Octagon Systems is shipping what it says is the fastest EPIC SBC (single-board computer) available. The XE-900 has a 1GHz Via Eden CPU, and is available with a Linux 2.6-based development kit. It targets extreme environment applications such as transportation, security, military, communications, and distributed control.

The EPIC (embedded platform for industrial computing) form factor was jointly created by five SBC vendors in March of 2004. Since then, EPIC boards have been produced by Kontron, VersaLogic, Win Systems, Ampro, Micro/Sys, and Octagon.

Octagon's XE-900 is based on a Via chipset
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The XE-900 is based on Via's Eden processor, which features the same C3 core used by its desktop chips, but in a package treated and tested for high heat tolerance in passively cooled applications. The board supports clock rates of 400MHz, 733MHz, and 1GHz, and is available with a “conductive cooling system” that supports fanless cooling even with 1GHz processors, Octagon says.

The board also makes use of Via's VT8606 “Twister T” northbridge, and Via's VT82C686B “Super South” southbridge. It supports up to 256MB of RAM through an SODIMM socket. A 512KB socketed Flash chip includes a General Software BIOS with fast boot and industrial extensions.

On-board I/O includes an ATA-4 hard drive and CompactFlash interface, two USB ports, PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports, six RS-232/422/485 serial ports, 24 lines of bit-programmable digital I/O with 16 mA sink/source capability, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet, CRT and flat panel video ports, and a PC/104 and PC/104-Plus expansion module location. The board also includes a software-controllable watchdog timer with 1-, 10-, and 60-second settings.

According to Octagon, the XE-900 can operate between -40 and 85 degrees Celsius, or between -40 and 75 degrees Celsius when equipped with a 1GHz processor. It can also withstand shock and vibration, the company says.

Availability

The XE-900 is available now from stock, priced in single quantities at $795 with a 1GHz processor, $745 with a 733MHz processor, and $745 with a 400MHz chip. Companion “OS Embedder” kits based on Linux 2.6 and other embedded OSes are also available.

 
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