Contents

Cover StoryRevolutionary Two-Chip Multi-Core Processing

Published byAdvantech Co., Ltd.

PublisherMiller Chang

AddressNo.1, Alley 20, Lane 26, Rueiguang Road, Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan 114Tel +886-2-2792-7818Website www.advantech.com/Embcore

Editorial SupervisorEmbedded Core Group

Editorial CommitteeLinda TsaiMacro ChenAaron Su Sandy ChenVictor HuangCL ChiangChiwen.LinEthan ChenTones YenTawei Wang Bing ChenSamantha ChiangMandy ChenIrene ChangMartin MarshallMiles OdonnolRichard Ponce

Emb’Core is published forADVANTECH Co., Ltd. by Interculture Custom Media. All rights reserved.Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

Viewpoint

Cover Story

Technology Forum

Design-in Services

Case Studies

Product News

Moving Toward a Better Future 03

Revolutionary Two-Chip Multi-Core Processing 04

Comprehensive range of embedded boards based onIntel Atom/Core i7 processors

SUSI Software API 12

Simplifying hardware & software integration

Integrating a Railway Display System for Trains 18

2010 Star Product Selection Guide 20

Advantech eSOS 14

Emergency secondary OS for system recovery

Experience Point-of-Service Omnipresence 16

Advantech offers full-service design and product support

Intelligent Management Solutions – iManager for COM Integration and Improved Reliability 08

Under Pressure – Ruggedized Solutions for Mission-Critical Operating Environments 10

Please verify specifications before quoting. This guide is intended for reference purposes only.All product specifications are subject to change without notice.No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise,without prior written permission of the publisher.All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.© Advantech Co., Ltd. 2009

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Moving Toward a

Better FutureFor the direct benefit of customers, and to promote an understanding of the great variety of Advantech offerings, in 2010 we will organize a global event called ADF (Advantech Embedded Design-in Forum), with at least ten seminars in major cities around the world, and will also arrange more than 200 customized training courses called Solution Days, which will include a set of programs modularized according to customers’ needs. Each ADF will include several topics: Embedded Platforms and Solutions, Modular Board Design Services, Embedded Software Services, Telecom Applications, and LCD and Touch Technologies.

At the Advantech Embedded Design-in Forums, we expect that they will represent an important change and evolution for our company and perhaps the embedded industry. Many senior and technical experts will participate in these forums and share their experiences. Together with Advantech’s ecosystem partners, including Intel, Microsoft, and Phoenix Technologies, we will introduce next-generation embedded design technologies, trends and practical tools, to attending global embedded development engineers and systems integrators. In addition, we will invite leading technology partners to showcase service-oriented embedded technologies, products, applications and solutions. Advantech sincerely invites engineers, product managers, and program managers to participate with us in this cutting-edge technology event to “Discover Today, Design Tomorrow.”

Miller ChangAdvantech Embedded Core Group Director

s modern society has evolved, customers’ needs have become increasingly diverse. Even something as simple

as buying a cup of coffee, a large variety of different needs and requests are presented. As a provider, we must listen and respond to customer needs, undergoing change along the way. We all know that change is good. We know that our industry thrives on change, and those changes are often exciting and point towards a better future. Of course some customers may not yet feel it’s time to change, and may ask, “Why should we change, everything works fine!” The biggest reason is simply that change improves business efficiency.

Over the past 20 years, Advantech has promised to provide customers with a full range of embedded products in accordance with this concept of improving business efficiency; therefore we continue to find ways to do more. The complete series of embedded platforms, including PC104, Computer on Modules, 3.5” and 5.25” Single Board Computers, and Industrial Motherboards are the best proof of our commitment, and still we are working to find ways to be more productive, more efficient and more innovative. Advantech still supplies many kinds of form factor boards, but we have changed our service model from passive support to active participation. Beyond the mere selling of boards, Advantech provides plenty of software and firmware services. Our new business model, Embedded Core Services, includes full participation with the customer in the design phase from: planning, board design, design validation, and system integration phases—all the way to mass production. At each stage, the customer can find services exactly suited to their needs.

One of those innovative services is Intelligent Manager, also called iManager. This is an advanced service based on Advantech SUSI (Secure & Unified Smart Interface) API software. An onboard chip monitors hardware and software and maintains certain functions even if the operating system crashes. iManager contains five main modules including: power saving, monitoring, hotkey, video brightness, and security. These functions simplify, enhance, and provide for efficient hardware and software application integration. Through this new embedded chip, system integrators can implement design advantages, such as simplifying system upgrades, enhancing system stability, providing intelligent board protection, higher security, and easier design configuration. All these benefits improve customers’ business efficiency, and the quality of their embedded products.

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Revolutionary Two-ChipMulti-Core ProcessingComprehensive Range of Embedded Boards Based on Intel Atom/Core i7 Processors

arewell to 2009! In 2010, Advantech has already launched a full range of embedded products with unique low power

and high performance features that take advantage of Intel’s newest Atom and Core i7 multi core processors that feature a revolutionary 2-chip architecture. With these innovative offerings, Advantech delivers cutting edge technology that gives customers an even greater competitive edge.

As 2010 unfolds in the embedded computer industry, Advantech is searching for new directions in the embedded market. In recent years Advantech has seen many new technologies and applications developed in the embedded market. Traditionally, the embedded market contains a small niche range of products and applications, but that is growing into an ever broader range of applications and markets. Apart from traditional applications in: measurement, digital signage, industrial control, network security and medical fields, newer applications have appeared, including smart phones, STB, VoIP products, automobile communication systems, digital home appliances, mobile internet devices, e-books and GPS products. These huge business opportunities result in more technology companies paying more attention to the embedded market, and they are putting a lot of effort into research and development for related products. Last year, Intel announced that they are very optimistic about the embedded market, and that they planned to release several processors for the embedded market one after another.

The embedded market continues to grow and evolve as suppliers look to offer broader and more complete integrated solutions across the development, deployment, and management of embedded devices/systems. Regardless of what type of system or device is being developed, the requirements of quality optimization, performance, manageability, and better efficiency will still be the most important features. Recently, Intel released their low power and high performance multi-core Atom and Core i7 processors with revolutionary 2-chip architecture. And in conjuction, Advantech has launched a new full range of embedded boards based on this new generation of processors. The reason Advantech can so rapidly introduce such new products is because we run an “early design-in” program in order to provide computing platforms with the latest technology and value-added services.

F To meet the goal of a faster time-to-market, last year Advantech created a series of key initiatives which will enable customers to enter their design cycles ahead of schedule. These initiatives include a kick-off focused design team, unification of component usage, design unification to facilitate BIOS/ software API implementation, customer samples for early design-win projects, and engineer resource optimization to shorten the debug phase, etc. Although customers are not involved in Advantech’s internal design phase, the great benefit for them is that Advantech are able to provide many new products with the latest technology ahead of schedule. Moreover, the new initiatives ensure that the first sample delivered to the customer incorporates the latest technology.

