- May 01, 2008
May 1, 2008 – Gates Mills, OH - MACTek announces the VIATOR Bluetooth Interface (model 010041) for use with HART field devices.. The VIATOR Bluetooth Interface is a point-to-point HART PC modem for temporary connection to HART field devices that is used with software primarily as a configuration management tool. The VIATOR Bluetooth Interface is intrinsically safe for use in hazardous areas. The modem can operate approximately 20 hours powered by replaceable AAA battery cells. The modem physically attaches to the HART field device with 18” leads and mini-grabber clips. The PC host uses internal Bluetooth interface or a USB to Bluetooth converter to communicate with the Bluetooth modem.Pairing with host PCs, Tablet PCs, Pocket PCs and PDAs is simple. Default operating mode is to establish the connection with Windows Bluetooth serial port profile. Faceplate push button manually controls on/of and battery check mode. Faceplate LED displays communication heartbeat and battery charge remaining.VIATORCheckBT PC GUI software allows users to test connection with devices and to remotely turn off the modem, check battery charge remaining, put it to sleep to save battery, wake up from sleep when ready to continue use, and to remotely cause the LED to flash rapidly to identify which BT modem is connected to the PC (squawk feature.) MACTek and CodeWrights have agreed to share software. “I am pleased to announce an agreement between CodeWrights and MACTek. MACTek will distribute the HARTCommDTM from CodeWrights, and CodeWrights will incorporate a HART protocol DLL developed by MACTek in the next release of HARTCommDTM,” says Thomas Holmes, President of MACTek Corporation.The HARTCommDTM enables the VIATOR Bluetooth Interface to support FDT based host applications. The MACTek dll will enhance the capabilities of CodeWrights’ next release of HARTCommDTM to include full support of HART protocol arbitration rules, support of HART 7 as far as allowed by the FDT specification, HART multi-master mode and frame applications that use Windows OS multi-threading.MACTek distributes the HARTCommDTM on the BT modem installation CD. HARTCommDTM is also available in a free version for download from the CodeWrights website and from a link on the MACTek website that points to the CodeWrights website.The Bluetooth modem has the same reliability, quality and ease of use as MACTek’s VIATOR USB and RS232 HART PC modems. Fully compliant with the HART communication specifications, our product family of wired and wireless solutions are easy to use, reliable and work with any HART Field device.Features and benefits of the VIATOR Bluetooth Interface:• Easy to use• HART Registered with HCF = fully HART compliant for communication reliability• Hardware for wireless communication between PC host and any HART field device• HART software compatibility – works with all HART compliant HART PC software applications• Enables device management and troubleshooting of HART field devices• Powered by replaceable 3x AAA alkaline batteries - battery life approximately 20 hours.• ATEX and IS compliant for use inside hazardous areas• Safety approvals from FM, CSA, ATEX• FCC, CE and RoHS compliant• High power, high speed Bluetooth for 100 meter open air range allows use of the PC host outside and the BT modem inside hazardous areas• Adaptive frequency hopping to reduce RF interference• Intelligent / adaptive power management to conserve battery power• Uses Windows Bluetooth Serial Port Profile (SPP virtual COM port) for simple pairing of PC host and BT modem• HARTCommDTM software to support FDT frame software applications• VIATORCheckBT software to test connections and configure BT modem• Compact size – fits in a tool bag and but is not too small to get lost• High quality, no memory 18” leads with MiniGrabber test clips naturally avoid tangling and coiling• User friendly on-off push button power switch• LED feedback of power-on state, and LED heartbeat showing HART traffic• Use with all Bluetooth enabled PCs, PC Tablets, Pocket PCs and PDAs