MINNEAPOLIS-Motorola Inc.’s Land Mobile Products Sector has introduced a wireless communicator for industrial and public safety use.
The Forte Wireless CommPad is a rugged, handheld computer designed to operate on Motorola’s private two-way radio communications networks, the company said. It features an internal data radio modem, pen-based user interface, 486 microprocessor, large VGA-compatible liquid crystal display screen and Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 3.1 with Pen Extensions operating environment.
“The Forte CommPad can operate effectively in some of the harshest field environments,” said David Nairn, director of Motorola’s Data Systems Business, United States and Canada Group.
Forte can communicate at data speeds of up to 19.2 kilobytes per second over Motorola’s 800 MHz private DataTAC networks using MDC or RD-LAP protocols, the company said.
Although designed for portable use, a vehicle docking station is provided as an option. When docked, the device automatically switches from internal antenna to external vehicular antenna, simultaneously charges the battery, as well as a spare, and provides a serial port for connecting devices such as a global positioning system receiver or printer, the company said.
For public safety use, the Forte will allow police officers to file accident reports at the scene, as well as transcribe notes and transmit diagrams and signatures, Motorola noted.
