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Options by IBM: Communications Products
Announced on December 20, 1994
PRODUCT Announcement 194-436
Three new Serial Infrared adapters for PCMCIA, ISA, and Micro
Channel(R)-based computers complement the Options by IBM family of
wireless products.
Each adapter supports the new IrDA (Infrared Data Association)
standard that enables short-range, point-to-point wireless
interconnection of computers and peripherals without cabling. The
adapters create invisible links between computers and computer
peripherals equipped with similar technology. Instead of physical
attachment by means of cables attached to a computer's serial or
parallel port, these adapters make a quick and easy connection
through infrared light.
The technology is simple -- in much the same way a remote control
sends signals to a TV, VCR, or stereo, this adapter uses
line-of-sight infrared light to transmit data. These products
consist of two main components, an adapter card and an infrared
transceiver module, which is tethered to the adapter. Infrared light
is a reliable, safe medium that moves data between computers using a
special protocol for data integrity.
These adapters operate in a PC DOS Windows+ or Win-OS/2(R)(1)
environment and provide connectivity to notebook computers, Personal
Digital Assistants (PDAs), and other peripherals with IrDA Serial
Infrared capabilities. Communications software from PUMA Technology
is included with each adapter.
The Serial Infrared adapters can be configured to operate in three
modes or protocols; this makes them compatible with Hewlett-Packard's
Serial Infrared (HP**-SIR**) interfaces and with SHARP**'s Amplitude
Shift Key (ASK**) protocol. In addition, the adapters allow your
computer to communicate with the new ThinkPad(R) 755CE and 755CD with
built-in infrared operating up to 1.152 Mbits/sec.
Single
Part Unit
Description Number Price
Serial Infrared Adapter for PCMCIA
Computers(2) 08H3656 $250
Serial Infrared Adapter for ISA
Computers(2) 08H3654 230
Serial Infrared Adapter for Micro
Channel Computers(2) 08H3655 250
Availability Date: December 20, 1994
(R) Registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation
+ Trademark of Microsoft Corporation
(1) Win-OS/2 is supported for ISA and Micro Channel adapters only;
PCMCIA support is not available under Win-OS/2.
** Product or company name is a trademark or registered trademark
of its respective holder.
(2) These devices are not approved by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC). They are not, and may not be offered for
sale or lease, or sold or leased until the approval of the FCC
has been obtained. FCC Class B Certification is pending.
(TM) Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation
IN BRIEF . . .
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| o Advanced-function, multi-speed infrared products for: |
| |
| - PCMCIA |
| - ISA |
| - Micro Channel |
| |
| o Compliance with the new IrDA standard |
| |
| o Advanced speed of 1.152 Mb/sec |
| |
| o Wireless communication with IBM's new line of ThinkPad 755CE |
| and 755CD mobile computers with built-in infrared |
| |
| o Bundled with TranXit** communications software |
| |
| o Ideal for creating personal connections to other computers or |
| peripherals where cabling is impossible or impractical |
| |
| o Flexible location or positioning of system-to-system |
| communications |
| |
| o Universal exchange of data between industry standard infrared |
| peripherals |
| |
| Systems supported: |
| |
| o PCMCIA Adapter: ThinkPad, PS/2(R) E |
| |
| o ISA Adapter: PS/1(R), ValuePoint(TM), PC 700 Series |
| |
| o Micro Channel Adapter: PS/2, PC 700 Series |
| |
| Technical support: |
| |
| o Call the HelpCenter(R) (800-426-7299) |
| or |
| o Request technical information via IBM Faxback (800-426-3395) |
| |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
SERIAL INFRARED ADAPTER FOR PCMCIA COMPUTERS (08H3656)
The Serial Infrared Adapter for PCMCIA Computers complies with the
new IrDA standard. IrDA has over 65 member companies including IBM,
Apple**, AST**, AT&T**, Compaq**, DEC**, Epson**, Fujitsu**,
Microsoft**, Motorola**, Northern Telecom**, and Olivetti**. IBM was
an active participant in various working groups to define this common
industry standard for infrared communications. In addition, the
Serial Infrared adapter supports a high-speed mode at 1.152 Mbits/sec
developed by IBM and is currently being proposed for inclusion in the
IrDA specification.
