7524 Frequently Asked Questions


Alternatives to IBM 7524 RF terminals

Q: Now that IBM has withdrawn the 7524 terminal, what RF alternatives are available that will work with DCConnect?

Find out how DCConnect is now able to work with several different models of RF terminals from third party hardware vendors.


7524-05x vs. 7524-10x Terminal Comparison

Q: What is the difference between a 7524-05x and 7524-10x terminal?

Cost, size, weight, and battery capacity are the big differences. See the table below:



                                7524-05x          7524-10x

   Approximate List (no radio)  $1,300            $1,900

   Weight (approx)              431 g (15.2 oz.)  810 g (29 oz)

   Display Size (max)           9x16 chars        21x26 chars

   Keys                         47                57 or 37

   Battery Capacity             650mAh            900mAh

                                (typ 8 hours)     (typ 12 hours)

   Memory                       512RAM/512 FLASH  512RAM/512 FLASH

   Transaction Storage (ETS)    730               730

   Ruggedness                   Good              Better*



 * Rubber bumper around LCD gives better drop resistance.

7524 Batch Terminals with DCC/2 or DCConnect

Q: How do I use 7524 portable handheld terminals in a batch (non-RF-linked) mode with DCC/2 or DCConnect?

The IBM 7524 model 050 and model 100 batch portable data collection terminals may be ordered with a non-RF batch version of 7524 Extended Terminal Services. This ETS flash memory load allows the 7524 terminal to be loaded with 7527-type files from any data collection controller which supports 7527 terminals.

Installation Planning

The 7524 portable batch terminal has an RS-232 interface for connection to the host computer (e.g. DCConnect, etc.). Thus, the 7524 terminal may be connected to the host via:

Terminal Operation

The 7524-050 or -100 portable batch terminal is loaded with terminal files which were created for use with 7527 terminal. 7524 ETS provides a subset of the 7527 ETS functions. Refer to the 7524 ETS Technical Reference for details.

Note:

Using 7524 ETS with batch terminals does not require use of the 7524 Interface Support for OS/2 and Windows/NT program. This program is required only for DCC/2 connection to RF terminals.
The batch terminal can store over 700 buffered transactions before requiring connection to the host computer for uploading.

Terminal Menu Setup

Use the RS-232 SETTINGS menu to set the parameters for the RS-232 serial port which is used to connect to the polling data collection controller. Setup is similar to that of a 7526 or 7527 fixed data collection terminal.

Press the number of the setting on the menu in order to change that setting. Press the up and down arrow keys to spin through the list of values for the setting.

Select a character address which is unique among the terminals which could be plugged into one of the docking stations on the communications line from the controller. You cannot have more than one terminal with a particular address plugged into a communications line simultaneously -- they both will respond to polls and errors will result.

If you have more than 32 of the 7524 batch terminals working and if your application requires that the terminals receive unique programming or that data be processed differently based on the physical terminal from which it originates, you will need to inform the terminal operators that they may only dock their batch terminal in the docking station(s) located on a particular communications cable leading to the controller. On that cable, it does not matter where you plug in or dock -- the controller knows you by the communications port and single-character address which were assigned. But if you connect the terminal via a dock located on another communication line, your terminal would either be identified as the terminal with that address on that physical line, or it may not be polled at all if no such addressed is defined on that line.

Select the Baud rate to match the settings of the communications line.

Set the resend timer based on the discussion above for RF terminals.

Set the TRIGGER to the desired type of operation for the RS-232 serial connection to the host computer. To save battery power, the RS-232 port electronics are turned off as much as possible. This complicates use of the port for polling from a controller, so 3 options are offered to match the application conditions:



  ON    Always have RS-232 port power active.  The terminal

        may be plugged into an RS-232 cable at any time and

        be ready to respond to polls from the controller.

        You may need to use this option if the terminal

        must also be ready to accept serial input from a

        peripheral device.



  PWR   Leave power to the RS-232 port off except when in use

        by a transaction program (e.g. to print on a portable

        printer).  Automatically turn power on for the port

        whenever battery charging POWER is detected (as when

        the terminal is dropped into a docking station).



