3.5-inch SBC works up to 185 degrees
Oct 23, 2009 — by LinuxDevices Staff — from the LinuxDevices Archive — 2 viewsAxiomtek has introduced a “3.5-inch” SBC (single board computer) that uses the “PT” versions of Intel's Atom, offering an operating range of -40 to 185 deg. F. The SBC84823 includes VGA and LVDS video, six USB ports, four serial ports, plus Mini PCI Express and CompactFlash expansion, the company says.
Intel's original Z5xx processors, such as the 1.1GHz Z510 and 1.6GHz Z530, were designed to be as small as possible, offering a 14 x 13mm package and a 0.5mm ball pitch. In March, however, the chipmaker announced "P" and "PT" versions, which come in a 22 x 22mm package using 1.0mm ball pitch, according to the company.
The new parts are architecturally identical to their forebears, with the same clock speeds, same amount of second-level cache, and the same TDPs. But, the extra space taken up by these versions allows them to include integrated heat spreaders, making them more suitable to "thermally constrained fanless applications," and "ideal for designs without small space restrictions," according to Intel.
The Atom Z530P is clocked at 1.6GHz, offering hyperthreading, a 512K second-level cache, 533MHz FSB (frontside bus), and a 2.2 Watt TDP. Meanwhile, the Atom Z510P has the same TDP, but with a 1.1GHz clock speed, 400MHz FSB, and no hyperthreading, according to Intel.
The Z530P and Z510P have a rated operating range of 0 to 60 deg. C (32 to 140 deg. F), like previous Atoms. Also available, though, are the Z530PT and Z510PT, rated for an industrial operating range from -40 to 85 deg. C (-40 to 185 deg. F).
To go with the P and PT Atoms, Intel unveiled new versions of the SCH US15W companion chip, which combines northbridge and southbridge functionality. The SCH US15WP and US15WPT are identical architecturally to the original "Pouslbo" chip, but instead of measuring 22 x 22mm, they take up 37.5 x 37.5mm. Again, easier cooling is touted, and the "T" extension to the part number denotes an industrial operating range.
Axiomtek's 3.5-inch SBC
For its new SBC84823, Axiomtek selected the SCH US15WPT and the 1.1GHz Z510PT, also offering the choice of a 1.3GHz CPU, the Z520PT. The overall device runs fanlessly over the -40 to 185 deg. F temperature range already specified.
Termed a "3.5-inch" SBC, the SBC84823 actually measures 5.75 x 4.0 inches, matching the dimensions of 3.5-inch components such as floppy disk drives. Historically popular with Taiwanese embedded SBC makers, the format allows a board to include a mix of standard "real world" connectors and pin headers.
Real world connectors, visible on top of the SBC84823 (below left), include a VGA output, an RJ45 port for gigabit Ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, a PS/2 port, and a serial port. Headers, meanwhile, include three additional serial ports, two more USB 2.0 ports, SATA, and an LVDS output, according to the company.
Axiomtek's SBC84823
The top of the SBC84823 also includes a Mini PCI expansion slot, says Axiomtek. Meanwhile, the flip side of the board offers a Type II CompactFlash slot and a SODIMM slot that is said to accept up to 2GB of DDR2 memory.
Intel's integrated graphics — billed as "high-performance" by Axiomtek, though some would disagree — support single or dual displays. CRTs offer resolutions up to 2048 x 1536 pixels, while LVDS-interfaced LCDs can go as high as 1600 x 1200 pixels, the company says.
Features and specifications listed by Axiomtek for the SBC84832 include the following:
- Processor — Intel Atom Z520PT clocked at 1.3GHz or Z510PT clocked at 1.1GHz
- Chipset — SCH US15WPT
- Memory — Up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM via single SODIMM slot
- Expansion:
- Mini PCI Express slot
- CompactFlash Type II slot
- Networking — Gigabit Ethernet port with RJ45 connector
- Other I/O:
- 1 x PS/2
- 4 x serial (1 DB9 connector, 3 headers)
- 6 x USB 2.0 (4 connectors, 2 headers)
- 1 x SATA
- 1 x VGA
- 1 x LVDS
Operating range — -40 to 185 deg. F (-40 to 85 deg. C)
- Power consumption — n/s
- Dimensions — 5.75 x 4.0 inches (146 x 102mm)
Availability
Axiomtek did not detail pricing, availability, or operating system support for the SBC84832, but the device appears to be available now. More information may be found on the company's website, here.
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.