Depending on the hardware configuration, Midge3 antenna connectors may be located on the front panel, on the bottom panel, or on both panels. The antenna interfaces use SMA female 50 Ω connectors.

The location and labelling of the antenna connectors correspond to the position of the associated interface module:

Fig. 2.5: MAIN interface module connectors (example)

The exact number and assignment of the SMA connectors depend on the installed interface module. Depending on the module, an SMA connector may be used for an antenna or for another signal, such as a Pulse Per Second output.

See Section 2.4, “Interface modules” for a detailed description of each module and its connector assignment.

	Warning
	M!DGE3 may be damaged when a connector used for radio transmission is operated without a suitable antenna or a 50 Ω dummy load.

This rugged connector connects to a power supply and it contains control signals. A plug with screw-terminals and retaining screws for power and control connector is supplied with each M!DGE3. It is Tyco 7 pin terminal block plug, part No. 1776192-7, contact pitch 3.81 mm. The connector is designed for electric wires with a cross section of 0.5 to 1.5 mm². Strip the wire leads to 6 mm (1/4 inch). Isolated cables should receive PKC 108 or less end sleeves before they are inserted in the clip. Insert the cables in the wire ports, tightening securely.

Pins 3 and 7 are connected internally.
Pins 4 and 6 are connected internally.
Minus pole (GND) is internally connected with casing.

Fig. 2.7: Supply connector

Fig. 2.8: Power and Control – cable plug

HW ALARM INPUT HW ALARM INPUT is a digital input. If grounded (e.g. by connecting to pin 3), an external alarm is triggered.

HW ALARM OUTPUT HW ALARM OUTPUT is a digital output.

POWER

The POWER pins labelled + and – serve to connect a power supply 10–50 VDC. The requirements for a power supply are defined in Section 4.8, “Power supply” and Chapter 9, Technical parameters.

Standard RJ45 connectors for Ethernet connection. M!DGE3 has 10/100/1000Base-T Auto MDI/MDIX interfaces so it can connect to 10 Mb/s, 100 Mb/s or 1000 Mb/s Ethernet network. The speed can be selected manually or recognized automatically by M!DGE3. M!DGE3 is provided with Auto MDI/MDIX function which allows it to connect over both standard and cross cables, adapting itself automatically.

	Note
	M!DGE3e has only 2 ETH ports.

Pin assignment

Tab. 2.2: Ethernet to cable connector connections

Pin	Signal	Direct cable	Crossed cable
1	TX+	orange – white	green – white
2	TX-	orange	green
3	RX+	green – white	orange – white
4	—	blue	blue
5	—	blue – white	blue – white
6	RX-	green	orange
7	—	brown – white	brown – white
8	—	brown	brown

Fig. 2.9: SFP slot

ETH5 is a standard SFP slot for 10/100/1000 Mb/s Ethernet SFP modules, user exchangeable with maximal power consumption 1.25 W. Both fibre optic and metallic Ethernet SFP modules are supported. For optical both single and dual mode fibre optics Ethernet modules (= 2 or 1 fibers) can be used. CSFP modules are not supported.
RACOM offers all mentioned types of SFP modules, tested to be M!DGE3 compatible as a standard accessory.

The SFP status LED is located just next to the slot. It is controlled by SFP module. Its function is specific for each SFP module. The typical behavior is an indication the received signal from the fibre optic or metallic link to be within operational range.

	Important
	It is strongly recommended to use a high quality SFP module with industry temperature range. The SFP modules listed in Accessories are thoroughly tested by RACOM and are guaranteed to function with M!DGE3 units. It is possible to use any other SFP module, but RACOM cannot guarantee they will be completely compatible with M!DGE3 units.

	Note
	M!DGE3e has no SFP port.

M!DGE3 provides serial interface COM terminated by 5 pin terminal connector which is supplied with each M!DGE3 unit. It can be configured as RS232 or RS485. It is Tyco 5 pin terminal block plug, part No. 1776192-5, contact pitch 3.81 mm. The connector is designed for electric wires with a cross section of 0.5 to 1.5 mm². Strip the wire leads to 6 mm (1/4 inch). Isolated cables should receive PKC 108 or less end sleeves before they are inserted in the clip. Insert the cables in the wire ports, tightening securely.

RS232 of M!DGE3 is a hard-wired DCE (Data Communication Equipment) device. Equipment connected to the serial port of M!DGE3 unit should be DTE (Data Terminal Equipment).

RS485 of M!DGE3 is not galvanic isolated and it is not terminated.

