Using Power Input Configurator

Power Input Configurator 1.4

Overview

When running on the intended target, the Zebra Power Input Configurator (zPIC) displays the power usage of the host device. To adjust a device's power consumption, simply toggle device peripherals on/off (or move its slider, as applicable). Changes to power usage are displayed in real time. When the desired power consumption level is reached, zPIC outputs the settings to a device-specific .json file for distribution to other like devices across an organization. If a variety of power consumption scenarios is possible for one more devices, multiple power configurations can be saved and stored on such devices. On boot-up, zPIC selects the appropriate power profile based on the energy available.

image Components of the KC50 Kiosk and the power consumption of each.
Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

Usage Notes

General Usage

  • Power configuration via zPIC is supported only on "premium" device SKUs. See supported devices.
  • Generally, zPIC is used on a device to generate one or more files to be distributed for remote device configuration. The tool is NOT intended for making in-person adjustments to an individual device's power usage, though it can be used to do so (using the "Apply" function).
  • zPIC senses the power provided to the host device and displays it in the “Current Power Source” field.
  • By default, the current power source is also displayed in the "Configuration Power Source" field. To change the power profile being configured, tap this drop-down field and select another supported profile (e.g. "PoE Class 4").
  • When a different power profile is selected, its power budget and suggested default settings are displayed.
  • As changes are made to the toggles and/or sliders of device components, the power consumption required for the currently selected components is displayed in the “Configuration Power Status” field.
  • Once the desired power consumption is achieved, exporting the config file stores those settings in a .json file named after the device model and the selected power source (similar to those in the image shown above).
  • Do not rename the default names of files saved by zPIC; this ensures proper auto-selection based on power sensed at device startup.

Power Sources

The zPIC app can configure power profiles for the following power sources, as supported by target devices:

  • DC - Direct current supplied by an AC/DC power adapter, sometimes known as a "power brick" or similar.
  • PoE - Power over Ethernet supplied via Cat5e (or higher) network cable and RJ45 jack:
    • PoE class 4: Rated to provide ~ 25.5 watts to a device
    • PoE class 6: Rated to provide ~ 51.0 watts to a device
    • PoE class 8: Rated to provide ~ 71.3 watts to a device
  • USB PD - USB Power Delivery specification provides power via USB-C cable:
    • USB PD 27W: Rated to provide a maximum of 27 watts to a device
    • USB PD 45W: Rated to provide a maximum of 45 watts to a device
    • USB PD 60W: Rated to provide a maximum of 60 watts to a device

Output Files

  • Selecting the Export Action menu ( in upper-right corner) creates a .json file containing the currently displayed power settings for the selected "Power Configuration Source" drop-down menu.
  • Exported files are stored in the /Android/data/com.zebra.powermanagerapp directory on the host device and can be distributed to like target devices using Zebra StageNow or a company's own EMM with Zebra OEMConfig.
  • To simplify file identification, target model number is embedded within exported file names.
  • The .json config files must not be edited by hand, and file names MUST NOT be changed.
  • If no zPIC-generated config file is present for the detected power source type, the OS-default configuration is applied.

Target Devices

  • Only SKUs supporting PoE and/or USB PD can use zPIC and accept configuration files. These are generally the “Premium” KC50 and ZEC500 SKUs.
  • zPIC config files must be created on a device with the same configuration as the intended targets. For example, a 22-inch KC50 is required to generate zPIC files for other 22-inch KC50s.

Toggle Switches

  • zPIC employs toggle switches for device radios, vibration and ports. These controls either turn the feature on (blue) or off (white). If a port is toggled off, it receives no power, and (as applicable) provides NO POWER to devices connected to it (e.g. USB ports).
  • NOTE: While the "GPIO Header" ports appear to be enabled in zPIC for some devices, they are intended for future expansion and are not currently supported.

