RV-M7 Data Radio Modem Technical Manual Version E2 November, 2014 IP65 "Weatherproof” Version Raveon Technologies Corporation www.raveon.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Table of Contents 1. General Information about the RV-M7 ............................................................................................ 4 1.1 Congratulations! ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 NOTICE .......................................................................................................................................................
RV-M7 Technical Manual Packet Size .................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Key-On_Data................................................................................................................................................................. 34 Busy-Channel Lock Out................................................................................................................
RV-M7 Technical Manual DTR .............................................................................................................................................................................. 59 CD Output Data Framing ............................................................................................................................................... 59 15.2 Null modem without handshaking......................................................................................................
RV-M7 Technical Manual Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Turn off your radio prior to entering any area with a potentially explosive atmosphere. Do not install this product for use in areas with potentially explosive atmospheres. Do not remove, install, or charge batteries in such areas. Sparks in a potentially explosive atmosphere can cause an explosion or fire resulting in bodily injury or even death.
RV-M7 Technical Manual ETSI EN 300 113-2 V1.4.2 (09) ETSI EN 301 489-1 V1.8.1 (08) ETSI EN 301 489-3 V1.4.1 (02) ETSI EN 301 440-2 V1.4.1 (10) ETSI EN 50 385 (02) ETSI EN 301 489-5 V1.3.1 (02) European Automotive EMC Directive: Electrical Safety: 2004/104/CE EN 60950-1 :2006/A11 :2009 The following certifications are specific to models RV-M7-VB-x: Industry Canada: 8386A-RVM7VB 1.6 FCC Compliance Information This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 2. Overview The M7 RF data radio is a rugged high-performance, high-speed narrow-band data modem. It contains a receiver, a transmitter, and modem, creating an easy-to-use transparent data radio link. The M7’s user interface is asynchronous RS-232 data into and out of the M7 (CMOS level optional). Modem operation is virtually transparent to the user and the configuration of the modem is via the user serial port.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 3. Specifications 3.1 General All measurements made per TIA-603-B Frequency: Model RV-M7-VA (Non-US Frequency; except military) ........................................... 136 - 155MHz Model RV-M7-VB .................................................................................................... 150 - 174MHz Model RV-M7-UA (Non-US Frequency) .....................................................................403 – 434MHz Model RV-M7-UB (Non-US Frequency) ....................
RV-M7 Technical Manual 3.5 Model Numbers The model number of the M7 modem identifies its operating frequency band, RF power level, and bandwidth. The models are: RV-M7-ab-c-oo where: a = The band (V=136-174MHz, U=406-512MHz) b = Sub band (A,B,C,…) c = Channel Spacing (blank=12.5kHz, W=25kHz) oo = Options (-GX for GPS, -WX for waterproof enclosure) Other frequency bands, power levels, and channel spacing are available. Contact Raveon for your specific needs.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 4. Electrical Inputs and Outputs The front panel of the M7 modem has these features: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 4.1 RF connector Power LED Status LED (Receive data = green, TX = red) 9-Pin Serial I/O connector DC Power Jack LEDs The status LED indicates the current status of the radio. Status LED (TX) This LED blinks red when the transmitter keys and is putting out RF power. It blinks green upon the reception of data or RF carrier.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 4.3 RS-232/EIA232 Serial I/O Connector The RS-232 9-pin serial I/O connector is a female 9-pin D-subminiature connector having the following pins configuration. It is pinned out so that it may be plugged directly into a computer or PC’s 9-pin COM port. Front-view of DB-9 connector on modem (female) Pin Name Dir Function Level / Specification 1 CD out Carrier detect If enabled, indicates presence of carrier. Logical 0 (+ voltage on RS-232) means carrier is present.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Note: RS-232 signals use positive and negative voltages to represent digital 1s and 0s. A positive voltage is a 0, and a negative voltage is a digital 1. This pin-out enables the radio to be directly connected to a computer’s 9-pin serial port using a conventional 9-pin RS-232 serial cable. To connect it to a modem, or computer peripheral that has a serial port, a “null-modem” cable is required. See Appendix A for more information on wiring a nullmodem cable.
