To determine whether you should use 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz RFd2d technology for your products you need to answer the following:
- What is the maximum range your product needs to communicate?
- Will your product be deployed outside North America or Australia?
What is the maximum range your product needs to communicate?
The major difference between 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz wireless OEM modules is range. While Digi's 9XStream (900 MHz) offers much greater range than the 24XStream (2.4 GHz), the 24XStream is more accepted internationally. The following table lists specific differences between the 9XStream and 24XStream.
| Feature |
9XStream (900 MHz) |
24XStream (2.4 GHz) |
| Pager & cell rejection |
70 dB |
Pagers and cell phones seldom interfere with this band |
| Transmit power |
20 dBm |
17 dBm |
| Receive sensitivity |
-110 dBm |
-105 dBm |
Range
(9600-baud module, line-of-sight) |
Indoor: 1500'
Outdoor: 7 miles with dipole antenna, over 20 miles with gain antenna |
Indoor: 600'
Outdoor: 3 miles with dipole antenna, over 10 miles with gain antenna |
Path loss
(for more information, see the section "Comparing Wave Propagation of 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz Frequencies") |
Because the 24XStream operates at 2.4 GHz, it has +8.519 dB more path loss than the 9XStream which operates at 900 MHz |
| Unlicensed operation |
North America and Australia |
Worldwide |
TX current consumption
(when not in power-down mode) |
170 mA |
180 mA |
RX current consumption
(when not in power-down mode) |
70 mA |
90 mA |
Simply put, if your range requirements are beyond 375 feet indoors, or beyond 1.4 miles outdoors, we recommend the 9XStream or 9XTend over any other 2.4 GHz product. The 9XStream and 9XTend prove to be a longer range, lower power, and lower cost solution than most 2.4 GHz products.
Will your product be deployed outside North America or Australia?
Another difference between 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz solutions is that the 900 MHz radio frequency band is for unlicensed use only in North America and Australia. Worldwide (including North America and Australia), 2.4 GHz is an unlicensed radio frequency band.
If your product will be deployed worldwide, we recommend the 24XStream 2.4 GHz wireless products. The 24XStream offers longer range, lower power, and advanced networking capabilities not offered by other 2.4 GHz solutions.
Conclusion
9XStream & 9XTend 900 MHz products are best used in long range, low power applications deployed in North America and a few other locations. 24XStream 2.4 GHz products are best used in applications deployed worldwide.
Last updated:
Oct 29, 2024