USB IrDA

Siji · Post by **Siji** » September 15, 2004, 2:41 pm

Does anyone know if there's any difference between the IrDA interface on a laptop, and the IrDA interface I'd have from a USB dongle? The reason I ask is that I've got an device that communicates via infrared. It works on the laptop w/o a problem. However I've tried the USB dongle in two different computers and the software doesn't see the infrared device.

Windows XP automatically recognizes and installs the USB IrDA dongle and says that it's working. Just in case the XP drivers weren't correct for some reason, I installed the dongle specific drivers. Still no go..

In the software, it allows you to set the infrared interface to be IrDA, USB or any number of COM ports. I've set it to USB and IrDA both and no go.

The device appears to see the USB IrDA dongle as it changes its display when held up to the USB IrDA interface. Just having trouble getting the software to make them communicate.

Any ideas/tips?

Tenuvil · Post by **Tenuvil** » September 16, 2004, 1:39 pm

Shit. This doesn't have anything to do with your new HRM does it? I just bought a Polar S720 and a IrDA USB dongle...

noel · Post by **noel** » September 16, 2004, 2:09 pm

I *think* I saw a usb IR file on Polar's site when I was there the other day.

I also would bet money that the reason it's not working is because Windows isn't assigning the COM port number to the USB device. If you can get the COM port association, I think it will work.

I'm going to look into this because I'm considering picking up a dongle myself.

Tenuvil · Post by **Tenuvil** » September 16, 2004, 2:20 pm

This is the IrDA doodad I just bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 5123931462

noel · Post by **noel** » September 16, 2004, 5:38 pm

That's pretty sweet. I like that better than the Polar one. That said the two of them should work exactly the same.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » September 17, 2004, 4:38 pm

Tenuvil wrote:This is the IrDA doodad I just bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 5123931462

That's the exact one I bought. It's made by SigmaTel. Looks nifty when it's plugged in (very bright blue LED) And yes, it's for the Polar S720i that I just got..

The computer is not assigning a com port number to it (as far as I know..). I don't know that it should.. the IrDA port on my laptop doesn't have a com port assigned to it. In the Polar software I would think you just need to select USB instead of IrDA from the drop down box in options/hardware.

As mentioned, it appears that HRM is seeing the dongle as it goes from CONNECT to a flashing COM with InfraRed at the top. (Just like it does when I use it against my laptop).

I've got a serial IrDA adapter from a friend I'm going to go home and try after work. Hopefully that'll work.. but I'd still like to know why the dongle doesn't. Please let us know if you find anything Noel..
-----

Ed: I just tried the serial port version that a friend gave me, and it works. Oddly, in the Polar software you don't select a com port (e.g. COM1) you have to set it to IrDA, even though the infrared adapter is plugged into COM1.. *shrug* I know I tried having it set to IrDA with the dongle but I'm going to try it again Monday when I get back in the office.. where I left the damn dongle..

Siji · Post by **Siji** » September 20, 2004, 11:12 pm

Doesn't look good for the dongles we purchased..

Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in responding to your message.

Have you selected "IrDA" as your IR communication port from Polar Precision Performance SW (Options-Preferences-Hardware tab)? The com and USB port selections are reserved for Polar IR Interfaces. Also check from the connection options (click options button beside the IR port selection), that "Use internal IR port (Win 95 only)" is not selected.

Does the IR connection icon (Embedded image moved to file: pic12316.jpg) appear at the taskbar/systray, when you put the receiver in connect mode in front of the USB-IrDA device (at this point the Polar software need not be running, i.e. the connection must be established first)?

Are you able to adjust the settings of the USB-IrDA device? Please set the speed to 9600 bauds and turn-around time to 10 ms.

Polar infrared data transfer is based on 1.4 IrPHY, the speed is 9600 bauds and it is therefore SIR.

If the data transfer does not work after editing the settings, apparently these devices are not compatible with each other. We have discovered, that in most of the cases, when there has been trouble with non-Polar IrDA device, there has been a SigmaTel chipset inside the device. If this is the case, it is recommended that you purchase the Polar IR Interface to download. It retails for $39.99. It is available in USB and Serial.

If you need further assistance please feel free to contact Customer Service at 800-227-1314 or 516-364-0400.

Thank you for choosing Polar.

Customer Service
POLAR ELECTRO INC.

Tenuvil · Post by **Tenuvil** » September 20, 2004, 11:53 pm

ahh fuck. Thanks Siji, I appreciate the heads up.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » September 21, 2004, 8:47 am

np.. I still wouldn't pay $40 for the Polar one. You could find a serial interface type IrDA adapter cheaper. The one I got from a friend works great.

btw - just got the cadence sensor last night, and it's pretty nifty how it works with the 720i also, if you've got the $40 for it.

noel · Post by **noel** » September 21, 2004, 2:00 pm

I don't leave home without it. Cadence rules.

Tenuvil · Post by **Tenuvil** » September 21, 2004, 6:04 pm

Mine came as a package with the cadence doodad included in the order. I really wanted the power measurement thing but it's as expensive as the HRM itself

noel · Post by **noel** » September 21, 2004, 9:18 pm

What I've been told about the power meter is that if you're going to use power, get an SRM. The other ones (CyclOps makes one too) are considered 'pseudo power'. Which makes me sad because I can't really justify the $2 grand for an SRM.

Well, I can justify it... just not to my girlfriend.

Tenuvil · Post by **Tenuvil** » September 22, 2004, 11:58 am

*nod*

The new SRM built into a Dura Ace crankset is beyond sweet but no way I could justify that to myself or to my gf.

I think the HRM and a baseline fitness test will be it for these type of expenditures this year.