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RV-M7 Technical Manual 4.5 -WX 5-Pin Circular I/O Connector Pin-Out A) RS-232 serial cable for –WX version The RS-232 serial cable uses at Hirose connector, part number HR30-6P-6S(71). B) RS-422 Connector Pin-Out on –WX 5-Pin Circular Connector If the RS422 option is installed in the M7 (-WX option), then the RS422 signals are connected to the 5-pin water proof connector as shown below.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 4.6 Optional EIA-485/RS-485 Serial I/O RS-485 Connector Pin Out RS-485 is a two-wire connection, with the pair of wires transmitting and receiving data. With the RS-485 enabled (ATIO 2 command), the 9-pin serial I/O connector on the front of the M7 is a female 9-pin Dsubminiature connector having the following pins configuration.
RV-M7 Technical Manual If you wish to run the RS-485 in full-duplex mode using two M7s, the interface must be wired with two separate pairs of wires; A&B on one pair, and Out+ & Out- on the other pair. The M7’s RS-485 I/O circuit uses 3.3V logic to drive the lines, and the RS-485 pins are ESD protected to ±15kV and 7kV human body model. Input current is less than 150uA. Output current when not driving the line is less than 50uA.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Phoenix Contact/Tyco makes a convenient DB-9 to terminal-block connector, part number 2761839. 4.7 RS422/EIA-422 Serial I/O Connector RS-422 communications uses 4-wire differential signals. The RS422 9-pin serial I/O connector is a female 9-p D-subminiature connector having the following pins configuration. Front-view of DB-9 connector on modem (female) Pin # Name 1 Dir Function - Do not connect Level / Specification Do not connect this pin to anything.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Serial out data comes out pins 3 and 7. Serial input data comes in via pins 4 and 8. Connect pin 5 to earth ground. 4.8 Low Power Mode (LPM) The M7 modem, has the ability to be put into a low power sleep mode (SM). In SM the modem draws much less current from the DC input. In SM, the internal radio circuits in the M7 are disabled, as well as certain current-consuming hardware circuits. The ability of the M7 to go into LPM is set with a configuration bit, using the ATSM command.
RV-M7 Technical Manual pattern occurring in a stream of data entering the modem, there must be a pause in the data stream before the +++ as well as a pause after the +++ is sent. If either pause is missing, the modem will not enter the command mode. Using serial communications software such as HypterTerminal, send the 3-character command sequence “+++” while observing times of silence before [BT (Silence Before Sequence) Command] and after [AT (Silence After Sequence) Command] the command characters.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Once a Parameter is changed, the modem will begin using the new parameter and the new parameter is saved to non-volatile. 5.4 Reading a Parameter To read the value of a particular setting, issue the command, with no parameter. The modem will return the value followed by an “OK”. The modem’s OK response is: The value in ASCII decimal format. A ( = ASCII 0D, = ASCII 0A). An “O”, “K”, , and sequence.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 5.6 CONFIG Button If certain parameters within the modem are modified in a manner that causes the modem to cease functioning or if the user cannot enter the command mode via the “+++” method described above, there is a small push button internal to the M7 modem to assist in this case. This CONFIG button may be pressed at any time, and forces the modem into a known operational state. The CONFIG button is located inside the modem.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Even though the serial baud rate reverts to 9600 baud when the CONFIG button is pressed and the IO port is RS-232, it will revert back to the settings programmed into the M7 modem once the Command Mode is exited. Note: If the user-interface is password protected, and the Config button on the M7 is pressed, for security reasons, the encryption phrase is automatically erased. 5.7 Exiting the Command Mode There are three ways to exit the command mode. They are: 1.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 5.9 Command Mode Commands AT Factory Command Description Parameters Default Command ATAK Enable/Disable ARQ – When ARQ is enabled, this modem will automatically send an ACK packet back to a modem that sends it data. 0=off, 1=on. ATAT Silence AFTER Sequence - Sets period of silence after the command sequence characters in mS. Range: 0 – 1 0 (no AKCs sent) Range:0 – 1000 500 (mS) Range: 0 – 7 Baud Rate – Sets serial com port baud rate (bps).
