Problems with PDA Palm Tungsten T5 Simulator

[boone_93]

Hi,

Has anyone been using the Palm Tungsten T5 and successfully used a Simulator or Emulator? As far as I can tell I should be using the PalmOS v5.4 Garnet Simulator but LabVIEW doesn't seem to see this simulator when I try to use it as a target. I'm new to the PDA module so it may be I'm just missing the right combination.

I've also tried to use the PalmOS Emulator v3.5 but this requires that I download a ROM image from the PDA which has been unsuccessful. I always get a fatal error that causes the Palm to reboot the OS.

I've gotten programs to work on the PDA but as they become more complicated I'd like to have some of the debugging abilities that these should provide. I'm running Palm OS v5.4, LabVIEW 7.1 on Windows XP.

[Robert M]

You ask a good question. There is a Knowledge Base on our site entitled What is the Difference Between the Palm Emulator and the Palm Simulator? that applies to your situation. To better answer your question, I have added the following paragraph to the end (the modified KB wont be live until tomorrow):

"The LabVIEW PDA Module has a target type for the Palm OS Emulator, allowing you to target the emulator to download built applications and debug them. The Palm Simulator does not provide this ability and is treated as a Palm OS device. You can drag and drop or file transfer built applications to the simulator in order to run them on it. If you want LabVIEW to be able to download built applications directly to the simulator or to do debugging on the block diagram, you will have to configure the simulator to communicate over a serial port and use a null modem cable to connect that serial port to a second serial port. The simulator can then be targeted as a Palm OS device on that serial port."

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Message Edited by Robert M on 05-06-2005 01:52 PM

[boone_93]

Thanks for your response. The Tungsten T5 model doesn't have the ability to sync serially. Does this affect the ability to set it up to talk serially and is this something you set in Preferences on the PDA under communication? Part of the problem too is that I don't even know if this is the right simulator for my T5. I'm running Palm OS v5.4 and it was suggested by NI to try this version.

I have gotten a program to run on the simulator by dragging and dropping now so its a step closer.

Thanks,

Dan

[Robert M]

I believe the Tungsten T5 model can sync serially, you just have to have the right cable. The cradle it is sold with probably only has a USB connection. Refer to KnowledgeBase 3J3D8BDW: How Do I Use Serial Communication On My PDA?

When you say you are running Palm OS v5.4, do you mean on your T5 or on the simulator? As long as they are running the same OS, you should be fine.

[boone_93]

Robert,

In a file I downloaded from Palm called "Multi_Connector_Serial_Peripheral_Usage.pdf" it states the following:

9. Serial HotSync
Serial HotSync is not officially supported on palmOne, Inc. devices which have the multi-connector.
9.1. On Treo 650
Serial HotSync works on Treo 650. The developer needs to make sure that the VBUS is not connected to POWER_OUT.
9.2. On Tungsten T5
Serial HotSync does not work on Tungsten T5.

This leads me to believe that it cannot sync serially. I'm guessing this is because they don't supply "true" RS232 voltage levels out of the multi connector. Instead they only supply TTL level RS232. I had to buy a special cable from a vendor that takes advantage of a VOUT they provide that produces up to 30mA at 3.3V to ramp up the voltage to the correct levels to get "true" RS232. This may make it impossible to sync serially this model. I don't see an option in the preferences of the Palm to make this happen.

As far as the OS I'm running, I was referring to the OS v5.4 that was stated on the box that the unit came in. This simulator I downloaded was the "PalmOS_Garnet_54_simulator.zip" which I've had some success dragging and dropping programs to. I believe this is the simulator for OS v5.4.

Thanks

Dan

[Robert M]

If the Tungsten T5 cannot sync serially, then you will not be able to target it from LabVIEW for PDA. If you have two serial ports, however, you can still target the simulator. You can configure your simulator by right clicking on it and setting your communication properties to talk over a serial port. Make sure hotsync is turned off, configure LabVIEW for PDA to communicate over the other serial port, connect the two ports with a null modem cable, and you will be able to target the simulator.