ITRON FC200 Desk Dock User Manual

FC200

Desk Dock User’s Guide

Identification

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide
TDC-0597-000 10/04

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Itron is a registered trademark of Itron, Inc.
All other prod uc t na m es an d log os in this document are use d for ide ntification

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Y our company has the right to reproduce this contract document provided that such
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in the Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure paragraphs in the Sales Contract.

© 2004 Itron, Inc. All rights reserved.

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It is important that only authorized Itron personnel attempt repairs on Itron
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• Mail: Itron, Inc.; Attention: Customer Care; 2818 N. Sullivan Road;
Spokane, WA 99216

• E-mail: [e-mail]

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• Mail: Itron BV.; Teleportboulevard 110; 1043 EJ Amsterdam;
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In Australia:

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• Phone: [phone]

• Fax: [phone]

page iii

Contents

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

FC200 Desk Dock Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Available Cables and Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Desk Dock Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Charging Indicator (LED) Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Docking an FC200 in the Desk Dock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Using the Serial or USB Cable for File Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Calibrating a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Calibration Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Maintaining the Desk Dock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Recommended Precautions for the Desk Dock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Securing the Desk Dock to a Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Installing the Rubber Feet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

page iv

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

Introduction

The desk dock is an optional device used with the FC200
handheld computer. It is design ed for indoor use i n an office envi­ronment. The desk dock is a “pass-through ” device that provid es:

• Quick connect and disconnect for battery charging, battery
calibration, and FC200 communication

• Commu nication options : RS-232 serial or US B, Infrared, and
Ethernet

• Convenient storage of the FC200 handheld unit

FC200 Desk Dock Specifications

• Size: (L x W x D): 6.3" x 6.7 " x 3.5" ( 160 mm x 17 0 mm x 88
mm)

• Weight: 12.8 oz (354 g)

• Storage Temperature: -60° F to 160° F (-51° C to 71° C)

page 1

• Operating Temperature: 32° F to 122° F (0° C to 50° C)

Available Cables and Accessories

The following items are used with the desk dock.

• AC/DC adapter with power cord

• RS232 cable - 26-pin to DB-9

• USB cable (client) - 26-pin to USB A-plug

Optional:

• USB adapter (host) - 26-pin to USB A-receptacle

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

page 2

Spri

h

r

Desk Dock Features

The following illustrations show the desk dock’s main compo­nents.

Docking connector

Battery calibration button

Spare battery
charging slot

Spring retaining latch

Charging indicator LED

Multiple desk dock
alignment port

Top view

ng retaining latc

Infrared optical mirro

Front view

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

Rubber feet

r

page 3

Ethernet connecto

Power connector

NOTE When attached to external power, the desk doc k charges

Alternate mounting

screw boss

Bottom view

Port A (polarized)

COM connector

(USB, serial)

and conditions an extra battery . All other features listed below are
available only when a handheld is installed in the desk dock.

Feature Description

Docking connector • Connects to the FC200 COM1 and

mirrors its functionality

NOTE The FC200’s keypad and display

are accessible while it is in the desk dock.

Battery calibration button • Starts the battery calibration cycle.

See “Calibrating a B attery” on page 7.

Spare battery charging slot • Accepts a spare battery for charging/

calibration.

Spring retaining latch • Engage s and ret ain s the handhel d

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

See “Calibrating a B attery” on page 7.

page 4

Feature Description

Multiple desk dock
alignment port

• Connects to a recess ed alignmen t port
on the left side of another desk dock,
enabling you to attach multiple desk
docks

NOTE T his port has no electronic function-

ality.

Power connector • Main 12V DC input power from AC/

DC converter fo r running and
charging the FC200, plus one extra
FC200 battery

Charging indicator (LED) • Shows the charge condition of the

desk dock
See “Charging Indicator (LED)

Status” on page 5.

Infrared optical mirror • Passes infrared communications to

and from the IR port on the b ot tom o f
the handheld when the handheld is
seated in the desk dock

Ethernet connector • Accepts cable for Ethernet communi-

cations.

