Over the past few years increasing competition in the logistics and transportation industries have resulted in a number of developments for these companies. In addition, rising fuel costs have forced many to devise methods of more efficiently coordinating their shipping fleets. The question was how to get this technology into a small and rugged enough system to withstand 24 hour operation in sometimes harsh environmental conditions. The answer is the new 800 Series Fan-less Industrial Computer designed specifically for vehicle operation.
Most vehicle applications may utilize the following components:

1. Hardware: The vehicle computer (including GPS and 3G/GPRS/WiFi communications modules), antenna, touch display.

2. Software: Software can be divided into two categories: the operating system, such as Linux or Windows XP Embedded, and the application such as an electronic navigation mapping system, vehicle fleet management, etc…

3. Communications: As a communication bridge between control centre and the vehicle, most of today’s systems adopted the GM/GPRS infrastructure, but future telecommunication operations will most likely migrate to the emerging 3G/3.5G as the main medium of communication.

In the past, this technology had only been utilized by police cars, ambulances and other emergency vehicles. Low volume, niche markets stifled innovation and until recently this market stagnated. With the advent of everyday businesses such as taxis and coach & bus operators utilizing wireless and GPS technology to monitor their vehicles, along with increased in-vehicle ‘Narrowcast’ advertising, the demands for rugged, high reliability computing platforms is growing substantially. In addition the use of Digital Signage, Kiosk, Narrowcasting, Ticket Printer Payment and CCTV Based Security Systems are but a few of the many applications for which the 800 Series was designed.


Designed for the rigours of mobile applications:

1. A feature rich environmental design offers superb resilience to shock and vibration. This system is proven to withstand 5G Vibration at 10-500 Hz (IEC-68-2-6) which is over 5 times the typical industrial PC specification. The device also shapes up well when you see it survives an outstanding 100G peak acceleration for 6 msecs (IEC-68-2-27) which is over 6 times the typical specification of an industrial PC platform.

2. The Compact Flash facility is standard and offers maximum resilience for your operating system and data but there is also an Anti-Shock mounting for a 2.5␅ Hard Disk Drive. All this makes the 800 Series ideal for the tough world of automobiles, container tractors, commercial vehicles, trucks, buses and taxis, in fact most ground transportation.

3. A 9-32Volts DC Wide Range Power Module protects against the voltage surges and sags normally experienced in vehicles and an OS shut down delay function makes sure the system will turn off correctly when power is lost.

4. Extensive communication capability comes as standard with dual LAN, four serial ports that can be used for various peripherals, for example, GPS, touch screen, scanner, card reader, etc, and four USB ports for additional peripheral components; LVDS and VGA ports are also standard.

5. The compact 166mm deep x 250 wide x 60mm high fan-less and dustproof cast aluminium enclosure will support Windows XP, XP Embedded, Win-CE and Linux running on Intel processors up to 1.8GHz Pentium M.

6. Heat-Pipe Technology design allows the system to be completely fan-less and a completely enclosed cast aluminium chassis and dustproof.

7. Intel processors up to 1.8GHz Pentium M provide total provide the flexibility needed to run Windows XP, XP Embedded, Win-CE and Linux running.

800 Series Specifications:
CPU: Intel Pentium M and Celeron M
Chipset: Intel 852GM + ICH4
Memory:1 x 200-pin SO-DIMM sockets for
1 x 512MB DDR333 SO-DIMM pre-installed
Display:
Chipset: Integrated graphics built-in Intel 852GM
Display Memory: Intel DVMA technology up to 64MB
Display Interface: LVDS Interface
DB15 CRT connector
IO
Ethernet Controller: 10/100 LAN x 2
COM x 4
USB x 2
PS2 KB/MS

Storage:
Compact Flash Type II holder
1 x ATA100 44 pin IDE connector for 2.5␅ HDD

Power:
9V-32V DC power input module

Environment:
Operating Temperature: 0°C to 60°C (32°F to 140°F) [CF]
Non-Operating Temperature: -20°C to 80°C (-4°F to 176°F)
Humidity: 5% to 95% @ 40°C (non-condensing)
Vibration: IEC 68-2-6, sine, 5G, 10 to 500 Hz, 1 Oct./min, X,Y,Z 3axes, 2 hr/axis [CF]
Shock: IEC 68-2-27, 100G peak acceleration (6 msec. Duration) [CF]
Chassis Material: Cast Aluminium
Dimensions: Width 250mm x Depth 166mm Deep x Height 60mm