Product Positioning: The Serial Infrared adapter is not to be
confused with IBM's family of Infrared Wireless LAN adapters. The
Infrared LAN adapters are higher function devices operating with a
LAN network operating system infrastructure. This allows workgroups
to share data and resources rather than the simple, short-range,
point-to point connection supported by the Serial Infrared adapter.
Each product uses infrared light to transmit data; however, the
Infrared LAN adapters use a higher powered diffuse light rather than
low-power, short-range, directed light. Due to the differences in
protocols and light transmission techniques, the Infrared LAN adapter
cannot communicate with the Serial Infrared adapters.
Serial Infrared wireless connectivity has the following advantages:
o Easy coexistence of different computing platforms using an
industry standard data exchange protocol
o Simpler, lower function, lower cost than Infrared LAN or RF LAN
connections
o Reduced requirements for cabling
o Use of untethered portable computers for mobile, on-the-spot data
inquiry, capture, and processing
o Compatibility with other manufacturers' computers and industry
standard protocols
Availability Date: December 20, 1994
Technical Information
Hardware: The Serial Infrared product consists of two main
components: a type II PCMCIA adapter card and an infrared
transceiver module, which is tethered to the adapter. The infrared
transceiver attaches to the adapter with a miniature 15-pin in-line
connector; the cable length is 1 m (3.2 ft).
Technology: The technology is simple: in much the same way a remote
control sends signals to a TV, VCR, or stereo, this adapter uses
line-of-sight infrared light to transmit data. Infrared light is a
reliable, safe medium that moves data between computers using a
special protocol for data integrity.
Protocols and Data Rates: The adapter complies with the IrDA
protocol and is configurable to the following speeds:
o Compatibility with the new ThinkPad 755CE and 755CD operating up
to 1.152 Mbits/sec
o IrDA -- This standard supports data transfers from 9600 bits/sec
up to 115.2 kbits/sec
o HP-SIR -- This standard supports data transfers from 2400 bits/sec
up to 115.2 kbits/sec
o SHARP ASK -- This standard supports data transfers at 9600
bits/sec and 19.2 kbps
Coverage/Range: The PCMCIA adapter transmits light in a direct beam
and provides line-of-sight communications up to 3 m (9.6 ft). The
light beam expands out in a 30 degree cone (angular relationship
between the transmitter and receiver) as it is emitted from the
transceiver.
System Slot: The adapter requires one type II PCMCIA slot and uses a
single COM port, (COM 2, 3, or 4) for IrDA, HP-SIR, and SHARP modes
of operation. The 1.152 Mbits/sec mode uses a shared RAM interface.
Card and socket services provide easy configuration of the COM port,
IRQ settings, and memory location settings.
PCMCIA Power Consumption:
o 325 mW idle
o 450 mW receive
o 500 mW transmit
Operation in Windows Environments: The Serial Infrared adapter comes
with a communication software program called TranXit by PUMA
Technologies. This program operates in a PC DOS Windows 3.1
environment and allows for the exchange of data between other
computers enabled with IrDA-compatible infrared transceivers. The
TranXit software:
o Synchronizes drives and directories on two computers with the
click of the mouse
o Performs file and directory functions remotely with an infrared
link
o Installs itself remotely on desktop and notebook computers from
the host computer without requiring a diskette
o Installs a comprehensive online Help system
o Runs in the background while other applications are in use; ideal
for large file transfers or file synchronizations
Since the ThinkPad Model 755CE or 755CD has built-in Serial Infrared
capability and is preinstalled with the TranXit communications
software, the PCMCIA adapter is ideal for enabling wireless
communications between other computers when enabled with PCMCIA slots
and the new ThinkPad 755CE and 755CD.
