Zebra Technologies HPC-2000-00AA PCMCIA Card Data Transmitter User Manual Manual

Zebra Technologies Corporation PCMCIA Card Data Transmitter Manual

Manual

WiData FireflyHand Held CommunicatorPCMCIA CardUser’s GuideHPC-2000-00AAMarch 1999WiData Corporation2855 Bowers AvenueSanta Clara, CA 95051408-845-8500
WiData Firefly System Hand Held Communicator User’s GuideFCC RequirementsThis device must operate in compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations Parts15. See FCC registration label, located on the bottom of the equipment for the FCC, registration.This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for both Class A and Class B devices, pursuant to Part15 of the FCC Rules.RF NoticeAny changes or modifications to WiData Corporation equipment not expressly approved by WiData Corporation couldvoid the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
WiData Firefly System Hand Held Communicator User’s GuideContentsIntroduction........................................................................................................................ 1WiData Firefly System................................................................................................... 1Hand Held Communicator.............................................................................................. 1Power Management........................................................................................................ 1System Block Diagram................................................................................................... 2Card and Socket Services............................................................................................... 3Package Contents............................................................................................................ 3Requirements.................................................................................................................. 3Operation............................................................................................................................ 4Configuration and Setup................................................................................................. 4Operation ........................................................................................................................ 4Specification ....................................................................................................................... 5PC Card .......................................................................................................................... 5DSSS RF Performance ................................................................................................... 5OOK/FSK RF Performance............................................................................................ 5
WiData Firefly System Hand Held Communicator User’s Guide 1IntroductionWiData Firefly SystemThe Firefly RF Location System is designed to permit users to determine the position of tagged assets in both indoor andoutdoor facilities such as factories and freight yards. The system locates tagged assets by a process involving redundanttriangulation. Each tag autonomously emits a 2.4 GHz direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio signal atpredetermined blink rate. Each tag’s blink rate is randomized around its predetermined value to minimize the number ofcollisions between transmissions made by different tags. The signal emitted by the tag is received by a minimum of fourDSSS receivers each of which are capable of decoding that tag’s transmission. A typical transmission contains a preamblewhich is used to synchronize the receiver, the tag’s serial number which identifies the tag, a status word which monitorsvarious tag functions, data stored in the tag’s memory and finally a CRC used to assure that the tag’s message is correct asreceived.Tag configuration parameters such as blink rate and user data to be stored in memory are loaded into the tag using adevice called a Hand Held Communicator (HHC). The HHC consists of a Type II PCMCIA card inserted into a laptop orhandheld PC. The PCMCIA card contains a short range (2 to 10 feet) radio transmitter and receiver which communicateswith a very low power transmitter and receiver contained in each tag. This short range communication link operates at 2.4GHz. The modulation scheme used by the PCMCIA card was chosen to minimize power consumption by the batteryoperated tag receiver. The DSSS transmitter allows the system to locate users of the HHC anywhere in the service areacovered by the system.Hand Held CommunicatorThe WiData Corporation Communicator PCMCIA card allows the handheld computer, laptop computer, or any othercomputer with a PCMCIA slot to operate as a Firefly Communicator. Tag-to-Communicator bi-directional data transfersare accomplished using the OOK/FSK RF modulation link. The Communicator-to-RF Processor DSSS RF modulationlink is one-way only. Figure 1 shows a typical WiData Firefly System. The handheld computer can also include standardWLAN and Bar Code Scanners to further enhance system capabilities.Power ManagementThe Hand Held Communicator PCMCIA power consumption is handled by the application software installed on thehandheld computer. The software will power down the card during periods of in-activity. Any time the Hand HeldCommunicator is not in use, the handheld computer should be installed into its battery charging cradle.
