Adlink.

(Click here for a larger view of the MilSystem 800)

Two of the MilSystem's 55-pin MIL-STD-D3899 connectors are used to serve up gigabit Ethernet, 10/100 Ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, four serial ports, video, audio, and dual PS/2 ports, Adlink says. The third connector is "available for an additional 55 I/O signals," the company added, though further details were not provided.

Ampro's RuffSystem 840 (Click image to enlarge)

Marketed under the "Ampro by Adlink" moniker, the new MilSystem 800 obviously is a product of Adlink's acquisition of Ampro last year. The device comes in a case similar to Ampro's previously released RuffSystem PCs, such as the RuffSystem 840 shown at right. Also, as Adlink acknowledges, the device has Ampro's previously released LittleBoard 800, an EBX-format SBC (single board computer) at its heart (see later in this story for further details).

However, where the previous RuffSystem PCs employed the same connectors featured on ordinary commercial PCs, the MilSystem 800 routes all its interfaces through three circular connectors (below) that comply with the MIL-STD-D38999 standard [PDF link, here]. Thanks in part to this change, the device is able to withstand the "most extreme" environmental conditions, claims Adlink.


The MilSystem 800 sports three MIL-STD-D38999 connectors
(Click to enlarge)
According to the company, the MilSystem 800 operates fanlessly over a temperature range from -40 to 75 deg. C (-40 to 167 deg. F). Resistant to dust, liquids, and vibration, the device is said to comply with MIL-STD-810 standards.

Though Adlink didn't provide further specifics, the MilSystem 800 is likely to be most shock-resistant when equipped with solid-state storage rather than a rotating drive. The company says the device is offered with SSD (solid state disk) options up to 32GB, accepts CompactFlash cards up to 16GB, and may be ordered with "extreme environment" HDDs (hard disk drives) of unspecified capacity.

PJ Go, a general manager for Adlink, said, "MIL-STD connectors allow MilSystems to be deployed in stationary, mobile, and airborne military applications. A rugged-by-design system must [also] include a rugged-by-design SBC, as shock-mounting alone is not enough for reliable operation overloads."

Features and specifications listed by Adlink for the MilSystem 800 include:

• Processor -- Intel Celeron M clocked at 800MHz or 1.0GHz, or 1.4GHz Pentium M
  
• Chipset -- 855GME northbridge and ICH4M southbridge
  
• Memory -- Up to 1GB of DDR RAM via single SODIMM slot
  
• Display -- Supports LVDS flat-panel displays with resolution up to 2048 x 1536 pixels
  
• Storage -- CompactFlash, SSD, or HDD
  
• Networking -- 1 x gigabit Ethernet and 1 x 10/100 Ethernet
  
• Other I/O (all via MIL-STD-D3899 connectors):
  • Video
    
  • 4 x RS232/422/485
    
  • 4 x USB 2.0
    
  • 2 x IDE
    
  • 2 x PS/2
    
  • 1 x parallel
    
  • 1 x floppy
    
  • Audio -- speaker, mic, headphone
• Expansion:
  • CompactFlash slot
    
  • PC/104-Plus interface (accessibility n/s)
• Operating range -- -40 to 75 deg. C (-40 to 167 deg. F)
  
• Power requirements --n/s, but Ampro RuffSystems have accepted 12VDC to 24VDC input
  
• Dimensions -- 10 x 8 x 4 inches (254 x 203 x 76.2mm)
  
• Weight -- n/s

LittleBoard 800

Ampro's LittleBoard 800 (Click image to enlarge)

Ampro's LittleBoard 800 (right) is an SBC using the 8.0 x 5.75 inch EBX form factor. According to Ampro, the SBC offers a PC/104-Plus expansion connector, which we suspect is not accessible on the MilSystem 800 because of the latter's low, sealed case.

Other features of the LittleBoard 800 all appear to have reported for duty in the MilSystem 800, however. For example, the SBC supports Celeron ULV CPUs running at either 600MHz or 1.0GHz, or a 1.4GHz Pentium M. The device accepts 1GB of DDR memory via a single SODIMM slot, has both 10/100 and gigabit Ethernet ports, includes four RS232/422/485 ports, supports LVDS flat-panel displays, and has an integral Compact Flash slot.

Further information

Adlink says the MilSystem 800 will be available during the first quarter of this year, though pricing wasn't specified. The device is designed to run Windows CE, Windows XP Embedded, or Linux, according to the company.

The MilSystem apparently hasn't been added to Adlink's website yet, but more information on the Ampro LittleBoard 800 may be found, here.

---

Related stories:

• Mission computer runs Windows on Atom
  
• Tactical computer muscles up
  
• Tiny tactical mission computer runs Windows XP Embedded
  
• Windows XPe tablets target harsh environments
  
• Rugged UMPC boasts GPS/GSM/GPRS options
  
• Rugged HMI computers run Window XP Embedded
  
• Mil-spec computer resists heat, runs Windows XP Embedded
  
• "Pins down" PC/104 SBCs resist shock, temperature extremes
  
• Rugged Windows CE PDA drafted by U.S. marines
  
• Rugged HMI computers run Windows XP Embedded
  
• Single-board computer specialists to merge