Axiomtek has announced the latest in its series of “eBOX” fanless embedded computers targeting industrial automation, digital signage (DSA), gaming/entertainment, and vehicle applications. The eBOX639-822-FL offers Celeron M or Pentium M processors, dual PCI slots and gigabit Ethernet ports, and six each serial and USB… interfaces.

(Click here for a larger view of the eBOX639-822-FL)

Axiomtek's SBC86822 mini-ITX motherboard (Click image for further information)

As is again typical for this product range, the eBOX639-622-FL is built around an existing motherboard from Axiomtek. In this case, it's the SBC86822, pictured at right. This mini-ITX board uses Intel's 910GMLE Express mobile chipset and ICH6-M southbridge. Its Socket 478 CPU connector accepts 600MHz or 1GHz Intel Celeron Ms, while dual 240-pin DIMM sockets allow up to 2GB of RAM.

The SBC86822 itself supports dual monitors — a CRT with up to 2048 x 1536 resolution, and an LCD with up to 1600 x 1200 pixels. CRT output is via a VGA connector, while LCDs may be connected via a 40-pin LVDS ribbon cable header. With the motherboard placed inside the eBOX638-622-FL's case, however, the LVDS interface is apparently inaccessible.

In Axiomtek nomenclature, the “FL” suffix denotes fanless operation, apparently enabled here by the device's aluminum case, bristling with cooling slots and an integral heat sink. The RoHS-compliant board is installed near the top of the eBOX638-622-FL case, a practical choice that lets heat radiate from the top of the device. Most likely, the processor and chipset are connected by a heat pipe to the fins to the case's finned top plate. The single PCI slot on the main board is doubled up via an unspecified type of “riser.”

The eBOX638-622-FL includes six serial ports, three of them provided with standard nine-pin connectors, and three sharing a 26-pin connector. It also sports a VGA port, PS/2 connectors for keyboard and mouse, dual RJ45 connectors for gigabit Ethernet, six USB 2.0 host connectors, a 25-pin parallel printer port, and audio line in/out jacks.

Features and specifications listed by Axiomtek for the eBOX638-622-FL include:

• Processor — Intel Socket 478-compatible CPUs such as 600MHz or 1GHz Celeron M
  
• Memory — up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM via dual 240-pin DIMMs
  
• Display — VGA output with resolution up to 2048 x 1536 pixels
  
• Storage — accepts 2.5-inch hard disk drive
  
• Networking — dual gigabit Ethernet interfaces with RJ45 connectors
  
• Other I/O:
  • 3 x 9-pin serial ports (COM1-3)
    
  • 3 serial ports (COM4-6) sharing 25-pin connector
    
  • 6 x USB 2.0
    
  • 2 x PS/2 (for keyboard and mouse)
    
  • 2 x 3.5mm jacks for audio line in/out
    
  • 1 x SATA
    
  • 1 x IDE
    
  • 1 x 25-in parallel port

• Expansion — 2 x 32-bit/33MHz PCI (up to 200mm card length)
  
• Power requirements — accepts 15VDC~28VDC input voltages, requires 107 Watts
  
• Operating temperature:
  • -10 to 50 deg. C with BGA CPU
    
  • -10 to 40 deg. C with PGA CPU
• Dimensions — 9.06 x 7.17 x 5.15 inches

Axiomtek did not release pricing but said the eBOX638-622-FL will be available in early August. In addition to Linux, it runs Windows XP Embedded and Windows CE, according to the company.

Other Axiomtek eBox products include the recently introduced eBOX832-831 and eBOX832-840.

 
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