Alternate mounting screw
boss

Port A (polarized) COM
connector

• Can be used to secure the desk dock to
a suitable surface

See “Securing the Desk Dock to a

Surface” on page 9.

• Alternative 12V DC input power from
AC/DC converter for running and
charging the handheld, plus one extra
FC200 battery

OR

• Full Port A RS-232 communications
from the handheld, with 5V DC @
350mA

OR

• USB client or host connection (cable
dependent)

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

Feature Description

Rubber feet • Four rubber feet are provided as an

option that can be installed on the
bottom of the desk dock to prevent the
desk dock from slipping on or
scratching the user's work surface. The
rubber feet are not installed when
using the alternate mounting screw
boss.

Charging Indicator (LED) Status

The power available to charge the batteries in the desk dock is
shared between the FC200 and the spare battery, with priority
given to the handheld. If both batteries are fully depleted, the
battery in the FC200 will charge in about three and a half hours
and the spare battery will charge in about four hours.

page 5

When a battery is placed in the spare battery charging slot, it takes
a few seconds before the charging indicator begins to blink.

The charging indicator LED only shows the charge condition of
the desk dock. It does not reflect the charging state of the
handheld. The handheld’s charge status is indicated by its own
charge status LED.

LED Status Indicates

Blinking green
(blink, pause, blink, pause)

• There i s power to the desk
dock, and it is charging the
spare battery.

Solid green • There i s power to the desk

dock

OR

• No spare battery

OR

• A fully charged spare
battery

Double-blinking green
(blink, blink, pause..)

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

• A battery fault.

Example: Battery out of tem­perature range (below 32° F
or above 122° F)

page 6

LED Status Indicates

Solid amber • Battery calibration is

about to begin

OR

• Battery calibration is in
the discharge phase

Blinking amber • Battery calibration is in

the charge phase

Docking an FC200 in the Desk Dock

To dock the handheld, do this:

• Orient it as shown below. Insert the handheld into the pocket
and press down until you hear the spring latch engage.

To undock the handheld, do this:

• Firmly pull the handheld straight up until the spring latch
releases the computer.

NOTE If the desk dock is not permanently attached to the work

surface, you will have to hold it down with one hand while pulling
with the other.

Using the Serial or USB Cable for File Transfer

Refer to the FC200 Getting Started Guide or the handheld ’s
online Handheld Comp uter Help for setup and usage instru ctions
for transferring files using Microsoft's ActiveSync.

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

Calibrating a Battery

Calibrating a battery resets the battery gas gaug e, impr oves
battery level monitoring, and leaves the battery charged. It
involves a charge-discharge-charge cycle that takes about 24
hours to complete.

The battery should be calibrated every three to four months or
whenever the battery gas gauge does not accurately reflect the
battery pack’s performance.

This procedure calibrates only the battery in the spare battery
charging slot—it does not calibrate the battery on the handheld, if
the handheld is docked when you perform the procedure.

To condition a battery, follow these steps.

Step Action

1 Insert the battery into the desk dock's spare battery

charging slot.

page 7

2 Attach the desk dock to external power.
3 Press and hold the battery calibration button on the top

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

Battery

calibration

button

of the desk dock for approximately six seconds or until
the LED begins blinking amber.

NOTE To prevent unintentional battery calibration, the

LED turns solid amber after you hold down t he battery
calibration button for three seconds. It begins battery
calibration after six seconds.

page 8

Calibration Cycle

The battery calibration cycle consists of three phases.

•

Charge Phase: The desk dock gives the battery a full charge,

indicated by a blinking amber LED.

•

Discharge Phase: The desk dock fully discharges the battery,

indicated by a solid amber LED. When the battery reaches the
low voltage threshold, the desk dock calibrates it.

•

Final Charge Phase: After battery calibration, the battery enters

a normal charge cycle, indicated by a blinking green LED.

Maintaining the Desk Dock

WARNING! There are no user-serv iceable parts inside the FC200 desk

dock or FC200 handheld computer. Do not attempt to open either
unit.

Although the FC200 handheld is rugged, waterproof, and sealed
against the rain, dirt, and dust, the desk dock is not. The desk dock
is designed to be used indoors.

