Pocket LOOX 420 from Fujitsu-Siemens

Evgenie Rudometov

http://www.rudometov.com

Company Fujitsu-Siemens Computers on the basis of the processor of Intel PXA255 of microarchitecture of Intel XScale with clock rate of 400 MHz has developed the pocket personal computer possessing wide functionality and supplied with built in resources of wireless data transfer, vkdjuchaja traditional infra-red interface IrDA and younger radilinterfejsy Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Modern business and even house leisure are not thought any more without such arrangements as personal computers. However their desktop variants at all of them advantages, have the important basic lacks following from the architecture of the given class of multimedia computing circuits. The matter is that neither the construction of these computers, nor dimensions and weight do not admit their transportable usage. And the requirement for portable arrangements is extremely high, to what constant growth of sales of such arrangements testifies. It is linked by that the considerable part of the users who are carrying on an active way of life, feels requirement for constant access to informational resources and resources of office operation, including e-mail necessary for their operation and the Internet.

For this user group laptops, for example, such as, a notebook, are an optimal choice. The given arrangements have ceased to be for a long time a wonder or luxury. For many they are the most convenient, and in some cases, — even the main tool of their hard work. Necessary access to e-mail, and also informational resources of the Internet dares by means of usual or transportable phones with usage of widespread paid services.

Despite prevalence and functionality of modern notebooks, in many cases even more compact products possessing smaller weight and dimensions are required. In such cases for optimal solution pocket personal computers (Pocket PC) — a handheld computer or as it is accepted to name them all over the world, PDA — Personal Digital Assistant can be   . In favour of this choice says that fact, that thanks to successes of modern solid-state technologies these compact computers step-by-step become high-grade multimedia arrangements. They in many cases are capable to substitute not only notebooks, but even desktop variants of computer systems, not saying even that handheld computers in some cases possess the unique functions, doing with their irreplaceable arrangements for the users who are carrying on a transportable way of life.

As an example of such is functional-sated compact computers it is possible to result the bar of handheld computer Pocket LOOX of known computer company Fujitsu-Siemens Computers. It is necessary to remind, that this corporation was among the first manufacturers of the pocket computers announcing model with the processor of Intel PXA250 of microarchitecture of Intel XScale and with built in resources of wireless interface Bluetooth. It the handheld computer became Pocket LOOX 600, become by the ancestor of the appropriate bar of the six-100-th arrangements. Making use of experience of this bar, experts of company Fujitsu-Siemens Computers have developed and have adjusted release of the new set — Pocket LOOX series 400. Thus the most powerful and functionally sated model of the specified computer company the present time is handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 (the Photo 1 and the Photo 2).

Photo 1. A package of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420

Package structure

Into structure of a standard package of a handheld computer of model Pocket LOOX 420 enter (the Photo 1):

·        HANDHELD COMPUTER Pocket LOOX 420,

·        the Protective cover for a handheld computer,

·        Two stilusa — one as a part of a handheld computer, the second — optional,

·       USB docking station — kredl for a handheld computer,

·        the Power supply unit with a network cord and plugs of different standards,

·        Cable USB used for hooking up to the PC (Desktop, Notebook),

·        Two CDs with the software,

·        the Short documentation in several languages, except for Russian.

The main technical parametres

Photo 2. Handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 installed in kredl, and entering into a package stilus

Key parametres of this supercompact transportable computer (the Photo 2), being now high model of the bar 400 released by company Fujitsu-Siemens Computers, are resulted in Table 2.

Table 1. Key parametres of handheld computer Pocket LOOX of 420 companies Fujitsu-Siemens Computers

Pocket personal computer Pocket LOOX 420 (the Photo 2), constructed on the basis of the special transportable processor from the corporation of Intel PXA255, realising XScale architecture and command system ARM of the version 5TE ISA. This processor provides high efficiency to all system of hardware-software resources thanks to high clock rate of operation of a kernel, a component of 400 MHz. Besides, it is promoted by the architecture of a handheld computer created taking into account experience of the previous bar as which ancestor model 600 — the first handheld computer from company Fujitsu-Siemens Computers has served .

As a part of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 it is used liquid crystal mirroring colour touch 3,5-inch TFT the screen (the display sizes — 53,64 x 71,52 mm, пиксела value — 0,0745 x 0,2235 mm).

Touch possibilities provide hand-written input by means of a part package stilusa or a similar handheld computer of an accessory not damaging the screen, for example, special plastic nozzles in modern automatic pens and pencils.

