Lanner announced an Atom-based PC that supports up to six IP video cameras and is designed for vision control applications. Featuring a separate Ethernet controller for each port, the LEC-2026 runs fanlessly, supports either hard disk or CompactFlash storage, and has connectors for both a VGA monitor and a serial console, the company says.

According to Lanner, its LEC-2026 is designed for vision control applications, where cameras are used to monitor a production process for quality control purposes. For example, the company says, in motherboard manufacturing IP video cameras can be used in conjunction with chip shooters to ensure components are being placed correctly.

Software running on the connected LEC-2026 can monitor the cameras' output to constantly assess each placed chip, Lanner adds. The analysis happens in real time, so the PC does not retain any of the video footage, and therefore is not reliant on storage space, the company says.

According to Lanner, the LEC-2026 has a 2.5-inch bay for a SATA hard disk drive, and a Type I/II CompactFlash slot, either of which, in the above scenario, would be employed mostly for the device's operating system and software applications.

The PC's processor is not conspicuously powerful (it's the evergreen Atom N270, with the usual 945GSE northbridge and ICH7M southbridge), but its Ethernet capabilities are: there's a separate controller for each port (four 82574L controllers and two 82541PI controllers, says Lanner).

Lanner's LEC-2026

The six gigabit Ethernet ports do not appear to offer LAN bypass functionality, which makes sense given that the LEC-2026 is designed to host cameras, not to act as a piece of networking hardware. They're joined on the device's front panel (above) by an RJ45 port for a serial console, while the rear panel (also shown above) includes a VGA output (resolutions to 2048 x 1536 pixels), a power switch, and an input for 12VDC power, according to Lanner.

Lanner says the LEC-2026 also supports a PS/2 keyboard and mouse via an internal header. Also inside are said to be a SODIMM slot that accepts up to 2GB of RAM, and a Mini PCI Express slot for expansion (such as a wireless networking adapter, perhaps).

Features and specifications listed by Lanner for the LEC-2026 include:

• Processor — 1.6GHz Atom N270
• Chipset — 945GSE and ICH7M
• Memory — up to 2GB of RAM via single SODIMM
• Storage — 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drive or solid-state disk, CompactFlash
• Expansion:
  • Type I/II CompactFlash slot
  • Mini PCI Express slot
• Networking — 6 x gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x serial (RJ45 connector)
  • 1 x VGA
  • PS/2 keyboard and mouse (internal)
  • 2 x USB 2.0
• Power requirements — 12VDC via 60 Watt AC adapter
• Operating temperature:
  • 23 to 113 deg. F with commercial components
  • 14 to 131 deg. F with industrial components
• Dimensions — 7.9 x 5.67 x 1.65 inches

Further information

According to Lanner, the LEC-2026 is designed to run Linux kernel 2.4.16 or above, as well as Windows XP and Windows XP Embedded. Pricing and availability were not detailed, but further information may be found on the device's product page, here.

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