Recommended Precautions for the Desk Dock

Observe the following precautions to ensure that the FC200 desk
dock provides many years of reliable service.

• Avoid subjecting the desk dock to extremely damp or dusty
conditions.

• Never use solvents or abrasive cleaners of any kind on the
desk doc k.

• Avoid dropping the desk dock.

• If it becomes necessary to clean the infrared mirror, us e only
a soft, dry cloth. Be careful not to sc ratch the poli shed mir ror
surface.

• Do not apply the rubber feet if the alternate screw boss will be
used to secure the desk dock to a work surface.

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

Securing the Desk Dock to a Surface

The desk dock may be permanently installed on a suitable
surface, if desired.

T o secure the desk dock to a s urface using the alternate mo unting
screen boss, follow these steps.

Step Action

1 Make sure the rubber feet have not been applied to the

desk dock. If they have, remo ve t he r ubb er feet b efor e
screwing the unit down.

2 Screw the desk dock down using a #8 (or 4 mm)

flathead screw of appropriate thread style and length
for the surface you are mounting to.

Installing the Rubber Feet

Install the opti onal rubber feet on t he desk dock only if y ou do not
want to mount it permanently (see “Securing the Desk Dock to a

Surface” on page 9). The feet are designed to help protect sur-

faces on which you place the desk dock.

page 9

To install the rubber feet, follow these steps.

Step Action

1 Turn the desk dock over so that you are looking at the

bottom of the unit.

2 Gently peel one ru bber foot off the shippi ng paper

using your finger tips.

3 Holding the rubber foot by its edges, firmly stick it into

the recessed area in the corner of the base.

4 Do the same with the remaining three feet.

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

page 10

Troubleshooting

If you encounter a probl em with your FC200 desk do ck, refer first
to the following trou bleshooting tip s. If you do not find a soluti on
here, contact an Itron customer service representative for help.

Problem Possible Solutions

FC200 doesn't turn on
when docked

Problems using serial
communications

Problems using infrared
communications

• Make sure the desk dock is connected to a
good power source, using the AC/DC
power adapter, and making sure the power
adapter is secure. The desk dock LED
should light up to indicate power.

• Make sure the handheld is seated corr ectly.
The FC200’s charge status LED should
light up.

• Make sure both ends of the serial cable are
connected correctly.

• If the problem persists, perform a soft reset
on the handheld by holding down both the

Power and Orange function (FN) keys for

about five seconds.

• For ActiveSync connections, make sure you
have the correct serial port and speed
enabled on the handheld (select

Windows logo > Settings > Control Panel >
PC Connection

).

• Make sure nothing is obstructing the
infrared communications window on either
the sending or receiving unit.

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04

• Reduce the dis tance between devices to one
meter or less.

• Adjust room lighting. Some types of
lighting may interfere with IR communi­cation.

• For ActiveSync connections, make sure
IRDA is enabled on the handheld (select

Windows logo > Settings > Control Panel >
PC Connection

).

Problem Possible Solutions

page 11

Ethernet communica­tions

Extra battery does not
charge

LED does not turn
blinking amber when the
battery calibration
button is held down

• Make sure the handheld is seated correctly
in the desk dock.

• Make sure the handheld is properly con­figured to access your Ethernet LAN and is
plugged into an active network. Ask an
Itron customer representative for assistance
in setting up your handheld to access your
network via Ethernet.

• Make sure the desk dock is connected to a
good power source using the AC/ DC power
adapter, and that the power adapter is
secure. The desk dock LED should light up
to indicate power.

• Make sure the battery is seated correctly.

• If the LED blinks indicate a battery fault
(blink, blink, pause...), remove and reinsert
the battery to clear the error condition.

• If the condition continues, contact an Itron
customer representative.

• If a battery fault has occurred, the battery
calibration button causes the LED to blink
an error code. To clear the error condition,
remove the battery, then try again.

• If the condition continues, contact an Itron
customer service representative.

FC200 Desk Dock User’s Guide - TDC-0597-000 10/04