Personal Digital Assistants

Content
Introduction Of PDA Working Mechanism Of PDA Component Of PDA

Discussed ByVishal Kumar

Content Contd.
Uses Of PDA

Future Of PDA

Discussed By --- Soham De

Introduction
A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant,is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Powerful handheld computing device without a keyboard, but with a screen that reads the words written (drawn) on it with a pen -like stylus.

PDAs are largely considered obsolete with the widespread adoption of smartphones

Why PDA?
We are beginning to see a future where the lines between the PDA and the laptop are increasingly blurred. First it was PDAs with laptop-like capability, and now it is laptops gaining the advantages of PDAs. Advantages of this low-powered PDA mode: virus checking and maintenance. Since the OS doesn't boot, any viruses designed for it won't run. That lets you scan and remove them before they do damage. Booting up a laptop to check your calendar or e-mail can take a minute or longer. Not only is that often dead time, but you may actually be holding up a customer or your boss while you're struggling to get the laptop running.

PDA Overview
Small basic handheld programmable computer 3x5x3/4" in size, light weight (4-8 oz), battery operated. Screen resolution 160x160 pixels, more on new models. Prices range from $125 - $1000 OS includes Calendar (Date Book), Address Book, To-Do List, Memo Pad & Calculator functions. Palm Pilot 1st really successful model. Came into it's own with the Palm III series. Thousands of programs available from mfgr's & 3rd parties (usually cheap $5 - $30, specialized programs can be much more).

How do they look like?

- Psion1 (1984) (Early PDA) - Apple Newton (1993) (First PDA) - Palm Pilot (1996) (The PDA)

CPU: HD6301X, .92Mhz

CPU: ARM 610, 20Mhz

Ram: 2KB, (16K external)

Rom: 4KB Software: Basic Display: LCD 16characters

Ram: 640 KB
Rom: 4MB OS: Newton 1.0 Display LCD (3360x204 pixels)

CPU: Motorola 68328, 16Mhz Ram: 128MB Rom: 4MB OS: Palm OS 1.0 Display: LCD( 160x160 pixels)

History Of PDA
The first PDA was released in 1984 by Psion, the Organizer II. Followed by Psion's Series 3, in 1991, which began to resemble the more familiar PDA style. Palm Pilot was introduced in 1996 by U.S. Robotic and 3Com with functioning of Stylus pen

PDAs Operating System

PDAs run on several different operating systems . The two most common are Palm OS and PocketPC (Windows-CE). Most applications have been written for the Palm OS, but the PocketPC is catching up. Other operating systems include EPOC, BlackBerry, Psion, and PocketLinux.

The Palm Operating System

In 1996, a product called the PalmPilot was released by US Robotics. The Palm Pilot ran on an operating system made especially for that device, called the Palm OS. The Palm Operating System (Palm OS) is the current leader in the PDA market, accounting for 70% of the market share. The Palm Pilot (now known as just Palm), became one of the fastest growing computer platforms in history, reaching the million-sold mark faster than the IBM PC or Apple Macintosh.

Today, the Palm line has grown to include a variety of models. In addition, a number of other companies such as IBM, Qualcomm, and Symbol Technologies released their own Palm OS PDA models, with Sony's version hitting the market later this year.

The EPOC Operating System

The third major player is EPOC, an operating system developed by London-based software developer Symbian. EPOC has three device designs: one for mobile phones, one for PDAs, and one for home PCs. EPOC does have some major advantages. It is an extremely power-efficient operating system -- other operating systems require double to triple the size of a battery. Also, EPOC has a small memory footprint and compact code, which allows for easier customization. This potential for customization is a huge advantage over Windows CE. Recently, Symbian announced a deal with Sony whereby the Japanese giant will use the EPOC platform and possibly a range of applications in its forthcoming line of devices, such as mobile phones. This is in addition to deals already existing with companies such as Ericsson, Motorola, and Psion. With a good, flexible product and a support from key companies, EPOC has a lot of potential to make it in mobile market.

Purpose of the PDA

keep track of your schedule business and personal contacts to-do list memos budgets create digital photo albums play games listen to music * use reference software * read eBooks
*= with the use of an expansion card

Architecture Of PDA
Architecture Many PDAs run using a variation of the ARM architecture (usually denoted by the Intel XScale trademark). This encompasses a class of RISC microprocessors that are widely used in mobile devices and embedded systems, and its design was influenced strongly by a popular 1970s/1980s CPU, the MOS Technology 6502.

MICROPROCESSORS
Unlike desk and laptop PCs, PDAs use smaller, cheaper microprocessors. There are two popular PocketPC processor types, Xscale and StrongARM. Xscale is the current technology Most Palms will either have a Motorola Dragonball or Texas Instruments OMAP processor in it. Modern PDAs also have DSP to enhance multimedia (mp3,digital camera etc..)

