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Ruggedized industrial box loads up on serial ports

Sep 15, 2011 — by Eric Brown — from the LinuxDevices Archive — views

Axiomtek announced a rugged, DIN-rail industrial computer with power isolation features and ruggedization protection against ingress, shock, vibration, and temperature. The fanless rBOX101 is equipped with Intel Atom Z510PT (1.1GHz) or Z520PT (1.33GHz) processors, magnetically isolated 10/100/1000 and 10/100 Ethernet ports, dual USB 2.0 ports, and either four (rBOX101-4COM model), or six (rBOX101-6COM) isolated COM ports, according to the company.

The rBOX101 upgrades last year's rBOX100, featuring either double or triple the number of serial ports, depending on whether one buys the rBOX101-4COM or rBOX101-6COM models. The two new models are identical except for size, weight, and the addition of isolated DIO (4 x in/out) on the larger (5.31 x 4.33 x 3.96 inches) 6COM model.

Like the previous version, the rBOX101 offers ruggedization and power isolation features that make it a good fit for industrial applications such as power plant automation, facility monitoring systems, and intelligent transportation systems, says Axiomtek.


rBOX101-4COM (left) and rBOX101-6COM (right)

(Click to enlarge)

Like the rBOX100, the rBOX101 depends on the transportation focused, industrial-temperature grade Intel Atom Z510PT (1.1GHz) or Z520PT (1.33GHz) processors, joined by the SCH US15WPT chipset, says Axiomtek. The computer offers a single 200-pin DDR2 memory socket, accepting a maximum 2GB of RAM. A CompactFlash socket is also said to be provided.

The rBOX101 is equipped with both a gigabit Ethernet port and a Fast Ethernet port for redundant backup, with both offering magnetic isolation protection, says Axiomtek. Two USB 2.0 ports and a VGA port are supplied as well as four (4COM model) or six (6COM) RS232/422/485 ports. As noted, the 6COM version also offers power-isolated DIO, says the company.

The ruggedized, DIN-rail mountable box is built of aluminum extrusion and heavy-duty steel, and offers IP30 ingress protection and Safety/EMI/EMS compliance, says Axiomtek. The fanless rBOX101 is said to offer operating temperature support of -40 to 158 deg. F, as well as shock and vibration resistance.

Specialized power features include dual power paths and 12 – 48VDC power input, complete with a terminal block (see spec list below).

Pre-installed with Linux, Windows CE 6.0, or Windows XP Embedded, the system is offered with the optional, SNMP V1/V2c compliant AXView remote monitoring software. (For more details on Axiomtek's AXView, see our rBOX100 coverage.)

Features and specifications listed for the rBOX101-6COM and rBOX101-4COM include:

  • Processor — Intel Atom Z510PT (1.1GHz) or Z520PT (1.33GHz)
  • Chipset — Intel US15WPT chipset
  • Memory — up to 2GB DDR2 via 1 x 200-pin SODIMM
  • Storage expansion — CompactFlash slot; optional 1GB CF
  • Networking — isolated gigabit Ethernet; isolated Fast Ethernet (10/100Mbps)
  • Other I/O:
    • 2 x USB
    • 6 x RS-232/422/485 (6COM model); 4 x RS-232/422/485 (4COM model); both with magnetic isolation protection
    • 1 x VGA
    • Isolated DIO (4 x in/out) on 6COM model only
  • Other features — watchdog timer; DIN-rail mount; optional AXView monitoring software with SNMP V1/V2c
  • Power:
    • DC power input with terminal block
    • 2 x power paths
    • 12-48VDC input
    • Consumption with no USB load, ranging from 1.05A @ 12V, 12.6 W to 0.38A @ 48V, 18.24 W
  • Operating temperature — -40 to 158 deg. F (-40 to 70 deg. C)
  • Vibration resistance — 5 g @ 10 ~ 150 Hz, amplitude 0.35 mm (IEC60068-2-6 Fc)
  • Shock (half-sine shock pulse) resistance — 25 g @ 11 ms (IEC60068-2-27)
  • EMS compliance — EN61000 (multiple standards)
  • Weight:
    • 6COM — 4.18 lbs (1.9 k)
    • 4COM — 3.0 lbs (1.38 k)
  • Dimensions:
    • 6COM — 5.31 x 4.33 x 3.96 inches (135 x 110 x 100.6mm)
    • 4COM — 5.31 x 4.33 x 3.18 inches (135 x 110 x 81mm)

Availability

The rBOX101 will be available in October, and a somewhat similar, AMD-based model called the rBOX201 will follow, says Axiomtek. More information on the rBOX101 may be found on the 4COM and 6COM product pages, respectively.


This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.



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