The Fremont-based Tandy Corp subsidiary has also unveiled the GRiDPadRF pen computer with integrated wireless Novell Inc NewWare communications capability. The GRiDPadRF enables the real-time automation of data collection. The system has a rated range of 500 to 1,000 feet, using spread spectrum radio technology operating at 902MHz to 928MHz – an unlicensed frequency in the US. Expanding GRiDPadRF data collection applications to more units involves adding GRiDPadRF computers and network interface cards. Other wireless communications technologies require Federal Communications Commission approvals for all expansions. GRiD says it will provide a complete system with support from systems engineers. GRiDPadRF transmits its data to a radio base-station – a personal computer with a radio module AT card and a small receiving antenna, which automatically transfers it into the NetWare network and then, if necessary, back to a mini or mainframe. GRiDPadRF will ship in the first quarter of 1992. It comes standard with integrated 902MHz to 928MHz direct sequence spread spectrum radio module, NEC V20 8088-compatible microprocessor operating at 9.54MHz, backlit transflective screen, 2Mb RAM, two PCMCIA RAM storage card slots, GRiDPadRF Novell drivers and network interface software. In standard configuration, the computer is $2,870. The integrated radio module’s price hasn’t been decided, but GRiD officials said it will be under $1,000. Since the GRiDPadRF is used with a radio base-station – an 80286, 80386 or 80486-based desktop computer with the AT radio module, AT radio boards and server base stations will be available from GRiD Systems.
