This page contains information on configuring the CipherLab 8200 Portable Data Terminal (PDT) aka: data collector. The 8200 model is replacing the 8000 series that have been used for about the past 10 years.

The installation of the 8200 is different to the 8000 and any application currently used for the 8000 model MUST be rewritten for the 8200 model. Loading an 8000 series application onto an 8200 handset will render it useless until the handset flash memory has been erased and the program with the proper application is reloaded.

The 8200 series comes preloaded with an application that fits the requirements of System Five. It allows the scanning of a barcode and the entry of the quantity, and when the data is read from the handset it is in a comma seperated (CSV) text file.

All the information on this page is for the scenario of a brand new CipherLab 8200 PDT being set up for the first time on a Microsoft Windows PC

Hardware Overview

Typical box contents for the product are shown below

CipherLab shipping box content

1      Power Supply
2 Handset Battery
3 Quick Start Guide
4      Companion Disks
5  8200 Handset
6 USB Cable

The image below is from the CipherLab 8200 english manual available on Disk 1 shipped with the handset. A copy of the manual may also be downloaded through the support area of the CipherLab website.

CipherLab 8200 handset illistration


Installation

VCOM Driver

This section covers installing the priver file into Windows first. Once the handset is then plugged into the USB cable ad tuirned on, the device will be installed to the system.

The files needed for this installation are on the Proprietary Mobile Computers (7 & 8 Series) Developement Kit Disc 1. After inserting the disk into the drive open the drive in Windows Explorer.

  • Browse to \CPT_Tools\USB VCOM Driver\Non-Windows\
  • Run the CP210x_VCP_Win_XP_S2K3_Vista_7.exe


Windows Software

This section covers installing the suite of software application onto a Microsoft Windows computer. This suite of programs includes the ones needed to read the information from the handset.

The files needed for this installation are on the Proprietary Mobile Computers (7 & 8 Series) Developement Kit Disc 1. After inserting the disk into the drive open the drive in Windows Explorer.

  • Browse to \CPT_Tools\Application Generator\Batch\8 Series AG\
  • Run the file Forge_Batch_Install_1000025.exe
  • There are a series of programs available in the Windows Start menu once the installation has completed

Start menu showing the CipherLab application shortcuts

Configuration

Handset Port

This section covers configuring the port that the handset will use to communicate with the computer. This scenario is for a handset being directly connected to a computer with a USB cable. No cradles or wireless.

  • Power on the handset
  • Go to 3. Utilities1.Upload Interface
  • Select 3. USB VCOM
  • Press [ENTER]
  • Go to 2.DL Program Inter
  • Select 3. USB VCOM
  • Press [ENTER]
  • Go to 3.DL Lookup Inter
  • Select 3. USB VCOM
  • Press [ENTER]
  • Go to 4.Transmission Speed
  • Select 1.115200 bps
  • Press [ENTER]


Windows COM Port

This section cover configuring the COM port within the Microsoft Windows operating system itself.

The section on installing the vcom driver should be completed before performing these steps.

  • Make sure the handset is plugged into the USB cable and the USB cable is plugged into the PC
  • Turn on the handset
  • Let Windows install the device to the system

Windows 7 balloon tip installing
Windows 7 balloon tip installation complete

After Windows has completed its installation it is possible to check that the installation has completed correctly.

  • Open the Device Manager (If you don't know how to do this click HERE)
  • In the list of devices, locate Ports (COM & LPT) and expand it to see the list of ports

Windows 7 device manager console

  • There should be an entry called Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COM6)

Windows 7 device manager console showing virtual com port

  • Double click on the Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COM6) entry to open the properties

Port propties page

  • Go to the Port Settings tab

Port properties settings page

  • Set the Bits per second to 115200

port properties settings page with 115200 baud rate

  • Click OK to close the Properties window
  • Close the Windows Device Manager



Troubleshooting

Hardware

Check Configuration

This will display the configuration of the handset to the screen. It's a quick way of checking that the ports and baud rates have been set properly on the handset.

  • Power on
  • 3. Utilities
  • 1. Program Settings
  • 9. View Settings



Memory Test

This would normally be done as a test of the hardware itself. No errors should be returned during the test. If there are it is possible that the handset contains a faulty component and the supplier should be contacted for verification.

  • 7 and 9 and power
  • Power off
  • 1 and 7 and power
  • 3. Burn-In Test
  • Enter to start the test when prompted
  • Leave to run for about 10 minutes
  • Power off



Clear Flash Memory

This will remove the application and program from the handset rendering it useless until a new program is loaded.
  • 7 and 9 and power
  • Power off
  • 1 and 7 and power
  • 1. Kernal Information
  • Hold down FUNCTION and 9 till the handset starts beeping and it will state “erasing flash”
  • The handset will display Erase complete when finished
  • Power off



Reloading Program

This should only need to be done if the flash memory has been cleared

This can only be done after the software suite is installed on the machine and the Windows com port has been configured to talk to the handset.

The following steps require work to be done on the handset as well as the PC.

PC
  • Go to Start | All Programs | CipherLab | Forge | Batch | Application Generator | 8 Series Batch AG

Windows 7 Start menu showing location of the application generator

  • Select Transfer | Send Program

Application Generator showing menu for program transfer

  • Set the Comm settings | Comm type to RS-232 / IrDA
  • The COM port and Baud rate options would be set as per the Windows com port configuration
  • The File option | File type setting MUST be set as .SHX file

Program transfer options

  • Use the Browse button to go to C:\CipherLab\Forge\Batch\8 Series\RunTimeand select the U8200-v1021.shx file

Open dialog showing location of .SHX files

Handset
  • Turn on the handset
  • Select 1. Download
  • Select 1. —–
  • Select 2. USB VCOM
PC
  • Select OK to load the program

Dialog showing downloading

  • Select OK to close the Download Complete

Dialog showing download complete

  • Select Exit to close the Program download screen
  • Close the Forge program
Handset
  • Select ESC to skip the naming process
  • Select ESC to go back to the Program Manager menu
  • Select 2.Activate
  • Select 1.c AG8200-1.02. 448
  • Turn on the handset
  • Select ESC to clear the file


Microsoft Windows

Checking The Device Installed Correctly

This section is to check that the virtual com port is installed correctly. The com port will only appear in Windows after the installation has been successfull.

The section on installing the vcom driver should be completed before performing these steps.

  • Make sure the handset is plugged into the USB cable and the USB cable is plugged into the PC
  • Turn on the handset
  • Open the Device Manager (If you don't know how to do this click HERE)
  • In the list of devices, locate Ports (COM & LPT) and expand it to see the list of ports.
  • There should be an entry called Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COM6).
The com port number, COM6, will most likely be a different number on different systems. Just make sure that it is COM8 or under.



Accessing Device Manager

There are a few different ways to access the Device MAnager in Windows. Windows XP and Windows 7, the two main operating systems in use at the moment, have very similar ways.

Windows XP
- Click on Start and then Run
        Windows XP start menu with Run highlight
- Type the following command in the Open: text box, and then hit [ENTER] or click on the OK button

devmgmt.msc

        Windows XP run box with command entered
- The Device Manager should display right away

Windows 7
- Click on the Windows 7 Start button
        Windows 7 start menu showing search box
- Type the following command in the search box and then hit the Enter key:

devmgmt.msc

        Windows 7 start menu with command entered
- The Windows 7 Device Manager will display immediately.