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Rugged panel-mount computer offers optional serial-connected modules

May 10, 2011 — by Eric Brown — from the LinuxDevices Archive — 1 views

Sealevel Systems is shipping a ruggedized, 8.4-inch touch-enabled flat-panel computer aimed at HMI (human machine interface) and control applications. The SeaPAC R9-8.4 runs Linux or Windows CE on a 180MHz, ARM9-based Atmel AT91SAM9263 processor, provides Ethernet, USB, CAN, RS232, and RS485 connectivity — the latter connecting to optional modules — and offers a temperature range of -22 to 158 deg. F, says Sealevel.

Sealevel, which last year shipped a Linux-ready Relio R5200 industrial computer based on a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, is aiming lower with the SeaPAC R9-8.4. The modest panel computer runs on a 180MHz Atmel AT91SAM9263.

SeaPAC R9-8.4
(Click to enlarge)

Despite the name of the device, there is no actual nautical focus for the SeaPAC R9-8.4, which is suitable for HMI and control applications in a wide range of industrial environments, according to Sealevel Systems. On the other hand, with its NEMA 4/IP65 protected front bezel, it might withstand the splash of a rogue wave. With the device's -22 to 158 deg. F (-30 to 70 deg. C) operating temperature range, both arctic and tropical cruises might be in the cards, too.

The SeaPAC R9-8.4 is available with either 128MB or 256MB of RAM, as well as 256MB of flash storage, says Sealevel. The device features an 8.4-inch resistive touchscreen with 640 x 480 resolution and LED backlighting, says the company.


SeaPAC R9-8.4, side and rear views

(Click on either to enlarge)

The computer provides 10/100 Ethernet, two USB 2.0 host ports, and one USB device ports, says Sealevel. Other I/O includes CAN bus support and digital I/O, says the company.

Sealevel bills itself as offering extensive serial communications expertise, and supplies the SeaPAC R9-8.4 with an RS232 port, dual isolated RS485 ports, and a dedicated RS485 port. The latter is said to plug in to a variety of optional I/O modules that offer optically isolated inputs, Reed and Form C relay outputs, TTL interfaces, A/D, and D/A. The modules communicate with the system via the Modbus RTU, says the company.

The 11.0 x 9.0 x 2.8-inch computer weighs 12 pounds, says Sealevel. Power consumption on the fanless system is said to range from 9 to 15 Watts.

The system ships with a Windows CE 6.0 board support package, and Linux support is also available, says Sealevel. The software package is equipped with low-level drivers for system I/O, as well as the Sealevel Talos I/O Framework, which offers a high-level object-oriented .NET Compact Framework (CF) device interface. The interface is said to provide an I/O point abstraction layer for easier I/O integration.

Specifications listed for the SeaPAC R9-8.4 include:

  • Processor — Atmel ARM9 AT91SAM9263 @ 180MHz (200 MIPS)
  • Memory — 128MB or 256MB
  • Flash — 256MB
  • Display:
    • 8.4-inch, 640 x 480 resistive touchscreen
    • LED backlighting
    • 400 nit brightness
    • 600:1 contrast
  • Networking — 10/100 Ethernet port
  • Other I/O:
    • 2 x USB 2.0 host ports
    • USB device port
    • 2 x isolated RS-485 serial ports
    • dedicated RS-485 serial port via RJ45 connector
    • RS-232 serial port
    • CAN bus interface
    • 8 x open collector digital outputs
  • Expansion options (via RS-485) — modules for optically isolated inputs, Reed and Form C relay outputs, TTL interfaces, A/D, D/A, etc.
  • Ruggedization — NEMA 4/IP65 protected front bezel
  • Operating temperature — -22 to 158 deg. F (-30 to 70 deg. C)
  • Power — 7-30VDC @ 15W max. (9W nominal)
  • Dimensions — 11.0 x 9.0 x 2.8 inches
  • Weight — 12 lbs

Availability

The SeaPAC R9-8.4 (item# S91200-8R) is now available from $1,599 in small quantities, says Sealevel Systems. More information may be found at Sealevel's SeaPAC R9 page.


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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