Trapeze Software Group MDC0V01 Installation guide

Hardware Installation
Guide

Mobile Data Computer (Version 3&4)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MDC V3&4HardwareInstallationGuide R07.doc

January 24, 2005

Page 1 of 15

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................2

1 FCC Compliance Statement (USA).....................................................................................................2

2 What You Need...................................................................................................................................2

Installation......................................................................................................................................................2

1 General ...............................................................................................................................................2

2 MDC Mounting Bracket .......................................................................................................................3

3 MDC Placement ..................................................................................................................................3

4 MDC Connections ...............................................................................................................................3

5 Communications Device .....................................................................................................................5

6 Antenna Installation ............................................................................................................................5

7 Installing Roof Top Antennas..............................................................................................................5

8 General Antenna Guidelines...............................................................................................................6

9 RF Radiation Specifications................................................................................................................7

10 SAR and MPE Limits .......................................................................................................................7

11 Labelling ..........................................................................................................................................7

Basic Operation and Configuration................................................................................................................8

1 Turning the MDC On ...........................................................................................................................8

2 Adjusting the Backlight........................................................................................................................9

3 Accessing the MDC Maintenance Menus ...........................................................................................9

4 Setting the MDC Time and Date ........................................................................................................9

5 Adjusting the LCD Contrast.................................................................................................................9

6 Setting the MDC ID ...........................................................................................................................10

7 Setting Communications Parameters................................................................................................10

Configuring and Testing in the Vehicle ........................................................................................................10

1 Setting the DSP Gain Level (Conventional Radio Systems Only).....................................................10

2 Setting the MDC ID ...........................................................................................................................13

3 Testing the Communications.............................................................................................................13

Technical Data.............................................................................................................................................15

2 Temperature range ...........................................................................................................................15

Suite 230, 2891 Sunridge Way NE, Calgary Alberta, T1Y 7K7

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MDC V3&4HardwareInstallationGuide R07.doc

January 24, 2005

Page 2 of 15

INTRODUCTION

This document provides instructions and guidelines that should be followed for the successful

installation of Mentor Engineering’s Mobile Data Computer (MDC).

1 FCC Compliance Statement (USA)

1.1 FCC Class A Part 15

This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:

a) This device may not cause harmful interference
b) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may

cause undesired operation.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital

device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at their own
expense.

2 What You Need

For a typical installation in a vehicle, you will need the following:

• MDC

• MDC installation cables (vehicle/power cable and communications adapter cable)

• Mounting bracket

• Cable tie-downs

To assist with the installation, it is often necessary to have the following available:

• PC Laptop

• MDC programming cable

• Multimeter

• Radio service monitor (for systems using mobile radios for communications)

• Radio service monitor (for systems using mobile radios for communications)

INSTALLATION

1 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 re­programming the units.

Suite 230, 2891 Sunridge Way NE, Calgary Alberta, T1Y 7K7

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Phone: [phone]

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Fax: [phone]

MDC V3&4HardwareInstallationGuide R07.doc

January 24, 2005

2 MDC Mounting Bracket

The type of MDC mounting bracket will vary depending on the type of vehicle that the MDC is

being installed in. It will also depend on whether or not an Express QWERTY keyboard is to be
mounted with the MDC. The mounting brackets may be ordered through Mentor, or through a third
party supplier. The following information provides the details necessary for ordering a mounting
bracket along with an adapter plate for the MDC.

Page 3 of 15

Figure 1 Mounting Bracket Adapter Plate

• MDC Mounting screws: 3/8” (10mm) #8 thumb screws

• Adapter Plate Material: 1/8” (3.2mm) aluminum

3 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. To avoid
damage due to overheating, the MDC should not be mounted where it will be in direct sunlight.

4 MDC Connections

The interface points available on the MDC are grouped on six separate connectors according to

their function.

Suite 230, 2891 Sunridge Way NE, Calgary Alberta, T1Y 7K7

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Phone: [phone]

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MDC V3&4HardwareInstallationGuide R07.doc

January 24, 2005

Page 4 of 15

Figure 2 MDC Rear View – MDC Connectors

4.1 Connector Summary

a) Vehicle connector:

MDC power, general use I/O, odometer input and RS485 interface.

b) Communications connector:

General use I/O, covert microphone, internal modem to mobile radio connection
points and an RS232 interface for external data modems.

c) Auxilliary port 1:

RS232 serial interface port used for MDC programming and for connection to
external peripheral devices.

d) Auxilliary port 2:

RS232 serial interface port for connection to external peripheral devices.

e) Auxilliary port 3:

RS232 serial interface port for connection to external peripheral devices.

f) Keyboard port:

Interface port for connection to the Express Mini QWERTY keyboard.

In the most basic MDC installation, only the vehicle and communications connectors will to be
required.

4.2 Communications Interface

The installation cable provided will bring the appropriate interface pins from the
communications connector to an appropriate adapter for the communications device. Details
for specific interfaces are available as application notes from Mentor Engineering, Inc.

4.3 Peripherals Interface

Details regarding the cabling interface for external MDC peripheral devices, odometers, and
additional I/O are available as application notes specific to these functions. These notes are
provided as required by Mentor Engineering, Inc.

4.4 MDC Cables

In general, there will be one cable from the MDC connected to power (see Power Connections
section) and one cable connected to the communications device (radio, modem, etc.). It is

Suite 230, 2891 Sunridge Way NE, Calgary Alberta, T1Y 7K7

♦

Phone: [phone]

♦

Fax: [phone]