RDF - Remote Data Frontend

General view of the basic remote controller data concentrators

RDF (Remote Data Frontend) is the data collection equipment that resides inside your sites. The heart, the brain and the hands of the remote control system named Garda System. The high reliability, versatility and modular structure are it’s main characteristics.

It can manage many types of data units (physical and virtual) 256 analog inputs (8, 10,12 or 16 bit resolution), 248 digital inputs, 256 relays (digital output) and 32 10bit resolution analog outputs: they are configurable both locally and remotely and are programmable to generate alarms or run simple internal programs called macros. Furthermore, the I/O state can be read in any moment.

The presence of 4 Serial ports and an MSK modulator/demodulator enables it to connect to the control center in many ways. Backup media can be installed to standby in case main communication gear failure. An optically isolated RS485 interface added to interface hardware like protocol translators or I/O expanders, enables the unit to connect practically with any kind of device making it ideal for the broadcast industry where many different types of equipment are used with de facto no interface standard. The front-end is equipped with a main and one or more backup communication corridors: very useful in harsh environments like broadcast sites where meteorological or distance from inhabited areas may interrupt communication with the site.

One very special communication media is the UHF/VHF radio, where the RDF becomes a store and forward unit. It is practically a router for the next … and the next… and the next…. RDF. Each unit acts as a front-end plus a communication unit.

The RDF uses a 40MHz FLASH RISC microcontroller
The unit has an on board RTC (real time clock) synchronizable via control center or with an external GPS or DCF77, this is useful to execute commands in a particular moment.
The proprietary operating system enables the RDF to control contemporarily 4 serial ports.

Ideal equipment for main sites or where numerous measurements must be gathered.
front view of the basic remote controller

SPECIFICATIONS

COMMUNICATION MEDIA
  • RS232 half or full duplex up to 57kbaud asynchronous (*)
  • GSM modem (M2M)
  • PSTN modem
  • Wireless UHF with ‘store and forward’ mode
  • Wireless VHF with ‘store and forward’ mode
  • Dedicated audio channel, mono and bidirectional (radio links)
  • Modem baseband (4 wires)
  • GPRS modem
  • CDMA modem

NB (*) This media will always be present

BACKUP COMMUNICATION MEDIA
  • GSM modem (M2M)
  • PSTN modem
BASE UNIT CHARACTERISTICS
  • N° 8 analog inputs w/ 8 or 10 bit resolution, input voltages from 0 to 5 VDC
  • N° 8 optically isolated digital inputs 5mA (max 24V) w/ selectable polarity
  • N° 8 single state output relay, max current 1A @ 24 VCC
  • N° 6 internal inputs for auto diagnostic purposes
  • N° 1 RS485 optically isolated port for equipment communication using ANTLAN® or RPTC protocol, or any other protocol using an external PROTOCOL BRIDGE (mod. Ant130)
  • N° 2 RS232 port for general purposes or modem connection (can be used together)
  • N° 1 RS232 for PC connection
EXPANDIBILITY
  • 256 analog inputs (8 or 10 bit resolution, others available upon request)
  • 248 digital inputs
  • 256 relay outputs
  • 32 analog outputs (10 bit resolution)
Next Steps
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