Aaeon has introduced an Intel Atom-based controller intended for in-vehicle usage. The Linux-ready AEC-6831 includes two gigabit Ethernet ports, VGA and DVI-I video outputs, CompactFlash storage, and available redundant power supplies, according to the company.

The AEC-6831 is billed as being ideal for "rugged transportation environments" including those that feature high temperature — up to 131 deg. F — and ambient vibration. Featuring an internal DC-to-DC converter, the device operates on input power from 9VDC to 30VDC, but, for "power redundancy purposes," can also accept power from an external AC adapter, Aaeon says.

Aaeon's AEC-6831

According to Aaeon, the AEC-6831 uses CompactFlash storage, accessible from a front-mounted expansion slot (see below). With an optional disk mounting kit, it can use a hard disk drive of unspecified size, too. The company says that, when only CompactFlash is employed, the device can withstand shocks of up to 50G (11ms duration), and vibration up to 5Grms (5 to 500MHz).

Front panel of the AEC-6831
The AEC-6831's front panel, pictured above, has a serial port and two USB 2.0 ports, plus a power switch, a reset button, and LEDs that monitor power and hard disk activity. The rear panel, pictured below, has two more USB 2.0 ports, two gigabit Ethernet ports, a second serial port, audio I/O, and both VGA and DVI-I video outputs.

Rear panel of the AEC-6831
As the AEC-6831's finned heat sink suggests, the device is designed to run with passive cooling only. It employs the familiar (at this point, perhaps we should write "inevitable") 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, presumably with the usual 945GSE northbridge and ICH7M southbridge. A single SODIMM slot is said to accept a maximum of 1GB of DDR2 memory.

According to Aaeon, the AEC-6831 is designed to run Linux, Windows XP Embedded, Windows CE, and Windows XP.

Features and specifications listed by Aaeon for the AEC-6831 include the following:

• Processor — 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270
• Memory — Up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM via single SODIMM socket
• Storage — CompactFlash or, with optional kit, hard disk drive
• Networking — 2 x gigabit Ethernet ports with RJ45 connectors
• Other I/O:
  • 4 x USB 2.0 (two front, two rear)
  • 2 x RS232 (one front, one rear)
  • 1 x DVI-I
  • 1 x VGA
  • Audio line out, line in, microphone
• Expansion — 1 x CompactFlash Type II
• Power supply — 9VDC to 30VDC input; optional AC adapter for secondary input
• Dimensions — 9.5 x 4.2 x 2.5 inches (240 x 107 x 64mm)
• Weight — 4.75 pounds (2.16kg)

Further information

Aaeon did not release pricing or availability information, but the AEC-6831 appears to be on sale now. More information may be found on the Aaeon 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.