RV-M7 Technical Manual when the line is negated). 0 = Disable ATCS Set automatic on-line after ATDT command – 0: stay in command mode after exiting ATDTxxxx command. This is the default configuration. 1: Exit command mode after receiving an ATDTxxxx command. See technical bulletin AN163 for more information about this command. 1 = Enable 0 = Disable 0 ATCH Configure Hardware Flow Control – Enable (1) or disable (0) flow control.
RV-M7 Technical Manual current channel number. ATGP Group Number – Set/read the group number for this unit. 0 means ignore the group number. 1-255 is a group identifier. Only M7s with the same Group Number will communicate together. ATH0 Hang-Up – Tells the M7 to stay off-line. Effectively does nothing. 0-255 0 0 (ignore group numbers) N/A Hang-Up – Tells the M7 to exit the command mode and go See technical bulletin AN163 for more information about this command. ATH1 on-line.
RV-M7 Technical Manual ATMT Protocol Select – The over-the-air communication protocol. 0=Packetized mode, 2=Streaming data. Range: 0-2 ATMY Unit Address – Configures the individual; address for this unit. Each digit may be a 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E,or F. Note: FF is interpreted as a group. See addressing section. Range: 0000 - FFFF Parity – Selects parity format. Settings 0-4 transfer 8-bits over antenna port and generate the parity bit on the RF receiving side.
RV-M7 Technical Manual ATR8 Frequency Offset. Used to set the radio on the center of the radio channel. Range: -500 to +500 0** ATRB Number of retries. If this modem does not get an ACK back when it sends data, this is the number of times it will retransmit the packet and wait for an ACK. 0=disabled feature. Range: 0-99 ATRF RF Carrier Required – When enabled, there must be RF energy on the channel for the modem to output data. Streaming data mode only. 1-RF required.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 5 = TX all 1s 6 = Test Points ON 7 = Transmit CW 8 = Transmit 1010101… ATTE Read product temperature – Read the internal temperature of the unit’s circuit board in degrees Celsius. -40 to +99 ATTT Max Packet Size – Set the maximum number of bytes in an over-the-air packet. 1 - 512 ATV0 Numeric Response code– Configure the unit to send 0, 1 and 2, response codes. ATV1 Verbose Response code– Configure the unit to send OK, ERROR, and CONNECT response codes.
RV-M7 Technical Manual that the radio is tuned to cover. CONFIG Display the M7’s configuration. MODEL Read Model number. Read the model number. None Ping another modem. Format is PING xxxx, where xxxx is the ID of the modem to ping. If remote access is enabled on xxxx, it will respond. XXXX PING REPEAT RPR SHOW Turn Repeater feature on/off. If 1, a quick way to enable repeating all packets. I f 0, disables the repeat feature. 0, 1, or 2 0 (off) or 1 (on) - - 0 Remote Procedure Request.
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RV-M7 Technical Manual 6. Using the M7 Modem – Packet Mode This section describes the operation of the when it is in the Packet Mode of operation. Packet Mode is the factory-default operating mode. It is the easiest and most reliable mode of operation for a modem. Note: The configuration of the M7 is done when the M7 is in the “Command Mode”. Refer to Section 5. on page 18 for details on all of the available commands and programmable features.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Figure 1 (Packet Mode of Operation) For operation of the modem in the streaming data, non-packetized mode, see the section Streaming Mode on page 41. The Packet or Streaming operation is configured using the ATMT command, with Packet Mode being the factory default. 6.1 Setup 1. Connect a DC power source to the DC IN connection on the front of the modem. 2. Connect a good quality antenna, cut to the operating frequency, to the BNC connector on the front of the modem.
RV-M7 Technical Manual ATMY ATMK ATDT The ID of this unit. Default is 1234. The network address mask. Default is FFFF. The address of the unit this modem will talk to. Default is 1234. 6. Connect your serial data device to the 9-pin connector on the front of the modem. The radio is now ready to use. Any serial data going into the modem will be transmitted over the air, and any data received over the air will be sent out the serial port.
