F.A.Q. Frequently asked questions
mobile-data:
Heath & Safety - EMC/Emissions:
Screen information:
System Information:
mobile-data:
What is mobile data?
Mobile data is the provision of information to or by personnel who are on the move or working at a site other than their own. It may involve preloading data onto a system which travels around with the user (SatNav software, Hazardous Chemicals data etc.,) or it may involve the transfer of information, usually wirelessly, such as Computer Aided Despatch, remote database access etc. Sometimes a single mobile data function may involve both methods of operation - Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems often do so. 
What makes the Microbus In-vehicle PC a suitable platform?
For demanding mobile applications, Microbus In-vehicle computers provide a compact solution whilst supporting an extensive array of features such as an integrated power supply, up to 14 video camera inputs, WLAN or PCMCIA, Digital I/O, plus 4 external serial ports and USB ports for interface expansion.
Does Microbus supply applications?
Microbus does not supply applications. Microbus supplies the complete In-vehicle PC, with operating system such as Windows 2000 or XP. MBPort is supplied and its configuration enables Onscreen Control for day and night setting, task switching, Ignition control options and low voltage control amongst other features.
Applications suppliers often act as integrators, many will supply Microbus M-PC as the hardware content of their solution as the reliability, effectiveness and flexibility of the hardware is as important to them as it is to the user. Microbus will always seek to support applications suppliers who offer Microbus M-PC based solutions.
Why choose mobile data?
Having access to information on the move has many benefits to many industries.
- Time savings: Information is transmitted quickly, reliably and securely. Field workers can significantly reduce the amount of time spent in the office - all reports, communication etc can be handled from their 'mobile office'. Duplication of work is eradicated. Navigation applications mean that less time is spent reaching hard-to-find addresses
The Control Room can monitor location and availability of all vehicles in fleet thus allowing them to efficiently organise dispatching. Saves air time over radio/phones.
- Efficiency cost saving: Company information is kept up-to-date and field staff benefit from being able to spend more time on other tasks. Data is exchanged quickly thus providing the end customer with a better service. This also benefits the company as it allows more to be done within the working day and thus allows room for expansion. In-house job despatch is made more efficient with vehicle tracking - knowing location and details of each vehicle on the fleet. In addition, fuel savings can be expected as a result of having accurate navigation tools.
- Accuracy of data input: this is usually via touchscreen with menu buttons so that data input is accurate and consistent and there is no further need for staff back at base to enter field staff data from written forms, therefore saving your organisation time and resources.
- More data - used more effectively: Paper based procedures and information may get lost, become disfigured and fail to have updating information inserted; it is often easier to find, read and manipulate screen based data. Experience shows that additional information kept on the computer is more likely to be used (rather than information retained at a central, voice contacted location). Many pages of data can be made available on a Hard Disk, vehicles tend to run out of paper storage space very rapidly.
How mobile data can benefit the Emergency services workers?
- Lifesaving in Emergency Services: By improving response times Emergency Service workers arrive at emergencies and crime scenes with the most up to date mission critical data in a timely fashion.
- Allows important information about the emergency and the people involved to be sent directly to the vehicles involved in the field.
- Can allow a distress button that can be activated for emergencies or life-threatening situations.
- Allows police in the field to undertake outstanding warrant searches, registration and licence checks and matches for missing or wanted persons immediately.
- Allow Emergency Service Crews to submit paperwork via computer while still in the field.
- Link with Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system for accurate job despatch and status information.
- Use of an Automatic Vehicle Location system to track police and emergency vehicles, enables the dispatch of the closest vehicles that are outfitted with most suitable equipment.
- By providing police with remote access to up-to-date operational information via the In-vehicle computer, it allows them to spend more of their time patrolling the community and less time filling out paper work and waiting for licence and criminal checks over the radio network.
Heath & Safety - EMC/Emissions:
What does EMC testing mean?
The Microbus M-PCs have been extensively tested to meet the requirements for European "e" marking, the standard applicable to EMC testing for post-fit vehicle electronic. Please see tech note 1 - "Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) - e-mark and A&ES5" for further details.
Are there certificates/approvals needed to operate PC in vehicle?
Within Europe the e-mark is the applicable legal standard; this is a crucial Health and Safety issue and increasingly appreciated by fleet managers.
What is A&ES Specification 5?
A&ES5 is a UK specific test designed to discover if equipment will adversely affect, or be affected by, radios operating within the frequencies used by Police Forces and Fire Brigades. This is a separate test to e-mark; it is only applied to those limited frequencies but it is much more rigorous than e-mark.