Sliders

Brightness Slider
  • The “Max Brightness” slider sets the maximum brightness for the target device screen when the device slider appears at its maximum. For example, if this control is set to 50 percent in zPIC, the maximum brightness of a device with this configuration when its slider is set for maximum brightness would be 50 percent. If a device user then slides the brightness on that device to the halfway point, its true brightness would be about 25 percent of its maximum. Values for this setting are approximate.
Volume Slider
  • The “Max Volume” slider controls the “master” volume on the device, setting a ceiling for all device audio streams, including media, notifications and ringer volume (if applicable). Unlike the brightness slider, the audio slider provides a visual indicator of the configured limit along with a physical one. For example, if zPIC is used to set the device volume to 50 percent of its maximum, the volume slider on the configured device cannot move past the halfway point toward its maximum volume.
  • For audio streams previously set at levels LOWER than a zPIC-configured master limit (e.g. through MX Audio Manager), such levels remain unchanged. Levels set HIGHER than the new limit are reduced to (approximately) the maximum set by zPIC.
  • Max Volume settings configured through zPIC take precedence over those set by any other means.

Apply and Export Settings

The zPIC app allows admins to set power-usage preferences for all power-supply scenarios supported by a particular device. When a zPIC-configured device is turned on, Zebra software embedded in the device detects the power being supplied at startup and applies the appropriate zPIC power profile. If no such file exists, the OS-default configuration is applied (see below). The zPIC app can be used to verify that such profiles have been stored on a device simply by selecting each power source from the "Power Configuration Source" drop-down menu in turn, and confirming that the admin-configured settings are displayed for each.

image Use the zPIC Action menu to activate Export and Apply functions, or to expose the zPIC version number.
Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

Important Notes:

  • Config files MUST be created on the same device model as the intended target(s).
  • Files created by the "Apply" function are inaccessible by the device user.
  • Power settings configured using the Apply function DO NOT persist on the device following an Enterprise Reset.
  • To persist zPIC settings files, deploy file(s) using Zebra StageNow and Persist Manager or an EMM system with Zebra OEMConfig.
  • Target devices must be powered off and restarted after receiving a zPIC configuration file for settings to take effect.
  • If no configuration file exists on a device at startup (or if its name was changed), the following default settings are applied:

Using "Apply"

The Apply function saves settings configured in zPIC for use ONLY on the host device (the resulting config files are inaccessible by device users). This allows admins to configure settings for all power sources supported by a device for testing in advance of a deployment, and to conveniently store all desired power profiles on the device.

To use the Apply function:

  1. In the zPIC app, select the "Configuration Power Source" to be configured: image The zPIC app displays all power modes supported by the host device.
    Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  2. Configure power usage settings as desired.

  3. Select "Apply" from the Action menu ( in upper-right corner).
    Current settings are saved to the device.

  4. Power-off and reboot the device.
    Power settings are applied upon reboot based on the power source detected at startup. See note below.

  5. Launch the zPIC app. If starting up with a different power source than the one being tested/configured, select the "Configuration Power Source" again.

  6. Verify that the settings applied in Step 3 match those appearing in the app now.

  7. Repeat Steps 1–6 until all desired power profiles are created and verified.

For the most accurate test results, Zebra recommends matching the power source of the test device with the power profile being tested.

Using "Export"

The "Export" function allows zPIC configuration (.json) files to be saved for deployment to devices across an enterprise. For organizations with differing power scenarios, multiple config files can be stored on devices, with the appropriate profile selected automatically at startup. This also can be useful for manually configuring small groups of test devices without having to locally administer each one using the Apply function.

To export settings for deployment:

  1. On a device with power settings configured as desired, select "Export" from the Action menu ( in upper-right corner).

  2. Using an Android file app or device browser, navigate to the device location below to find the saved config file(s):
       /sdcard/Android/data/com.zebra.powerinputconfigurator/files image Android file browser showing multiple KC50 config files.
    Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  3. Copy the desired file(s) onto the host computer.
    DO NOT CHANGE THE NAME OF THE CONFIG FILE

  4. Deploy the config files using StageNow or EMM system.

Zebra strongly recommends thorough testing of all configuration files on devices identical to the intended targets before wider deployment.

Also See