RV-M7 Technical Manual utilization is only about 50%. But, if the serial port baud rate is set much higher, say 2-8X the overthe air rate, the channel utilization becomes near 100%. Because the M7 can handle serial-port data rate far in excess of the over-the-air rate, the efficiency of the M7 in Packet Mode is approximately the same as other brand modems that cannot operate in a Packet Mode — with the added benefit or ARQ, error-free data, and addressing.
RV-M7 Technical Manual interfere with each other. Also, some user application cannot tolerate receiving data that was not intended for it, and by setting the addresses in the modems properly, the system can be configured to allow reception of only data intended for the recipient. If addressing is not needed or desired, it can be turned off so that all modems receive data from all other modems, and all modems can talk to all other modems.
RV-M7 Technical Manual its serial port. If it does not match, the receiving modem discards the data, and does not send it out the serial port. Setting A System-Wide Address If individual addressing is not needed in your system, there are two ways to ensure it is not used. One way is to set all modems in the system with the same Unit Address and Destination Address. From the factory, these are both set to 1234, and thus, all modems can communicate with all other modems, using the address 1234.
RV-M7 Technical Manual ` Figure 2 (Address Filtering) M7 receives data over-theair to Destination Address xxxx “AND” them together M7 has Unit Address yyyy M7 has Address Mask zzzz “AND” them together Compare the two results from these two ANDs Output the data via serial port if the two results were identical One effect of this is that an address mask of 0000 will cause the M7 modem to received any data from any unit that transmits.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Notes: This is the default configuration. All units have address 1234, and all modems will talk to all other modems with address 1234. Example 2 (a configuration that won’t work) Sending to Destination Address = 1236 Receiving Unit Address = 1234 Receiving Unit’s Address Mask = FFFF Result: No data will be received, because the address do not match, and the address mask of FFFF requires that all digits in the address match. .
RV-M7 Technical Manual The factory default condition is not to send or require ACK packets, so if you wish to use this mode, program the M7 to transmit ACKs with the ATAK 1 command. This will cause the modem to send an ACK anytime it receives data from another modem. Note: If the destination address was a broadcast (FFFF, FFxx, or xxFF), it will not wait for an ACK.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Figure 3 Overview of Repeater Operation In the example shown in Figure 3 above, M7 A is will communicate with all other modems in the system. It can directly communicate with B, H, and F. Because of propagation limits, it cannot communicate reliable to E, D, C, and G. To solve this problem, some of the M7 modems are configured as repeaters. The still are able to send and receive data, but they also will repeat data out to the modems that are out of range of M7 A.
RV-M7 Technical Manual M7 Unit ID (ATMY) Destination (ATDT) Network Mask (ATMK) Repeat Source Repeat Source Mask Repeat Destination Repeat Destination Mask A B Addresses programmed into unit 1000 1000 FF00 1010 1000 FF00 Repeater table programmed into unit 1020 FFFF 1000 FFFF 1000 FFFF 1000 FFFF C D 1020 1030 1031 FFFF 1000 FFFF 1000 FFFF 1000 FFFF 1030 FFFF 1000 FFFF 1000 FFF0 1000 FFFF E F G H 1032 1021 1031 1022 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 FF00 FF00 FF00 FF00 FF00 FF00
RV-M7 Technical Manual There can be an issue with regard to store-and-forward repeating and busy channels, particularly on polled systems. Raveon’s M7 wireless modem has a number of provisions in it to make store-andforward repeating work smoothly. For example, in the diagram above, assume A is the master station, and C is a remote station being polled.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 7. Using the M7 Modem – Streaming Mode This section describes the operation of the Streaming Mode of operation. This mode is selected with the command ATMT 2. 7.1 Streaming Mode Operation In Streaming Mode, radio transmissions will begin whenever data enters the mode, and the transmission will continue as long as there is data to send. The transmitter will automatically key when data enters the modem, and there is no need to assert any control lines.