  KEY   Turn on power to the port whenever the 'hot key' is

        pressed.  When the key is pressed, the Transaction

        Count screen is shown.  Power remains on as long as

        this screen is showing.

7524 RF Terminals Attached to RISC System/6000

Q: How can you connect RF, portable terminals to an IBM RISC System/6000 host?

7524 RF terminals can be attached the RISC System/6000 processors using IBM program product Wireless Network Access Server for AIX Ordering information is:



      WNAS for AIX  7697-204

        FC     9001  License

        FC     0147  One-time charge

        FC     5805  Media
This program allows: Up to 126 RF terminals may be supported by each instance of the Server. You can run up to 10 instances from different AIX directories.


Frequently Needed Cables -- Feature & Part Numbers

Q: What cable do I use to connect X to Y on a 7524 RF system?

Find the IBM feature code and matching Norand part number below for the 7524 machine port to Host/PC port desired:



Machine  Machine    ----------Host or PC Port Type-------------

Type     Port          PC DB9        PC DB25         MODEM

-------- ---------  -----------     -----------    ------------

7524-30X

RC3250   Diag       216-787-001    216-773-002     216-771-002

                    FC 6501        FC 2612         FC 2614



         Host       216-787-001    216-773-002     216-771-002

                    FC 6501        FC 2612         FC 2614



RCB4030E

         Diag       216-842-002    216-841-002     216-840-002

                    FC 3694        FC 3695         FC 3696



         Host       216-787-001    216-773-002     216-771-002

                    FC 6501        FC 2612         FC 2614



7524-402

RB4020   Diag       216-842-002    216-841-002     216-840-002

                    FC 3694        FC 3695         FC 3696



RB4030   Diag       216-842-002    216-841-002     216-840-002

                    FC 3694        FC 3695         FC 3696



7524-422

RB4030E

         Diag       216-842-002    216-841-002     216-840-002

                    FC 3694        FC 3695         FC 3696





7524-10X

RT1700

         RS-232/    216-807-001    216-825-001

         Flash      FC 3570        FC 3571



         Cloning    216-909-001



7524-20X

RT5900

         RS-232/    816-831-001

         FLASH      FC 3572

Some 7524 Cable Pin-Outs

Q: What are the cable pin-outs to some of the more useful cables used with

7524-301 RF Controller to 7524-401 UHF Base (RS-232 feature)

The cable from the 7524-301 UHF controller COM1/COM2 25-pin port to the

7524-401 UHF base with RS-232 communications port looks like the following.

(Marking is 216-737-xxx).



   7524-301/            7524-401/

   RC3250               RB3000

   Male                 Male



    Shell-----------------1

    2---------------------2

    3---------------------3

    4---------------------4

    7---------------------7

    8---------------------8

    20-------------------23

PC to 7524 RF Controller (-30x)

The    -+  means all lines are tied together.

       -+

       -+



The V.24 host connect/diag cable for the RC3250/7524-30x looks like:

(marking is 216-773-xxx)



   RC3250               Host

   Male                 Female



    1---------------------1

    2---------------------3

    3---------------------2

    4--+               +--4

    5--+               +--5

    7---------------------7

    6---+----------------20

    8---+

    15--+            +---15

    17--+------------+---17

    18--+              +--8

    20-----------------+--6

7524-05x, -10x Flash/RS-232 Com Cable

Wiring from the PC to the 7524-102 (RT17xx) is:


        FROM PC SERIAL PORT            TO RF TERMINAL

     -------------------------       ----------------------

      PC 25-pin      PC 9-Pin        7524-102 6-PIN MINI DIN

                                     (See pg. D-2 of manual)

     -----------     ---------       --------



       2                 3               2

       3                 2               1

       4                 7               5



       5                 8               4

       7                 5               3

                         5               6

Line Sharing with Existing IBM 3x74/5x94 Controllers

Q: How can I install a 7524 RF system at a location which already has 5291 CRT terminals, without duplicating expensive phone lines?