Tab. 2.3: COM pin description

Terminal block	COM1 – RS232		COM1 – RS485		COM2 – RS232 (var. D only)
Pin	Signal	In / Out	Signal	In / Out	Signal	In / Out
5	CTS	Out	—		RxD	Out
4	RTS	In	—		TxD	In
3	RxD	Out	line B	In/Out	—
2	TxD	In	line A	In/Out	—
1	GND		GND		GND

	Note
	COM2 on the 5 pin terminal connector is available with the M!DGE3-x-x-D hardware version. The “M!DGE3-SW-COM2” software key must be installed to unlock COM2. Switching between RS232 and RS485 mode is only possible on the COM1 port. COM2 can only be used if COM1 is set to RS232 (not RS485).

	Note
	Extension module ‘C’ allows to expand the unit by two additional RS232 serial ports. In the current firmware version it is not supported on HW which already provides COM2 in the basic version (Var. D). Module description can be found in section Section 2.4.4, “2× RS232 module ‘C’”.

M!DGE3 uses USB 3.0, Host A interface. USB interface is wired as standard:

Tab. 2.4: USB A Pinout Cable Assembly

Pin	Signal	Wire
1	VBUS	Red
2	D-	White
3	D+	Green
4	GND	Black
5	StdA_SSRX-	Blue
6	StdA_SSRX+	Yellow
7	GND_DRAIN	GROUND
8	StdA_SSTX-	Purple
9	StdA_SSTX+	Orange
Shell	Shield	Connector Shell

The USB interface is designed for the connection to an external ETH/USB adapter or a Wi-Fi adapter. There are optional accessories to M!DGE3, for more details see here. The adapters are used for service access to web configuration interface of M!DGE3 unit.

The USB connector also provides power supply (5 V / 0.5 A). It can be used to temporarily power a connected device, for instance a telephone. The USB connector should not be used as permanent source of power supply.

Fig. 2.10: HW button

HW button is placed on the right side of M!DGE3, next to the logo.

Fig. 2.11: HW button scheme

HW button operation

Two SIM card holders for Micro SIM (3FF) are available under the screwed cover on the M!DGE3 right side.

	Warning
	Disconnect M!DGE3 unit from a power supply before opening the cover and manipulating with SIM cards.

Four cellular interface module variants are available: ‘W’, ‘R’, ‘S’ and ‘Q’.

Depending on the ordered configuration, a Midge3 unit can contain one or two cellular modules. Their positions are identified as MAIN and EXT. Each cellular interface is configured independently in SETTINGS > Interfaces > Cellular > MAIN/EXT.

When a cellular module is installed in the EXT position, its connection status and signal level are indicated by the EXT LED. See Section 2.3, “Indication LEDs”.

2.4.1.1. 4G module ‘W’

The Cinterion PLS83-W cellular module provides 4G, 3G and 2G connectivity. For supported frequency bands and other technical parameters, see Chapter 9, Technical parameters.

The module supports operation with one or two antennas:

ANT1 (MAIN) / EXT1 (EXT)	primary antenna connector used for both transmitting and receiving.
ANT2 (MAIN) / EXT2 (EXT)	antenna connector used for receive diversity

	Note
	For optimal LTE performance, the use of both antennas is recommended. If only one antenna is used, connect it to ANT1 for a MAIN module or to EXT1 for an EXT module.

2.4.1.3. 5G module ‘Q’

The Telit FN990A28-HP cellular module provides 5G NR, 4G LTE and 3G WCDMA connectivity. For supported frequency bands and other technical parameters, see Chapter 9, Technical parameters.

The module can only be installed in the EXT position. When installed, five SMA female antenna connectors labelled EXT1 to EXT5 are available on the bottom panel:

• EXT2 to EXT5 are used for cellular communication.

• EXT1 is connected to the module’s dedicated GNSS antenna input.

The assignment of the cellular antenna connectors depends on the radio technology and operating frequency band. In particular, the primary transmit/receive path is not connected to the same connector in all supported bands.

The connectors have the following general functions:

• EXT5 – the primary transmit/receive connector for all 3G bands and most 4G and 5G bands. For 5G bands n38 and n41, it is used as a receive-diversity and second transmit path. For LTE bands B42, B43 and B48 and 5G bands n48, n77, n78 and n79, it is used as a receive-diversity path.

• EXT4 – an additional MIMO receive connector for selected 4G and 5G bands. For 5G bands n48, n77, n78 and n79, it is also used as the second transmit path.

• EXT3 – generally used as a receive-diversity or additional MIMO receive connector. For 5G bands n38 and n41, it is the primary transmit/receive connector.

• EXT2 – generally used as an additional MIMO receive connector. It is the primary transmit/receive connector for LTE bands B42, B43 and B48 and for 5G bands n48, n77, n78 and n79.

• EXT1 – the dedicated GNSS antenna connector.

