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        Windows CE computer runs industrial apps 24/7

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Dec 14, 2010 | Comments: 1



        Taiwan-based Artila Electronics announced an ARM9-based Windows CE 6.0 computer designed for industrial applications that run around the clock. The Matrix-604 includes a 400MHz AT91SAM9G20 processor, 64GB of RAM, 128MB of NAND flash, Ethernet, four serial ports with RJ45 connectors, and a built-in failover mechanism, the company says.


        Artila has previously released at least half a dozen products that combine ARM9 processors from Atmel with Linux, and fielded two more such devices today, as our sister site LinuxDevices.com reports. The Matrix-604 (right) turns to Windows CE 6.0, however, and is designed to run the real-time OS in industrial applications.

        Employing the same hardware as last year's Linux-powered Matrix -504, the device features 128MB of NAND flash storage that not only holds Windows CE, but also provides more than 90MB of storage for user files, the company says. Should the NAND flash crash for some reason, the Matrix-604 can boot up from a 2MB read-only backup, which may then be used for system recovery, according to Artila.

        Thanks to this failover mechanism and to power consumption of less than three Watts, the Matrix-604 is ideally suited for applications that must run around the clock, Artila says. Including ready-to-use HTTP, FTP, and Telnet servers, the device also may be accessed remotely via Microsoft's RDP (remote display protocol), the company adds.

        Artila says the Matrix-604 includes 64MB of RAM along with a 400MHz Atmel AT91SAMG20 CPU. The computer also offers a 10/100 Ethernet port, four serial ports (one RS232/422/485 and three RS232/RS485) with RJ45 connectors, another RJ45 connector for a serial console and five GPIOs, two USB host ports, and one USB client port, according to the company.

        Like the Matrix-504 and many of the other previous Matrix boxes, the 604 offers a robust metal case measuring 4.3 x 3.1 x .9 inches and is said to withstand temperatures up to 158 deg. F (70 deg. C). The device features a watchdog timer, real-time clock, and the ability to operate on input power ranging from 9VDC to 48VDC, says Artila.

        Features and specifications listed for the Matrix-604 include:

        • Processor -- Atmel AT91SAMG20 clocked at 400MHz
        • Memory -- 128MB of RAM
        • Storage -- 128MB of NAND flash and 2MB of read-only backup
        • Networking -- 1 x 10/100 Ethernet
        • Other I/O:
          • 4 x serial ports (1 x RS232/422/485, 3 x RS232/RS485); 1 x console port
          • 2 x USB 2.0 host; 1 x USB 2.0 client
        • Power -- 9~48VDC input; consumption < 3Watts
        • Dimensions -- 4.3 x 3.1 x .9 inches
        • Weight -- n/s
        Further information

        Artila did not offer pricing or availability information for the Matrix-604, but the device appears to be orderable now. More information may be found on the company's website.


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