Low Power Technology with Intel Atom Processor

Based on the Intel’s disclosure, the new generation of Atom processors will feature a change from the current three chip platform architecture to two-chip. This will result in smaller designs that are more efficient from power and cooling standpoints, and will enable smaller form factor designs with adequate I/O feature sets. This brings the benefit of helping developers offer greater performance, innovation and capability in their embedded solutions.

The Luna Pier platform adopts the latest Intel Atom 45nm single/dual core solution, which integrates the CPU and the graphics and memory controller onto one single die, thus enhancing the graphic performance while reducing the total package size. The Luna Pier platform is empowered by Enhanced Intel SpeedStep, C-state and Dynamic L2 cache sizing technology, which enables much better power saving while providing top performance and rich I/O capability-meaning the new platform can do more with less power.

Atom Processor-based PlatformsAdvantech utilizes Intel Atom processors as the core of many of its low power products. This combines the best efficiency in performance versus power, which is ideal for applications where small size, low power consumption, and thermal efficiency are important. Providing targeted performance for a wide variety of embedded application projects, Advantech has already developed a comprehensive range of platforms based on the new Atom processors.

Photos by AdvantechText by Advantech Embedded Core Product Division

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PCM-3362PC/104 CPU Module

■ Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz Processor and DDR2 667 SDRAM up to 2 GB■ Supports extended temperature -40 ~ 85° C■ Standard 96 x 90 mm dimension and PC/104- Plus expansion connector■ On board 2 GB flash (4 GB optional)■ Supports embedded software APIs and Utilities■ Software API: Watchdog/GPIO/Hardware Monitor/I2C/ Brightnes/Backlight on/off/Speedstep/throttling■ Software Utility: Monitoring/eSOS/Embedded Security ID

PCM-93623.5” SBC

■ Embedded Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz/D510 1.66 GHz processor + ICH8M■ Intel Gen 3.5 DX9, MPEG2 decoder in HW, multiple displays: CRT, 18-bit LVDS■ Supports 12 V or 5 V input power■ 2 Intel Gigabit Ethernet support, rich I/O interface with 4 COM, 2 SATA, 6 USB ports , GPIO■ Supports extended temperature -20 ~ 80° C■ Supports embedded software APIs and utilities

AIMB-212Mini-ITX

■ Supports Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz/D510 1.66 GHz processor + ICH8M ■ One 200-pin SODIMM, up to 2 GB DDR2 667 MHz SDRAM■ Supports 1 PCI and 1 Mini-PCIe expansion, 6 serial ports, 8 USB, and CF■ Lower total cost of ownership with DC12V support■ Supports embedded software APIs and utilities

board size, is the most suitable solution for personal handheld applications. The COM-Micro SOM-6763 and ETX 3.0 SOM-4463 will be ready at the end of Q1, 2010. For Single Board Computers (SBC), the 3.5” PCM-9362, 5.25” PCM-9562, and PC/104 CPU module PCM-3362 are all available for compact application development.

Advantech will also be introducing a new industrial motherboard, the AIMB-212, which will bring Atom efficiency to the Mini-ITX motherboard class. Finally, Advantech offers the half-size SBC PCI-7031 for highly expandable applications. Advantech not only provides a comprehensive range of Atom-based embedded boards, but also multi OS support, including Windows 7, XPe, WinCE, QNX, and Linux. Plus, a variety of Intelligent software API’s are bundled with Advantech Atom-based boards to facilitate application development.

SOM-7562COM-Ultra CPU Module

■ Embedded Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz processor + ICH8M■ Intel Gen 3.5 DX9, MPEG2 decoder in HW, supports 18-bit LVDS, VGA■ Supports 512 MB on-board memory and 1/2 GB on-board Flash■ Supports 5 PCIe x 1, LPC, 3 SATAII, 8 USB 2.0, GbE■ Supports embedded software APIs and utilities

SOM-6763COM-Micro CPU Module

■ Embedded Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz/D510 1.66 GHz processor + ICH8M■ Intel Gen 3.5 DX9, MPEG2 Decoder in HW, supports 18- bit LVDS, VGA■ Supports 2 DDR2-667 memory SODIMM sockets up to 4 GB■ Supports 5 PCIe x 1, 4 PCI masters, LPC, 3 SATAII, 8 USB 2.0, EIDE, GbE■ Supports embedded software APIs and Utilities

SOM-4463ETX CPU Module

■ Embedded Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz/D510 1.66 GHz processor + ICH8M■ Intel Gen 3.5 DX9, MPEG2 decoder in HW, multiple display: VGA, 18-bit LVDS■ Supports 4 PCI masters■ Supports 2 SATAII ports, 4 USB2.0 ports, ISA■ Supports embedded software APIs and Utilities

The Advantech Atom processor-based platforms range from Computer On Modules, to 3.5”/5.25” Single Board Computers, to Industrial Motherboards. These low power platforms provide targeted performance for energy-efficient and environmentally responsible solutions and serve a wide range of applications that include: POS, kiosk, digital signage, medical, and factory automation.

Full Spectrum of Atom-based Embedded Platforms Advantech developed a new series of embedded platforms in various form factors that include: Computer On Modules, Single Board Computers and Industrial Motherboards. The Advantech COM-Ultra SOM-7562, with a mere 84 x 55 mm

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PCI-7031PCI Half-Sized SBC

■ Ultra low power, fanless N450 CPU and 1 GB on- board DDR2 667 memory (Only for N SKU)■ Dual core high performance D510 CPU and maximum 2 GB DDR2 667 memory (Only for D SKU)■ VGA/LVDS dual video outputs■ Optional module for 4 x RS-485/422 w/ auto-flow control■ Supports embedded software APIs and utilities

PCM-9562EBX SBC

■ Supports Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz/D510 1.66 GHz processor + ICH8M■ Design complies with UL60601 on LAN3 and COM6 port isolation■ Up to 3 Intel GbE Ethernet, 2 Watchdog timer support■ Power off protection and Software I2C API support ■ Supports embedded software APIs and utilities

High Performance Technology with Intel Core i7 Processor

With faster, intelligent multi-core technology that dynamically applies processing power where it’s needed most, Intel Core i7 processors deliver an incredible breakthrough in system performance and performance-per-watt. According to Intel’s announcement, there are two kinds of chipsets, Q57/3450 and QM57, which are suitable for the Core i7 processors. The first one called Piketon, is for desktop platforms and the second one called Calpella, is for mobile platforms.

