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        Wearable, Atom-powered computer ready for rough field duty

        Eric Brown | Date: Feb 24, 2011 | Comments: 1


        Eurotech subsidiary Parvus announced two Windows-compatible, Intel Atom-based devices aimed primarily at the military market. The Zypad BR2000 is a rugged, 1.8-pound, wearable computer and vehicle server with wireless options and flash-based storage, while the DuraCOR 830 is a rugged tactical mission processor subsystem with dual avionics interfaces and PC/104 expansion, says the company.

        Both the Zypad BR2000 and DuraCOR 830 are touted for supporting so-called Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) constrained vehicle and aircraft platforms, as well as Command and Control (C2) applications. Both devices run Windows Embedded or Linux operating systems on different models of the Intel Atom.

        Zypad BR2000

        The Zypad BR2000 follows in the tradition of earlier Parvus field-ready wrist computers, such as the Zypad WR1100 released in 2008. In 2009, Glacier Computing spun off a U.S.-distributed version of the WR1100 called the Ridgeline W200.


        Zypad BR2000
        (Click to enlarge)

        The Zypad BR2000 is described as a "soldier/worker wearable computer" or vehicle-mount subsystem available for a variety of civil and military applications. The BR2000 is designed to be worn on a tactical vest, utility belt, pocket or backpack, and to interface with optional, wrist-worn, vest-mounted, hand-held, or helmet monocle displays.

        The computer weighs less than 1.8 pounds (0.8 kg) with its rechargeable, removable battery, or 1.4 pounds (0.6 kg) without, and offers four to six hour of typical battery life, says Parvus. Power consumption is said to run at about 5 Watts.

        The 5.45 x 4.20 x 1.40-inch (138 x 107 x 36mm) device is protected by a submersible metal enclosure protected from water and dust, supporting MIL-STD-810G and IP67 standards, and offers a temperature range of -40 to 160 deg. F (-40 to 71 deg. C), says Parvus. Vibration and shock resistance are also said to be available.



        Zypad BR2000, showing protected ports
        (Click to enlarge)

        Whereas the Zypad WR1100 and Ridgeline W200 run on a Marvell PXA 270 processor, the Zypad BR2000 moves up to last year's Intel Atom E660T ("Tunnel Creek"), clocked at 1.3GHz. This official heir to the original Z5xx line of embedded-oriented Atoms integrates a graphics controller (known as the GMA600) and offers only a relatively simple IOH I/O controller, thereby reducing footprint.

        The Zypad BR2000 is equipped with 1GB of RAM, upgradable to 2GB. The computer offers a choice between onboard flash and CompactFlash, selectable in 16GB or 32GB amounts, and in standard or secure erase versions, says Parvus.

        The BR2000 offers a VGA port, or optional LVDS port, as well as a composite video out port, says Parvus. The device is further equipped with a gigabit Ethernet port, six USB 2.0 ports, three serial ports, and audio I/O.

        Customers can mix and match preferences for wireless options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 50-channel GPS, and one option provides connectivity to an external cellular modem. Buyers can also opt for battery packs or external DC power for in-vehicle use, says the company.

        DuraCOR 830

        The DuraCOR 830 is an update to last year's DuraCOR 820A tactical computer, which followed the original, circa-2008 DuraCOR 820. Like the DuraCOR 820A, the 830 uses the original, 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 (Parvus also offers a higher-end, Intel Core 2 Duo-based DuraCor 810-Duo).


        DuraCOR 830
        (Click to enlarge)

        The DuraCOR 830 offers relatively few enhancements compared to the original, similarly offering 2GB of DDR RAM and nearly identical I/O. The principal addition appears to be a second, optional MIL-STD-1553 avionics port. In addition, flash storage limits have increased -- the computer now offers both an 8GB industrial solid state disk (SSD) preloaded with a Windows Embedded or Linux image, as well as a removable 16GB CompactFlash disk.

        As with the previous model, all the I/O is brought out through lightweight, high-density MIL-38999-like connectors, making the product suitable for unmanned and manned command and control (C2) applications. In addition to supporting C2 operations like the Zypad BR2000, the more military-focused DuraCor 830 supports C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) applications, says Parvus.

        The computer offers dual open expansion slots for PC/104, PCI-104, or PC/104-Plus cards, says the company. As with the earlier model, the computer offers a gigabit Ethernet port, three USB 2.0 ports and two RS-232 ports. Other I/O includes PS/2, DIO, VGA, analog video, and audio ports. There are also the aforementioned, optional MIL-STD-1553 ports from Data Device Corp (DDC), which offer military-class databus connectivity.

        The DuraCOR 830 supports operating temperatures of -40 to 160 deg. F (-40 to 71 deg. C) and meets MIL-STD-810G environmental specifications for shock, vibration, altitude, humidity, and immersion, says Parvus. Its corrosion-resistant, sealed aluminum chassis protects against water and dust ingress, and offers MIL-STD-461F emissions and susceptibility protection, says the company.

        Weighing in at slightly less than four pounds (1.82 kg), the DuraCOR 830 measures 8.71 x 4.60 x 3.88 inches (221.11 x 116.84 x 99.55mm), says Parvus. The 28V power supply is said to be compliant with MIL-STD-1275 and MIL-STD-704 voltages, spikes, and surges.

        Further information

        Limited quantities of the Zypad BR2000 will become available by early Q2, with general availability by early Q3 2011, says Parvus. More information may be found on its Zypad BR2000 page.

        Limited quantities of the DuraCOR 830 will become available by the end of Q2 2011. Parvus is accepting pre-orders now, but does not list a general availability date. More information may be found on Parvus' DuraCOR 830 page.

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