References170 PowerScan® M8500Radio ParametersRadio Protocol TimeoutThis parameter sets the valid time to wait before transmission between the M8500 seriesreader and BC-80X0 cradle is considered failed.This parameter should be set taking into consideration the radio traffic (number of readersin the same area).If the RS-232 interface is used with ACK/NACK enabled, this parameter should be at leastequal to the RX Timeout parameter for low traffic environments. It should be increased ifthere are many readers in the same area.It can be set between 2 and 19 seconds.Radio RX TimeoutWhen the scanner is used in a standalone layout (point-to-point or with multiple readers) itcan be configured to receive “asynchronous” messages from the host at any time.There are two modes which can enable the scanner to receive messages from the host:1. Enable “2 way” Communication Protocol – After the transmission of each barcode,the scanner waits for an acknowledgement from the host. 1A message can be sent by the host accompanying this acknowledgement, or in place ofit, to display something on the screen or execute a command (such as sound a beepsequence, turn an LED on or off, etc.). If no acknowledgement or message is receivedfrom the host within a programmable timeout duration, the radio will be switched offand an “error transmission” beep will be sounded.2. Independent of the Selected Protocol – The scanner can be configured to keep theradio receiver “awake” for a defined period of time following each transmission. Anymessage coming from the host1 before expiration of the timeout is accepted. Theparameter “Radio RX Timeout” is used for specifying how long the scanner have towait for a message after receiving each code transmission.In this mode, the radio can also be “awakened” by pressing the trigger.The scanner can receive a message only if it is linked to the Base (i.e. the scanner hasbeen joined to the Base and has had at last one “valid” transmission after the lastpower-on). Setting the “Radio RX timeout” value to “00” specifies that the radio nevergoes into sleep mode (always awake the scanner can receive a message at any time).Choosing this setting will, of course, consume battery life more quickly.Power-Off TimeoutIf this command is enabled, after the desired timeout in hours, the PowerScan® batteries aredisconnected and all power consumption ceases. To restore power, press the trigger once.The reader will now be ready to read codes.Power-off does not affect configuration parameters.1. See "Messages from Host to Reader" starting on page 175 for Host to Scanner messageformatting.
