Fujitsu Announces Fully-Integrated Wireless Mobile Pen Computer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — October 4, 1993 — Cutting the ties to a world bound by wires, Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc. (FPSI) Monday announced the PadPlus RF, one of the industry's first mobile computers with wireless communications technology fully-integrated into a single-unit device.
The PadPlus RF is a pen-based mobile computer that allows transparent wireless client/server and peer-to-peer LAN communications.
Based on FPSI's PoqetPad Plus pen-based mobile computer, the PadPlus RF incorporates Proxim Inc.'s RangeLAN wireless adapter and radio into its enclosed housing, with a retractable antenna in the upper left corner. The PadPlus RF has the same form-factor and functionality as the PoqetPad Plus.
The PadPlus RF is the first in an FPSI family of integrated wireless mobile computers designed to meet the specific business needs of today's mobile workforce. This wireless LAN-enabled family of products uses spread spectrum wireless technology because it provides interference free wireless networking without requiring an FCC license.
"This PadPlus RF is a watershed product for the mobile computing industry because it's the first system that delivers wireless connectivity in a manner that's consistent with the usability requirements of today's end-users," said Lou Panetta, FPSI's executive vice president. "With the PadPlus RF, there's no installation required, and since the system is fully integrated, there's no chance that external modems or radios will be broken or damaged. Offering integrated wireless solutions is clearly the direction that mobile computing is heading."
The PadPlus RF features a communications range of up to 300 feet with interference immunity made possible by the spread spectrum technology. The PadPlus RF has a burst data rate of 242 Kbps and provides users with three full channels. With error correcting hardware and firmware designed to re-transmit undelivered data, users will be sure that data is never lost or corrupted.
The PadPlus RF is a full-screen, handheld computer designed specifically for use in forms-based data collection applications, such as automated dining operations. The system features an "on-demand" back lighting capability and uses an 8086-compatible V30 microprocessor operating at 16MHz. Weighing less than two pounds and measuring 10.0" by 4.6" by 1.5", the PadPlus RF operates from 2 to 4 hours with a rechargeable NiCad battery.
Anticipating the need to support multiple expansion peripherals, the PadPlus RF features numerous interface ports: a type I/II PCMCIA expansion slot (for data storage); a built-in point-to-point serial RS-232C infrared link (for cradles and hardware mounts); RS-232C serial TTL serial (for bar code wands); and keyboard.
The PadPlus RF is compatible with Novell Netware and Netware Lite. Using the PadPlus RF in a client/server or peer-to-peer LAN system requires a server or workstation equipped with Proxim's RangeLAN/ISA wireless adapter. The PadPlus RF solution is well suited for such applications as warehouse inventory, facility maintenance, indoor production, health care, etc.
The PadPlus RF is available immediately through FPSI systems integrators and VARs. Preliminary pricing for the PadPlus RF is $2,449.
Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, is a leader in providing solutions for data collection and decision support applications through the development of super portable palmtop, pen-based and communicating computers. Its solutions are designed to meet the needs of applications where light weight, small form factor and long battery life are essential.
The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Ltd. Fujitsu Personal Systems has North American offices in Santa Clara, Irvine, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Toronto and international offices in England, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Sweden.
CONTACT:
Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc.
Bill Wittmann, 408/982-9500 Walt & Sommerhauser Communications
Craig Sutphin, 408/496-0900