Intel Q57/3450 Chipset with Core i7 Processors Piketon is the next generation computing platform supporting Intel’s latest Core i7/i5 processors, based on 32nm technology and designed with the new two-chip architecture. Based on the brand new Lynnfield/Clarkdale micro architecture; and integration of the CPU, north bridge and graphics core in one chip; Core i7/i5 processors deliver ultimate performance with maximum 8-thread processing capability and support DDR3 1333MHz memory up to 16 GB. The two-chip architecture also reduces board design complexity and increases reliability. Piketon also offers PCI-Express Gen 2.0 ports for discrete graphics and I/O interfaces for high-bandwidth add-on cards. With ultimate computing power for multi-task processing and strong I/O capability, Piketon is really an ideal platform for todays industrial applications.

Intel QM57 Chipset with Core i7 ProcessorsCalpella is the new generation mobile platform designed for 32nm architecture. It includes modular & scalable clocking to improve energy efficiency by enabling the core, memory system and I/O to work at different voltage and frequency speeds. Calpella is able to bring higher performance and more energy efficiency for portable applications. Calpella

also utilizes the new architecture with the Integrated Memory Controller (IMC) and graphics core on the same chip, along with display ports, and the Intel Management Engine which is integrated into the PCH. This helps break through the performance limitations of graphics, memory and I/O interfaces on old generation solutions and opens mobile applications up to new possibilities.

Core i7 Processor-based PlatformsAdvantech will provide a new series of embedded boards based on the new Intel Core i7 processor. The Intel Core i7 processor provides outstanding performance that meets the requirements of the market segments Advantech serves. Advantech has taken advantage of such technology to furnish a series of products that can meet multiple requirements such as fanless or compact systems.

The Intel Core i7 processor-based platforms by Advantech range from Computer On Modules, to Single Board Computers, to Industrial Motherboards. These high-end platforms provide targeted performance for multi-tasking and high-quality digital media solutions. They serve a wide range of applications that include: telecom, factory automation, military, medical and gaming.

A Series of Embedded Boards with the Core i7 ProcessorUtilizing the Intel Core i7 processor and the Intel QM57 Express chipset-based platform, Advantech has developed a new series of embedded platforms in various form factors including Computer On Modules, and Industrial Motherboards. The Advantech COM-Express SOM-5788, with a rich graphics interface and great performance, is the most suitable solution

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AIMB-580mATX

■ Supports Intel Core i7/i5/i3/ Pentium processors with Q57 chipset■ Four DIMM sockets support up to 16 GB DDR3 800/1066/1333■ Supports dual display VGA and DVI and dual GbE LAN■ Supports SATA RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, AMT 6.0, TPM 1.2 (optional)■ Supports embedded software APIs and utilities

AIMB-780ATX

■ Supports Intel Core i7/i5/ i3/Pentium/Xeon processors with Q57/3450 chipset■ Four DIMM sockets support up to 16 GB DDR3 800/1066/1333■ Supports dual display VGA and DVI and dual GbE LAN■ Supports SATA RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, AMT6.0, TPM1.2 (Optional)■ Supports embedded Software APIs and utilities

PCE-5125PICMG 1.3

■ LGA 1156 Intel Core i7/i5/i3/ Pentium/Xeon CPUs.■ Dual Channel (ECC) DDR3 1333 MHz up to 8 GB■ Supports PCE-7000 and 5000 series backplanes■ VGA and DVI dual display■ Supports embedded software APIs and utilities

AIMB-270 Mini-ITX

■ Supports Intel Core i7 and i5 mobile processors (PGA) with Intel QM57 chipset■ Supports dual display DVI, LVDS, VGA and Second DVI ■ Supports PCIe x 16 (Gen 2) and mini PCIe■ Supports AMT6.0 and software RAID 0, 1, 5, 10■ Supports embedded software APIs and Utilities

SOM-5788COM-Express CPU Module

■ Embedded Intel Core i7/i5 processors + Ibexpeak-M QM57■ Intel GMA supports 18/24-bit LVDS, HDMI, Display port, TV-out, VGA■ Supports 2 DDR3 800/1066 memory SODIMM sockets up to 8 GB■ Supports 1 PCIex16, 6 PCIex1, 4 PCI masters, 4 SATAII, 8 USB 2.0, EIDE, GbE■ Supports embedded software APIs and utilities

AIMB-280Mini-ITX

■ Supports Intel Core i7/i5/i3/ Pentium processors with Q57 chipset■ One DIMM socket supported up to 4 GB DDR3 800/1066/1333■ Supports dual display VGA and DVI and dual GbE LAN■ Supports 2 COM, 8 USB, and 4 SATA■ Supports embedded software APIs and utilities

for graphics intensive and dual display applications. Advantech will also be introducing a new industrial motherboard, the AIMB-270, which will bring top performance with power savings to the Mini-ITX motherboard class.

Advantech is also releasing four other industrial motherboard products based on the Intel Core i7 processor. These include: Advantech’s Mini-ITX motherboard AIMB-280, MicroATX

motherboard AIMB-580, ATX motherboard AIMB-780, and the PICMG 1.3 SBC - PCE-5125. All of these products provide superb all-round performance, expandability, and versatility for a wide range of applications. Advantech not only provides the most comprehensive range of embedded boards, but also multi OS support, including Windows 7, XPe, and Linux. Plus, Advantech’s intelligent software API’s (SUSI) are bundled with Advantech boards to facilitate application development.

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Intelligent Management Solutions – iManager for COM Integration and Improved Reliability

ystem integrators are constantly confronted by clients from various vertical industries, their demands

constantly changing with the ever-progressing march of technology. These tasks can understandably overwhelm system integrators’ efficiency. Advantech’s iManager for COM is a perfect solution that provides a standardized API, integrating several unique functions needed by embedded system integrators to help lighten the design load and speed their products’ time-to-market.

System integrators are positioned on the frontline to directly deal with customers in the industrial control systems supply chain. One of the job descriptions for integrators, therefore, is that they must have client-driven, vertical industry savvy, and systems expertise. Application programs in every system are the collaboration of both. In the OS, however, client-centric customization isn’t necessary for certain functional

programs; yet integrators have to produce the same programs repeatedly. Advantech’s iManager for COM therefore fits the bill to expand the original hardware design service further, to incorporate firmware management, becoming a trusty ally to minimize project development difficulty.

Better Stability Starts with Hardware “iManager for COM” is a relatively new thinking in industrial computing; but Advantech is no stranger to this, because SUSI (Secure & Unified Smart Interface) – is a combined suite of API for efficient hardware & software application implementation that preceded iManager for COM approximately four years ago, and was bred from the same idea.

