Percon Falcon RF User manual

The following is a draft User Manual with operational instructions. Any
reference to “Frequency Hopping” should read “Direct Sequencing”.
A final copy of the User Manual will be sent to the FCC as soon as it
is available.

Lucent WaveLAN®
Falcon RF™
DOS PORTABLE DATA TERMINAL
>>
Wireless LAN
Supplement

Percon Falcon RF™: Lucent WaveLAN®
Wireless LAN Supplement
©1999
1800 Millrace Drive
Eugene, OR 97403
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: http://www.percon.com
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced,
transmitted, or stored in any form or by any means without
prior written consent, except by a reviewer, who may quote
brief passages in a review, or as provided for in the Copyright
Act of 1976.
Percon®is a registered trademark of Percon Incorporated.
Falcon™ and Falcon RF™ are trademarks of Percon Incorporated.
WaveLAN®is a registered trademark of Lucent Technologies Inc.
Microsoft®, Microsoft Windows®, and Windows for
Workgroups®are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
Novell®is a registered trademark of Novell Inc. NetWare Client™
is a trademark of Novell Inc.
PhoenixCARD Manager Plus ©1993, 1994 Phoenix Technologies
Ltd.
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to
distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where
these designations appear here and the authors were aware of a
trademark claim, the designations have been printed with a
trademark (™) or registered trademark (®) symbol.
The information contained in this document is subject to
change without notice.
00-656-00
7/99

Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement < iii >
Software License Agreement
This software license agreement is your proof of license to use the Falcon RF Utilities for WaveLAN (here-
inafter “Software”). This license permits the purchaser to use portions of the Novell NetWare Client™,
which are included in the Software, under the terms listed below. If you do not agree with the terms of
this agreement for any reason, you may return the software immediately to the location where you pur-
chased it for a refund of the purchase price of the Software.
PERCON Incorporated (“PERCON”) grants to you a nonexclusive, nontransferable license to use this copy
of the Software and accompanying documentation according to the following terms:
LICENSE
You may:
1. use the Software on one or more Falcon RF portable data terminals; and
2. make only those number of copies of the Software as are essential for back up or archival use of the
Software.
You may not:
1. decompile and reverse assemble the Software to discover the source code; or
2. time-share, lease, rent, distribute, transfer, sublicense, and use the Software in an unauthorized
manner, without prior written consent of PERCON.
This license is not for sale. Title and copyrights to the Software, accompanying documentation, and any
copy made by you, remain with PERCON and Novell, Inc. Human-readable code of the Software (source
code) is not licensed to the licensee. Unauthorized copying of the Software or the accompanying docu-
mentation, or failure to comply with the above restrictions, will result in automatic termination of this li-
cense and will make available to PERCON other legal remedies.
DISCLAIMER AND 30-DAY GUARANTEE
If the Software is inoperable due to any defects in the media on which the Software resides, then you
may return the Software to the location where you purchased the Software within the 30-day period
from the date of your invoice. PERCON's entire liability and your exclusive remedy under this guarantee
(subject to your returning the Software to the location where you purchased the software with a copy of
your receipt) will be, at PERCON's option, either (a) return of the price paid or (b) repair or replacement of
the Software. This guarantee does not apply to the Software if the failure of the Software has resulted
from accident, abuse, or misapplication. Outside of the United States, these remedies are not available
without proof of purchase from an authorized non-U.S. source. In the case of your return of the Software
for any reason, you will delete any copy of the Software on your computer, and any other copy in object
code or source code form, and you further agree not to use the Software until a repaired or replaced
copy of the Software is returned to you by PERCON.

