Ultra-rugged, highly customizable handheld computer for front-line field workers
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

On June 29, 2011, Elecsys Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of Machine-To-Machine (M2M) data acquisition, telemetry, analysis systems, and custom electronic assemblies for critical industries, announced the release of the Radix FW960 handheld computer platform, the most recent addition to the company's ultra rugged mobile computing products (note that ultra-rugged mobile computing and printing device maker Radix was acquired by Elecsys in 2007 and is now an Elecsys brand).

The new Radix FW960 platform runs Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0 on a 520 MHz Marvell PXA270 processor, has 128MB of RAM, 2GB of flash memory, and incorporates efficient power management for extended battery life.

The FW960 is a full-size handheld measuring 3.4 x 8.7 x 2.0 inches and weighing 1.5 pounds. Its 3.5-inch industrial-grade transflective display has QVGA 240 x 320 pixel resolution and an LED backlight. Elecsys offers a choice of three alphanumeric programmable keypads (24, 40 or 48 keys) with flat membrane or raised keys and LED backlight.

The device comes with Bluetooth version 2.1 and 802.11b/g WiFi. Available wireless options include 3G WWAN (GSM/GPRS/HSDPA), GPS, RFID and even an AMR (automatic meter reading) radio receiver that can collect data from meter transmitters.

Like all Radix handheld computers, the FW960 is ultra-rugged and designed to withstand extreme environmental conditions. The FW960's housing is made of Xenoy, a resin that combines superb impact and chemical resistance. The Radix FW960 operates throughout a wide temperature range (-4 to 140F), can handle 5-foot drops, and with IP67 sealing is completely dustproof, waterproof and submersible, and is also resistant to oil and solvents.

The FW960 offers good onboard connectivity (LAN, USB host and client) as well as a variety of optional I/O. There are also expansion modules that provide a PC Card Type II slot or internal USB and TTL for custom projects. Functionality can further be taylored to the job with availability of an integrated (or rather screw-on) 3-inch thermal printer (model FWP-30), laser scanner (FWL-20), and 1D/2D color imager (FWC-20). To see these accessories, check here.

Newly available is the FWM-90 multifunction color imager and scanner that combines a 1.3 megapixel color camera and video capture device with an integrated 1D and 2D barcode scanner in a single rugged package.

While the Radix FW960 has general purpose appeal for numerous field applications, Radix designed it with the needs of today's front-line field worker in mind. Ideal applications include meter reading, parking enforcement, route accounting, inspection, maintenance, transportation and logistics.