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Photos by AdvantechInterview conducted by Wen RunInterview with Advantech Embedded CoreProduct Manager, Aaron Su and CL Chiang

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SUSI is an OS-embedded software, allowing program writers to easily administer control of: displays, monitoring, power-saving and security functions via the API. SUSI has helped a number of clients complete many vertical industry-oriented systems designs; yet since it operates directly in the OS, it’s susceptible to breakdowns when the client’s OS fails. That’s why Advantech introduced “iManager for COM.”

iManager for COM is an effective continuation of SUSI’s API and then some – the biggest difference between them lies in access. SUSI is subject to the OS, while iManager for COM is a built-in solution on the chip to integrate both soft- and hardware for greater operating efficiency. In other words, even if the OS fails, iManager for COM can still function normally to provide watertight protection for applications.

iManager for COM’s Four Major BenefitsiManager for COM delivers four major benefits: simplified integration, enhanced system reliability, secured system, and easy configuration. iManager for COM’s unified software API can spare system integrators the resource and time to conduct software design modifications in full during system upgrades and carrier board replacements; the original systems remain as functional as ever. All the kernels are built-in during system integration, so all developers have to do is to string them together. For system reliability, iManager for COM embedded on the carrier board is not susceptible to OS crashes. During overheating or abnormal voltage spikes, iManager for COM is programmed to take measures (such as automatic shutdowns) to protect the systems; also, eSOS - an Emergency Secondary OS for system recovery is in place to run an automatic diagnosis on the hardware when remote systems crash. eSOS then fires an email to notify the distant manager. The system manager can thus get the lowdown of the situation to decide whether a reboot is necessary.

iManager for COM is also powered with robust hardware monitoring mechanisms, among which is Smart Fan, where the control program is embedded into the board’s chip independently to enhance stability, so the client can easily adjust the fan’s speed. In general, applications are subject to possible failures if the board overheats, so the fan is generally programmed to start running as soon as the systems are activated until they are shut down. iManager for COM, however, is designed with a Smart Fan to monitor system temperatures, and it starts running only when the temperature reaches the preset value, and stops when the temperature drops below that value. With this feature a systems’ stability can be dramatically increased to better conserve energy and minimize noise.

For security concerns, iManager for COM has designated-in a space so integrators can store important data there, with additional encryption on the chip. In older versions, encryption was placed in the BIOS, but iManager for COM now provides an additional layer of encryption for double protection,

rendering it a perfect complement for financial and medical industries, where security demands to protect sensitive data are high. Also, iManager for COM is designed with a graphical interface to facilitate system design configurations, while significantly cutting down iManager’s event setting time.

A Shift in Market Positioning Tightens Supply and DemandAdvantech’s market position has undergone many adjustments over the course of many years. The company has evolved from a simple industrial computing products supplier of the past, to become a trusted partner for its clients in the industrial computing industry. This shift in role is mirrored in Advantech’s product designs. For the market, industrial computing products have been classified as hardware-centric. Stereotypical thinking about industrial computer suppliers is that, they are only responsible for delivering hardware products; and even if the suppliers make software assistance available, such assistance is mostly confined to a limited number of customization services, such as the provision of an API. As a matter of fact, most of the industrial computer suppliers have made API services available, only these APIs are restricted to rather narrow applications; but Advantech has included a variety of general functions across-the-board, such as Advanced Watchdog, Hardware Monitoring, Multicontrol Interface, Data Security Area, Unified Software API/Utility, Brightness Control, Board Information, BIOS Flash Utility, Software Protection, and Advantech eSOS. All these functions have been built into iManager for COM.

The inclusion of these functions signifies that Advantech is not viewing the market as a simple hardware supplier; rather a company that considers itself a reliable partner to systems suppliers when designing products. Both SUSI and iManager were launched with that corporate philosophy in mind. These two solutions offer unified configurations and versatile APIs. And because system integrators have to heed the demands of clients while acknowledging hardware designs, they often fail to cover API considerations. The launch of SUSI was a much needed breather for integrators as a result. Rather than settling for SUSI’s success, Advantech introduced iManager for COM to make up for what SUSI was lacking—expediting system design efficiency.

Advantech understands the crucial role it plays in the industrial computing supply chain to address numerous demands and provide necessary solutions so that all can benefit from its latest customer-oriented offerings. And in doing so, it’s fulfilling its role as the world’s leading, professional industrial computer maker. The introduction of iManager for COM is more than the integration of hard-/software technologies, it’s about understanding its relationship with the clients; and by virtue of expanding its service scope, Advantech can forge a closer partnership with valued customers.

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ithin the IPC sector, it’s a given that industrial computers and systems be able to operate reliably and

steadily in mission-critical environments. For these industrial systems, heat is the bane of system stability. Other elements, such as vibration, shock, humidity, and corrosion also pose threats to product dependability. IPC makers are hard-pressed to find proper solutions to these thorny issues.

Early industrial computers were used primarily in construction engineering for a wide array of applications. With the unprecedented progress made in IT, industrial equipment is also being reinvented, with applications being extended to ever new industries. Though application systems needed by these sectors vary, several fundamental prerequisites remain uniform across them all, and a wide range of operating temperatures is one of them.

Wide Temperature Range Models Now in the Spotlight in Ordinary Applications Advantech’s Embedded Core project manager Victor Huang states that the current demands for wide operating temperature range models can be grouped roughly into four application categories: first - outdoor installations where air-conditioning is absent, particularly areas where temperatures are severely low (such as northern European regions) or blisteringly high (deserts, tropical regions etc); second - enclosed spaces where heat is generated, such as boiler stations or foundries; third - transport facilities, such as fleet management systems; and finally, mission-critical environments, for instance, aeronautics or aviation facilities, military engineering, or oil

drilling rigs. These applications often have additional design requirements for improved operability such as: pressure and water resistance, or having anti-corrosive fittings.

Though the demand for wide temperature range solutions are consistent across these industries, the exact specifications do vary. Facilities in northern Europe may require -40° C in the low temperature operation range, while application demands in enclosed spaces such as power stations, or in hot/dry, or humid/tropical areas might demand a high temperature model that can withstand an ambient temperature of 70° C. Wide temperature range designs can be divided into two models: -20° C ~ 80° C and -40° C ~ 85° C, depending on user demands.

Advantech boasts superbly outfitted labs for product testing. Upon passing the tests, the products are given a stamp of approval. The process itself is rigorously administered in ISO-accredited labs (ISO9001, ISO14001, and ISO17025), making Advantech products recognizably a cut above the competition.

Extreme Refinement - Tested to the LimitsVictor Huang explains that several tests await the products when they’re delivered to Advantech’s labs. Thermal shock is first, and is performed on products for a number of hours under a full-load burn in test; temperature cycles from - 40° C to 85° C at a predetermined rate of change. The test includes several boot-ups and shutdowns at both high and low temperatures. Finally, a Manufacture Validation Test is administered to ensure that all products are 100% qualified before delivery. These two tests act as gatekeepers in ensuring wide temperature model reliability.

Victor Huang says two things must be factored in for the systems to fulfill wide operating temperature range requirements. The first is case design. For dustproof purposes, most industrial computers are now structurally airtight and fanless, with thermal management carefully engineered to maintain reliable computer operation. The other element is the choice of motherboard components, such as processors, clock generators, and power modules, the specifications of which have to be accredited or tested for specific use.