RV-M7 Technical Manual enters the modem. When the buffer is empty and there is no more data coming into the modem, it will automatically de-key the radio and go back into the receive mode. The M7 modem will send a hidden end-of-message signal to the receiving modem, thus avoiding any extra data bytes “dribble bytes” from coming out of the user serial port. When the modem is operating with very weak signals, the end-of-message signal may be obscured, and missed by the receiving M7.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 7.6 Setting the Over-The-Air Data Rate The M7 has programmable over-the-air baud rates. The over-the-air rate is stored in register R2, and is programmed with the ATR2 x command, where x is a number corresponding to the rate. The are many possible baud rates, but not all rates may be used with all radio modem models. Consult the following table. Over-the-air rate 800bps (R2=0) Radio Bandwidth Number of Modulation Levels M7 Modem Models that support the rates 12.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Other data rates of 0(800bps), 2(2400bps), 3(4800bps), and 7(9600bps) will work, but have a less optimal bit-error-rate vs. receive sensitivity. RV-M7-UC-W (wide-band version) For high-speed operation, set R2 to 5 (9600 baud). For best range (longest distance), set R2 to 1 (1200 baud) Other data rates of 0(800bps), 2(2400bps), 3(4800bps), 7(9600bps), and 6(19,200bps) will work, but have a less optimal bit-error-rate vs. receive sensitivity.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 8. 9. Installation 1. Secure the M7 modem using the four mounting holes on the side flanges of the unit. 2. Connect a DC power source to the DC IN connection on the front of the modem. Use the supplied cable, and connect the RED wire to +, and the black wire to – (ground). The black wire and the case of the M7 should be connected to earth ground. 3. Connect a good quality antenna, tuned to the operating frequency, to the RF connector on the front of the modem.
RV-M7 Technical Manual The FCC website also offers a list of Frequency Coordinators. These are private organizations officially certified by the FCC to help you through the process, and who in most cases will handle the actual filing of your application. With few exceptions, you must apply for an FCC license through a Frequency Coordinator. They are located throughout the country, making it easy for you to find one that is familiar with radio operations in your area.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 1.1.1.2 Packet Counter The packet counter mode will output packet count statistics once per minute. It will output the number of packets received in the last minute as well as the running total. T ATPE Begin counting and displaying the packet counters every minute ATPE 1 Reset the packet counters back to zero ATPE 2 Stop counting and displaying packet counters Upon power up, the packet counter feature is always disabled.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 11. M7 Diagnostic Provisions 11.1 Overview of Diagnostics Internal to the M7 radio modem, is a powerful 32-bit microprocessor. Along with handing all aspects of radio modulation and demodulation, the microprocessor also maintains an extensive array of diagnostic information. This section details the diagnostic information available, and describes how to us the information to optimize or troubleshoot a M7 radio network. 11.
RV-M7 Technical Manual ST9 Reset all statistics counters ST10 Statistic Read – Returns numeric values, comma separated, of all statistics as described in the ST command.
