station with two radios and two power supplies and available for both, RipEX and RipEX2, is the final member of the RipEX family.

All RipEX devices provide a 24/7 reliable service for mission-critical applications like SCADA & Telemetry for Electric and Water Utilities, Oil & Gas distribution and many other applications.

RipEX

  • 166 kbps / 50 kHz / 16DEQAM
  • 1× ETH, 2× COM, 1× USB
  • Solar ready
  • 0.1 – 10 watts
  • - 40 to +70 °C
  • WiFi management
  • Customized protocols
  • Backup routes
  • Fast remote access
  • IPsec

General overview

  RipEX RipEX2
Max. Gross data rate 166 kbps 1.1 Mbps
Gross data rate / 25 kHz 83 kbps 167 kbps
Interfaces 1x ETH,
2x COM, 1x USB
4x ETH, 1x SFP,
1x COM, 1x USB
IPsec Yes Yes
RADIUS No Yes
Modulations CPFSK - 16DEQAM CPFSK - 256QAM
Channel size 6.25 - 50 kHz 6.25 - 200 kHz
Stream mode Yes No

Native IP Device

Native IPBridge mode – uses a Transparent protocol on the Radio channel, i.e. packets received on any interface are broadcast to the respective interfaces on all units in the network. Packets received on COM are broadcast to all COM's at all remote sites, allowing you to connect more RTU's to each remote unit.

Router mode – RipEX works as a standard IP Router with all interfaces (Radio and 1-5 Ethernets) and 1-2 COM ports without any compromise. Each of the five Ethernet ports on RipEX2 can be configured either as a switch or a router. There is an option of two protocols on the Radio channel: Flexible – unlimited anti-collision meshing without base stations or Base driven where all packet transmissions are managed by the local base station.

  • Switch – switched or routed Ethernet ports (RipEX2)
  • Terminal server - Serial-Ethernet converters, 5 independent sessions
  • TCP proxy - converts TCP to UDP, eliminates transfer of TCP overhead
  • ARP proxy - any IP address simulating (for RTU's without routing capabilities within the same subnet)
  • Subnets - unlimited number of virtual Ethernet interfaces (IP aliases)
  • VLAN - unlimited number of VLANs assigned to Subnets
  • NAPT - many IP addresses behind RipEX can be mapped to one RipEX IP
  • GRE - non encrypted end-to-end tunnel
  • QoS - prioritization of packets from different interfaces and/or applications on Radio channel

Data speed & Throughput

  • Possible Network throughput is achieved by
    • Min. Rx/Tx switching and synchronization times
    • Optimum Radio protocol for the application
    • Optimization
      • payload data and headers compression
      • packet flow optimization on Radio channel
    • Different data speeds for individual links
  • Auto-speed - receiver is automatically adjusted to the data
  • rate of the incoming frame
  • ACM and Adaptive FEC (RipEX2)
  • Stream mode - transmitting starts immediately on the Radio channel, without waiting for the end of the received frame on COM => zero latency
Channel size Gross data rate Possible Network throughput
  RipEX RipEX2 RipEX RipEX2
6.25 kHz 21 kbps 42 kbps > 25 kbps > 50 kbps
12.5 kHz 42 kbps 83 kbps > 50 kbps > 100 kbps
25 kHz 83 kbps 167 kbps > 100 kbps > 200 kbps
50 kHz 167 kbps 333 kbps > 200 kbps > 400 kbps
100 kHz - 555 kbps   > 700 kbps
150 kHz - 925 kbps   > 1.1 Mbps
200 kHz - 1.1 Mbps   > 1.4 Mbps

Security & Integrity

  • Licensed radio bands
  • FEC, interleaving, proprietary data compression
  • CRC32 data integrity control on Radio channel
  • Proprietary protocol on Radio channel
  • Backup routes
  • Digitally signed FW (RipEX2)
  • Management - https, ssh,
  • Role-based access control
  • AES256 encryption
  • IPsec - encrypted end-to-end tunnel
  • Firewall - Layer 2 – MAC, Layer 3 – IP, Layer 4 – TCP/UDP

Radio protocols

  • Transparent / Bridge
    • Repeater(s) supported
    • No collision avoidance capability
  • Flexible / Router
    • Unlimited Tree topology
    • Multi-polling and report-by-exception concurrently
    • Nomadic mode - automatic routing
  • Base driven / Router
    • Star topology, repeaters supported
    • Optimized for TCP/IP (IEC104)
    • Fair distribution of channel capacity among all remotes