The used liquid crystal display allows to output the map with the permission 0,22 dpi at the permission 240 h 320 with a considerable quantity of colours which can reach 65536 (64 ) colours. Technical parametres of the display screen provide bright front highlighting, especially at installation of a peak value of appropriate parametre in the customisations providing the bright sated map. However it is accompanied by the raised power consumption that reduces an operating time from the built in system energopitanija. And on the contrary — the minimum brightness of the screen of the liquid crystal display provides maximum duration of operation of a handheld computer.

As a result of usage modern completing given handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 it is capable to work from the built in secondary generator, according to statements of implementators and the order bookings applied from a handheld computer, till 10 o'clock. In the switched off state it provides safety of programs and data during the durable period — till 350 o'clock, that is almost two weeks. However it is necessary to consider, that the given time estimations can essentially vary depending on used functional modes and character hranimoj in handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 computer information.

Photo 3. The Underside of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 with the removed lower cover

Photo 4. The accumulator battery substituted lithium-ionic standardly installed in handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420

Estimating possibilities of a subsystem energopitanija handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 should be marked, that the given arrangement concerns rather small number of models in which construction replaceable lithium-ionic the secondary generator is used, in size 1100 mach (the Photo 3 and the Photo 4). The construction providing changeover of the battery, allows in the course of a hard work in absence of possibility of operation from an electrical network fast to replace the used secondary generator the spare. It provides possibility of further operation of a handheld computer. Safety of data for the period of changeover of data secondary generator lithium-ionic, approximately within 30 minutes, provides special built in NiMH the secondary generator. This additional secondary generator is intended for saving of the information and does not admit operation even during specified limited time.

It is obvious, that energetic possibilities of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 increase twice with usage of the spare battery, and can be and several. Unfortunately, additional lithium-ionic the battery is not applied on a handheld computer and gained by the user separately. It can be made, for example, under the directory of accessories for handheld computer Pocket LOOX of a series 400.

Well and in case of availability of an electrical network 100-240 In to work it is possible through the special external power supply unit providing conversion of an alternate current of a high voltage to level 5 In, a handheld computer necessary for operation (the Photo 5). Thus together with handheld computer operation 420 secondary generators — the main (Lithium Ion) and additional (NiMH) will be simultaneously charged in an automode and built in a construction of handheld computer Pocket LOOX  .

Photo 5. The Power supply unit of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 from a network of an alternate current with the substituted interposings calculated for different types of an electrical network

 420 memory built in handheld computer Pocket LOOX is presented by two types of units: the working memory (RAM — the working memory — the operative storage device) and the read-only memory (ROM — the read-only memory — the constant storage device). Thus the working memory size makes 64 Mb, the read-only memory — 32 Mb. Rather big informational size of the built in memory, however, become already standard for handheld computer advanced models, allows to work with a considerable quantity of applications even without usage of units of an additional external memory.

However if necessary the memory size accessible to programs can be expanded at the expense of usage by maps of the flash-memory which is hooked up through the slot of standard SD/MMC. This slot is allocated in a top of tank of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 (the Photo 6). By the way, here the switch of power supplies of a handheld computer (at centre), two windows with indicator light-emitting diodes, the slot under stilus (at the left) and the plug for the head dynamic phones which hooking up disables the built in speaker is allocated.

Fig. 6. Units of a top of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420

At the bottom of tank of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 (the Photo 7), at centre of its lower end face, the special multifunctional plug is allocated. By means of this plug handheld computer hooking up to the desktop or transportable computer for the purpose of preconditioning and synchronisation of data is carried out. By the way, the same plug uses and for hooking up of the external power supply unit providing energopitanie a handheld computer from a network of an alternate current in a functional mode system and applications, and also charging built in a construction of the given computer of the main and additional secondary generators. Well and in a corner of tank of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 there is a window from dark plastic glass. For these the window allocates light-emitting diodes of traditional high-speed infra-red interface IrDA.

Photo 7. Units of the bottom of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420

At the same bottom of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 hand control keys (the Photo 8), become traditional in the architecture of the given class of compact transportable computing circuits are presented. The certain functions supported by call appropriate system and applications are initially fixed to the given keys. But at will the functionality of these keys can be changed in service. The appropriate built in resources of a firmware of handheld computer Pocket LOOX are accessible to this purpose for the user 420.

Photo 8. Navigation buttons of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420, including a reset button of programs

Estimating possibilities of the architecture of handheld computer Pocket LOOX of 420 and its hardware-software resources it is necessary to remind, that, unfortunately, all difficult computing circuits sometimes have cases of lag executable system or applications. Not pressing in the analysis of similar cases and the reasons of their occurrence (and among them the overwhelming share is made by inevitable errors in system and applications), it is necessary to mark presence in a construction of considered model of a handheld computer of the special resources providing return of working capacity of the given computer.

