June/July 2003

Handheld computers are being transformed from single-task devices into multi-function go-anywhere units ­ and modularity is the key. Sharon Clancy continues her beginners' guide series with a look at handheld hardware and peripherals

In the past, businesses buying handheld computers faced a difficult choice: settle for a single-function device suited only to a limited range of tasks, or over-specify in a bid to future-proof the hardware ­ assuming the capabilities you wanted could be provided at all.

Cost favoured the minimalist approach, but the changing pattern of business meant there was pressure to be able to alter the applications running on your portable computer, or some of the accessories that you used with it.

Nowadays, the picture is more reassuring, even positively rosy. And what's the magic factor that's brought about this change? In a word, modularity. A handheld computer is no longer a single product with a limited purpose; nowadays it can perform a variety of functions, and data can be transferred in a variety of ways between it and your corporate network.

But the basic unit doesn't necessarily come with all this functionality built in; you decide what you want it to be, and then add the modules that will give it the required capabilities. And if you can't extend it this way, usually you can get peripheral devices that will do the job you want.

Thus, for instance, handhelds can incorporate various radio and GSM/GPRS communications and data inputs, including interchangeable scanning heads and voice recognition and signature capture facilities. Similar connectivity flexibility is now being incorporated in many printers.

"Choosing a modular handheld computer allows you to adopt new technology at a lower entry point," says Damien Perry, sales manager for LXE. "Why pay for something you might not need for two years, if ever?" He goes on: "Handheld computers are becoming like PCs, where software and accessories updates are developed more quickly than big changes to hardware."

Connectivity

The mobile handheld computer and peripherals market is going through a historic change, says Simon Storey, marketing manager of Intermec. "Wireless devices connected via Bluetooth, GPRS and Wi-Fi are replacing wired units. At the same time, the boundaries for data collection are expanding as more companies demand real-time data from outside their own premises."

As a result, the latest generation of handhelds and printers come with a host of connections, including Wi-Fi 802.11b, Bluetooth radio (also becoming known as WPAN or Wireless Personal Area Network), infra-red and GSM/GPRS.

All this means the same handheld can operate in a variety of environments, which is one reason companies traditionally associated with radio-based warehouse peripherals are beginning to target the wider logistics market. After all, scanning a delivery ticket barcode requires a different transmission medium to get that data into the network from scanning a barcode in the warehouse. At the same time, handhelds for logistics might also need more functionality ­ allowing the driver to send a text message, for example, or giving him an alternative means of data entry.

Choice of connection does depend on the application. Infra-red is a long-established wireless technology using light waves, but requires line of sight to operate, and range is restricted to about 10ft. It is widely-used in some PDAs, but its limitations means that Bluetooth is predicted to replace it for many logistics applications, including printing.

Bluetooth connectivity has a longer range ­ up to about 45ft, although 30ft might be more realistic ­ so Bluetooth-enabled devices can be some distance from the handheld computers or modems and still operate, saving time and thus improving efficiency. A typical scenario, for example, is where the computer or modem port remains in its docking station in the truck, and the handheld or printer is taken to the delivery point. Bluetooth can be integrated into the handheld or added via a card in an expansion slot.

The Wi-Fi 802.11b connection is also proliferating, and is a good example of how interoperability standards can help to future-proof current investment. The new 802.11g standard will offer faster transmission rates, but is backwards-compatible with .11b, allowing gradual upgrading (more on this subject on page 15).

Devices capable of running on 802.11b networks should have an RS232 port, says Intermec, to help configure them on protected networks. Bluetooth already includes data encryption security and spread-spectrum techniques.

Printers

Wireless printing can boost workers' productivity because they don't have to return their handhelds to a central point to print labels. Printers, whether for barcode printing in the warehouse or on the road, are becoming smaller and are migrating to wireless connectivity. There are constraints on speed compared with cables or tethered ports, but in general the convenience of being able to print on the spot seems to outweigh these for many users.

Traditionally, small printers use thermal paper and have been adopted primarily for barcode labels. The paper can be in rolls or sheets ­ the latter often loaded by opening a clamshell-type housing.

Wireless printers do not consume as much power as wireless handhelds, but it does pay to check battery life and recharging speed. Radix has introduced automatic power management into its FP40+ and FP40I rugged portable thermal printers. Both these printers are powered by an internal, rechargeable battery, capable of completing a full shift, even at cold temperatures, and there is a 1,000mAH option.

