DIN-rail PC runs Linux on 150MHz SoC
By Jonathan Angel
2010-03-09
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Advantech has announced a box PC intended for DIN-rail mounting that uses the company's x86-compatible EVA-X4150 SoC (system-on-chip). The Linux-ready UNO-1140 has CompactFlash storage, two USB 2.0 ports, two 10/100 Ethernet ports, a VGA output, and either four or eight serial ports, the company says. Advantech says the UNO-1140 (left) is intended as a communications gateway in even harsh environments, meeting IEC 68 standards for resistance to shock and vibration. The device has a rated operating range of -4 to 167 deg. F (-20 to 75 deg. C), according to the company.
 Like the ARK-1310 automation PC Advantech released last year, the UNO-1140 is powered by Advantech's own EVA-X4150 SoC (pictured at right). This device, which comes in a 27 x 27mm PBGA (plastic ball grid array) package, is said to be compatible with the 486SX instruction set and to provide integrated northbridge and southbridge functionality.
As depicted in the block diagram below, the EVA-X4150 includes SDRAM and DMA controllers, PCI and ISA bus interfaces, Ethernet and IDE controllers, and a UART that supports up to five serial ports, among other functionality. Apparently lacking floating-point support, and with a clock speed of just 150MHz, the SoC cannot run Windows XP Embedded, but it supports Windows CE 5.0, Linux, DOS, and "most popular 32-bit RTOSes [real time operating systems]."
A block diagram of Advantech's EVA-X4150
(Click to enlarge)
The EVA-X4150 does not include graphics, but Advantech has apparently added a video controller chip to the UNO-1140, since the device has a VGA port that's said to support resolutions up to 1024 x 768 pixels. The box PC also comes with 64MB of RAM, and an internal Type I/II CompactFlash slot, the company says.
According to Advantech, the UNO-1140 includes a single 10/100 Ethernet port, two USB 2.0 ports, a PS/2 port, and four serial ports (RS232/485) with DB9 connectors. Meanwhile, model UNO-1140F adds both isolation for the DB9-equipped serial ports, plus four additional RS485 ports with screw terminals, isolation, and flow control, the company says.
According to Advantech, the use of CompactFlash storage means that the UNO-1140 easily withstands shocks of up to 50G (11ms duration) during operation, and vibration of up to 5Grms. The device uses DC power ranging from 9 to 36 Volts, with a typical consumption of 18 Watts, the company adds.
Features and specifications listed by Advantech for the UNO-1140 include the following:
- Processor -- Advantech EVA-X4150 SoC clocked at 150MHz
- Memory -- 64MB of RAM
- Storage -- CompactFlash Type I/II slot
- Networking -- 1 x 10/100 Ethernet
- Other I/O:
- 2 x USB 2.0
- 4 x RS232/485 (UNO-1140); 4 x isolated RS232/485 and 4 x isolated RS485 (UNO-1140F)
- 1 x VGA
- 1 x PS/2
- Power requirements -- 9VDC to 24VDC; 18 Watts
- Dimensions -- 6.1 x 5.6 x 2.6 inches (155 x 140 x 68mm)
- Weight -- 2.2 pounds (1kg)
- Operating system support -- Linux, Windows CE 5.0, DOS (UNO-1140 only)
Availability
The UNO-1140 and UNO-1140F appear to be available now, but pricing was not announced. More information on the device may be found on the company's website, here.
More information on the EVA-X4150 SoC may be found here.
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