So you have a Pocket PC or Palm PDA. It’s great for keeping track of things and being organized. There are so many things you can now do with a device that fits in your pocket. But how do you connect to the great big world of information that exists out there beyond your pocket? You can use the old method of always “syncing” to your PC, but that is hardly real-time connectivity. Or you can buy an expensive compact flash modem and a compact flash slot, if you need one and it is available for your device. Or you can go the even more expensive route of 802.11b wireless, which requires a card and a wireless access point. Unless you are lucky enough to have 802.11b built into your device.

Product: Compex iRE201 Infrared Wireless Access Point
Manufacturer: Compex
Web Site: www.cpx.com
Category: Hardware - Wireless
Price: $99.99

Requirements: Platform:
Any Pocket PC (Windows CE 2.1 and above)
Any Palm PDA (Palm OS 3.3 and above)
Any Notebook with IR port running Windows 95 and above

There is however one communication capability that most people do not think of using. A communication standard that almost every Pocket PC, Palm, and Notebook has built-in. A standard that up to now has mainly been used for sharing business cards and contact records as well as playing with infrared remote control. So how can we use this built-in communication standard to connect to the rest of the world? The iRE201 Wireless Access Point from Compex will allow your PDA or Notebook to wirelessly connect to an Ethernet network, Cable/DSL modem, and 56K External Dial-up modem using two-way Infrared communications.

The iRE201 will allow an Infrared capable device to connect to an existing LAN or the Internet using wireless Infrared technology. The iRE201 features:
Multiple Protocols: SIR: 9.6Kbps, 57.6Kbps, 115Kbps
FIR: 4Mbps, IrCOMM and IrLAN
Embedded HTTP Server
Configuration Interface using a Web-based or RS232 Serial Console
Compatibility with: Pocket PC (WinCE2.1 or greater)
Palm (OS3.3 or greater)
IR equipped Notebook running Windows 95 or greater
Two Infrared Transmitters/Receivers
Ethernet and RS232 Serial communication




The iRE201 is set-up by using its internal configuration system. This is available as a web-based page that is accessed from a computer connected to the Ethernet port. An IR device communicating wirelessly with the iRE201 can also be used for configuration. Once your computer is set to a specific IP address and you set your web browser to a specific http address, the configuration screen will appear as a web page. If you wish to use the COM serial port to set up the iRE201 using text commands, you can connect the modem cable, which is included, to the iRE201 and use HyperTerminal to send text set-up commands.

The set-up of the iRE201 is not exactly user friendly. It is very easy to make an error in your configuration and lose your connection to the iRE201. Using the iRE201 really requires a basic understanding of IP addresses, gateways, and networks. There is no self-configuring software or easy-to-read configuration examples in the manual. Plus you must have knowledge of the configurations of the LAN network and/or the modem in order to get everything to work correctly. So if you are not comfortable working with networks and communication protocols, better have someone who is help you.

The Serial port of the iRE201 is very useful for two reasons. One, you can connect a Dial-up 56K modem to it and wirelessly dial out on a phone line to get mail or surf the web. Two, if you mess up the configuration at any time and cannot access the internal web-based set-up page, you can always access the text based set-up using HyperTerminal. This is a fairly common practice for troubleshooting network problems with other network access points, servers, and routers. Built-in power, LAN, and IR access LED are available to monitor usage and assist in troubleshooting problems.

For a computer to connect to the iRE201, the IP address of the computer must be set for a specific address. So in order to also connect to the Internet using an Ethernet modem, you will need a router. The iRE201 works very well for connecting directly to a modem or a LAN. If you have a single computer with a Cable or DSL modem, you will need to add a router in order to have more than one IP address and allow the IR device to access the Internet through your computer. The iRE201 is best used as an access point connection to a LAN or as a stand-alone wireless connection to a modem.

When using a Notebook or Palm, there is no additional software to be installed. With a Pocket PC, you will need to install a connection driver. This is available on the included CD and there are versions for StrongARM, MIPS, and SH3. If you are using a Pocket PC 2002 device, you will need to download an updated driver from the Compex web site.

ActivSync or the Compex IR driver is used to connect to the iRE201 using a Pocket PC. With a Palm, you simply make a new connection service and tap the connect button. The iRE201 handled access to the Internet or LAN very well. You can easily access your email, browse web sites, send messages, and exchange files. Unfortunately, you cannot synchronize with your PC using the iRE201. So you will still need to use your docking cradle to sync your Pocket PC or Palm to your desktop computer.

There are no security features with the iRE201. So any IR device will have access to the iRE201.

A really nice feature is the Extended IrDA Transducer. This is an external Infrared receiver / transmitter that is connected to the iRE201 by a long cable. The Extended Transducer allows you to expand the transmit/receive arc so there is no need to point your IR port directly at the iRE201. Keep in mind that most IR devices have a limited range and their IR port still needs to be pointed in the general direction of the iRE201. This can be annoying with devices that mount the IR port on the bottom or sides of the unit.
You still need a direct line of sight with any IR device. The area of use will always have to be in close, direct proximity to the iRE201. Try to mount the iRE201 and Extended Transducer high up a wall to improve the range and field of coverage.

In general, I found the iRE201 easy to use as long as you have a basic understanding of IP address, protocols, and networks. A novice user should consult with an experienced network person.
The iRE201 really helps improve the access to a LAN or Internet and allows multiple persons and devices to make use of the available access. The iRE201 is the most inexpensive and economical wireless choice in connecting your Pocket PC or Palm to the rest of the world.

Pros
Inexpensive
Easy to use
Serial port set-up console
Power, LAN, IR, and Access LEDs
Extended IrDA Transducer

Cons
No security features
Set-up can be difficult for novice users
Limited documentation
No self-configuring software
No “Sync” capability

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars.

--Harvey Lee
PocketPC Editor

Editor Note: I spoke with Ashton Maxfield of www.CPX.com and he informed me that the Sync feature does work on the iRE201. He was kind enough to include a link to the products white paper: http://www.cpx.com/prodimages/ire201.PDF Looking at the white paper it appears they go into detail on how how to sync your Palm device with the desktop via the iRE201. Seeing that they have Sync working with the Palm I would think this should make a great short range access sync point for an office that uses one or many Palm devices. Expect to see many more great products from CPX reviewed in the future.

--Bill Landon
Senior Editor