Mobility Site - View Single Post

05-14-03, 04:12 PM

I have been using my Axim IR to sync with my laptop at work (haven't gotten an extra cable yet, and might not).

I updated the Rom to A03 last night and it seems like the IR is steadier (but I just did it last night, so I haven't done much connecting).

Here are my observations on the use of IR and the Axim:
* The Axim is continually sending a little IR signal out - if you turn the Axim on and set it near something that is ready to receive, the Axim is recognized (I do this to connect to my laptop).
* Once connected to something if you are sending or receiving from the Axim you might need a better connection (signal strength) to actually transfer data, the initial connection sends very little data, but file transfers are larger, and you might need to move your Axim around a little. Sometimes I am connected but can't transfer files and move the Axim around and it starts the transfer. Also, IR bounces - with all the plastic and metal the signal could be bouncing all over the place and you could be having interference with yourself (although I don't really think this is likely, I do try to keep my Axim and laptop from tight confined places). This could also manifest itself if your Axim is too close to the other device.
I have found the best distance for the two devices to be about 4 inches, and not straight in line with each other, about 30 degrees off of straight on.
* Then, there is the sync. This seems to be the most sensitive (which doesn't make sense; I have transfered files, moved nothing and been unable to sync). Again, moving the Axim around helps. Sometimes nothing helps to get the sync to work, so I reboot the laptop, soft reset the Axim, and then I am just able to sync.

I don't really know too much about the IR receiver of the Axim, and how far into the device it is set - these effect the angle the Axim and other device need to be, and can have an effect of the range. The IR on the Axim is much more sensitive than the Palm I used to have, and how sensitive the device you are connecting to will also have an effect.

I thing the best you can do is reset everything, and play around with placement.

PS: I am a software engineer, and I have written software that receives and interprets the IR signal for cable and satelite TV boxes, so I have a little knowledge (not as much as the hardware engineers I worked with, but some).

05-14-03, 04:12 PM	#21 (permalink)
uzziah0 Guest Posts: n/a	I have been using my Axim IR to sync with my laptop at work (haven't gotten an extra cable yet, and might not). I updated the Rom to A03 last night and it seems like the IR is steadier (but I just did it last night, so I haven't done much connecting). Here are my observations on the use of IR and the Axim: * The Axim is continually sending a little IR signal out - if you turn the Axim on and set it near something that is ready to receive, the Axim is recognized (I do this to connect to my laptop). * Once connected to something if you are sending or receiving from the Axim you might need a better connection (signal strength) to actually transfer data, the initial connection sends very little data, but file transfers are larger, and you might need to move your Axim around a little. Sometimes I am connected but can't transfer files and move the Axim around and it starts the transfer. Also, IR bounces - with all the plastic and metal the signal could be bouncing all over the place and you could be having interference with yourself (although I don't really think this is likely, I do try to keep my Axim and laptop from tight confined places). This could also manifest itself if your Axim is too close to the other device. I have found the best distance for the two devices to be about 4 inches, and not straight in line with each other, about 30 degrees off of straight on. * Then, there is the sync. This seems to be the most sensitive (which doesn't make sense; I have transfered files, moved nothing and been unable to sync). Again, moving the Axim around helps. Sometimes nothing helps to get the sync to work, so I reboot the laptop, soft reset the Axim, and then I am just able to sync. I don't really know too much about the IR receiver of the Axim, and how far into the device it is set - these effect the angle the Axim and other device need to be, and can have an effect of the range. The IR on the Axim is much more sensitive than the Palm I used to have, and how sensitive the device you are connecting to will also have an effect. I thing the best you can do is reset everything, and play around with placement. PS: I am a software engineer, and I have written software that receives and interprets the IR signal for cable and satelite TV boxes, so I have a little knowledge (not as much as the hardware engineers I worked with, but some).