Data-Linc Group wireless FLC910E OFDM radio modem

Data-Linc Group’s industrial-grade wireless FLC910E radio modem is part of the FastLinc range of high-speed modems. The modem is suitable for in-plant applications, even in high-noise industrial environments such as high-voltage areas and near variable-frequency drives (VFDs) or arc welders.

The radio modem provides high data transfer rates and immunity to multi-path fading. It transmits and receives data via the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) spreading method that utilises a wide number of carrier frequencies transmitted simultaneously, dividing signal data across exactly spaced carrier frequencies designed to have the exact minimum orthogonal spacing. This ensures that each carrier frequency will not interfere with any other and it is this precise space utilisation in the 900 MHz band that gives the radio modem its robust, reliable performance.

Data transfer is via a wide channel that supports complex modulation and resulting data rates up to 54 Mbps with low latency. OFDM also enables the radio modem to be significantly more immune to multi-path fading caused by RF reflection that can be particularly troublesome for plantfloor data transfer, conditions that constrain data rates and reliability in standard 802.11 high-speed data systems. The advantage of the 900 MHz band, wide-channel modulation and immunity to multi-path fading permits the FLC910E to provide high data transfer rates while maintaining good noise resistance and improving line-of-sight (LOS) issues.