User`s guide

Figure 14: Infrared Monitor control panel showing a connection to a device
of a PalmPilot (this is “Tempura” in Figure 14), and “Extended Systems Infrared” is displayed
where the PalmPilot model would be shown. The QuickBeam NT software was also successfully
used to transmit files from a PalmPilot. This proved that the combination of QuickBeam NT and
the Actisys transceivers could be used.
However, when a terminal program such as HyperTerminal was tried, no data could be received
from the virtual port. It was assumed that the QuickBeam NT software sends some handshaking
commands to receive the data, and follows some protocol. A letter was sent to Extended Systems
and Actisys, asking for advice. Extended Systems was unsure if it was possible, but suggested talking
to the COM port directly, and also asking Actisys for suggestions. They also suggested using a low
baud rate (9600 bps was being used for testing, which is the lowest baud rate supported by IrDA).
The Actisys transceivers use a proprietary protocol (Actisys 2000), which they license for a fee,
and after signing a non-disclosure agreement. Extended Systems has used this protocol to create
their QuickBeam NT drivers. It was not known what form the data transmitted on the QuickBeam
virtual port took, so a request for information was made to Extended Systems, but Extended Systems
was unable to provide more information. The protocol was initially thought to be standard IrDA,
and standard IrDA handshaking commands were sent to the virtual port, without success, so it was
assumed another protocol was being used.
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