From these resources it is necessary to mark, first of all, the special button which is in an end face of the bottom of tank of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 (the Photo 8). Pressing this button interrupts performance of the current program. Memory thus is not unset.

If this operation has not enough, it is possible to take advantage of the switch allocated under the lower cover (the Photo 9). However it is necessary to consider, that in this case there is a cleaning of memory and, accordingly, loss hranimoj in an information handheld computer.

Photo 9. The Reset key of programs and memory zeroing

Considering a construction and functionality of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420, it is necessary to underline, that feature of this arrangement is presence of the built in resources of a wireless communication. Them concern the controller of data transfer by means of infrared radiation IrDA (the Photo 7, at the left in an end face), and also controllers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, carrying out high-speed link on radio channels in a band of 2,4 GHz. Handle of the enumerated resources, and also state eyeballing, is carried out by exclusively program ways. Thus in addition modes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi it is displayed by means of the built in light-emitting diodes (the Photo 10). For this purpose the left indicator window is: blinking dark blue colour — is included controller Bluetooth, green — Wi-Fi, alternately dark blue and green — both enumerated controllers are included. By the way, the right window provides indication in a functional mode and a charge of secondary generators from an external source energopitanija: Blinking orange colour — goes a charge of secondary generators, orange, included permanently, — the charge of secondary generators is ended.

Photo 10. Indication of a state of the built in radio controllers of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420

Coming back to interfaces of a wireless information transfer, it is necessary to remind, that presence IrDA allows not only to exchange data, for example, with a mobile phone, computer peripherals but also to use a handheld computer, of course, by means of special software, as a remote control, the TV, the videorecorder, the radio complex.

As to built in resources Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to the first well-known owners of modern mobile phones and in remarks do not require, the second provide wireless Internet connection and E-mail in the public places supplied Hot Spot. In St.-Petersburg this possibility is available in a number of the central hotels, and also in many cafes, restaurants, stations.

Possible usages of a handheld computer

It is necessary to mark, that the handheld computer of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 gives possibility to perform traditional office operations. For this purpose the manufacturer has already installed such programs as, PC Word, PC Exel, etc. In spite of the fact that initially handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 is delivered with programs in the English-speaking version, in a package there is a special suite of russification of the arrangement.

There is in a handheld computer a notepad and the calculator. Data entry, typing in a handheld computer and its editing can be fulfilled, using input and handwriting recognition system. Besides, these operations conveniently and simply to carry out by means of the virtual keyboard displayed on the display screen. In addition to it, it is possible to take advantage of the special keyboard developed for a handheld computer. It is specified in the list of additional accessories. Application of the given keyboard gives possibility of operation with documents standard, habitual for the majority of users in the way.

All programs and data it is possible to save on the desktop PC or a notebook for what there are appropriate programs and cables.

By means of additional resources there is a possibility of usage of a handheld computer in various presentations.

It is necessary to add, that, using hardware-software possibilities of multimedia, by means of a handheld computer it is possible to look video data, including video films, and also to listen to the audio records created, for example, in widespread standard MP3.

It is convenient to use a handheld computer as a dictophone, the appropriate button of inclusion is built in in the left end face of tank of a handheld computer (the Photo 2 and the Photo 10). Here it is necessary to mark, that a sound current recording quality in models Pocket LOOX 420 rather high. At least, it is essential above many competing models which are carrying out writing, as a rule, on distance of all to 1 m, that is basically to writing of an own voice. The specified model thanks to a qualitative microphone and maloshumjashchemu to an audiopath allows to record sound on essential bolshem distance in comparison with the majority of competing clones. Writing parametres can be regulated in the program way in appropriate menus, changing sensitivity, number of channels and frequency of a subsystem of a sound recording.

It is necessary to mark, that applied value of handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 can be raised at the expense of usage of the appropriate applications widely presented in the computer market. Thanks to such programs of a handheld computer it is possible to use as, for example, compact quick reference, the sensible multilingual dictionary, the navigator, etc .

In conclusion of the given short browse it is necessary to mark, that such arrangements it is real in many cases allow to refuse other computers. Nevertheless, it is not necessary to consider pocket personal computers as complete and equivalent changeover to traditional notebooks or desktop PCs. Handheld computers can be considered as successful addition to these types of computers.

Wide functionality of modern handheld computers already on advantage was estimated by numerous users. As a result the number of sold computers of the given group promptly increases all over the world.

Handheld computer Pocket LOOX 420 is given by the Moscow representation of company Fujitsu-Siemens Computers