Sd Model Offerings; Operating Modes And Applicable Manuals - GE MDS SD Series Technical Manual

To use this feature, a network must consist of all SDx radios. This feature is applicable only on
digital modems (B modems are excluded). Note that this feature does not affect adjacent channel
performance, but only co-channel performance.

2.3 SD Model Offerings

The radio is offered in three model types, using one hardware platform:
• Ethernet (ES) — All SD features and functionality
• Standard (SS) — All SD features, except over-the-air Ethernet data
• x710 (MS) — Direct, drop-in compatibility for networks using a mix of SD and older
MDS x710 radios
Model Number Codes
The unit's model number is printed on the bottom label. Additional unit details are available
through the Device Manager, described later in this manual.

2.4 Operating Modes and Applicable Manuals

In addition to the model offerings above, the radio may be configured to operate in any of the
following modes:
Standard Modes (Modes covered by this manual)
• Packet Mode — Payload data from the radio's serial and Ethernet ports is assembled in-
to packets and transmitted over the air. Packet mode supports Ethernet Bridging, AES
128-bit encryption, and Virtual Radio Channels (VRC). This mode requires an all-SD ra-
dio network.
• Packet w/MAC — This mode is similar to Packet Mode above, but adds a Media Access
Control (MAC) layer to the feature set. The MAC provides robust collision avoidance,
with an AP controlling which unit can access the communication channel, and when, for
maximum efficiency of the radio channel. This mode supports push traffic, data retry,
Virtual Radio Channels (VRC), AES 128-bit encryption, Peer-to-Peer, Store and Forward
operation, and Tail End Link Monitoring. This mode requires an all-SD radio network.
• Transparent Mode — This mode is over-the-air compatible with MDS x710 transceiv-
ers, while supporting payload data encapsulated in IP at the Ethernet port. This mode is
ideal for mixed networks containing SD and older MDS x710 radios. It allows currently
deployed x710 networks to add support for Ethernet data at either the Master or Remote
radios. Note that Ethernet Bridging is not supported in this mode.
NOTE Transparent Mode also offers AES Encryption and added security for DLINK polling. A
separate DLINK Encryption passphrase is only applicable when Transparent w/ AES
Encryption is enabled. Transparent w/AES Encryption requires an all SD radio network
x710 Mode: Different Manual Required
• x710 Mode — This mode provides direct, drop-in compatibility with MDS x710 trans-
ceivers, and uses the same core command set as these radios. It is designed for use in sys-
tems containing a mix of SD radios and legacy MDS x710 units.
6 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. I
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