Long range

  • One radio hop over 50 km
  • Line of sight not required
  • Carrier output power 0.1 - 10W
  • Exceptional data sensitivity
  • Any unit can work simultaneously as a repeater
  • Unlimited number of repeaters on the way
  • Any IP network can interconnect RipEX units

 Reliability

  • Units tested in a climatic chamber and in real traffic
  • Heavy-duty industrial components
  • Industrial rugged die-cast aluminium case
  • IP40 or IP51
  • -40 to +70 °C
  • 3 year warranty

Easy to configure and maintain

  • Web interface or CLI via SSH
  • All configuration parameters within one page
  • Wizards - fast and simple setup
  • Non-intrusive management via USB using either ETH/USB adapter or WiFi/USB adapter with DHCP
  • Fast remote access - only the effective data are transferred over the air, html page downloaded from the local unit
  • External flash disc - automatic configuration, SW keys and FW upgrade

Diagnostics & Network Management

  • Statistic logs for interfaces and communication links
  • Historical and on-line values displayed in graphs
  • 20 periods (e.g. days) of history
  • Watched values (RSS, Ucc, Temp, PWR, etc.) also from neighbouring units
  • SNMP v3 including Traps and Informs
  • HW Alarm input, HW Alarm output
  • Monitoring – on-line analysis of communication over any of the interfaces

 Scalability

  • SW feature keys
    • Advance features only when and where needed
    • Router, Speed, COM2, 10W, Backup routes, Master
    • Free Master-key trial - for 30 days in every RipEX
  • HW models
    • The same HW for Base, Repeater or Remote stations
    • Internal GPS module - NTP synchronization (RipEX)
    • mPCIe slot for expansion boards (RipEX2) GPS, 4G, 2x RS232, DI/DO…

SCADA protocols

  • Modbus, IEC101, DNP3, PR2000, Comli, DF1, Profibus, Async Link, C24, Cactus, RP570, Slip, Siemens 3964(R), IEC104, DNP3/TCP, Modbus TCP and others
  • SCADA serial protocol addresses are mapped to RipEX addresses
  • TCP(UDP) protocols can be handled transparently or using Terminal server or TCP proxy
  • Embedded Modbus RTU / Modbus TCP converter
  • Each packet is transferred as an acknowledged unicast

Backup routes

  • Tested alternative paths between two RipEX units
  • Automatic switch-over to backup gateway, if primary route fails due to packet loss or weak RSS
  • Backup gateway can be behind Radio or Eth interfaces
  • Unlimited number of Alternative paths
  • Alternative path priority assignment

Energy savings

  • Solar ready
  • Sleep mode - wake up triggered by Sleep digital input or by internal RTC (RipEX2)
  • Save mode - wake up by a received packet from Radio channel or by Sleep digital input

RipEX-HS

  • Fully redundant hot-standby master station
  • Fully monitored
  • Automatic switchover capability on detection of failure
  • Auto toggle mode periodically switches units regardless of failure
  • Two booted-up standard RipEX units inside
  • Switch-over time < 2 s
  • Two independent power supplies
  • One or two antenna connectors
  • Hot swappabble
  • 19″ rack 3U

