MENTOR ENGINEERING INC Mobile Data Computer Hardware Installation Guide
MENTOR ENGINEERING INC Mobile Data Computer Hardware Installation Guide Mentor Engineering Inc.
Table of Contents Introduction............................................................................................................................................................ 1 What You Need ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Installation.......................................................................................................................................................
Setting the MDC Modem Level .................................................................................................................10 Setting the MDC ID......................................................................................................................................12 Testing the Communications ......................................................................................................................12 Technical Data...................................................
1 CHAPTER Introduction This document provides instructions and guidelines that should be followed for the successful installation of Mentor Engineering’s Mobile Data Computer (MDC).
2 CHAPTER Installation General The MDCs are shipped pre-programmed with the appropriate communications and application software. In some cases, however, it is necessary to re-program the units with updated files prior to installing them. Please refer to the MDC Programming application note for details on re-programming the units. MDC Mounting Bracket The type of MDC mounting bracket will vary depending on the type of vehicle that the MDC is being installed in.
• • MDC Mounting screws: 3/8” (10mm) #8 thumb screws Adapter Plate Material: 1/8” (3.2mm) aluminum MDC Placement The placement of the MDC should be carefully considered. It is important that the unit is mounted so that the driver of the vehicle can easily view and operate the MDC. Attention should be given to the placement to make sure the MDC does not interfere with regular driving functions.
3. Auxilliary port 1: RS232 serial interface port used for MDC programming and for connection to external peripheral devices. 4. Auxilliary port 2: RS232 serial interface port for connection to external peripheral devices. 5. Auxilliary port 3: RS232 serial interface port for connection to external peripheral devices. 6. Keyboard port: Interface port for connection to the Express Mini QWERTY keyboard.
The MDC power leads should be crimped onto the power leads at the power input to the communications device. Installing the power leads in this way will avoid the possibility of the ground potential at the MDC differing from the ground potential of the communications device (due to current draw during a transmit cycle). If the MDC is connected to switched ignition power the units manifest will be lost every time the engine is turned off.
3 CHAPTER Basic Operation and Configuration The following figure should be used as reference while following the instructions in this section.
Turning the MDC On The MDC is powered on and off with the ON/Off Key. In some systems, the MDC is powered on and off with the vehicle ignition. The MDC will display the Mentor logo along with software revision information. The first screen of the customer’s application file should appear after approximately 2 seconds. Adjusting the Backlight The backlight for the keypad and LCD display is adjusted by pressing the BACKLIGHT key.
Setting the MDC Time and Date From the MDC maintenance menu, select the user utilities function by pressing the function key next to the USR UTL text. In the subsequent screen, press the function key next to the CHANGE TIME text, enter the current time at the prompt and press ENTER. Next, press the function key next to the CHANGE DATE text, enter the current date and press ENTER. Press EXIT once to leave the USR UTL menu.
Finally, press EXIT to leave the SYS CONFIG menu and EXIT again to leave the maintenance menus. Setting Communications Parameters The communications parameters for the various communications systems are set via the MDC maintenance menus. Usually Mentor personnel will pre-configure these values. Please refer to the applicable application notes from Mentor Engineering to configure these values if required.
4 CHAPTER Configuring and Testing in the Vehicle When the MDC has been installed in the vehicle, there are some configuration and testing procedures that Mentor Engineering recommends following. These procedures can verify that the unit is ready for fleet operation when it leaves the installation site. Setting the MDC Modem Level Note: Setting the modem level is not required on any data network (EDACS, CDPD, Mobitex, etc.).
5. Press the function key that corresponds to the MDM VOL text. On the main MDC screen, you will see square brackets appear around the LEVEL numbers. These square brackets indicate that the MDC is transmitting mark tone. 6. Key the microphone of the mobile radio. 7. Using the service monitor, determine the amount of deviation in kHz of the channel. We want 2.5 kHz deviation.
13. Before exiting from the MDC Maintenance screen, the newly entered value must be saved. To save modified parameters, select the SYS CONFIG function key. The next screen will not display any function keys, however, there is a save function associated with the bottom function key. Press this key and you will be prompted to save the changed values. Press ENTER and the values will be saved. 14. Finally, press EXIT to leave the SYS CONFIG menu and EXIT again to leave the maintenance menus.
First make sure that the communications device (ie:- radio, external modem) is on and set to the correct data channel. Also verify the cabling and antenna connections. If you are using mobile radios on a conventional radio system, then the channel LED on the MDC should be illuminated. Press the function key next to the SIGNON text. Enter any information prompted for using the numeric keypad or keyboard and press ENTER. There may be several fields that need to be entered.
5 CHAPTER Technical Data Supply voltage: 9 - 18 volts Current consumption Typical (LCD heater off, medium backlight): Maximum (LCD heater on, full backlight): 0.22 A 1.29 A Temperature range Operating: -30 to +65°C -22 to +149°F Storage: -30 to +80°C -22 to +176°F Approximate Size (W x D x H): 8.5 x 2 x 3.5 in. 216 x 51 x 89 mm. Weight 1 lb. / 0.