The following cellular antenna configurations can be used:

Four cellular antennas
Connect antennas to EXT2, EXT3, EXT4 and EXT5. This is the recommended configuration for general-purpose operation, automatic band selection or operation in multiple frequency bands.

The four-antenna configuration provides all available receive paths and supports:

• up to 4 × 4 MIMO in the downlink;

• up to 2 × 2 MIMO in the uplink for selected 5G bands.

Two cellular antennas
A two-antenna configuration can be used only when the operating frequency bands are known in advance. The required connectors depend on the selected frequency band.

There is no universal primary and diversity connector pair suitable for all supported frequency bands.

One cellular antenna
A one-antenna configuration is intended only for strictly fixed-band installations. The antenna must be connected to the primary transmit/receive connector used by the selected frequency band.

Receive diversity and MIMO are not available when only one cellular antenna is connected.

	Important
	There is no single one- or two-antenna connection suitable for all supported frequency bands. For installations using multiple bands or automatic band selection, connect all four cellular antennas. Any connector that can be used as a transmit path in the enabled frequency bands must be connected to a suitable antenna or a 50 Ω dummy load.

	Note
	The FN990A28-HP module includes an internal GNSS receiver. Support for this receiver is not yet implemented in the M!DGE3 firmware. Connecting a GNSS antenna to EXT1 therefore does not currently provide GNSS functionality.

The EmWicon WMX6218 Wi-Fi module provides IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac wireless connectivity in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. It supports 2 × 2 MIMO and can only be installed in the EXT position.

The Wi-Fi interface operates in Access Point (AP) mode. Wi-Fi client mode is not implemented.

For detailed configuration instructions, see Section 7.1.6, “Wi-Fi”. For other technical parameters, see Chapter 9, Technical parameters.

Two SMA female antenna connectors are available on the bottom panel:

The module can be operated with one or two antennas:

Two antennas
Connect antennas to EXT1 and EXT2. Configure both connectors as Tx/Rx to use the available 2 × 2 MIMO capability.

One antenna
Connect the antenna to either EXT1 or EXT2. Configure the corresponding connector as Tx/Rx and set the unused connector to Off.

The antenna connector functions are configured in SETTINGS > Interfaces > Wi-Fi.

The actual transmit power is limited according to the selected operating region, antenna gain and cable loss.

The GNSS module uses a 72-channel u-blox M8 receiver engine and can only be installed in the EXT position.

The module supports the following satellite navigation systems:

The module provides:

Two SMA female connectors are available on the bottom panel:

	Important
	EXT2 is a PPS signal output, not an antenna connector. Do not connect an antenna to EXT2.

The GNSS receiver can provide position data to client applications through the GNSS server. GNSS time information is also used internally by the NTP service.

For configuration instructions see Section 7.6.1.4, “GNSS (GPS)” and Section 7.7.6, “GNSS server”. For other technical parameters see Chapter 9, Technical parameters.

The interface module ‘C’ adds two RS232 serial ports, COM2 and COM3, and can only be installed in the EXT position.

When the module is installed, the front-panel DI/DO RJ45 connector is reassigned to COM2 and COM3. The digital input and output functions normally provided by this connector are therefore not available.

The module does not use any SMA connectors.

The serial ports are configured in SETTINGS > Interfaces > COM.

The ports have the following parameters:

COM2

COM3

The DI/DO connector has the following pin assignment when interface module ‘C’ is installed:

Tab. 2.7: DI/DO connector used by Extension module ‘C’

Pin	Signal	In / Out
1	RxD COM3	Out
2	TxD COM3	In
3	GND	–
4	CTS COM2	Out
5	RTS COM2	In
6	GND	–
7	RxD COM2	Out
8	TxD COM2	In

	Note
	Interface module ‘C’ cannot be used with hardware variant ‘D’. Variant ‘D’ already provides two serial ports, COM1 and COM2, on the main board.

The Product label is placed directly on the M!DGE3 unit. The Box label is placed on the transport box. Both labels contain identification and ordering information which can be used to verify the delivered product variant.

The most important fields for product identification are:

Fig. 2.13: M!DGE3 Product label example

In the example above:

The value in the Code field corresponds to the hardware-dependent part of the order code. Software keys are not printed on the Product label, because they are not hardware dependent and can be ordered later for a specific serial number.

The complete Order code is used on quotations, invoices, delivery notes and other commercial documents. It can contain additional information which is not printed in the Code field on the Product label, for example software keys.

Fig. 2.14: M!DGE3 Box label example

The Box label contains the same basic identification information as the Product label. Depending on the product variant, it can also contain additional regulatory information, for example:

	Note
	Specific regulatory requirements for the destination market may imply an additional label stating the local homologation reference, importer etc.