FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
LAVA Computer MFG is a leading provider of smart connectivity solutions boards. Our expertise in making better communications products hinges on our core philosophy: make it simple, reliable, and configurable. We engineer and manufacture serial port interfaces for POS, computer, industrial, and many other markets.
LAVA has SimulCharge adapters for both home and enterprise use. While both offer simultaneous charging and access to data to compatible mobile devices, the Enterprise adapters offer more options in terms of port configurations and power options. They also offer additional features, such as Docking Detect or RBM technology, depending on the product line. In contrast, Home Series adapters are smaller, more portable and can operate without external power in OTG mode, where the mobile device powers and communicates with the adapter and peripherals. To find out more about the differences between the Enterprise and Home Series, check out the LAVA Blog.
LAVA’s Home Series SimulCharge adapters are capable of operating in OTG mode, where the mobile device communicates with peripherals as USB Host and can power them and the adapter with its battery. The Enterprise adapters do not use OTG as a safety measure. If there is a power outage, an Enterprise adapter will turn off to ensure it doesn’t draw power from the mobile device and drain its battery. To find out more about the differences between the Enterprise and Home Series, check out the LAVA Blog.
LAVA SimulCharge adapters have a variety of different uses in a number fields. Our adapters can be used with digital signage, staff-time clocks, check-in kiosks, POS terminals and other mobile device-based applications.
Many LAVA SimulCharge adapters offer multiple USB-A ports for peripherals. Pretty much any accessory that connects via USB-A can be used with the adapter. Though, for our enterprise clients, some of the more popular peripherals are: barcode scanners, receipt printers and card readers.
There is a risk it may not. LAVA publishes mobile devices that it has managed to test in-house and verify that they are compatible with LAVA products.
LAVA does operate a free testing program where you can send your device to be tested for compatibility. After testing is complete LAVA will ship back your tablet, with details on its compatibility with LAVA devices.
LAVA strongly recommends that if you are planning a larger role out of devices to check compatibility and have LAVA test your chosen device.
No. You will need to use one of the SynC families of products, as they are specifically designed to work with USB-C devices.
Products designed for Micro USB devices will not be able to enter into SimulCharge when attached to USB-C devices. This is due to the hardware changes required by the USB-C connector.
While our Enterprise adapters do not currently work with iOS devices, the Charge-Plus series does in fact work with MacBooks that feature USB-C ports. Charge-Plus adapters come with either an Ethernet port, two USB-A ports or both. Because MacBooks have greater power requirements than mobile devices, the Charge-Plus cannot fully charge the laptop. However, SimulCharge will slow the discharge so you can use the laptop longer than you would be able to on battery power alone.
Battery Health FAQ
The Battery Modulation feature helps reduce stress on the tablet battery. Battery Modulation is a feature in which the battery is charged up to an upper set point, and then allowed to discharge to a low threshold. This feature electronically mimics the process of charging a battery and then disconnecting the charger. This behaviour follows the expected use-case for a tablet. After a set number of user-defined charge/discharge cycles, a “full” cycle is performed to reset the tablet battery calibration.
Without Battery Modulation implemented mobile devices, with Lithium Ion batteries, have been observed to experience severe battery bloat and diminishment of battery charge capacity and lifespan.
This technology is critical for 24/7 or near 24/7 applications.
LAVA adapters equipped with RBM technology, have a configurable option to manage the mobile device’s screen brightness. If a screen is set to be too bright the mobile device may draw more power than can be supplied to it, causing a slow discharge of the battery to occur. By adjusting screen brightness (a major source of power consumption and heat generation) the system designer can ensure that the power consumed by the device is less than what can be supplied.
Screen Brightness can be adjusted, and turned on/off, through the LAVA supplied LTM application.
CABM stands for Continuously Active Battery Modulation. Found in our mid-tier u Series SimulCharge adapters and the Charge-Check, CABM is a plug-and-play of Battery Modulation that protects mobile devices from overcharging and battery bloating. To find out more about CABM, check out the technology page.
Battery Bloating is when constant overcharging of a lithium-ion battery causes it to literally expand, which can cause serious damage to both the battery and the device. To prevent battery bloating on your mobile device, make sure to use an e Series or u Series SimulCharge adapter which offer overcharge protection with Battery Modulation. To find out more about Battery Bloating, check out the LAVA Blog.
This varies somewhat depending on the product and situation. However, if a tablet kiosk if left charging non-stop for roughly a year, it can lead to major battery degradation and bloating. To find out more about how our Battery Modulation-equipped adapters can prevent this issue, check out the LAVA Blog.
