Transterm 5 Data Terminal

Overview

Introduced in 1985, the TRANSTERM 5 remains one of today’s most economical solutions to industrial data entry applications, particularly when both key­entry and bar code scanning are required.

In such applications as employee time and attendance, work flow tracking, inventory and job cost control and reporting, the TransTerm 5 has the flexibility to adapt to almost any application specific demands found in industry today.

The TransTerm 5 is small and easy for those without computer savvy to operate due to its efficient and simple layout. The two line, 48 character LC display has ample capacity for computer generated prompts and instructions as well as for operator entered data to be simultaneously displayed.

The unit is built of aluminum to withstand harsh environments and handling, and the hermetically sealed membrane keyboard is full­sized and unaffected by grease, and most chemicals and solvents. The keyboard includes eight programmable function keys, permitting the unit to be easily adapted to varied needs.

The standard RS-232 communications interface provides the means to directly connect the TransTerm 5 to most computer systems. Plus, the optional RS-422 TNET interface allows up to 250 terminals to be connected on a common network into a central network controller which then hooks to the host computer via an RS­232 communications port. Also available is an off­the­shelf data collection program called WINNET for a WIN 9x / NT type computer which can shorten implementation time. There are also numerous third-party sources for turn-key application software which are compatible with the TransTerm 5 as well as other models of our terminals.

Contents

Operation

The TransTerm 5 operates in one of 3 Operating Modes:

  1. Teletype (TTY) mode – Displayable characters transmitted to the serial port are displayed. Keyed in, or scanned (displayable) characters are immediately transmitted out the serial port (and optionally displayed).
  2. BLOCK SEND mode – Displayable characters transmitted to the serial port are displayed. Keyed in, or scanned (displayable) characters are displayed and not transmitted until a ENTER “CR” is input. Scanned data can be set to automatically “ENTER”.
  3. TNET Multidrop mode – Used with the ComputerWise TNET data collection system where up to 250 terminals communicate real-time with a single host computer. The host communicates with the TIM1B Network Controller using RS-232. The Terminals communicate with the TIM1B using RS-422 (individually addressed). The TNET system optimizes communication speed, prevents message collisions, and simplifies the communication with the host.

In all three modes, the TransTerm 5 recognizes various ASCII control codes and numerous ESCape sequence commands received in the serial port or entered via the keypad.

TransTerm 5 Datasheet (206k/PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader pdf)