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    1. Technology
    2. Computer Hardware & Software

    Robust AMD-based SBC Expands Modular Design Concepts for Display and Box Computers

    Nov. 17, 2011
    Flexible architecture routes I/O to extension card for fast application customization
    Mena5865 10452272

    MEN Micro Inc., a provider of embedded computing and I/O solutions for mission-critical industrial, mobile and harsh environment applications, has released the SC24, a rugged, maintenance-free single board computer (SBC) with a new modular design that enables the rapid implementation of custom computing requirements.

    The board's interfaces for graphics and other I/O are routed to an extension card, such as MEN Micro's AE51, eliminating the need to configure the main SBC and enabling extremely fast, customized system design.

    Based on the compact AMD G-Series T52R APU (accelerated processing unit) operating at 1.5 GHz, the new board combines exceptionally low power with advanced processing abilities, without any loss of performance. The conduction-cooled SC24 was designed specifically to serve as the control unit in display and box computers used throughout harsh mobile applications, such as commercial vehicles, railway applications, avionics and industrial automation.

    Aurelius Wosylus, director sales EMEA of AMD's Embedded Business Unit, said, "The modular design is qualified and tested by MEN to meet the operating temperatures of -40 to +85 degrees C and prepared for e1 certification. Together with the high graphics performance of the AMD Embedded G-Series, the SC24 offers an extremely attractive feature set for applications such as fleet management systems and digital signage."

    The new SBC supports up to two pairs of DisplayPort interfaces, each with an AUX and a USB channel, with a resolution of up to 2560 x 1600 pixels for each image enabling the board to control two independent images on up to four screens. These features, combined with the AMD graphics processing unit's (GPU's) integrated 3D graphics and video acceleration, make the SC24 ideal for multi-display applications.

    Additional configuration options add design flexibility. If touch functionality is required, the AUX channel of the first DisplayPort pair can be used for USB signals. An I/O board connected to the SATA interface provides more mass storage capacities. Via different interface boards, the signals can be made available on standard connectors and various wide range PSUs (power supply units) can be used.

    The SC24 comes with up to 4 GB of DDR3 SDRAM and a preinstalled 2 GB SD card. In addition to a mSATA slot, it includes nine USB 2.0 ports, two Ethernet channels, three PCI Express ports, up to five serial interfaces - with four UARTs also configurable as IBIS or GPS and CAN - HD audio, one SATA port and various GPIOs. Designed for harsh environments, it operates fanless in temperatures from -40 to +85 degrees C.

    The first extension card from MEN's standard portfolio, the AE51, gives access to two PCI Express Mini Card slots as well as two DisplayPorts, two Gigabit Ethernet ports on M12 connectors, a USB 2.0 port and optional HD audio. Two SA-Adapter slots can be populated as needed by UARTs, IBIS, GPS or CAN bus. The combined SC24 and AE51 solution is certified according to EN 50155 and is prepared for e1 certification.