Performance Specifications: The Serial Infrared PCMCIA Adapter
operates in three modes and is compatible with:
o The new ThinkPad 755CE or 755CD operating up to 1.152 Mbits/sec
o SHARP ASK computers operating at 9600 bits/sec
o HP-SIR computers operating from 2400 bits/sec to 115.2 kbits/sec
Physical Specifications:
o Serial PCMCIA Infrared Adapter:
- Height: 5 mm (.19 in.)
- Width: 54 mm (2.1 in.)
- Depth: 86 mm (3.3 in.)
- Weight: 30 g (1.1 oz)
o Wireless Infrared Transceiver
- Height: 25 mm (1.0 in.)
- Width: 61 mm (2.4 in.)
- Depth: 58 mm (2.3 in.)
- Weight: 80 g (2.8 oz)
o Cable Length: 1 m (3.2 ft)
Operating Environment:
o Temperature: 0(degs)C to 55(degs)C (32(degs)F to 131(degs)F)
o Relative humidity: 0% to 95%
Agency Approvals:
o This device has not been approved by the FCC. This device is not,
and may not be offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased until
the approval of the FCC has been obtained.
o FCC Class B Certification is pending.
Original Country of Origin: Canada
Note: This may vary through the life of the product.
Hardware Requirements -- IBM Systems: The Serial Infrared Adapter
for PCMCIA Computers (#4838, 08H3656) is supported on the following
IBM platforms/models:
Machine
Description Type
ThinkPad 350 2618
500 2603
710 2523
720 9552
750 9545
755 9545
PS/2 E 9533
The following PCMCIA Options by IBM adapters are supported:
o 67G5055: 2-Slot PCMCIA for Micro Channel
o 72G0485: 4-Slot PCMCIA for ISA
o 81G4256: 2-Slot Front Access PCMCIA Adapter -- Micro Channel
o 81G4246: 2-Slot Front Access PCMCIA Adapter for ISA
Software Requirements:
o PUMA Technologies TranXit communications software (included with
each adapter)
o IBM DOS 5.0, or later
o PC DOS 6.1, or later
o Microsoft Windows 3.1, or later
o 2.5MB of free disk space for full installation
o 4MB of RAM
Compatibility:
o This device is designed to be compatible with all 80386 and 80486
personal computers (IBM and non-IBM) with type II or type III
PCMCIA release 2.0 compliant slots and card and socket services
version 2.01.
o This device is designed to be compliant with the IrDA IR Data Link
specification version 1.0.
Planning Information
Cable Orders Required: No
Installation Time: 20 minutes
Packaging: One box
Shipment Group
o Serial Infrared PCMCIA Adapter
o Serial Infrared Transceiver
o 3.5-inch program diskette
o User's Guide
o Warranty information
o TranXit Quick Reference Guide
An Options by IBM Hardware Maintenance Manual Supplement (G83G-9902),
and Specification Sheet (G221-4274) are available in support of this
product.
Security, Auditability, and Control
This product uses the security and auditability features of host
hardware, software, and/or application software.
Terms and Conditions
Field Installable Feature: Yes
Warranty Period: Three years
Warranty Service: Customer Carry-in Exchange (CCE)
Customer Setup: Yes
All other terms and conditions are the same as those applicable to
the IBM machine type in which the feature is installed.
Help and Service Information: During the warranty period, technical
support is available (800-426-7299) 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, for answering any questions about your new IBM option. If you
need warranty service, return or exchange is available. In addition,
if your IBM option is installed in an IBM computer, you may be
entitled to service at your location. Your technical support
representative can help you determine the best alternative.
Charges
Single
Part Unit
Description Number Price*
PCMCIA Adapter 08H3656 $250
* The single unit price reflects the purchase price for a single
unit acquired from IBM, and is subject to change without
notice. This price is for information purposes only, and shall
not limit in any way the remarketers' ability to set their own
prices for IBM products.