Software License Agreement
< iv > Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement
EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE GUARANTEE, PERCON MAKES AND YOU RECEIVE NO WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS,
IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR IN ANY COMMUNICATION WITH YOU, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY
OF NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. PERCON DOES NOT WARRANT
THAT THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
IN NO EVENT WILL PERCON BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, LOST PROFITS, COST OF COVER,
OR OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE
OR ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY. THIS LIMITATION WILL
APPLY EVEN IF PERCON OR AN AUTHORIZED RESELLER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. YOU
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE LICENSE FEE REFLECTS THE ALLOCATION OF RISK. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITA-
TION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, AND SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION
MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS LEGEND; INTERNATIONAL USE
Use, duplication, or disclosure by the United States Government is subject to restrictions of Restricted Rights for com-
puter software developed at private expense as set forth in FAR Sec. 52.227-19 or DOD FAR Supplement Sec. 252,227-
7013(c)(1)(ii), and successor thereof, as applicable. If you are sublicensing or using the Software outside of the United
States, you must comply with the applicable local laws of your country, U.S. export control laws, and the English-
language version of this Software License Agreement.
GENERAL
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Oregon, without reference to conflict-of-laws principles. This
Agreement is the entire agreement between us and supersedes any other communications or advertising with respect to
the Software and accompanying documentation. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, the remainder of this
Agreement will continue in full force and effect. If you have any questions, please contact in writing: PERCON, 1720 Wil-
low Creek Circle, Suite 530, Eugene, Oregon 97402.

Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement < v >
Software License Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
FCC Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x
Chapter One:
About Falcon RF with the WaveLAN Wireless LAN PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
WaveLAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Network Operating System Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Attaching the Antenna Connector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Chapter Two:
Configuring the Falcon RF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installing ODI Drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
ODI with TCP/IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ODI with NetWare Client. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
ODI with IPX/SPX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
ODI with Custom Installations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
AUTOEXEC.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
CONFIG.SYS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
NET.CFG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
DOS Configuration Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Contents

Contents
< vi > Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement
Chapter Three:
Wireless Topologies and Site Surveys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Single-Cell Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Multiple-Cell Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Site Surveys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement < ix >
Introduction
This manual contains information specific to radio frequency (RF) models of the
Falcon DOS portable data terminal using the WaveLAN wireless LAN PC Card. It is
provided as a supplement to the Falcon User’s Guide. The user’s guide contains
important information about using the Falcon, along with bar codes for setting pro-
gramming parameters.
Please read the Falcon Users Guide to familiarize yourself with the Falcon’s opera-
tion before reading this manual or using the Falcon.

Introduction
< x > Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement
>> FCC Requirements
This device must operate in compliance with Federal Communica-
tions Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations Parts 15.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for Class A or Class B 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 ac-
cordance with the instructions in this 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 his or her
own expense.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio or television reception, as determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
GReorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
GIncrease the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
GConnect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected.
GConsult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

< 1 >
About Falcon RF with the WaveLAN
Wireless LAN PC Card
With Lucent’s WaveLAN wireless LAN, a Falcon RF user can roam freely throughout a
facility. A PC card and one or more access points allow the Falcon RF to maintain a
continuous, seamless connection to a wired network.
This chapter provides an overview of the WaveLAN wireless LAN PC card (Percon part
no. 0840-0011-00) and its use with the Falcon.
NOTE: For information about WaveLAN access points, see the user’s guide provided
by Lucent Technologies Inc.
>> Chapter One
CHAPTER CONTENTS
WaveLAN <2>
Network Operating System Support <2>
Power Management <3>
Attaching the Antenna Connector <3>

About Falcon RF with the WaveLAN Wireless LAN PC Card
< 2 > Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement
>> WaveLAN
The WaveLAN PC card is a long-range, high-performance, one-piece
wireless LAN adapter. When used with Falcon RF units, the
WaveLAN’s frequency-hopping, spread-spectrum technology pro-
vides the following benefits:
GSeamless, full roaming mobility within a facility while staying
connected to the LAN
GLow power consumption
GHigh throughput capacity
GHigh network capacity
GA 2-Mbps data rate, for fast operation
GConfigurable radio settings
GStandard NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) and ODI
(Open Data-link Interface) drivers for DOS
GSupport for Socket Services v2.0 and Card Services v2.1
The WaveLAN wireless LAN PC card allows a mobile unit (MU) to
connect to the WaveLAN network through access points (APs).
With a WaveLAN PC card installed in a Falcon, the Falcon becomes a
mobile unit associated with WaveLAN APs in a given domain. The
Falcon appears as a peer to other MUs on the network. The PC card
offers high-level performance while making low power demands on
the portable.
>> Network Operating System Support
Falcon's open architecture design allows for connectivity to many
network operating systems. Using the standard NDIS and ODI driv-
ers provided on the Falcon RF utilities disk, the developer can load a
wide variety of protocol stacks on the Falcon RF. The software pro-
vided on the RF utilities disk includes support for the following net-
work operating systems:
GNovell NetWare v3.xor v4.x, through Novell IPX/SPX Protocol
v3.01, Novell VLM (Virtual Loadable Module Manager) v1.20, and
Novell TCP/IP Transport v5.0
GWindows for Workgroups v3.11, through NDIS drivers and cus-
tomer-provided NetBEUI drivers

