• Card-type PHS
• All-in-one PDA
• TAP
• High-performance "Genio" all-in-one PDA

In just over two years since its start on July 1, 1995 in Japan, PHS service has won over seven million subscribers. An added spur to ever the stronger growth in subscriptions has been the PIAFS (PHS Internet Access Forum Standard) protocol-based 32kbps-data communications service which was inaugurated on April 1, 1997. The new service is expected to help increase subscriptions to 12 million in 1998 and 17 million by the year 2000. The introduction of low-cost high-speed data communications is the first step taken by PHS to make itself a thriving multimedia communications system catering to a wide variety of needs such as Internet access and LAN connections in addition to high-quality voice communications. In line with this, more and more new products capable of 32kbps-data communications are being marketed one after another as a result of aggressive technological development by the telecommunications carriers and manufacturers. Fig.1 shows the configuration for PHS 32kbps-data communications.
PHS data communications subscribers are in the following categories (A to F, see Fig. 1).

1) Subscriber A: Data communications by voice communications by connecting the PC modem card to the analog input terminal of PS;
2) Subscriber B: High-speed data communications with PCMCIA Type II PIAFS data card and PS that conforms to the communications standard (RCR STD-28 Ver.2);
3) Subscriber C: High-speed data communications with PCMCIA Type II card-type PHS in which PHS and PIAFS data card are combined;
4) Subscriber D: High-speed data communications with a PDA that combines PHS, PIAFS data card, and data terminal;
5) Subscriber E: High-speed data communications with a PIAFS-supported terminal adapter (TAP) and a PC; and
6) Subscriber F: Data communications using analog PSTN.

Subscriber A, data communications using a conventional modem card, can connect to Subscriber F or low-speed Internet access points via the analog PSTN. Communications speeds are a maximum of 9.6kbps.
Subscriber B, data communications using the PIAFS data card, can connect to Subscriber E or high-speed Internet access points digitally via the ISDN network. Here, the ISDN line must be terminated by a terminal adapter that supports PIAFS (TAP). Communications speeds up to 29.2kbps for error-free, smooth data communications.
If Subscriber B, who uses a PIAFS data card, is to have modem communications with Subscriber F who uses a modem card, the signals from the CS must be connected first to the protocol converter PTE (protocol translation equipment) to be converted into modem signals. The communications speed between Subscriber B and PTE is 29.2kbps, and the speed between PTE and Subscriber F depends on the modem speed (e.g., 28.8kbps).
Subscriber C uses a PIAFS-supported card-type PHS. In this case, high-speed Internet access can be achieved by simply plugging the card-type PHS into the PC.
Subscriber D uses an all-in-one PDA. Here there is no need for a PIAFS data card. The unit alone will enable high-speed data communications such as high-speed Internet access, e-mail, and fax, as well as voice communications. The following is equipment description. For pictures of the PIAFS-supported PS and the data cards, see News No.9 (April, 1997). Here, the card-type PHS and the all-in-one PHS, and TAP are explained.

Card-type PHS

This is a PHS/PIAFS hybrid data-card system. By plugging it into a note computer or an ordinary PDA, the computer or PDA can serve as a mobile PDA with PHS functions. The card enables wireless e-mail, Internet access, or FAX transmission. Voice communications are also possible if the earphone and microphone are attached.

All-in-one PDA

A new-concept in mobile communications tools with such features as telephone, e-mail, electronic notepad, Internet access, hand-writing recognition, and facsimile. With the availability of low-cost data communications, personal use of e-mail is expected to increase. The all-in-one PDA is a handy mobile communications tool well suited to e-mailing while on the move, and has seen strong sales as a result. In addition, by using PHS's location registration information, services offering information on current position, maps, and shops are being proposed. When put into practical use, demand for all-in-one PDAs is expected to increase dramatically.

TAP

TAP, an ISDN terminal adapter (TA) with PIAFS high-speed data communications functions, is connected to the ISDN subscriber line. TAP can tell PHS from ISDN terminals for each call to choose the PIAFS or ISDN communications protocol N Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) N for Internet access. The interface to the PC is based on the ITU-T V.24 (25 pin) with a maximum asynchronous communications speed of 115.2kbps, which can be controlled by AT commands. For synchronous communications, ITU-T V.25bis is supported at 64kbps. Similarly to the data modem, the PIAFS also has the ITU-T V.42bis data compression feature. In use, actual communications speeds can be more than double 32kbps.

Compact, Lightweight, and High-performance All-in-one PDA

Various types of data terminals have been introduced with the start of data transfer service. In general models are compact, lightweight, yet packed with powerful features. As an example, a brief description of Toshiba Corp.'s new data terminal, all-in-one PDA, "GENIO" is given below:

1. Integrated multimedia tool
This data terminal provides voice communications via PHS circuit, e-mail transmission/reception, Internet browsing, and facsimile transmission. The integrated multimedia tool is now on the horizon. (Fig. 1)

2. Compact, lightweight, and long battery life
Measuring only 155 x 77 x 20mm (215cc) and weighing only 220g, the data terminal now fits comfortably in the pocket. In addition, a long life feature permits 270 minutes of continuous conversation and 200 hours of continuous standby.

3. High performance
The following main functions are included in the data terminal.