LAVA’s RBM- and CABM-equipped adapters can significantly extend the lifetime of a mobile device’s battery. While all situations are different, using a mobile device kiosk or other application with a Battery Modulation-equipped adapter, you should be able to get upwards of five years of constant usage – even when it is left plugged in. To find out more about how Battery Modulation technology, check out the LAVA Blog.
RBM stands for Network Recovery & Battery Modulation, while CABM stands for Continuously Active Battery Modulation. While both offer battery protection, RBM is controlled via an app on the mobile device while CABM is entirely plug-and-play, requiring no software to run. RBM is more precise as the LAVA Tablet Manager app can read the actual battery level and it lets you configure specific charging thresholds. RBM also includes a Network Recovery feature for Ethernet adapters. Meanwhile, CABM is less exact but easier to set up. It turns off charging when the current slows down, as this indicates the device is near a full charge. Check out the RBM and CABM technology pages for more information.
Network Recovery is a component of RBM technology found in LAVA’s top-tier e Series adapters. It can re-establish a wired network connection if it unexpectedly drops out. When the network connection has been unavailable for more than a few minutes, a command is issued to the LAVA adapter requesting the network adapter be reset. It’s the equivalent of unplugging the Ethernet cable and plugging it back in. (The specific length of time the adapter waits before restarting the network connection can be set in the LAVA Tablet Manager app.) For more information on Network Recovery, check out the LAVA Blog.
Power Specifications FAQ
The mobile device can be located up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) away from the LAVA unit.
In some cases the mobile device may be placed up to 1.25 meters (4.1 feet) away from the LAVA unit, but great care must be taken to ensure that sufficient power is being supplied to the mobile device. A power budget and use of LAVA’s Battery Info app is recommended before deployment of the 1.25 meter cable. Do not extend cables beyond 1.25 meters.
OEM and BM-OEM boards should not be used with cables longer than 20 centimetres (8 inches) as the resulting power loss will lead to unreliable device charging and operation.
Available cables for the STS and LTS product families are 20cm (8”), 1m (3.3ft) and 1.25m (4.1ft).
Available cables for the Sync product families are 20cm (8”) and 1m (3.3ft).
Note: The STS and LTS product families use custom cables and cannot be replaced with off the shelf cables. Off the shelf cables will prevent proper unit operation (SimulCharge).
Do not extend the “to tablet” cable. Extension of this cable will introduce further power losses into the system that may result in improper mobile device charging and operation.
“Daisy Chaining” of cables will result in the mobile device being unable to operate in SimulCharge mode and may also lead to improper charge (introduction of power losses in connectors).
The Micro USB cables come in 4 lengths:
- 20 cm (8”)
- 50 cm (20”)
- 100 cm (39”)
- 125 cm (49”)
The most common cables used are the 20 cm (8”) for the OEM and BM-OEM units and the 100 cm (39”)
The USB-C cables come in 2 lengths:
- 20 cm (8”)
- 100 cm (39”)
No. The Micro USB cable supplied is a custom cable designed to decrease the power loss of the cable as well as allow the mobile device to enter SimulCharge Mode.
It is not advisable to create your own USB C cable as all pins need to be used in order to operate in Simulcharge Mode.
This is not an option. You will need to have your LAVA unit within 1 meter (maximum 1.25 meters in some cases) of the mobile device.
Please see “How far away can I place my mobile device from the LAVA unit?” FAQ for a more in depth explanation of why this is not an option.
No. It is essential that you use the mobile device supplied power cable as the supplied power brick is able to compensate for power losses in that cable. This ensures that a stable 5 volts are supplied to the LAVA unit.
If your application requires that the LAVA unit be placed farther away from the AC power source, then the VC or PoE equipped LAVA units should be considered/used.
PoE stands for Power over Ethernet and is an industry term/standard that allows devices to draw power, along with data, through standard Ethernet cabling. Power is low voltage DC with a maximum transmission distance of 100 meters (328 feet). PoE can be applied through PoE capable network switches or through add-on PoE injectors that apply power to the existing Ethernet cable and network.
PoE is an excellent power and data alternative for large installations that are located far from existing AC power sources, as PoE’s low voltage category does not require licensed electricians to install the required infrastructure.
All PoE capable LAVA units are marked with a letter “P” in their name (ex/ eSTS PE).
The PoE Ethernet Port has the ability to receive power from the Network Cable. All power for the LAVA unit, mobile device charging, and attached USB accessories are provided by the PoE-Ethernet Port.
PoE capable LAVA products resolve the problem of getting power to the mobile device and peripherals. The PoE specification allows the powered device to be up to 330 feet (100 meters) from the Network Switch or PoE Injector.
Deploying network cabling with PoE support can be significantly cheaper than installing dedicated power lines through a facility.