Power Management
Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement < 3 >
GWindows NT, through NDIS drivers and customer-provided
NetBEUI drivers
GTCP/IP-based networks, through Novell TCP/IP Transport v5.0
GTCP/IP-based networks, through ODI and NDIS packet driver
shims and a customer-provided TCP/IP stack
GOthers using NDIS or ODI
Novell IPX/SPX Protocol, Novell VLM, Novell TCP/IP, the ODI packet
driver shim, and the NDIS packet driver shim are all included in the
RF utilities disk for Falcon.
>> Power Management
When operating in a Falcon unit, the WaveLAN wireless LAN PC card
reduces power usage by suspending communication while the asso-
ciated AP saves data for the Falcon. The Falcon wakes at given inter-
vals and checks for messages from the AP.
>> Attaching the Antenna Connector
NOTE: If your Falcon’s PC card is already installed, go on to the next
chapter.
The Lucent WaveLAN PC card is certified for use only with the fol-
lowing antennas:
GHuber + Suhner dipole (Percon part no. 8912-0057-00)
GToko Internal antenna (Percon part no. 5501-9245-00)
GCushcraft dipole (Cushcraft part no. RTN2400SXR)
Open the PC card slot on your Falcon and insert the WaveLAN PC
card as instructed in the user’s guide for the Falcon. Insert the an-
tenna connector into the correct socket on the WaveLAN card (see
figure 1-1). Then replace the PC card slot cover on the Falcon.

About Falcon RF with the WaveLAN Wireless LAN PC Card
< 4 > Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement
Figure 1-1: Connecting the Antenna to the PC Card
NOTE: Be sure to insert the connector into the correct socket, as
shown in the figure.
Antenna connector
Antenna socket

< 5 >
Configuring the Falcon RF
After installing the WaveLAN LAN PC card (see the user’s guide for your Falcon
model), you must configure the Falcon to use the card. This is accomplished with
the Falcon Configuration Utility. Use of the utility is covered in the Falcon User’s
Guide.
This chapter contains configuration information specific to the use of the Lucent
WaveLAN wireless LAN PC card.
>> Chapter Two
CHAPTER CONTENTS
Getting Started <6>
Installing ODI Drivers <6>
ODI with TCP/IP
ODI with NetWare Client
ODI with IPX/SPX
ODI with Custom Installations
DOS Configuration Parameters <21>

Configuring the Falcon RF
< 6 > Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement
>> Getting Started
The Falcon Configuration Utility is provided with every Falcon unit,
including the RF models. If you have not already installed it on your
PC, install the utility now following the directions in the Falcon
User’s Guide.
The documentation set for Falcon RF includes an RF utilities disk. Af-
ter installing the Falcon Configuration Utility, run the SETUP.EXE pro-
gram on the utilities disk. Complete the setup procedure to install
the drivers and other files required for RF operation onto your PC.
NOTE: For complete information about the Falcon Configuration
Utility, see the Falcon User’s Guide.
>> Installing ODI Drivers
The Falcon RF installation package includes open data-link interface
(ODI) drivers for TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, NetWare Client, and custom instal-
lations.
GFor TCP/IP, the package provides software from Novell. Novell’s
TCP/IP stack runs on top of the ODI driver.
GFor NetWare Client, Novell’s NETX.EXE and VLM.EXE programs use
the IPX/SPX protocol stack, which runs on top of the ODI driver.
These applications allow the user to run Novell client/server appli-
cations; to mount drives, printers, and other hardware; and to
treat the Falcon RF as if it were a client on a Novell network.
GFor other IPX/SPX solutions, the package provides software from
Novell. Novell’s IPX/SPX stack runs on top of the ODI driver.
GFor other software implementations, you can customize one of
the provided configurations.

