Tech update and RFID in rugged, versatile field data collection PDA
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Unitech America is a subsidiary of Taiwanese automatic data collection specialist Unitech, founded in 1979. They are also the third-largest worldwide manufacturer of rugged PDAs.

The PA600 HF, the latest in the PA600 family of rugged PDAs, is a Windows Mobile 5.0-based compact yet durable PDA using the 520MHz version of the Marvell PXA270 processor. It has an integrated 1D/2D imager for bar code scanning, USB host and client, Bluetooth Class 2, 802.11b/g WiFi as well as an integrated 13.56MHz High Frequency RFID reader that supports ISO15693, ISO14443A and ISO14443B standards in a single device. This makes the unit suitable for all sorts of real time transaction processing in a wide range of markets including transportation, field service and health care.

The PA600 measures 3.35 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches and weighs just over 11 ounces including battery, imager and RFID reader. It has a powerful full-shift battery, 128MB of RAM and 320MB of Flash ROM. Expansion is via a single SDIO slot. The backlit transflective TFT touchscreen display measures 3.5 inches diagonally and has the standard 240 x 320 resolution. Operation is via touch, stylus, a four-way navigation pad integrated into an 18-key arrangement that includes numeric, alpha and function keys for rapid data entry.

As far as scanning goes, the unit supports 1D symbologies such as UPC-A/E, EAN-8/13, Codabar, Code 39, Code 39 full ASCI, Code 93, Code 32, Interleaved & Std. 2 of 5, EAN 128, Code 11, Delta, MSI/Plessey, Code 128, and Toshiba, as well as 2D symbologies includidng Composite, Data Matrix, MaxiCode, PDF-416, Postal Code and QR Code.

The Unitech PA600 HF carries an IP64 ingress protection rating, can handle 4-foot drops, and operate in a 14 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range, making it suitable for operation in just about any environment.

The PA600 HF is a modern and ergonomically designed data collection PDA that's tough enough to withstand significant punishment, but small and light enough to go anywhere. Unitech offers a variety of different configurations of the PA600 platform with various permutations of data collection and wireless capabilities.