Frequently customers will already have a communications line to a remote site, with IBM 3x74 (3270) or 5x94 (5250) controller(s) at the remote site to support existing CRT terminals. You can 'multi-point' connect the IBM 7524-30x RF controller on the same line by utilizing a line sharing device. This device repeats the V.24 or V.35 signal to all the controllers in the remote location. The SDLC address of each controllers allows the host machine to address each controller. Be sure to set-up the host line/controller definition as 'multipoint' and use a unique address for each controller.

Suitable line sharing devices available from BlackBox Corp. include the following:



   * V.24 RS-232:



       RS-232 LINE SHARER  SQ-TL601A-R2  (2 PORTS)  $280

                           SQ-TL553A-R3  (4 PORTS)  $515

                           SQ-TL554A-R3  (8 PORTS)  $715



   * V.35



       V.35 LINE SHARER    SQ-TL555A  (2 CHANNEL)   $595

                           SQ-TL570A  (4 CHANNEL)   $1095



       EHANCED V.35        SQ-TL316A  (4 CHANNEL)   $1330

       LINE SHARER



     V.35 devices have female M-block connectors.  Mating cable

     is 216-775-001 (IBM FC 2609)  V.35 Modem  Synch Cable with

     GMCT34 Male connector , 6 ft.



SST RS-485 Install Kit Contents

Q: What comes with those 'SST Install Kits' which are sold for use with the 7524 SST equipment?

The RS-485 SST LAN install kits which are offered for use with 7524 bases and controllers include the following piece parts:



FC 2633 / 61G2642 7524-402 Install Kit

--------------------------------------

The 7524-402 Install Kit contains:



QTY DESCRIPTION                         EQUIV. ALA CARTE

--- --------------------------------    -----------------

 1  Y-Cable (aka T-Cable)               FC 2621 / 61G2621

 1  Terminator                          FC 2623 / 61G2623

 4  Nylon cable ties

 4  3/4" cable mounts

 6  Cable ties

 4  Rubber Feet

 2  D-Sub 9 connector shells            FC 2627 / 61G2627

 1  9P D-Sub Male connector housing     FC 2625 / 61G2625

 1  9P D-Sub Female connector housing   FC 2626 / 61G2626

 4  Socket contacts

 4  Pin contacts                        FC 2628 / 61G2628

 2  Standoffs

 1  Piece copper adhesive tape          FC 2629 / 61G2629 (WHOLE ROLL)


FC 2634 / 61G2643 7524-422 Install Kit

--------------------------------------

The 7524-422 Install Kit contains:



QTY DESCRIPTION                         EQUIV. ALA CARTE

--- --------------------------------    -----------------

 1  Y-Cable (aka T-Cable)               FC 2621 / 61G2621

 1  Terminator                          FC 2623 / 61G2623

 1  Transformer/Terminator combo.       FC 2624 / 61G2624x2

 4  Nylon cable ties

 4  3/4" cable mounts

 6  Cable ties

 4  Rubber Feet

 2  D-Sub 9 connector shells            FC 2627 / 61G2627

 1  9P D-Sub Male connector housing     FC 2625 / 61G2625

 1  9P D-Sub Female connector housing   FC 2626 / 61G2626

 4  Socket contacts

 4  Pin contacts                        FC 2628 / 61G2628

 2  Standoffs

 1  Piece copper adhesive tape          FC 2629 / 61G2629 (WHOLE ROLL)


FC 2644 / 61G2644 7524-302 Install Kit

--------------------------------------

The 7524-302 Install Kit contains:



QTY DESCRIPTION                         EQUIV. ALA CARTE

--- --------------------------------    -----------------

 2  Transformer                         FC 2622 / 61G2622

 2  Terminator                          FC 2623 / 61G2623

 2  Transformer/Terminator combo.       FC 2624 / 61G2624

 6  Cable ties

 2  D-Sub 9 connector shells            FC 2627 / 61G2627

 1  9P D-Sub Male connector housing     FC 2625 / 61G2625

 1  9P D-Sub Female connector housing   FC 2626 / 61G2626

 4  Socket contacts

 4  Pin contacts                        FC 2628 / 61G2628

 2  Standoffs

 1  Piece copper adhesive tape          FC 2629 / 61G2629 (WHOLE ROLL)

Intrinsically-Safe 7524-10x Terminals

Q: What is an 'I-Safe' terminal, and where would I use it? What are the differences between this and a regular 7524 RF hand-held?