Being unable to receive and/or transmit clear instructions or requests could have very serious implications for the Health and Safety of both the users and the public they serve.
What is "e" marking?
An e-mark is awarded to cars and equipment which have been tested to ensure that they do not give off emissions which will adversely affect other approved equipment. The testing must be carried out by an approved test house under conditions laid down by the EC in Directive 95/54. This directive also creates an appropriate method of testing for immunity to harmful emissions.
Vehicle manufacturers test the design of the electronic systems fitted in their factories. For each system they check that both the EM field produced is within specified limits and that the system can operate properly within an EM field.
It is required by European law that all "after market" electronic equipment fitted to vehicles must undergo the same test that the vehicle manufacturer uses. If a system meets the requirements of the tests it is awarded a number which starts with "e". The test has therefore become known in the UK as the e-mark test.
Does FCC apply to Europe?
No, the FCC emission/immunity/conductivity standards used in America are a general set of standards. Europe has defined e-mark specifically for post-fit vehicle electronics. The E-mark vehicle standard is a United Nations standard for the post-fit vehicle electronics.
What is the difference between "e" and "E" Markings.
"e" mark is the European Automotive directive whereas "E" is for member states of the United Nations.
Screen Information:
Can a non-Microbus screen be used?
The Microbus M-PCs may be used headless (without a screen). They may be used with other manufacturer’s screens. Features that are lost in doing this are the on/off button and the Microbus OnScreen control. EMC becomes an issue for the integrator as would any non conformance in operation.
Can the screen be purchased on its own?
No, the screen and system are a tightly coupled design to the benefit of reliability and EMC performance. With Microbus's focus in supplying reliable vehicle PCs, crucial in the overall offering is the ability to supply the screen as well. Without this, systems are disparate and limited to the availability of screens from the open market. Microbus has a wide range of screens for this reason.
For dual screens can different applications run on each and can the resolution be different on each screen?
Dual screens can be attached to the system. Microbus supplies a 15 inch secondary screen that can display at VGA, SVGA and XGA resolutions, it is designed to operate from the vehicle voltages. The secondary screen can display the same or different information to the primary screen at the same or different resolution.
What is the maximum distance recommended between the screen and PC?
Typical installations to date have used 2M or 5M cables. The system may be up to 15M from the screen.
System Information:
How is easy is the system to install?
Systems should always be installed securely and with due regard to EMC by suitably qualified personnel. Usually the screen is installed in the front of the vehicle - Microbus can assist by supplying a range of screen mounts including DIN slot and flat surface mounts and, for certain vehicles, replacement console mouldings.
The computer unit is shock mounted onto a backboard or other suitable surface and is usually located in the rear of the vehicle, a cage option can be fitted to ensure the connections are unharmed by other kit in the vehicle.
A single cable connects the computer unit to the screen, and a power cable connects the Computer unit to the vehicle battery.
For UK Police Vehicle installations, further advice is available in the NAPFM Vehicle installation code of practice.
If the ignition is turned off will the M-PC keep running?
There is a Manufacturing Option to allow the system to be started when the ignition is turned on. Recognition that the ignition is turned off can initiate an orderly shutdown immediately or after a timed delay. Alternatively, the Ignition Off can cause an audible warning, a screen message and an application report that the Ignition is off. In this case the user can choose to override the controlled shutdown and continue to work. After a defined period, the system may be set to perform an orderly shutdown.
The settings for this one stage, two stage warning are built in under the Microbus Port utility. An optional relay control box is also available which allows other equipment such as printers, modems, camera and lights to be powered on, from the M-PC, as soon as the M-PC recognises the ignition. Equipment which has been powered on/off when the M-PC recognised the ignition can, if required, be powered off/on when the ignition is switched off.
How long does the battery back up allow the M-PC to run for with car ignition off?
If there is a total loss of power to the M-PC, a fully charged Microbus battery will support the system for approximately 10 minutes, which is sufficient time for an orderly shutdown of Windows 2000 or XP, be it user initiated or automatic.
Can optional features be added at a later date: e.g. PCMCIA or GPRS etc?
The two internal expansion options available within the system are Mini PCI in the M-PC2 and 16 bit 5V PCCARD in the M-PC. Microbus uses these expansion options to supply Wireless LAN. These options have been tested within the certification supplied. Customers may make use of these expansion methods but must ensure their own compliance.
The M-PC and M-PC2 do benefit from a lot of expansion capability. Microbus can upgrade its products in many ways but including options in the initial specification is likely to be cheaper than retrofitting and will avoid removing the hardware from service whilst the upgrades are undertaken. |
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