Integration Guide

Table Of Contents

Software Description

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WaveWorks PSS, Integration Guide, 1.10 Page 76

8.2 Unit Management Subsystem

The Unit Management Subsystem (UMS) manages the Symbol hardware devices that comprise

the PSS system. Those devices include hand held terminals, cradles, entrance unit devices, ticket

printers, and power supplies. Since UMS manages hardware, it is important to understand each

of the devices being managed in both the Asterix2 and Asterix3 versions of PSS.

8.2.1 Hardware Overview

Terminals

The PSS system only uses RF terminals. PSS can use either Asterix2 or Asterix3 terminals. The

Asterix2 terminal has five buttons and a 4 x 20 display. The Asterix3 terminal has four buttons

and a trigger (in lieu of the “+” key on the Asterix2), and an 8 x 20 display. Both terminal types

charge their batteries while in the cradle, but since the Asterix3 uses a newer lithium battery, the

battery-related constants are different for the two terminals.

Cradles

The cradles are completely different between the Asterix2 and Asterix3 systems. The Asterix2

terminals are placed into an integrated eight-slot rack, and as a result, the entire system is

comprised of terminals in multiples of eight. When the Asterix2 is unlocked, a small light on the

face of the terminal is lit. The Asterix3 cradles are individual units, and the entire system can

include any desired number of terminals. When the Asterix3 is unlocked, the cradle housing

lights up. The Asterix2 cradle locks the terminal tightly against the contacts. The Asterix3

cradle does not--which causes a number of issues, since the terminal can be lifted off the contacts

before the latch stops it.

Dispensers

In a typical Asterix2 system a module was a large plastic device that had eight integrated cradles.

Four modules were a unit. A dispenser in the Asterix2 world consisted of one or more modules.

The Asterix3 system uses individual cradles that can be physically arranged however the

customer wishes. An Asterix3 dispenser is simply a logical group of cradles (that are usually

physically adjacent to each other).

The concept of a dispenser being a logical group of cradles also works for Asterix2 systems as

long as the cradles in the same module are part of the same dispenser (to avoid confusing the

customer). So, in this document, a dispenser is really a collection of cradles, not a physical

device.