Under Pressure –Ruggedized Solutions for Mission-Critical Operating Environments Photos by Advantech

Interview conducted by Wen RunInterview with Advantech Embedded Core Product Manager, Victor Huang

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Before a motherboard is assembled, Advantech’s technicians use FloTHERM for thermal energy simulations. A standard thermal simulation tool, FloTHERM is powerful 3D computational fluid dynamics software that predicts airflow and heat transfer in and around electronic equipment. Optimal component configurations are determined based on the results of these simulation tests.

Advantech’s other master touch is integrating value-added software into wide temperature range solutions. Wide temperature range solutions are mostly used in unmanned environments where overheating can cause system crashes and other failures. In these situations, the Hardware Monitoring Utility (HMU) sends an alarm via email to alert administrators for maintenance. The utility can be integrated with power saving functions, so in the event of overheating, the HMU mechanically lowers CPU frequency, and alerts administrators. Advantech’s HMU has been proven to work well with the current wide temperature range solutions. Advantech also offers a variety of API (Application Program Interface), with functions such as hardware monitor, watchdog timer, I2C, SMBUS, power saving support, and GPIO. All API are ready for clients to integrate and configure into their own applications to help optimize wide temperature range solutions in rugged and extreme environments.

Other than wide temperature solutions, Advantech conducts vibration and shock testing, performing random vibration tests at 5 Hz to 500 Hz with vibration in the X/Y as well as the Z-axis—simulating typical shock and vibration scenarios during transportation. The test also helps to check component solder attachments to ensure high reliability. Advantech also provides conformal coating services for waterproofing, dust proofing, and even anti-corrosive protection for seafaring and oil rig applications—acrylic, and silicon coatings are available. Acrylic, for example, is excellent for waterproofing purposes, and silicon great for anti-corrosive use. Advantech’s conformal coating services come with a two-year, post-sale guarantee; products have to pass all quality checks before delivery, so customers are spared the trouble of searching for contractors. Rigorous tests are implemented, from component selection to system structural design, to ensure that clients receive substantially built products.

Smart Utilization of R & D Capabilities to Maximize ResourcesVictor Huang says that heat spells doom for system stability in every operating environment. Regular, consumer-grade PC systems face likely crashes when the internal temperature reaches above 50° C. Industrial facilities without specific wide temperature range processing equipment encounter application failures at 60° C. Low temperatures, on the other hand, pose less threat to the systems; but extreme cold temperatures of greater than -10° C for example, makes reliable system boot-up difficult.

In the meantime, heat is still the number one hazard to system stability – a crucial factor in IT facility spec designs. There is no such thing as a set of standard specs for industrial-grade computers, hence the lack of an internationally recognized set of benchmarks. And industrial computer makers are faced with a myriad of demands from different industries and applications, which require delivery of custom-manufactured features and services for many products.

Victor Huang stressed that environments where industrial-grade equipment is installed – usually inside a plant or outdoors - are usually harsher than those for consumer products, and thus a set of specific standards are required for measuring equipment reliability, capability, ruggedness, and customer-specific stability. For suppliers, product reliability is the result of extensive experience, the by-product of many trial and error attempts. Yet given the limited demand for industrial-grade equipment, makers must undergo an intensive learning process to deliver substantially trustworthy products. These consistency and reliability tests therefore become the quality benchmarks and standards. Advantech’s wide temperature range testing, for example, is the outcome of years of problem-solving experiences, created to meet the demands of this unique industry.

To sum up, Victor Huang states that wide temperature range models will become increasingly prevalent in industrial-grade product designs. When considering product architecture, system integrators and industrial product users are advised to consult reputable suppliers, enlisting their experiences to cut both down time and costs on research and development.

Design-in Services

12 Design-in Services

SUSI Software APISimplifying Hardware & Software Integration

f you are a software developer or a system integrator, you are probably familiar with the following problem: You are

writing an application that requires direct hardware access. Unfortunately, that access is no longer available in modern operating systems. So you have to locate and study reams of specifications to write the appropriate drivers, and that is a complex and time-consuming job. To ease the burden, Advantech has created SUSI (Secure and Unified Smart Interface), a suite of application program interfaces that allows users to directly monitor and control digital I/O, I2C, CPU stepping speed, watchdog timers, and smart fans, and gives access to hardware monitoring sensors.

The idea behind the SUSI unified interface is not only to provide the required drivers, but also a set of user-friendly interface tools that offer genuine added value by enhancing security and reducing development time. The building block APIs provided by SUSI make it simpler and easier to integrate Advantech embedded platforms with customer applications .

What Can SUSI Do For You?SUSI offers a variety of control and monitoring functions as well as direct access to functions such as display backlight and brightness.

With SUSI, developers have direct access to GPIO functions that control buttons, switches, LED lights, and similar digital I/O devices. SUSI APIs also provide programmable GPIO functionality to allow developers to dynamically set GPIO input and output status. The SUSI System Management Bus (SMBus) API makes it easy to interface a Windows XP or Windows CE device with embedded systems and enable multiple simultaneous device control via serial message transfer. A functionally similar SUSI API is available for systems using the bi-directional, two-wire I2C bus.

SUSI provides a variety of monitoring functions. Real-time hardware monitoring provides two benefits. One is the generation of warnings or shutdowns if critical temperatures are reached. A second is continuous, real-time information on temperature, fans, voltage and other variables. These systems may use watchdog timers (WDTs) that perform specific operations if something goes wrong with the system. Watchdog timers can be programmed, for example, to initiate a reboot when an application or system hangs or otherwise fails to respond for a predetermined time. SUSI facilitates access to watchdog timers, includes hardware monitors, and even offers a direct hardware control API to set pulse width modulation values.

With display brightness playing an important role in embedded system functionality, security, and power efficiency,

SUSI also offers brightness control and backlight APIs that allow developers

to easily control brightness, include auto-brightness, assign

video control hotkeys, or turn displays on and off.

Photos by AdvantechText by Advantech Embedded Core Product Division

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13Design-in Services

Software API (SUSI) Produces Better and More Reliable Products, with Faster Time-to-MarketWhat tangible benefits does a set of APIs such as Advantech’s SUSI offer to developers?

Time to MarketNot having to delve into chipset hardware specs and develop drivers for each new board and application reduces the overall project effort and means quicker time to market and therefore profit.

Enhanced Hardware Reliability Use of SUSI APIs can help reduce heat and power consumption, resulting in increased reliability. It allows the setup of warning mechanisms, event triggers, display adjustments, and other critical settings and actions that enhance overall system reliability and lower maintenance requirements.

Flexible UpgradesNew functions and settings can easily be implemented via SUSI and new versions of SUSI; no need to rewrite the entire application.

Bottom line is that with SUSI, Advantech is providing a set of secure and unified drivers and APIs so that application programmers can more easily access the hardware functions in different operating systems and on different Advantech embedded hardware platforms. This frees developers to concentrate on the project at hand, saves development time, increases security, and provides backward compatibility.

