VersaLogic has announced new RoHS-compliant versions of three of its single-board computers (SBC). The PC-104/Plus-based Cheetah and Lynx, along with the EBX-based Cobra, run Linux, targeting long-life embedded applications in medicine, avionics, or security, according to the company.

The European Union's RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive took effect on Jul. 1, 2006, and has restricted sales of electronic equipment containing more than agreed-upon levels of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, poly-brominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). Compliance involves use of lead-free solder, reformulated plastics, alternative flame retardants, and a wide variety of other changes.

VersaLogic said it developed its RoHS-compliant boards after considerable research. In addition, the company says it worked closely with component suppliers to certify the plating of all components, so as to address “tin whisker” concerns in long-term applications. The Cheetah, Lynx, and Cobra, originally introduced in 2005 and 2006, can be recognized in their new variants by their switch from green to red circuit boards, among other details.

Versalogic's Cheetah, in original (left) and RoHS-compliant (right) versions
(Click to enlarge)
The Cheetah, shown above, is a two-module PC/104-Plus boardset built around a 1.6GHz Pentium M processor. Its separate 3.8 x 3.6 inch processor and I/O boards provide two serial ports, two USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, IDE, a parallel port, audio, and PS/2 keyboard/mouse support. The board also features support for both analog monitors and LVDS flat-panels. For more details, see our earlier coverage, here.

Versalogic's RoHS-compliant Lynx

The Lynx (above) is a PC/104-Plus board featuring a 100MHz or 133MHz AMD Elan SC520 processor and 64MB of soldered-on memory. Featuring an Ethernet interface, hard and floppy drive controllers, a CompactFlash socket, and various serial and parallel ports, the Lynx requires less than 5W total power, according to Versalogic.

Versalogic's Cobra, in original (left) and RoHS-compliant (right) versions
(Click to enlarge)
The Cobra, above, uses the 8 x 5.75 inch EBX form-factor. It offers 1.0GHZ or 1.6GHZ Pentium M processors, or a 1.0GHZ ULV Celeron CPU, along with an 855GME Northbridge. Two SODIMM slots support up to 2GB of RAM, while I/O includes dual gigabit Ethernet ports, four USB ports, and two serial ports. For more details, see our earlier coverage, here.

Further information

The RoHS-ompliant Cheetah is available in either standard- (0 to 60 deg. C) or extended-temperature (-40 to 85 deg. C) versions. Versalogic said it will begin shipping in May, but did not provide pricing information.

The RoHS-compliant Lynx is offered in both 100MHz standard-temperature and 133Mz extended-temperature versions. It is available now, priced around $400 in OEM quantities.

The RoHS-compliant Cobra is available in a 1.0GHz extended-temperature version and a 1.8GHz standard-temperature version. It is available now for approximately $1,500 in OEM quantities.

All three SBCs support embedded operating systems that include Linux, Windows CE, Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP, VxWorks, QNX, and DOS.

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