Belgravium's 3500 series is said to be the lightest and smallest range of battery-operated printers, and incorporates a fast-charge internal circuit that recharges the battery in 90 minutes. More robust are Belgravium's Code Ranger printers, which can withstand drops from 2 metres. There are two models, each with an 8-hour NiMH battery. Print speeds of 4in/sec are said to be up to three times faster than offered by competitors' machines.

Outside the warehouse, mobile printers also often rely on direct thermal printing, using special paper which eliminates messy inks and keeps the size impressively small. Pentax's Pocketjet range, distributed in the UK by RGI Mobile Solutions, is highly portable, measuring just 255mm wide, 55mm deep and 30mm long. It takes A4 size paper, which is stored in the inclusive carrying case. Cable, infra-red connections and a Bluetooth adapter are offered, and there are two models, with either 200 or 300 dpi print quality.

Brother has now entered this market with its stylish M-printer (m.logistics, issue 3), which includes a storage tray for the A7 size paper. It comes with a USB or infra-red interface, and a Bluetooth interface is in development.

Virtual printing is also achievable with some mobile handhelds. Electronics for Imaging has developed a peripheral device called a PrintMe Station, which attaches to the printer. Effectively, the user actually "phones" the printer, and transmits a message to it via the Internet or for printing. The user needs a PrintMe account (there is a free version), but requires no special software or specific driver for the printer being used.

Accessories

The range of accessories that can connect to handheld or notebook computers continues to grow, and can include anything from scanner engines to optical character recognition modules and digital cameras.

For handhelds, the market has begun to move towards interchangeable heads, so you can swap linear scanner engines for 2D scanners and even RFID-enabled heads.

For example, Radix has unveiled the FWC-10, an image capture device for its FW500 handheld that includes one- and two-dimensional barcode reading, signature capture and optical character recognition. The FWC-10 can also be used with the company's FWP-30 integrated thermal printer and PC Cards, creating a one-handed solution that can offer image capture, printing, additional memory and wireless communications ­ to name but a few options.

Typical of current developments is Socket Communications' slot-in barcode scanner cards. The cards allow you to scan barcode data into any handheld computer running Windows. The unit combines CompactFlash technology with what Socket call the world's smallest scanner engine, which operates at distance of up to 750 metres.

Operating systems ­ the key to handheld versatility

Windows CE appears to be taking the lion's share of the market for handheld computer operating systems, although Palm and Symbian OS remain popular. Psion Teklogix is keeping a foot in both camps; it has migrated from terminal emulation to Windows CE for its new 7535 handheld (see page 24), but retains Symbian for its Workabout range.

"Programmers like CE, and they are driving the shift," reports Paul Mason, managing director of Datascan. "True, users pay a licence fee for each unit, but that's peanuts, especially given the advantages it confers."

Java compatibility is also becoming more popular for mobile wireless devices, mainly because it gives developers more versatility in the way they can write software. HHP, for example, has introduced it on its 7400 and 7500 handheld devices, while Belgravium has introduced crEme on its latest handhelds. This is based on Sun's JVM, which is describes as an augmented Java Virtual Machine specially configured to run in the Windows CE environment.

CrEme is easy to install and robust, and has a small footprint, says Belgravium, giving its Atlanta 8000 the portability and connectivity of Java without reducing the power of the Windows CE environment itself.

"Java was originally designed for workstations, so developing it for Windows CE handheld devices with smaller memories and no hard disk presented a number of challenges," says Mike Turner, marketing manager for Belgravium. "Displays, keyboards and pointing devices are often of a custom design. CrEme uses encapsulation technology, which isolates native applications from Java-based ones, while allowing information to flow freely between both sides." CrEme has been integrated with the Atlanta 8000 CPU and real-time operating system, as well as communication protocols and application architectures..

If you've been reading our Product Evaluation pages over the past year, you will have noticed that as Windows CE and Java software have been increasingly widely deployed, microprocessor technology has also taken a leap forward. The big shift has been from 16-bit to 32-bit microprocessors ­ in part because 32-bit is the minimum demanded by Windows to guarantee future upgrade paths, but also because more companies are demanding real-time data processing, which in itself demands more computing power and processing speed on the handheld. So far, the processor of choice seems to be either Intel's X-Scale 400MHz processor or the StrongARM 206MHz for less intensive applications and PDA-style handhelds.