Although the microprocessors speed ranges from 100-200 MHz they are adequate for the tasks that PDAs perform. The benefits of small size and price outweigh the cost of slow speeds.

MEMORY
PDAs dont have a hard drive. Programs (address, calendar, OS, etc) are stored in a ROM chip so data remains intact even when the machine shuts down. So when the PDAs are turned ON, all programs are instantly available without having to wait for applications to load.

When a file is changed, theyre stored automatically so you dont need a Save command.
One megabyte of memory can store up to 4,000 addresses and 100 e-mail messages. Also, PocketPCs take more memory space so PDAs with this operating system usually have 16 or 32 MB. In some PDA models, the amount of memory is upgradeable.

Input Devices
Hand-held computers typically use a miniature keyboard in combination with a touch screen. Palm-sized computers use a stylus and touch screen exclusively in combination with a handwriting recognition program. The screen of the palm PDA serves as an input as well as an output device. It displays information with LCD and on top of it is the touch screen which can be tapped by a pen-like stylus to launch programs. Data can also be written on the screen by using the stylus. The letters are recognized by special software and are automatically stored in the PDAs memory.

The disadvantage of handwriting recognition software is that you have to learn a new way to write, it is slower than normal handwriting and the device's character recognition is rarely letter-perfect.

Input/Output Devices
PDAs can share information with desktops and laptops. If you make an appointment on your desktop computer you can transfer it to your PDA and vice-versa. The communication between PDA and PC is referred to as data synchronization or syncing. This is done through a serial or USB port on the PDA. In addition to communicating through a cable, many PDAs have an infrared communications port that uses infrared (IR) light to beam information to a PC or another PDA. Some PDAs also offer wireless methods to transfer data to and from a PC/PC network through a wireless e-mail/internet service provider like those available on new models of cell phones. Finally, some PDAs offer telephone modem accessories to transfer files to and from a PC/PC network.

PDA Component
There are various component of PDA are: i. Communication ii. Organizers: Calendars, Task Lists, Notes & Memos iii. Input Functionality iv. Media & Storage v. Functions & Programs

Handheld Controls
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

Screendisplays the applications and information on the handheld. Touch sensitive. Clock icondisplays time and date Input Areaallows you to enter information with Graffiti 2 Writing or open the onscreen keyboard Power Buttonturns handheld on and off and activates keylock Display Iconadjust brightness and contrast on display 5-Way Navigatorassists in moving around and selecting information to display on the screen Application Buttonsopens calendar and contacts applications

TOP PANEL CONTROLS

IR Portbeams information between handhelds and other devices with an IR port (IR=infrared) Expansion card slotplace to insert expansion cards, which adds memory for listening to music, backing up information, applications, and accessories Headphone Jackcan connect a standard 3.5 mm stereo headset to handheld to listen to music and other audio applications

SIDE AND BACK PANEL CONTROLS

Stylusused to enter information into the handheld Reset Buttonresets handheld if it stops responding Power Connectorconnects handheld to the power adapter so it can be charged Mini-USB Connectorconnects handheld to the computer, using HotSync cable, to synchronize Speakerused to listen to alarms, game and system sounds, and music

The handheld has

World Clocktells time in your city and two other locations; alarm Calendarmanage schedule and color code by category Calculatormathematical functions Contactsbasic phone book Note padwrite on screen for quick notes Memoskeep notes from meetings, recipes, etc. Tasksprioritize to-do list, set alarms, etc. HotSyncsynchronize info on handheld with info on computer Preferencescustomize handhelds sound levels, security, colors, etc.

Sharing Information
beam from one handheld to another synchronize information from handheld to computer or vice versa copy information onto expansion card

Beaming
beam information from within an application to another PalmOS user select information you want to beam and open application open menu and select Beam menu point handhelds IR port with another handheld IR port

Synchronization
connect HotSync cable to USB port with other end in mini-USB connector on handheld tap HotSync button on handheld to synchronize information into computer synchronize using infrared (IR) port

PDA Applications
PDA technology has been focused on providing basic administrative functionality, such as diary facilities and contact management. The increase in PDA performance and the convergence with mobile telephony, has encouraged the extension of traditional desktop applications such as email and web access becoming readily available. Wireless technology such as Bluetooth and WiFi (802.11x standards) can provide easy ways for PDA based applications to communicate to other devices. This instantly opens a PDA application to communicate with other systems in the immediate vicinity (using Bluetooth) or elsewhere within a building (using WiFi technology). Mobile telephone technology is fast converging with PDA technology and this technology can provide direct access of the PDA device to the internet and internet connected applications.