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C
-IR3200M User’s Manual
Version 1.0
Sep. 27, 2005
The Infrared Wireless Expert
1. Introduction
How to Design a Good IrDA-Enabled System Products?
Most of the IrDA hardware components such as the IR transceiver, the encoder/decoder or the
integrated IrDA I/O chip are often tested by the component manufacturer to be IrDA compliant.
Each IrDA protocol software layer licensed from third party or developed in-house, can also be
individually tested to be IrDA compliant. However, when all these IrDA-compliant components are
put together, unexpected result may happen. Once the engineering phase is done and
manufacturing phase starts, there are many possibilities on the manufacturing line too, due to parts
property or assembly variations. Also, after the manufacturing phase is done and the products are
shipped, there remains field service issue of screening test in the field or at service centers
Methods for system testing must be planned and designed into the IrDA implementation, not an
afterthought. A good system test methodology is essential to facilitate both engineering, the
production and field service.
What IrDA Mishaps Can Occur and How to Test Them?
Most of engineering mishaps usually are in the area between the Physical Layer and IrLAP.
Production mishaps usually are confined to Physical Layer only. Consequently, a very simple and
effective system test is to access the “test frame” feature of IrLAP as defined in the IrDA Protocol
Spec., particularly the test frame feature within a connection. ACTiSYS Corp. has made this test
frame
sourc
e
codes
ava
ilable
which
you
may
get
by
contacting:
tech[email protected]. Most major IrDA hardware or software products have implemented this “test frame” well. These include
Microsoft-Windows 95/98/98se/2000 IR drivers(not for Windows 2K/SP3, SP4, XP), HP-5P/6MP
LaserJet printers and many others. If implemented well in your IrDA protocol stack, a specially
programmed tester tool can fully exercise the Physical Layer and IrLAP layer in the device under
test (DUT) automatically. This test can range from very thorough for engineering study or QC
diagnosis to very speedy for production, quality control or field screening. Both fashions are
especially useful for Inter-op “IrDA Reference Product” and “IrReady” certification tests among
different IrDA device classes. ACTiSYS provides such test software, ACT-IR9006D/SW,
IR3200SW.
What Can ACT-IR3200M Do For You and IrDA Certification?
ACTiSYS has a complete IrDA system test strategy, provides such test hardware and software
tools, and operates the first full-capability among five IrDA authorized Certification Test Lab’s.
We have condensed all these expertise into one enabling FIR handheld tester, IR3200M and the
associated optional software package; IR3200SW