'I-Safe' terminals are 'Intrinsically-Safe', having limited energy circuitry so they may be used in many hazardous (flammable or explosive) environments. Refer to the description following this section for details.

Note:

IBM offers these intrinsically safe terminals in the USA only. They are not certified to other geographie's standards.
I-safe (intrinsically-safe) terminals differ from other terminals in that:
   * A special battery must be used at all times.  Standard

     NiCd and NiMH batteries may not be used.

   * The terminal has no battery charging circuits.

     Batteries must be removed for charging.  ('In-Terminal'

     chargers may not be used; use the 'Personal Pack' charger)

   * The terminals have no display back light

   * The Powered Communications Adapter (FC 2578) cannot be used

     in a hazardous environment.
The I-Safe rating for 7524-100/101/102 terminals which are factory-equipped with the I-Safe feature code means that they are certfied for use in Division 1 and 2; Classes I, II, and III environments. Approvals by ETL Testing Laboratories cover all groups within each hazardous environment class except those in Group A (i.e. Acetylene) or Group B (i.e. hydrogen).

Certification of the equipment is to ANSI/UL 913, ETL control number 94393.

The phrase 'intrinsically safe' describes equipment which is certified for use in areas which contain explosive or flammable concentrations of gas, vapors, metal filings, dust or fiber. Labels attached to intrinsically safe equipment show the safety classification (I, II, or III) and division (1 or 2) for which the equipment is certified.



  CLASS I      Device is certified for use in areas containing explosive or

               flammable gases or vapors.



  CLASS II     Device is certified for use in areas containing explosive, flammable

               or conductive (capable of providing an electrical path) concentrations

               of dust or metal filings.



  CLASS III    Device is certified for use in areas containing a flammable

               concentration of fibers.
Class I or II equipment must also be labeled with the specific group(s) of gas, vapor, metal filings, or dust the device can be used in. Class I includes groups A, B, C, and D as possibilities, while Class II includes groups E, F, and G.


   GROUP A     Atmospheres containing acetylene.

   GROUP B     Atmospheres containing butadiene, ethylene oxide, hydrogen

               (and gases and vapors equivalent in hazard to hydrogen, such

               as manufactured gas), and propylene oxide.

   GROUP C     Atmospheres containing acetaldehyde, cyclopropane,

               diethyl ether, ethylene, unsymmetrical dimenthyl hydrazine

               (UDMH), and other gases or vapors equivalent in hazard.

   GROUP D     Atmospheres containing acetone, acrylonitrile, alcohol,

               ammonia, benzine, benzol, butane, ethylene dichloride,

               gasoline, hexane, isoprene, lacquer, solvent vapors, naptha,

               natural gas, propane, propylene, styrene, vinyl acetate,

               vinyl chloride, xylenes, and other gases or vapors of

               equivalent hazard.

   GROUP E     Atmospheres containing metal dusts, including aluminum,

               magnesium, and their commercial alloys, and other metals

               with similar hazardous characteristics.

   GROUP F     Atmospheres containing carbon black, coal, or coke dust.

   GROUP G     Atmospheres containing flour, starch, or grain dust, and other

               dusts of similar hazardous characteristics.
Division ratings refer to the normal environmental conditions of the area in which the device is used.

A Division 1 rating for Class I equipment means the device is certified for use in areas with continuous, intermittent, or periodic concentrations of hazardous (explosive or flammable) gases or vapors in the applicable group (A, B, C, or D) for which the product has been certified. A Division 2 rating for Class I equipment means the device is certified for use in areas where hazardous concentrations of gases or vapors (in the applicable group) are not usually present, but may be present if an accidental break-down or other abnormal condition occurs.