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RV-M7 Technical Manual 11.6 ATST3 Command The ATST3 command, will return the time and date the firmware in the M7 was compiled. 11.7 ATST4 Command The ATST4 command will return internal timers that tell how long the modem has been powered up and running. All of these timers restart a 0 upon power up. Run time: Years: nnn Days : nnn Hours: nnn Min: nnn Sec: nnn Uptime:nnn OK 12.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 12.2 Calibration Commands The following AT commands are used to calibrate the M7. Do not ever change these unless you have been factory trained to do so. AT Factory Command Description Parameters Default Command Symbol Peak Deviation – Set the peak FM deviation of the R0 R1 transmit symbols. Note: This can be a negative number to invert the modulation. Select CD pin output signal – CD may be RF carrier detect, or modem data detect.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 2. The modem will now put out CW on the center of the channel. 3. Read the frequency offset with the ATR8 command. 4. Adjust the frequency to the center of the channel with the ATR8 command. You can use the “U” key and the “D” key to change the settings up and down one value in real time. 12.4 TX Deviation 1. Switch to channel 1. 2. Key the transmitter into a 50 ohm load using the ATTD 3 command. The unit will now transmit, and send a digital 0 continuously. This should be +2.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 13. SkyLine Compatibility 13.1 General The M7 RF modem has built-in compatibility with a radio modem made by Sonik Technologies, Vytek Wireless, and Cal Amp called the SkyLine. In most applications, Raveon’s M7 modem can communicate with SkyLine modems, provided the M7 is properly configured. There are two versions of the Skyline, a wide-band version running at 9600 bps over the air, and a narrow-band version running at 5142bps over the air. 13.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Note: The maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) for this product was computed using a 0dB gain antenna, and must be recalculated if a gain antenna is used. Height Try to locate the antenna as high above obstructions, vehicle, and buildings as possible. UHF and VHF radio channels require a clear “line-of-sight” between the transmitter and the receiver.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 15. Appendix A. Serial Port Hardware 15.1 Serial Port Data and Handshaking Signals In computer terminology, the RF modem is considered a “Data Communications Equipment” device, or DCE. The user’s hardware that the modem is connected to is considered “Data Terminal Equipment”, or DTE. Following is a description of how data and control is communicated over the various serial port signals between the modem (DCE) and another device (DTE) that the modem’s I/O port is connected to.
RV-M7 Technical Manual CD On this line the modem indicates to the DTE that it has received a carrier from a remote device. It will assert this signal any time there is a carrier detected. The modem may be configured to assert this when an RF carrier is detected (any on-channel RF, voice or data), assert it only when another RF modem signal is detected, or always assert it. The operation of this line is configured with the ATR1 command.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 15.2 Null modem without handshaking Sometimes, a “Null Modem” cable may be required to connect the M7 modem to another device. The specific connections are very dependent upon the type of hardware and handshaking used, but the following sections should help in configuring a null-modem cable. How to use the handshaking lines in a null modem configuration? The simplest way is to don't use them at all.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 15.4 Null modem with full handshaking Caution: Most null modem cables are designed for host-to-host communication and will not work for device-to-device communication! See the section on compatibility issues for more details. In this null modem cable, seven wires are present. The cable is shown in the following figure. Null modem with full handshaking (DB-9 Female shown.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 16. MIMIC Mode Overview A MIMIC mode allows two or more M7s to mimic each other’s digital I/O. When in the MIMIC mode, the M7 will periodically transmit its digital status. The M7 will also continue to operate as a radio modem, sending/receiving data using pins 2&3 of the DB9, but the other I/O pins of the DB9 will be used for digital input/output. Normally, the Serial I/O connector operates like an RS-232 serial interface.
RV-M7 Technical Manual 17. Troubleshooting Symptom: Unit will not receive Solution #1. Verify that the modem is on the correct RF channel. If it is, the RX LED should blink every time another modem tries to transmit to it. If the RX LED does not blink when it should be receiving, it is on the wrong RF frequency. Soultion #2. If the addresses match, and RX LED blinks but still no reception of data, verify that the RTS signal is asserted.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Alternately, remove the rear cover of the modem, and press the CONFIG button. This will force the modem into the Command Mode, as well as set the serial port to 9600 baud, 8 data bits, one stop, and no parity. If the baud-rate was OK, verify the AT, BT and CT times, that they are long enough for you to enter the +++ string. Symptom: Long delay before transmitting Solution #1. Verify that serial port timeout is OK.
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RV-M7 Technical Manual Limited Two Year Warranty If within 24 months from date of purchase, this Product fails conforms to Raveon Technologies Corporation’s (the Company) published specifications for the model purchased due to a defect in material or workmanship, Raveon Technologies Corporation will repair or replace it, at Raveon’s sole discretion. This warranty is extended to the original purchasing end user only and is not transferable.
RV-M7 Technical Manual Warranty service is available by mailing postage prepaid to: Raveon Technologies Corporation 2320 Cousteau Court Vista, CA 92081 - USA To obtain warranty service, include a copy of the original sales receipt or invoice showing the date, location, and price of purchase. Include a written description of the problem with the product, a phone number and name of person who may be contacted regarding the problem, and the address to where the product should be returned.