Merlin RF

Merlin RF is an add-on option to Merlin CE basic software package.  It allows real-time wireless communications for validation and updating the Merlin host PC for the data collected by the portable terminal operator

Download the user guide for Merlin RF.

System Requirments

Features

Merlin RF offers these add-on features to Merlin CE that provides a powerful, versatile and extremely reliable data gathering solution. 

• Wireless 802.11 Ethernet communications to the Merlin Host PC.
• Automatic detection of connected portable terminals.
• Ability to select between Batch-mode and RF-mode Merlin applications on the device.
• Real-time updating of the Merlin applications data on the PC from the portable data terminal.
• Real-time lookup table validation of the Merlin applications Single and Combo validation data on the PC from the portable data terminal.
• Supports Microsoft Windows operating systems, including 98, ME, 2000, XP and NT.
• Supports Microsoft Access 2000 database applications, where Merlin user programs and collected data are stored in a fully accessible Access database maintained by the Merlin application.  It is not necessary to have these Microsoft applications installed to run the application.

PC Requirements

The PC software requirements are as follows:

• Microsoft Windows 98, ME, XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT Workstation 4.0 with SP6 or later
• Microsoft Outlook 2000 or later required for synchronization to the PC or portable computer of e-mail, calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes. This is optional and is required by ActiveSync if you wish to synchronize Pocket PC mail applications with the PC.
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 SP1 or later

The minimum PC hardware requirements are as follows:

• Intel Pentium 300 MHz or better
• Minimum RAM requirements for effectively running current Microsoft OS (i.e. 128M)
• Hard-disk drive with minimum of 500 MB of available hard-disk space, although actual requirements will vary based on selection of features and user's current system configuration.
• Available 9- or 25-pin communications port (note: adaptor required for 25-pin communications port), infrared port, or USB port (available for Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, and Windows XP only).
• One CD-ROM drive
• VGA graphics card or compatible video graphics adapter at 256 color or later
• Parallel printer port if printing reports is desired.
• Keyboard
• Microsoft Mouse or compatible input device

Portable Terminal Requirements

Most Microsoft Windows CE and Pocket-PC 2000, Pocket-PC 2002, and Pocket-PC 2003 compliance devices can be supported with minimum software re-configuration. For a current list, refer to Appendix A / Supported Portable Terminals).

One serial communication cable and cradle or communication cable direct to PC comm. Port. For a list of currently supported communication methods, refer to Appendix A / Supported Communication Methods in the MerlinCE User Guide.pdf

802.11b Wireless Ethernet card to support RF-mode Merlin software applications.  The portable terminal software should come resident with OS and ActiveSync requirements, prior to loading the Merlin software applications.

Merlin PC

The Merlin PC directory contains the applications to run the user defined Merlin programs on the PC.

Refer to the MerlinCE User Guide.pdf on how to install Merlin PC application.

Pocket Merlin

The Pocket Merlin directory contains the applications to run the user defined Merlin programs on the supported portable terminals.

Refer to the MerlinCE User Guide.pdf on how to install Pocket Merlin CE application.

Merlin RF

The Merlin RF directory contains the applications to run the real-time Data Access Server for the Merlin RF programs on the supported portable terminals and the Merlin PC applications on the host PC.

System Configuration

Registration

After installing Merlin RF on the host PC, the Registration form is displayed when the MerlinRF.exe application is started. 

Click on Start\Programs\Merlin CE\Merlin RF Data Server.  You will be prompted every time for the registered key until it is successfully set.  To run Merlin RF in demo mode simply close the form.  In demo mode, Merlin RF allows a single portable connected and limits the amount of time the Data Access Server runs.

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Contact your Vendor or Merlin Support Center to received your specific registration key.  Provide the Software Install Code so that a key can be generated and entered to set your registration.

Data Access Server Main Screen

Merlin RF will show the status of the server license in the status bar at the bottom of the window.  The logged events will show all activity that has occurred and it can be saved to a log file on the PC disk drive.

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Server Settings

By selecting the Properties/Setting menu button the Server Settings are displayed and can be configured.
 
The host installation path should be the drive and full directory where the Merlin CE PC application is installed on the host PC.

The host PC Winsock port that will used to listen for connections should be set to a port not used by any other network applications. 

The default used by Merlin RF is port 9875.

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Running the Program

Select Configuration

Select the Config menu option from Pocket Merlin menu bar.  It will default to “Client – Batch”.  Select the pop-up menu to make changes to the configuration.

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Client Configuration Options

By selecting the RF (Real-time) Communications button the RF Options dialog window is shown.

Here the host TCP/IP address and Winsock port are required. 

The host PC IP Address should also be that of the PC where Merlin CE PC and the Merlin RF Data Server are installed and running.

Set the Host Port to the same Winsock port number used by the Merlin RF Data Server.  The default used by Merlin RF is port 9875.