Installing ODI Drivers
Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement < 7 >
ODI with TCP/IP Complete the following steps to install the ODI drivers for TCP/IP:
1. Start the Falcon Configuration Utility by double-clicking on the
Falcon icon in the Falcon Configuration Utility group on your PC.
2. From the Main Menu, select the Custom button.
3. An Open dialog box will appear (see figure 2-1). Select the
PX_TCPIP.CFG configuration file. In the next Open dialog box,
select a program-settings file. (If you do not have a specific one
that you want to use, select DEFAULT.PRS.)
Figure 2-1: The Open Dialog Box for Selecting a Configuration File
The following files are included automatically as part of the Net-
Ware Client download:
GWAVECAD.SYS - WaveLAN card access driver
GLSL.COM - Link support layer driver
GNET.CFG - ODI configuration file
GWVLAN43.COM - WaveLAN ODI driver
GTCPIP.EXE - TCP/IP protocol driver
You need to select your Falcon application and related files.

Configuring the Falcon RF
< 8 > Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement
4. Select the File Configuration button in the Custom Configura-
tion menu.
5. Select the Add button, and use the File Selection dialog box (see
figure 2-2) to include the main application and additional files
in your custom installation. Be sure to turn on the Main Appli-
cation switch for the one you want the Falcon to use.
Figure 2-2: The File Selection Dialog Box for Adding an Application File
REMINDER: See the Falcon User’s Guide for complete information
on using the menus and dialog boxes in the Falcon Configuration
Utility.
6. Select the Next button at the bottom of the File Configuration
window.
7. In the second File Configuration window, make sure the Vendor
Specific option is selected (see figure 2-3). This option identifies
which Phoenix drivers to download.
NOTE: The I/O-card drivers are not compatible with WaveLAN’s
client driver. Do not select the I/O Cards options when using RF.

Installing ODI Drivers
Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement < 9 >
Figure 2-3: The Second File Configuration Window
8. Select the More button to verify that the DOS files you need are
included in the download. After viewing the file list and making
any necessary changes, return to the File Configuration window.
9. Select the NEXT button to move to the third File Configuration
window.
10. If you want to include commands to be executed in the
AUTOEXEC.BAT file, select the AUTOEXEC.BAT button. Enter the
commands, and save the revised file before exiting from the text
editor.
NOTE: Verify that the drive and directories of any drivers loaded
in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file are correct. The default PX_TCPIP.CFG file
assumes these drivers will go to a specific location on the
Falcon. If you change the destination directory on the Falcon for
these files, be sure to change them here, too. The file that you
selected as the main application will automatically be appended
to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file before it is downloaded to the Falcon.

Configuring the Falcon RF
< 10 > Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement
11. If you want to make changes to the CONFIG.SYS file, select the
CONFIG.SYS button.
NOTE: Certain default configuration parameters and card and
socket services drivers will automatically be included at the be-
ginning of the CONFIG.SYS file before it is downloaded to the
Falcon.
12. Select the Text File button and open the NET.CFG file in the
PERCON\FALCON\RF\LUCENT directory.
13. Under the heading Protocol TCPIP, replace the Xs with the
appropriate IP address, IP router, and IP netmask numbers.
14. Save the NET.CFG file before exiting from the text editor.
15. Select the Done button in the File Configuration window to
return to the Custom Configuration menu.
16. Modify your program settings and communications settings, if
necessary.
17. Select the Download button in the Custom Configuration menu
to install the custom TCP/IP configuration on the Falcon.
18. Reboot the Falcon when the download is completed.

Installing ODI Drivers
Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement < 11 >
ODI with
NetWare Client
Complete the following steps to install the ODI drivers for NetWare
Client:
1. Start the Falcon Configuration Utility by double-clicking on the
Falcon icon in the Falcon Configuration Utility group on your PC.
2. From the Main Menu, select the Custom button.
3. An Open dialog box will appear (see figure 2-4). Select the
PX_VLM.CFG configuration file. In the next Open dialog box,
select a program-settings file. (If you do not have a specific one
that you want to use, select DEFAULT.PRS.)
Figure 2-4: The Open Dialog Box for Selecting a Configuration File
The following files are included automatically as part of the Novell
TCP/IP download:
GWAVECAD.SYS - WaveLAN card access driver
GIPXODI.COM - IPX/SPX driver
GLSL.COM - Link support layer driver
GNET.CFG - ODI configuration file
GWVLAN43.COM - WaveLAN ODI driver
GVLM.EXE - Virtual loadable module manager
G*.VLM - Virtual loadable modules