All-in-one Field Digital Assistant
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

4P Mobile Data Processing, hedquartered in Padova, Italy, has been designing and manufacturing specialized handheld terminals and computers for demanding field applications since 1989.

4P calls their FDA600 an "all-in-one" Field Digital Assistant, referring to the fact that this handheld includes just about everything one could ever need in field applications. Not only is the FDA a modern Windows CE.NET 5.0-based computer running on the 520MHz version of Marvell's PXA270 processor, but it also comes with peripherals and functionality that are available only as options in most competing devices, if they are available at all.

Measuring 3.25 x 8.9 x 2.9 inches and weighing about a pound, 4P manages to integrate a clamshell thermal printer, a 3-track magnetic card reader, a Smart Card reader, a 1.3 megapixel digital camera, a 1D/2D barcode scanner and a 13.56 MHz RFID reader. And that is on top of onboard Bluetooth, 802.11b/g WiFi, IrDA, and GSM/GPRS/EDGE cellular capability.

Despite all of this functionality, the FDA600 is rugged as well. It carries a IP54 ingress protection rating, can survive 4-foot drops onto concrete, and can operate in a fairly wide temperature range of between 32 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

The FDA600 has a 3.5-inch backlit touchscreen and also a alphanumeric keypad for navigation and rapid data entry. The device is powered by either a 8.2 or 16.4 watt-hour Li-Ion battery. An optional Ethernet/charging cradle provides landline network connectivity. A vehicle cradle is also available.