Dear,

I'm looking for a handheld PC running Windows (CE/Mobile) with a RS232
connection.
Or unless someone can inform me about whether a USB-to-RS232 device works on
these devices?

Thank you,

- Joris

"Joris Dobbelsteen" <R...@jAoris2k.aTth.cXx> wrote in
message news:4120d870$0$145$1...@news.wanadoo.nl...
>
> I'm looking for a handheld PC running Windows (CE/Mobile) with a RS232
> connection.
> Or unless someone can inform me about whether a USB-to-RS232 device works
on
> these devices?

I've run comms ports on iPAQs over both USB and Bluetooth so, yes, it works.

Steve
http://www.fivetrees.com

Hi,

I use IrDA for serial comm with PocktPC. Easy programmable in Studio and
almost on every handheld.

Gerard

> Dear,
>
> I'm looking for a handheld PC running Windows (CE/Mobile) with a RS232
> connection.
> Or unless someone can inform me about whether a USB-to-RS232 device works
on
> these devices?
>
> Thank you,
>
> - Joris
>
>

Joris Dobbelsteen wrote:

> I'm looking for a handheld PC running Windows (CE/Mobile) with a RS232
> connection.

  This question is better asked in sci.geo.sattelite-nav believe it or not. 
There is some demand for PDAs with serial ports so you can plug your GPS unit 
into them.

  Generally speaking, the mid to higher end units have serial ports, the lower 
end (cheap) units generally do not.
  As already mentioned in this thread, you may be able to work around it to 
some extent with an IrDA interface, as it appears Infra Red is more prevalant 
than RS232 on PDAs.

> Or unless someone can inform me about whether a USB-to-RS232 device works on
> these devices?

  Yes, but only a few select models, and expensive at that.  And from what I 
remember reading, you can't use any USB/RS232 interface, it has to be designed 
for the PDA, AND the PDA needs to support host-side USB comms for it to work 
(very few do).
   Not really a viable option IMO, unless it's a one-off, you already have the 
PDA, and are not willing to spend at least that much again to crossgrade to a 
different brand PDA that does have RS232.

  It would be a much better option to do your homework _before_ buying the PDA 
(exactly as you're doing now).
-- 
Linux Registered User # 302622                         <http://counter.li.org>;

Joris Dobbelsteen wrote:

> I'm looking for a handheld PC running Windows (CE/Mobile) with a RS232
> connection.
> Or unless someone can inform me about whether a USB-to-RS232 device works on
> these devices?

There aren't many Pocket PC (new name for CE) devices which have a real 
RS-232 port.  There are adapters for the iPAQ to connect to a 9-pin 
RS-232 device, but I haven't personally tried it, so I don't which pins 
are actually connected or what the support looks like from the Pocket PC 
OS.

As for USB, you should be aware that USB is not like RS-232 in that USB 
requires a USB Host (master) and USB Devices (slaves).  Most PDAs are 
only capable of acting as USB Devices, and can't host.  Naturally, most 
RS-232 to USB adapters are also exclusively USB Devices and also can't 
host.  This means that connecting a PDA to a USB-to-RS-232 adapter is 
unlikely to work.  I have read that Toshiba and Casio both produce PDAs 
which have USB Hosting capability and I know that there is a Compact 
Flash card that will endow that capability to an iPAQ or to a Zaurus.

I own a Zaurus, but if you're looking exclusively for Pocket PC 
solutions, you won't want this -- it runs Linux.

Ed

"Joris Dobbelsteen" <R...@jAoris2k.aTth.cXx> wrote in
message news:4120d870$0$145$1...@news.wanadoo.nl...
> Dear,
>
> I'm looking for a handheld PC running Windows (CE/Mobile) with a RS232
> connection.
> Or unless someone can inform me about whether a USB-to-RS232 device works
on
> these devices?
>
> Thank you,
>
> - Joris
>
>

Both the older HP jornada series and the newer Dell Axim support 232
forget USB/232.. you need a host not a client.

TheDoc wrote:
> Both the older HP jornada series and the newer Dell Axim support 232
> forget USB/232.. you need a host not a client.

The Axim serial port uses 3.3V logic levels, so it can not be hooked up 
directly to an RS232 device.  The serial hotsync cable contains an RS232 
level converter, which is powered by the host PC handshaking lines. 
This makes it pretty much unsuitable for use with most serial GPS units, 
except for those few devices that also provide a 3.3V serial interface.

Most iPAQs have RS232 level serial ports, the exception is the 19xx 
devices, which lack an external connection to the port.

Marc

"Ed Beroset" <b...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:C9bUc.24043$n...@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
>
> I own a Zaurus, but if you're looking exclusively for Pocket PC
> solutions, you won't want this -- it runs Linux.
>

It looks they are retired by Sharp, am I correct?

- Joris

Thanks for your responses. They helped me a good deal.

This would conclude:
* Going for IrDA is the best option to support many PocketPCs
   (does the IrDA support 9600 baud on PocketPC?)
* Buy a PDA with RS232
   (iPaq or Axim+changed hardware)
* USB is useless on the PDA anyways, its a 'slave', not host.
   (some exceptions)

An option would be:
* RS232 Compact-Flash device
   (http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/interface/cf232.php)

Are there any recommendations on this?
(Or corrections to the above)

- Joris

> This would conclude:
> * Going for IrDA is the best option to support many PocketPCs
>    (does the IrDA support 9600 baud on PocketPC?)

IrDA starts with 9600 baud to discover devices, it can switch after that to
higher baudrates. (if supported by the devices).

IrDA stack (only sec.) for 8051 approx 5K rom / 250 bytes ram

Gerard

www.StackTools.com
http://stacktools.com:100