What Platforms Does SUSI Support?SUSI currently supports Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP Pro, and XP Home on a large variety of Advantech industrial motherboards, single board computers based on different standards, CPU modules, System on Modules, Panel PCs, embedded box computers, and medical computing

platforms. For a complete list of supported platforms and the SUSI functions available on them, check www.advantech.com.tw/ess/Support-List-XPe.asp.

What Does The SUSI Package Include?All SUSI packages include a setup.exe file for installation, a detailed user manual in PDF form, SUSI .lib and .dll library files, SUSI include header files, and a SUSI demo application including source code. Depending on the platform, the package may also include additional programs such as the SUSIHotkey.exe VGA control hotkey utility that starts automatically and provides users with easy access to display functions.

The SUSI demo application introduces programmers to the functions that are available on a particular hardware platform, as well as the configurable parameters for each function. The SUSIDemo.exe file comes with complete C# source code and can run on Windows XP as well as Windows CE.

Hardware Control Functions Available Through SUSI

Boot Loggerprovides board information, reboot times, OS run time, and a variety of CPU throttling features Watchdog pecifies timeout values that start a countdown to an action trigger (such as a reboot)

Programmable GPIOreads and writes pin status and also allows pin direction change

SMBus/I2Cselects protocol, sets slave addresses and register offsets, and allows read/write operations

VGA Controlcontrols a variety of on/off and brightness settings

Hardware Monitorretrieves voltage, temperature and fan sensor values

Hardware Controlprovides Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control overparameters such as fan speed, panel brightness, etc.

Design-in Services

14 Design-in Services

Advantech eSOSEmergency Secondary OS for System Recovery

ne of the primary advantages of embedded systems is their reliability. They usually run 24/7 without the

need for maintenance, and that’s what many mission-critical embedded applications require. Unfortunately, unanticipated problems can still happen and then it is of crucial importance to quickly determine what went wrong.

What happens when a system goes down? Sometimes staff is at hand and can assess and repair the problem. Or there might be replacement hardware. Other times, a failing system is in a remote location without ready access. What can a system integrator do? Using IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) or other remote monitoring utilities can help, but they are not always efficient or feasible. A better answer is Advantech’s eSOS system rescue embedded software utility.

Advantech eSOS to the Rescue!eSOS is a small Linux-based secondary operating system that is stored in the ROM of the embedded system hardware. eSOS is therefore completely separate from the primary operating system and software, and unaffected by any problems the main OS may encounter. Even if the crash is caused by hardware problems, eSOS may still be able to boot and provide clues as to what caused the crash and how it might be repaired.

How does eSOS Work?If there is a crash, the system’s watchdog timer will start a countdown and reboot automatically if the count reaches zero. If a regular boot fails, the system will boot into eSOS, which consists of both a bootable OS and a variety of pre-defined diagnostic and repair utilities. Once eSOS has booted, it will then perform extensive hardware analysis on its own. This includes hardware monitor information such as CPU temperature and voltage, ambient temperature, fan speed and voltage, etc. eSOS also examines and records system configuration data such as buffer type and size; PIO, DMA, UDMA modes; cache settings; drive interfaces; timing buffer cache and disk reads, etc. It also examines general system information such as date, time, CPU, memory, and so on. All this data is captured in a log file. eSOS then automatically alerts the designated administrator via email and sends the log with the collected data.

System Recovery with Advantech eSOS:The diagram below shows a normal boot process and one where the primary OS has crashed. If the system crashes or encounters a halt (such as a “blue screen”) during operation, the watchdog timer will first attempt a normal system reboot. After three failures to boot normally, the system will then boot into the BIOS-based eSOS secondary OS. Advantech’s Bootsafe Tech firmware causes an Ubuntu-based Linux image to load and boots the system into recovery mode. The system then runs a variety of diagnostics routines to collect general information into a log file which is automatically emailed to the administrator.

Photos by AdvantechText by Advantech Embedded Core Product Division

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15Design-in Services

The system administrator can peruse this information as well as log in to the crashed system using the Telnet and FTP protocols. Software problems can be fixed remotely, and determination of repair parts (such as a fan) can be made for hardware failures. If local eSOS tools are insufficient to repair the problem, additional repair tools can be uploaded via FTP, such as ghost.exe or a full Windows system restore file to restore or recover the OS. This means that even if the primary OS is not recoverable, an entirely new OS image can be uploaded and installed. Once loaded, the OS and application software can be restored and the system is back to normal.

eSOS is configured via a simple settings file that contains a variety of instructions and parameters.

eSOS System RequirementsThe system must be x86- based, with 16 MB SPI ROM, and running Microsoft Windows XP Professional, XP Embedded, or Windows Embedded Standard. Initial eSOS support was implemented on Advantech’s PCM-9361 Single Board Computer and on the SOM-5761 Computer on Module. Advantech is adding eSOS support for a variety of Intel Atom-based mobile platforms (industrial motherboards, computer on modules, single board computers, and PC/104 systems). Support (including other OS support) is also provided on a project-by-project basis.

Advantech Emergency Secondary OS

■ A secondary OS and set of utilities that help in remote system diagnostics and repair

■ Linux-based eSOS is totally ROM-based and does not require additional hardware

■ eSOS is completely separate from the primary OS and software, and therefore is immune to its problems

■ Even with many hardware problems, eSOS may still be able to boot■ Upon crashing, the watchdog timer first attempts a

regular reboot and then boots into eSOS■ eSOS utilities perform automatic diagnostics and

generate a log■ The log and contact information are emailed to a

system administrator■ The system administrator can log in via telnet and ftp

to analyze the situation and perform repairs■ A remote system can be repaired, restored, or

completely re-installed■ If remote repair impossible, the system administrator

may be able to determine repair parts required

Design-in Services

16 Design-in Services

Experience Point-of-Service

Omnipresence Advantech Offers Full-service Design and Product Support

he colorful overhead displays – be it commercial messages, event reminders or traffic updates - have become a fixture

in Taipei’s cityscape. MRT commuters purchase tokens on the touchscreen ticket dispensers. Visitors to the bank get numbers and wait for their turns while checking out the day’s exchange rates on the display. In the restaurants, waiters work efficiently to take orders and deliver checks. As we go about life’s daily tasks, we may not realize that there’s nothing mundane about the countless point-of-service computers that refine the multiple facets of a modern lifestyle.

Numerous details have to be considered in POS designs due to their ubiquity. That’s why major IPC suppliers want to stake a claim in this strategically profitable territory. To come out a winner, one must find a way to deliver a complete offering of services to POS facility makers, and deliver it promptly.