Technical parameters

Radio parameters RipEX RipEX2
Frequency bands 135–154; 154–174; 215-240; 300–320; 320–340; 340–360; 368–400; 400–432; 432–470; 470-512; 928–960 MHz 400-470
Channel spacing 6.25 / 12.5 / 25 / 50 kHz 6.25 / 12.5 / 25 / 50 / 100 / 150 / 200 kHz
Frequency stability +/- 1.0 ppm
Modulation QAM (Linear): 16DEQAM, D8PSK, π/4DQPSK, DPSK
FSK (Exponential): 4CPFSK, 2CPFSK
QAM (Linear): 256QAM, 64QAM, 16DEQAM, D8PSK, π/4DQPSK,
DPSK
FSK (Exponential): 4CPFSK, 2CPFSK
FEC (Forward Error Correction) On/Off, 3/4 On/Off, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6
Gross data rate up to 167 kbps up to 1.1 Mbps
RF Output power 0.1 to 10 W programmable
Duty cycle Continuous
Rx to Tx Time < 1.5 ms
Sensitivity - 99 dBm / 16DEQAM / 25 kHz
-115 dBm / 2CPFSK / 25 kHz
- 93 dBm / 256QAM / 25 kHz
-115 dBm / 2CPFSK / 25 kHz
Electrical
Primary power 10 to 30 VDC, negative GND
Rx 5 W/13.8 V; 4.8 W/24 V; (Radio part < 2 W) 8 W
Tx (dependent on RF power and modulation) 13 – 40 W 13 – 55 W
Sleep mode 0.1 W 0.01 W
Save mode 2 W 5 W
Interfaces
Ethernet 1x 10/100 Base-T Auto MDI/MDIX / RJ45 4x 10/100 Base-T Auto MDI/MDIX / RJ45
SFP No 1×10/100/1000 Base-T/1000Base-SX/1000Base-LX
COM 1 RS232 / DB9F
300 – 115 200 bps
RS232/RS485 / DB9F
300 bps – 1 Mbps
COM 2 RS232/RS485 SW configurable / DB9F
300 – 115 200 bps
mPCIe expansion board
2x RS232
USB USB 1.1 / Host A USB 3.0 / Host A
Antenna 1x TNC female / 50 ohms (Rx/Tx) or
2x TNC (Rx+Tx) - different HW model
2x TNC female / 50 ohms
SW configurable: 1x Rx/Tx or 1x Rx + 1x Tx
Inputs/Outputs 1x HW alarm input, 1x HW alarm output, 1x Sleep input 2x HW alarm input, 1x HW alarm output, 1x Sleep input
Indication LEDs
LED panel Power, ETH, COM1, COM2, Rx, Tx, Status SYS, AUX, RX, TX, COM
ETH No 4x RJ45 - 2x LED, 1x SFP - 1x LED
Environmental
IP Code (Ingress Protection) IP40, IP51
MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) > 900.000 hours (> 100 years)
Operating temperature - 40 to +70 °C (- 40 to +158 °F)
Operating humidity 5 to 95% non-condensing
Mechanical
Casing Rugged die-cast aluminium
Dimensions 50 H x 150 W x 118 D mm (1.97 x 5.9 x 4.65 in) 60 H x 185 W x 125 D x mm (2.34 x 7.2 x 4.9 in)
Weight 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs) 1.55 kg (3.4 lbs)
Mounting DIN rail, L-bracket, Flat-bracket, 19″ Rack shelf
SW
Operating modes Bridge / Router Bridge / Router (+Switch)
User protocols on COM Modbus, IEC101, DNP3, PR2000, Comli, DF1, Profibus, Async Link, C24, Cactus, RP570, Slip, Siemens 3964(R)…
User protocols on Ethernet Modbus TCP, IEC104, DNP3 TCP, Comli TCP…
Serial to IP convertors Modbus RTU / Modbus TCP, DNP3 / DNP3 TCP, Terminal server
Radio protocols Transparent, Flexible, Base driven
Multi master applications Yes
Report by exception Yes
Collision Avoidance Capability Yes
Remote to Remote communication Yes
Repeaters Store-and-forward; Every unit; Unlimited number
Optimization Payload data and Ethernet / IP / TCP / UDP header compression, Packet flow on Radio channel optimization
NTP (Network Time Protocol) Client, Server (synchronized from internal GPS)
Security
Management HTTP, HTTPS (own certificate), SSH
Access accounts 2 levels (Guest, Admin) 4 levels (Guest, Tech, SecTech, Admin) x 3 users
Encryption AES256
IPsec Yes
RADIUS No Yes
Firewall Layer 2 - MAC, Layer 3 - IP, Layer 4 - TCP/UDP
HW tamper proof No Yes
Diagnostics and Management
Radio link testing Yes (ping with RSS, Data Quality, Homogenity)
Watched values Device – Ucc, Temp, PWR, VSWR, HW Alarm Input
Radio channel – RSScom, DQcom, TXLost [%]
User interfaces – ETH [Rx/Tx], COM1 [Rx/Tx], COM2 [Rx/Tx]
Statistics For Rx/Tx Packets on User interfaces (ETH, COM1, COM2)
User data and Radio protocol (Repeates, Lost, ACK etc.) on Radio channel
Graphs For Watched values and Statistics
History (Statistics, Neighbours, Graphs) 20 periods (configurable, e.g. days)
SNMP SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, SNMPv3, SNMP Traps for Watched values
Approvals CE (RED), FCC, ATEX, RoHS Pending

 

Video presentation RipEX radio modems

 


RipEX – Radio Modems