Portwell announced a Linux- and Android-compatible in-vehicle computer equipped with a 5.7- or seven-inch touchscreen and a 416MHz Marvell PXA270 processor. The PTH-1070A includes four serial ports and two USB ports, one or two CompactFlash slots, plus available non-volatile RAM and CAN bus options, according to the company.

The PTH-1070A, powered by a 416MHz Marvell PXA270 CPU and available with a 5.7- or seven-inch resistive touchscreen, resembles a multitude of other HMI (human machine interface) devices. However, Portwell positions this one for in-vehicle installation, citing a variety of relevant features.

Most important of these is that the device is optionally available with a CAN bus port, allowing it to interface with a vehicle without any external adapter. Also, the PTH-1070A not only tolerates input power ranging from 9 to 36VDC, but is also offered with non-volatile RAM, preserving work in the event of power failure.

Portwell's PTH-1070A

According to Portwell, the PTH-1070A (above) features 800 x 600 pixel resolution on the seven-inch screen (5.7-inch resolution not cited). Its IP65-rated front bezel protects the screen from water and dust, according to the company.

Portwell says the PTH-1070A is compatible with Linux, Android, Windows Embedded Compact 7, or Windows CE 6.0. The device comes with a single CompactFlash slot, but a second slot is optional for those who want to keep their operating system separate from data, the company adds.

The PTH-107A's rear panel includes four serial ports (three RS232, one RS232/RS485) with DB9 connectors, plus USB 1.1 device and host ports. A 10/100 Ethernet port with an RJ45 connector is also standard, according to Portwell.

Specifications listed for the PTH-1070A by Portwell include:

• Processor — Marvell PXA270 clocked at 416MHz
• Memory — 128MB of DRAM (non-volatile SRAM is optionally available)
• Display — 7-inch resistive touchscreen with 800 x 600 pixel resolution (5.7-inch version also available; resolution n/s)
• Storage — CompactFlash slot (second CompactFlash slot optional)
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • CAN bus (optional)
  • 3 x RS232
  • 1 x RS232/485
  • 1 x USB 1.1 host
  • 1 x USB 1.1 device
  • audio — stereo output with 2.1-Watt amplifier
• Power — 9~36VDC
• Operating range — n/s
• Dimensions — 7.4 x 5.7 x 1.77 inches (188 x 145 x 45mm)
• Weight — n/s

George Liao, a senior product marketing manager for American Portwell, stated, "System integrators can easily develop application programs with the SDK provided. The combination of a RISC processor and Microsoft Windows CE (or Android) enables PTH-1070A to deliver standard mobile user functionality in a cost-effective, tiny system footprint."

Further information

Portwell did not detail pricing or availability for the PTH-1070A. More information may be found on the PTH-1070A product page.

Jonathan Angel can be reached at [email protected] and followed at www.twitter.com/gadgetsense.

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