Re: IRDA hardware - Today only

[James Derrick <james@xxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 16 May 2000 14:41:39 GMT, you wrote:

>Hi all, you may be interested in something I've just spotted on Scan=20
>Computers' Today only page (www.scan.co.uk/today.htm) - It's a PC
IRda=20
>interface that may have some HA potential, as it comes supplied with
some=
=20
>handset management software to interface with (and control) a range
of=20
>mobile phones.
You can do this with most modern motherboards for about a tenner. The
super IO chip on the motherboard often can switch COM2 to a set of 5
pins on the board which can connect to an IrDA module. This is little
more than a LED and photo transistor, although this assembly is made
specially with optics, etc by several manufacturers.

I made my own several years ago using HP's HSDL1000 (part code from
memory), but Dabs sell them for about =A314:

<snip>
Type: Motherboards AT/ATX Manuf: TMC TECHNOLOGY=20
Description Availability Price=20=20=20=20=20=20=20
IRDA Connector
Mfr code: IRDA CONNECTOR
Quicklinx: G4KWS=20
</snip>

>Of particular interest is the bit I've highlighted, about being able to
us=
e=20
>it to send SMS messages... If this is implemented in the right way, it
cou=
ld=20
>be an easy way to have HA event send SMS messages.
This is the tricky bit. IMHO, IrDA has largely failed as it defines
hardware, low-level protocols and completely failed to set application
data transfer standards. This is a bit like inventing Morse code only
to find everyone else speaks Spanish!

This means when you have your IrDA dongle merrily transmitting from
the serial port (via a BIOS setting on COM2), you also need software
that will support what you want to do.

Win95 and Win98 have basic IrDA support, however as the equivalent of
FTP was not agreed, when Windows spots my Psion, negotiates a data
transfer rate, exchanges capabilities, it then gives up as it can't
speak the application protocols the Psion uses. 8-(

After researching the hardware, building the board, wiring it up,
writing BIOS setup code, etc, finding the software would not talk
really cheesed me off.

On the whole, you need _special_ software to implement a special
protocol to talk to one device only. I have seen such Windows software
for Nokia phones so you can in theory send SMS via a =A314 unit an a
6110.

Linux also has a feature rich IrDA stack with some support for oddball
devices such as Psion's own proprietary protocol:
http://www.cs.uit.no/~dagb/irda/

Using this I can transfer files from my Psion 5MX to my Linux desktop
PC, but not selections nor cut/ paste.


So in summary, IrDA can be done for half the other price, but don't
assume all your IR devices will talk together. Bluetooth has
apparently learnt from this and is including data sharing standards.

BTW, IrDA is not the same as your TV's remote. The bit rates are very
different so it is almost impossible to change channel via IrDA.
Palm's have direcly acessible hardware that gets past IrDA.

>Best of all, it only costs 24 (+VAT) - beer money!!
Remind me not to buy a round in your local! ;-)
---
James Derrick    james@xxxxxxx, Cramlington, Near Newcastle, Eng=
land
Forwarding Service: jderrick@xxxxxxx
Beyond the Horizon of the place we lived when we were youn=
g,
In a World of Magnets and Miracles. Pink Floyd.

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