10.4-inch HMI PC runs Linux on Atoms

By Jonathan Angel
2009-11-06

Article Rating:

/ 1

Rate This Article:

Add This Article To:

Kontron has added a compact Intel Atom-powered device to its range of thin-client HMI (human machine interface) subsystems. The fanless Nano Client 10.4 has a touchscreen display, features a sealed stainless steel housing, uses CompactFlash storage, and runs Linux, the company says.

Housed in a stainless steel case that's IP66-rated for resistance to spray and dust, the Nano Client meets "the highest hygenic requirements" and may be VESA-mounted rather than having to be placed in a wall or cabinet. The device is suitable for the food and beverage industry, shop-floor solutions (from the receipt of goods to shipping), hospitals, laboratories, pharmaceutical production, as a POS terminal or kiosk, and in building automation, according to the company.

Kontron's Nano Client 10.4

As its name suggests, the Nano Client 10.4 has a 10.4-inch touchscreen. The display has a 230-nit brightness rating and a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels, says Kontron. The device is offered with soldered-on memory up to 1GB, and with any of Intel's Z5xx processors, ranging from the 1.1GHz Z510 to the 1.6GHz Z530. Total chipset power consumption of approximately five Watts ensures that the Nano Client 10.4 can operate fanlessly and with an entirely closed cabinet, says the company.

According to the company, the Nano Client 10.4 stores its operating system on a CompactFlash card, a fact that helps the device withstand shocks of up to 50G (11ms duration). Ports include gigabit Ethernet, USB, and an optional RS232/422/485 serial port, Kontron adds.

Features and specifications listed by Kontron for the Nano Client 10.4 include the following:

Processor -- Intel Z5xx Atom up to 1.6GHz
Memory -- Up to 1GB of soldered-on RAM
Display:
- 10.4-inch touchscreen
- 800 x 600 resolution
- 230-nit brightness rating
Storage -- CompactFlash
Networking -- Gigabit Ethernet
Other I/O:
- 1 x USB
- 1 x RS232/422/485 (optional)
Operating temperature -- 32 to 113 deg. F (0 to 45 deg. C)
Power supply -- 24VDC
Dimensions -- 11.3 x 8.9 x 2.2 inches (288 x 226 x 56mm)

Kontron's Nano Client 10.4 apparently joins the existing Nano Client 15.0, which also uses Intel Atom Z5xx processors but has a 15-inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. Earlier HMI devices from the company, the 7-inch M@C70 Micro Client and 15-inch M@C150 Micro Client, used 600MHz Celeron CPUs.

Availability

In addition to supporting Linux, the Nano Client 10.4 also runs Windows CE and XP Embedded, according to Kontron. Pricing wasn't disclosed, but the device appears to be available now.

More information may be found on the company's website, here.

Related Stories:

	Discuss 10.4-inch HMI PC runs Linux on Atoms

	>>> Be the FIRST to comment on this article!



	>>> More News Articles >>> More By Jonathan Angel

Email Article To Friend ♦ Print Version Of Article ♦ PDF Version Of Article

FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.