Due to the wide variety of operating environments, POS hardware has to withstand extreme temperatures, shocks, erosion, dust and humidity. For proper system integration, the POS must be able to be connected to barcode readers, printers, card readers, scanners, and video cameras. To ensure system stability, it has to be outfitted with effective self-monitoring and maintenance capabilities. Advantech brings just the right set of experience and solutions, with design-in custom services, to address these issues. From product design to mass

production, Advantech’s able specialists focus on what it takes to shorten product development and improve time-to-market, so clients can concentrate on POS applications and increased productivity.

By virtue of introductory training sessions and in-person discussions with customers, Advantech better understands customers’ demands, and provides appropriate suggestions and solutions. Design-wise, Advantech supplies industrial-grade motherboards, embedded software services, and integration-ready products such as SQFlash storage and wireless modules. And thanks to Advantech’s alliance with Intel, the company can readily provide Intels latest embedded motherboards so that clients can preempt the market. During product verification, Advantech supports custom BIOS/OS/API services, function testing, and security certification to ensure quality. Furthermore, Advantech implements the “last-mile” OS customization, offering place-specific suggestions and solutions with programmability services and peripheral integration support. The company’s global service offerings encompass production, assembly, maintenance and product warranty.

Advantech also affords a rich array of motherboards with multi-port, multi-USB, built-in dual network and scalable interfaces. Here is one example. With up to ten COM ports, Advantech’s industrial grade motherboard AIMB-562KIOSK is an ATM-specific product connectible to card readers, cash dispensers, printers, passbook entry machines, keyboards, and touchscreens. Its 16-bit GPIO features an indicator light and input keys – must-haves in POS facilities. Other necessary designs and services, such as wide-temperature products integrated with monitoring features for system modifications, are the clients’ for the taking. To upgrade system stability, Advantech’s POS products are designed to be shockproof, dustproof and erosion-resistant for mission-critical environments, such as subway track installations; a special protective coating is also applied to these products for an additional layer of security.

These designs and integrated solutions require relevant software design support; Advantech provides a designed-in BIOS flash utility and custom boot-up logos per client requests. As a Microsoft authorized embedded OS distributor, Advantech is able to deliver prompt integration support and

Photos by AdvantechText by Advantech Embedded Core Project Manager, Chiwen Lin

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customization services; backed by the company’s formidable software development team, Advantech can readily modify Microsoft OS interfaces and bolster their consistency by adding write-protection and power failure security measures. uPOS specifications certified by Microsoft and the Association for Retail Technology Standards (ARTS) also further ensure that the products are “plug and play.” Last but not the least, Advantech offers a complete selection of software APIs to assist clients in better controlling I/O on the motherboards; Intels energy-conscious technologies and environment-driven chipset designs have streamlined operating efficiency to facilitate power conservation and self-monitoring.

Other offerings include an innovative emergency rescue system; with it, the facility self-activates in the event of a glitch,

and proceeds to Advantech’s emergency rescue system to scan for causes. The results are sent to the maintenance crew’s mailbox. The crew can then conduct distance maintenance via the FTP and Telnet.

Development of a POS system is more than just installing a piece of software on a motherboard and leaving it. Many user scenarios and conditions come into play in ascertaining system stability. Advantech is committed to offering robust solutions to POS facility makers, ranging from the initial product designs, to mass production, to post-sale warranty and maintenance. Using a precision-controlled process, Advantech stands fully behind its products and services offering unparalelled POS support.

Case Studies

18 Case Studies

Integrating aRailway Display System

Introductionith thousands of tons of heavy rolling stock at stake, engine driver information systems play a crucial

role in ensuring safety. And display hardware and software are constantly evolving to meet the requirements for new functions as the needs of railway transportation develop.

SolutionA railway equipment system integrator in China needed a display system solution for locomotive operators. Trains often run through tunnels suddenly emerging into bright daylight which causes the ambient light in the locomotive cab to change dramatically. An auto-adjusting display keeps critical information available to the locomotive operator at all times. The customer identified four major requirements for the locomotive display system:

■ Human Machine Interface: Must include a super reliable, super readable display, with a touchscreen, PS/2 input, and audio capability.

Location: ChinaApplication: Railway Driver Information System

W■ Display Controller: Must process all incoming data,

generating a real time visual display with audio. Must have instant, automatic brightness adjustment to deal with sudden major changes in light level (either bright-to-dark, or dark-to-bright). Must be controllable via a touchscreen and PS/2. input

■ Information Module: Must communicate with display controller, and back-up USB module.

■ System Maintenance Module: Must auto-detect and maintain a log of display system status, including any failures. Must be capable of generating daily reports.

SystemTo meet the customer’s requirements, Advantech provided a complete solution from chassis, to board, to integrated software. The 5.25” SBC—PCM-9588 was selected as the display controller. Its features include: PS/2 input module; VGA card; audio card; RS/232, RS/485, and RS4/22 interfaces; LAN connection; and support for PC/104-Plus expansion. Additionally it supports both LVDS and TTL output interfaces and a SATA/IDE/CF interface. The low profile PCM-9588 was a great fit for the information display system.

Case Studies

19Case Studies

Benefits■ LVDS provides excellent EMI shielding, low power

consumption, and long cable runs.

■ A CF card assures high stability, even when faced with the vibrations of a moving train.

■ On-board RS/422 connects to an existing train information bus.

In addition to hardware, Advantech provides software services to meet customer specific requirements and lower design complexity by:

■ Downsizing Windows CE images based on customer requirements; the size can be reduced to below 50 MB to achieve the best performance from a small CompactFlash.

■ Providing a Windows CE autorun utility that lets the user define what runs when the OS boots up.

■ Supplying a WinCE resolution function which lets the user adjust resolution to fit the installed panel.

■ Using Advantech SUSI Watchdog software API to monitor the entire system. SUSI Watchdog offers driver and software APIs; system integrators can use the APIs to implement Watchdog functions without having to know hardware details.

■ SUSI Brightness Control may be used to adjust panel brightness according to the ambient light level; the panel responds instantly to sudden environmental changes. System integrators save time formerly spent on hardware and driver issues with a simple API adjustment that takes care of everything.