A Division 1 rating for Class II equipment means the device is certified for use in areas with continuous, intermittent, or periodic concentrations of hazardous dust or metal filings in the applicable group (E, F, or G) for which the product has been certified. A Division 2 rating for Class II equipment means the device is certified for use in areas where hazardous concentrations of dust or metal filings (in the applicable group) are not usually present, but may be present if an accidental break-down or other abnormal condition occurs.

A Division 1 rating for Class III equipment means the device is certified for use in areas where readily-ignitable fibers or materials producing combustible flyings are handled, manufactured, or used. A Division 2 rating for Class III equipment means the device is certified for use in areas where readily-ignitable fibers (except those in process of manufacture) are stored.


RAM Storage in 7524 with ETS

Q: How much RAM memory is available for application use in a 7524 running ETS, and what must fit into that memory?

Memory available after ETS is loaded depends on the model (based on total memory installed and how much is used by the built-in communications systems).

Memory for up to 736 transaction records is already allocated before your programs are loaded (changing the transaction buffer size on 7524 ETS has no effect). Thus, all of the memory shown below is available for your:



  Model    Available Memory for Files

  -------  -------------------------------------------------------

  7524-50  288K

  7524-51  (Didn't have this, but should be 278K by extrapolation)

  7524-52  164K



  7524-100 285K

  7524-101 275K

  7524-102 161K



  7524-201 273K

  7524-202 167K

Portable Printers on 7524

Q: Can I connect portable printers to my 7524 RF or batch terminal?

7524 ETS currently supports SEND TO RS-232 and CFR ComWrite APIs so that you can attach serial printers to the 7524 RF or batch terminal. There currently is NO support for reading from RS-232.

3278, 5291, and VT-220 terminal emulations offer extended commands which allow your host application to direct output to the serial port. Refer to the respective Norand terminal emulation programmers reference manuals for details.

Many companies offer portable, battery-powered printers suitable for use the 7524 terminals:



   * Comtec Information Systems Inc.

     30 Plan Way

     Warwick, Rhode Island, USA  02886

     401-739-5800/800-556-7266, Fax 401-732-2586



   * Monarch Marking Systems - Pitney Bowes

     (Renegade 9490 Printer)

     (Rascal 9450 Printer)

     1-800-543-6650

     Canada:  1-800-263-4650



   * Extech Instruments Corporation

     335 Bear Hill Road

     Waltham, MA 02154

     617-890-7440, Fax 617-890-7864



   * Datasouth

     P.O. Box 240947

     Charlotte, NC  28224

     704-523-8500, Fax 704-523-9298

Nickel-Cadmium battery maintenance

Ideally nicad batteries should be used to their full capacity. In other words, a fully charged battery should be used until it is completely discharged. Once discharged it should be fully recharged. Unlike lead acid batteries (ie. car batteries) which operate best when a full charge is maintained at all times nicads should be fully cycled.

It is recommended that batteries be conditioned every 60 days or when they seem to have a decreased run-time capacity. Batteries that have been stored more that 60 days should also be conditioned.

Battery life averages 1.5 to 2 years or approximately 500 charge cycles. The 1.5 to 2 years applies to batteries in storage as well. The chemical composition of batteries will deteriorate when stored, so it is not advisable to store them for extended periods of time. The ideal storage temperature for nicads is 68 degrees F.

Under normal conditions a battery will provide 6 hours of life. This may vary depending on scanner and radio activity. Terminals with a significant amount of radio and scanner usage will not last this long. In addition, extreme low or high operating temperatures will severely impact battery life.

IBM 7524 (Norand 1700) Super Capacitor (super cap)

The super cap is used to maintain menory in the terminal for battery changes. The super cap is only fully charges if power is applied over a period of several hours. For this reason, it is recommended that terminals remain powered throughout the workday rather than constantly powering them off and on. To reduce the risk of loosing terminal memory it is also recommended that batteries be replaced as soon a the low battery condition is detected and that terminals not be left with the battery removed for more than a few minutes.