WiData Firefly System Hand Held Communicator User’s Guide 2Figure 1Firefly SystemBlock DiagramReaderTag withGUIClientGUIClientRFClientandFront EndProcessorReaderReaderReaderHPCComunctr BarPCMCIA Scanner2-way OOKmodulated RF1-way spreadspectrum RF1-way spreadspectrum RF forsending tag IDassociation withbar code readDimensions:* reader - reader = 200 ft* tag - reader = 200 ft* tag - interrogator = 1-20 ft* WLAN - WLAN = 200 - 500 ft(Blink S/N & telem)(Who?, Where?, Memory)memoryWiDataServerIndigenousNetwork(s)FireFlyDBMSIndigenousMISDBMSCodeLaser bar code scanner
WiData Firefly System Hand Held Communicator User’s Guide 3Card and Socket ServicesWiData Corporation has developed CLB library files, INI configuration setting files, INF setup information files, VXDvirtual drivers, and CFG configuration files that enable the card to be recognized by a range of card and socket servers.Package ContentsThe hardware package consists of:• WiData Firefly Hand Held Communicator PCMCIA card (HPC-2000-00AA)• Software installation disketteRequirementsHandheld computer or PC with Type II PC Card slot.Card and socket services for PC cardExternal antenna cable and antenna (usually provided with handheld computer)I/O ports 0210-02172k x 8-bit RAM Memory block for PC cardUp to 384k byte conventional memory depending on specific application softwareMost handheld computers require special software that allows the disk drive to be flashed. Verify that the appropriatehandheld computer companion software the allows files to be flashed or loaded to the internal disk is available and that alldocking station and cable equipment is also available. This is required if the software is to be loaded.
InstallationWiData Firefly System Hand Held Communicator User’s Guide 4InstallationPC CardInstallation and removal methods vary for different host computers. Refer to host computer documentation of moredetailed information.Arrows on the top of the PC Card indicate FRONT with arrows. This is the end of the card that is to be inserted into thecomputer.. To support hot insertion and removal of the card, verify that the proper library and configuration files as wellas socket and card services are loaded onto the host computer.After the card has been seated into the host computer, connect the antenna cable to the special RF connector on the PCCard. Some host computers do not have an antenna, or already use the antenna for a WLAN. Special cards withintegrated antennas are available upon request from WiData Corporation, although for optimum RF performance, it isrecommended that the antenna integrated into the handheld computer be used.Software (DOS)The diskette has the Firefly Communicator application software as well as the library and configuration files required bycard and socket services in order to recognize the PC Card and allocate the needed resources. Since most handheldcomputers require special software to download files to the hard disk, the PC Card files should be copied to a directory onthe host computer that will be used to flash the handheld computer.The handheld computer should be flashed with the WiData Firefly software. Consult handheld computer documentationfor procedures on downloading files.Software (Windows 95)The diskette has the installation shield required to install all the software required to run the Firefly Communicator PCCard. From WINDOWS, select run a:\setup.exe. The install software will create a directory path on the root named\INTERROGATOR\GUI. The file TAGCONF.EXE is the application software.SoundsWhen the software and the hardware are correctly installed, the computer will produce two tones (medium pitch followedby higher pitch) when the PC Card is inserted or upon power up.
OperationWiData Firefly System Hand Held Communicator User’s Guide 5OperationConfiguration and SetupThe WiData Firefly Hand Held Communicator does not require any special configuration or setup to operate with theFirefly application software loaded on the handheld computer.OperationThe WiData Firefly Hand Held Communicator application software should automatically run on power up of the handheldcomputer. Most applications allow the user perform one or more of the following functions:• Read data from tag memory• Write data to tag memory• Turn tag DSSS blink on and set the blink rate• Turn tag DSSS blink off• List Ids of tags within the OOK/FSK range of the Hand Held Communicator• Locate a specific tag by report the signal tag’s OOK/FSK signal strength• Upload data to the Firefly Data Base using DSSS transmit mode.All application software is pre-configured to individual system requirements before system installation. All availablefunctions are menu selectable through easy on screen instructions.
SpecificationsWiData Firefly System Hand Held Communicator User’s Guide 6SpecificationsPC CardDimensions 3.3 x 2.1 x 0.2 inches85 x 54 x 5 mmWeight 1.6 ozOperation Temperature 0 to +55 °CStorage Temperature -20 to +85 °CHumidity 95% non condensingPCMCIA Compliance Type II, Version 2.01Card and Socket Services 2.1DSSS RF PerformanceFrequency 2441.750 MHzSpreading (PN Code) 511 chips/bitChip Rate 30.521875 MHzPower <1mWRange (to DSSS reader) up to 200 feetOOK/FSK RF PerformanceFrequency 2446.520 MHzOOK/FSK Rates 375 kHz (Logic 0)535 kHz (Logic 1)Power <1mWRange (to tag) 0 to 6 feet

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