Product News

20 Product News

DM&P Vortex86DX SoC

Model PCM-3343 PCM-9343

Form Factor PC/104 3.5” SBC

CPU

DM&P Vortex86DX 1.0 GHz,support

Floating point unit (FPU)

DM&P Vortex86DX 1.0 GHz, support

Floating point unit (FPU)

Graphic Chip SMI SM712 SMI SM712

SystemMemory

DDR2 333 MHz 256MB on board

DDR2 333MHz 512MB on board

Display 24-bit LVDS/ 24-bit TTL/ VGA

24-bit LVDS/ 24-bit TTL/ VGA

LAN 2 2

SATA - 1

USB 4 4

COM 4 4

SPI Flash 4MB optional 4MB optional

Expansion PC/104 (8/16-bit ISA)

PC/104 (8/16-bit ISA)

Power 5V/ AT 5V/ AT

2010 Star Product Selection Guide Intel® Atom™ N450/D510 Processor-based Platforms

Model SOM-7562 SOM-6763 SOM-4463 PCM-3362 PCM-9362 PCM-9562 AIMB-212 PCI-7031

Form Factor COM-Ultra COM-Micro ETX 3.0 PC/104 3.5” SBC EBX Mini-ITX Half-size SBC

CPU Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz

Intel Atom N450/D510 1.66 GHz

Intel Atom N450/D510 1.66 GHz

Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz

Intel Atom N450/D510 1.66 GHz

Intel Atom N450/D510 1.66 GHz

Intel Atom N450/D510 1.66 GHz

Intel Atom N450/ D510 1.66 GHz

System Chipset ICH8M ICH8M ICH8M ICH8M ICH8M ICH8M ICH8M ICH8M

SystemMemory

DDR2 667 MHzOnboard 512MB

Max. 1GB

DDR2 667 MHzMax. 4GB

DDR2 667 MHzMax. 2GB

DDR2 667 MHzMax. 2GB

DDR2 667 MHzMax. 2GB

DDR2 667 MHzMax. 2GB

DDR2 667 MHzMax. 2GB

DDR2 667 MHzOnboard 1GB (N Sku)

Max. 2GB (D Sku)

Display VGA/LVDS VGA/LVDS VGA/LVDS VGA/LVDS VGA/LVDS VGA/LVDS VGA/LVDS VGA/LVDS

LAN 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 2

SATA 3 3 2 1 2 3 2 3

USB 8 8 4 4 6 8 8 7

GPIO 8-bit 8-bit 2-bit 8-bit 8-bit 16-bit 8-bit 8-bit

Audio HD interface HD interface ALC888 HD interface ALC888 ALC888 ALC888 HD interface

ExpansionLPC, 5 PCIe x 1 (1 PCIe x 4 and 1 PCIe x 2 option)

EIDE, LPC, 5 PCIe x 1,

4 PCI masters4 PCI master, ISA PC/104+ Mini PCIe,

MIO(Optional)PCI/Mini PCIe/

PC/104+ PCI/Mini PCIe/CF Depend on backplane

Power 5~14V 8.5~19V 5V 5V/AT/ATX 5V/12V/AT/ATX 12V/AT/ATX 12V AT/ATX

Intel® Core™ i7 Processor-based Platforms

Model AIMB-280 AIMB-580 AIMB-780 PCE-5125 SOM-5788 AIMB-270

Form Factor Mini-ITX Micro ATX ATX Slot SBC COM-Express Mini-ITX

CPU Intel Core i7/i5/i3/Pentium

Intel Core i7/i5/i3/Pentium

Intel Core i7/i5/i3/Pentium/

Xeon

Intel Core i7/i5/i3/Xeon/

PentiumIntel Core i7/i5 Intel Core i7/i5

System Chipset Q57 Q57 Q57/3450 Q57/3450 QM57 QM57

System Memory

DDR3 1333MHzMax. 4GB

DDR3 1333MHz

Max. 16GB

DDR31333MHz

Max. 16GB

DDR3 1333MHzMax. 8GB

DDR3 800/1066MHz

Max. 8GB

DDR3 800/1066MHz

Max. 8GB

Display VGA/DVI VGA/DVI VGA/DVI VGA/DVI VGA/LVDS/DVI/HDMI

VGA/LVDS/2DVI

LAN 2 2 2 2 1 2

SATA 4 6 6 6 4 4

USB 8 10 14 13 8 8

RAID RAID 0,1,5,10 RAID 0,1,5,10 RAID 0,1,5,10 RAID 0,1,5,10 RAID 0,1,5,10 RAID 0,1,5,10

TPM None TPM 1.2(Optional)

TPM 1.2(Optional) None None None

Intel AMT AMT 6.0 AMT 6.0 AMT 6.0 AMT 6.0 AMT 6.0 AMT 6.0

Expansion 1 PCIe x16 1 PCIe x16; 1 PCIe x4; 2PCI

1 PCIe x16; 1 PCIe x4; 1 PCIe

x1; 4 PCI

Depend on backplane

1 PCIe x16, 6 PCIe x1, 4 PCI,

LPC

1 mini-PCIe 1 PCIe x 16

Product News

EmbeddedProduct

CodeCourse A: Computer On ModulesTopic Subject Course Code

Topic 1 Computer On Modules A01

Topic 2 COM Design Support Services A02

Course B: Embedded BoardsTopic Subject Course Code

Topic 1 Future Intel Atom Processor-based Mobile/Nettop Platforms B01

Topic 2 Future Intel Atom i7/i5 Processor-based Mobile Plafform B02

Topic 3 Future Intel Atom i3/i5 Processor-based Desktop Plafform B03

Topic 4 Industrial Motherboards for Various Applications B04

Topic 5 PC/104 with Ruggedized Solutions B05

Topic 6 Low Power Embedded SBCs B06

Course C: Design-in ServicesTopic Subject Course Code

Topic 1 Ruggedized Solutions for Extreme Environment C01

Topic 2 Wide Temperature Solutions C02

Topic 3 Conformal Coating Solutions C03

Course D: Embedded OSTopic Subject Course Code

Topic 1 Windows Embedded OS Bundle Selling & Services D01

Topic 2 Embedded Software/BIOS Services- Accelerate time to market D02

Topic 3 Linux/QNX/Vxworks - BSP Service D03

Course E: Software API (SUSI)Topic Subject Course Code

Topic 1 Control Functions - Watchdog, I2C & Hardware Control API E01

Topic 2 Monitor Functions - GPIO, SMBus & Hardware Monitor API E02

Topic 3 Control Display Brightness & Backlight - Brightness & Backlight API E03

Topic 4 CPU Speed Adjustment - CPU Speed & System Throttling API E04

Course F: Software UtilityTopic Subject Course Code

Topic 1 Easily Update & Backup the BIOS in a Windows XP Environment- BIOS Flash Utility F01

Topic 2 Automatically Rescue the System - eSOS Utility F02

Topic 3 Secure Valuable Intellectual Property - Embedded Security ID F03

Topic 4 Protect the SQ Flash (CF card/HDD) - Flash Lock Utility F04

Course G: Embedded Peripheral ModulesTopic Subject Course Code

Topic 1 SQFlash Industrial Storage Modules G01

Topic 2 Embedded Wireless Modules and Software Integration Service G02

Register Today

Please contact your Advantech RegionalOfficeAmericas: Edna.Garcia@advantech.comEurope: Jessie.Lin@advantech.com Greater China: Xue.Li@advantech.com.cnAsia Pacific: Mandy.chen@advantech.com.tw

Emb’Core Design-In Solution DayEmb’Core Design-in Solution Day is for embedded application developers. Advantech designed a series of modularized courses that cover everything from cutting-edge embedded platform information, embedded BIOS, OS, and API services, to embedded modules and integration techniques. Customers & Channel Partners can select the proper courses that fit their application requirements.